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Comparing talking points to the truth

On Twitter, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted, “Let me be perfectly clear: Undocumented people CANNOT AND WILL NOT receive ACA premium tax credits BY LAW. PERIOD. This is a LIE from Republicans to divert attention from their shutdown. Republicans are refusing to lower healthcare costs for the American people.” The capitalization was his. It is a talking point to distract from the truth. CNN’s Jake Tapper pointed out to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, “What you support does bring back funding for emergency Medicaid to hospitals, some of which does pay for ...

Not a passive president

Whatever else you want to say about him, President Donald Trump has what Alexander Hamilton in Federalist No. 70 called “energy in the executive.” Announcing a peace plan for Israel and Hamas, ordering the dispatch of federal troops to protect immigration enforcement personnel in “sanctuary” states, authorizing his budget director to use reorganization powers available after Senate Democrats shut down the government, and announcing a pediatric cancer initiative. No one can seriously argue that this is a passive presidency, though some may say that Trump is not promoting “the ...

MSFF reflections of 20th Century

Forest Festival is a time of beautiful autumn memories. This year with Sterling Anne Kump becoming Queen Silvia LXXXVII, it is truly a new time to “Embrace Nature’s Charm” and remember that our local traditions are creatively inspired by a desire for excellence. The name Sterling means excellent and valuable like the British pound sterling. It stands for both honest government and reliable currency. Our tour through the Kump House with Sterling Kump featured family photos and the Forest Festival dresses that her relatives wore in the last century. There is a lovely pink velvet ...

Risk vs. returns

You would think that the Jimmy Kimmel affair might have given President Donald Trump pause about his “retribution” campaign. After being cocky in the week when Kimmel was off the air, MAGA operatives were surprised when he returned to late-night television. Furthermore, his ratings were higher than ever, so high that Sinclair and NEXSTAR instructed their affiliates to rescind their ban on Kimmel‘s show. But the lessons were not learned. Trump then turned his fury on James Comey, former FBI Director. He was indicted on vague and thin charges, with a rookie prosecutor handling the ...

Employee performance: Better to prevent than intervene

I read an article on performance improvement plans (PIPs). It got me thinking about how companies can better approach employee performance. When a person in a workplace is not achieving outcomes, they are placed on a performance improvement plan. The PIP includes details on performance shortfalls and actions the person is expected to improve. It ensures that the supervisor is documenting issues and that the person is aware of the outcomes needed if they’re to stay on the job.   Being placed on a PIP can be seen as a last resort. Some people resign. Others go on to achieve ...

Shutdown looming

With a looming government shutdown, President Donald Trump needs to reassess his approach to congressional Democrats. He might avert it altogether, depending on whether Mike Johnson in the House of Representatives and GOP stalwarts in the Senate approve a continuing resolution. But he may be better advised to correct some of his earlier decisions. In the first month of his administration, Trump made an error by depending on DOGE and the mercurial Elon Musk. Add on project 2025, championed by Russell Vought, whose mechanical approach to politics is tone-deaf to MAGA. Tax cuts ...