Dem
47
GOP
53
As you can see, it was pretty close to "All Trump, all the time" this week.
We very definitely intended to do some questions today. However, we did the mailbag first, and if we add questions too, the posting will be too long and will go live far too late. We inadvertently did a "news" post yesterday, so we'll see if we can do some questions sometime during the week.
Also, next weekend is all non-politics questions. If you have questions about books, film, TV, sports, food, art, games, etc., please send them to questions@electoral-vote.com.
D.M. in Berlin, Germany, writes: This may be the time to introduce my Grand Unified Theory of Trump. It simply amounts to "He's a narcissist," but I need to explain.
A while ago I came across an online article from a popular psychology magazine (it may well have been Psychology Today) that said all narcissists have imposter syndrome; they only pretend to have an extremely high opinion of themselves because if they can make other people believe that, maybe the other people won't find out they're really utterly unqualified for everything, as they secretly know they are. Inevitably, one day it becomes impossible to maintain the illusion that they're extremely stable geniuses; the resulting nervous breakdown is called narcissistic collapse.
I think Trump is not like that. I think Trump is the genuine article: not only does he really, genuinely believe he's the best of everything in the history of ever—the closest thing to a god that has ever existed—he really, genuinely believes it is self-evident that that's what he is.
One logical consequence is that, although he knows reality isn't identical to his wishes, he believes it's much closer than it actually is. He knows he's not as tanned as he'd like to be, but he believes his spray-tan makes him look like Rambo, only more so. He knows he's fatter than he'd like to be, but he believes wearing his ties overlong solves that problem completely. He knows he doesn't have as much hair as he used to, but he believes growing what's left very long, combing it over and fixing it with three tons of spray makes it look more luxurious than anyone else's hair, ever.
Another is that he feels safe in the knowledge that he never needs to plan. Being both a very stable genius and an extremely stable genius, he has already figured out everything that is worth knowing (which also means he can't learn, BTW). When he was asked about his healthcare plan in the debate with Kamala Harris, he got angry and scolded the so-called moderator: "I have CONCEPTS of a plan!!!"—loud emphasis HIS. No, Trump solves problems by shining greatness on them like light. War between "Albania and Ab...blrb...baijan"? Poof! Solved! No need to know where these places even are. Next, please.
Another is that Trump cannot fail, he can only be failed; what is more, Trump cannot be wrong, he can only be wronged. Trump says there's going to be a press conference "at the Four Seasons" and then the hotel says no? His underlings' job is to prevent reality from ever making him look wrong, so the press conference was held at Four Seasons Total Landscaping; otherwise, they would have been at fault and would need to be punished forever. More darkly, he still wants the Central Park Five dead, even today.
A further logical consequence is that whenever Trump encounters people who don't act like he's self-evidently the greatest, he is genuinely perplexed. What is wrong with so many people? They must be incomprehensibly stupid, or they must be pretending not to appreciate his greatness because they're incomprehensibly evil, meaning, jealous of him. For the stupid ones—so stupid they need evidence!—he plays a successful businessman on TV and angrily lists fictional successes of his presidency in his speeches. The evil ones he complains about as loudly as possible.
Vladimir Putin is neither one of the stupid people nor one of the evil people; he has proved this over and over by flattering Trump. Therefore, until about 10 months ago, Trump took for granted that Putin would drop his war like a hot potato just so Trump could have a Nobel Peace Prize. The discovery that anyone in their right mind, let alone Trump's best friend and greatest admirer (as Trump believed), might have priorities that are not Trump came as a shock, leading to a series of erratic policy oscillations that is still ongoing.
Putting all of the above together, Trump knows he lost the 2020 election as far as the actual count of actual ballots goes, and he has on a few occasions said so, even using the word "lost"; but, at the same time, he is absolutely certain that he ought to have won and that—but for evil machinations the exact nature of which is wholly unimportant—he would have won the votes of all but the very stupidest people: 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.8%, "maybe even the ultimate" to quote him only slightly out of context.
So, I think the plaques are there to once more drive home to the stupid people just how great he is and how bad the people he hates are, and to punish the evil people by scolding them and depriving them of the sympathies of the stupid people. It follows that the plaques have to be public.
The layout of the plaques, it goes without saying, is automatically perfect because it comes from Trump. And if some underling failed to put Trump's brilliant idea into perfect practice, that's their fault, not his, it goes likewise without saying.
J.N. in Baltimore, MD, writes: Came across this and found it interesting. It's from the Mayo Clinic. It sure sounds like somebody in the news these days.
Symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder. These people can:
- Have an unreasonably high sense of self-importance and require constant, excessive admiration.
- Feel that they deserve privileges and special treatment.
- Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements.
- Make achievements and talents seem bigger than they are.
- Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate.
- Believe they are superior to others and can only spend time with or be understood by equally special people.
- Be critical of and look down on people they feel are not important.
- Expect special favors and expect other people to do what they want without questioning them.
- Take advantage of others to get what they want.
- Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others.
- Be envious of others and believe others envy them.
- Behave in an arrogant way, brag a lot and come across as conceited.
- Insist on having the best of everything—for instance, the best car or office.
At the same time, people with narcissistic personality disorder have trouble handling anything they view as criticism. They can:
- Become impatient or angry when they don't receive special recognition or treatment.
- Have major problems interacting with others and easily feel slighted.
- React with rage or contempt and try to belittle other people to make themselves appear superior.
- Have difficulty managing their emotions and behavior.
- Experience major problems dealing with stress and adapting to change.
- Withdraw from or avoid situations in which they might fail.
- Feel depressed and moody because they fall short of perfection.
- Have secret feelings of insecurity, shame, humiliation and fear of being exposed as a failure.
B.T in Toronto, ON, Canada, writes: I think that looking at Donald Trump's actions through a political lens doesn't work because they are on their face silly, pathetic and ridiculous. However, so are those embarrassing Cabinet sessions in which grown men and women fall all over themselves to spout the most ridiculous lies about his greatness. It's not about convincing anyone who isn't already on board that Donald Trump is a Great Man in the historical sense.
Donald Trump is old. Donald Trump is sick (to what degree is unknown, but all 80-year-olds are dealing with issues). Donald Trump used to be robust and energetic and that is no longer the case. Trump has always loved slapping his name on every property he owned and business ventures he's been involved in. This is the shaky-old-man version of that long running expression of ego who has convinced himself that he's due all these honors and making sure, in his mind, that his legacy will be vast.
I think it is important to remember that Trump and his family always aspired to be considered elite. In New York society he was shut out as the jumped-up son of a Queens slumlord, regardless of his money. Now, in his addled mind, his name will be associated with John F. Kennedy in regards to the arts. Generations of presidents will hold court in a ballroom named after him and forever associated with him. Even his ridiculous walk of fame is this idea that he gets to be the one that decided how past presidencies are viewed. It's all self-inflating and self-soothing nonsense that will be reversed in Day 1 of the next Democratic presidency, but that's not something he's concerned with at all.
I don't think you look at this from a political perspective in any shape to find the logic to it. If you look at it as the whims of an ailing narcissist, surrounded and insulated from the real world, it all makes sense.
J.B in Delaware, OH, writes: I have been a loyal reader for 10+ years now, and truly enjoy your witty insight on the politics and elections of our day. I've never written in, but today it's time. In "Department of Justice Releases Tranche of Epstein Files," you commented you were a bit befuddled by the White House's thinking. My educated response to this is: "Really?!" Have we not been watching Captain Bone Spurs avoid everything his entire life? This is exactly the same situation as him releasing his tax returns (albeit a much different degree of seriousness); he never planned to release those, just like he never plans to release the Epstein files.
I am no seasoned political operative, but a few weeks ago, Trump was adamant at not releasing the Epstein files, then all of a sudden he decided he would. It doesn't take Toby Ziegler to figure out this flip-flop came after someone in his shady realm came and said, "Hey, Mr. President. We can hold back the files that damage you, and instead selectively release files that expose prominent Democrats, so go right ahead and order the release of the files. Files that implicate will never see the light of day." I imagine this is almost exactly what happened.
Whether saying he would eventually release his tax returns, or do something about health care, or end the war in Ukraine, Trump lies. He lies, and knows he will never be held accountable, because he has never been in his whole life.
P.C. in Yandina Creek, QLD, Australia, writes: What should we have expected? There's no way the Department of Justice, despite pulling "all-nighters" to run a fine-toothed comb through the files and remove references to Trump, was ever going to do the right thing, legally, morally or ethically and provide un-redacted information (with minor exceptions).
Virtually unanimous support in Congress, and signed off on by Donald Trump himself and we thought that a different outcome was possible? Are we delusional?
The Ballroom, the Arc de Trump (aka the Pedo Pagoda), Venezuela, The Kennedy Center—all distractions.
G.H. in Acton, MA, writes: Regarding your list of "time until 10 'firsts'" in Donald Trump's televised address: The first item contradicts the second. Clearly the first baldfaced lie was "When I took office, inflation was the worst in 48 years." And it happened much earlier than 0:25.
C.J.P. in Fife, WA, writes: You wrote: "First Baldfaced Lie (0:25): '[Under Biden,] our country was being invaded by an army of 25 million people...'"
This is the problem with Trump: He lies so much that while some are fact-checks, others skate by and become "facts."
The first lie was included in your first item. When Trump took over for the second time, inflation was not "the worst in 48 years." While inflation was high (worldwide) during the first part of Biden's term, he had brought it down considerably by the time he handed over the reins.
(V) & (Z) respond: We decided that how high or low inflation is can be considered a fact, but that how BAD inflation is, on the other hand, is a judgment that is at least partly subjective. So, we concluded this was an exaggeration, rather than an outright lie.
K.F.K. in Cle Elum, WA, writes: Seven takeaways from the President's speech:
- The cheese is slipping off the cracker
- The lights are on but nobody's home
- One pickle short of a barrel
- Not playing with a full deck of cards
- A few bricks short of a load
- Not firing on all cylinders
- A few fries short of a Happy Meal
J.K. in Stanhope, NJ, writes: Your headline about Donald Trump's presidential address was "Trump Spoke."
I think that even that was too generous. I would have written "Trump Made Noise With His Mouth."
N.N. in Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, writes: The rare time when the public WANTS 18 minutes of government tape to go missing.
K.S. in Harrisburg, PA, writes: Say what you will about the lost 18 minutes on Wednesday night, but The Convicted Felon (TCF) did one thing better than any of his predecessors: He celebrated Festivus with the Airing of Grievances. In fact, he beats out Frank Costanza as being the GOAT of airing grievances.
P.B. in Redwood City, CA, writes: Watching the President's speech, I was reminded of Howard Beale in Network.
J.M. in El Sobrante, CA, writes: While I agree with your basic assertion that the petty and pathetic bronze plaques in the "Walk of Fame" are unlikely to win any new MAGA converts, I don't think they will cause his approval rating to suffer, either. When polled accurately or reflected in legitimate elections, historical fascist regimes consistently have a core dedicated support base in the low 30s—1930s Germany, 1920s-30s Italy, 1930s-70s Spain, etc.—and MAGA seems to be no different. I would be willing to bet money that the small amount of variability in Trump's approval rating (bouncing between 34-40%) is almost certainly driven by "independents" who are borderline illiterate and 100% checked out from current events beyond what they see on their brainrot social media feeds. If our already-flawed democracy wasn't already underwater and drowning, the reality that both major parties will be desperately pandering to this forcefully ignorant 5-6% demographic will certainly serve to wrap a steel chain around Davy Jones' locker.
M.L. in Athens, OH, writes: You wrote: "And for some people sitting on the fence, this is surely going to contribute to the perception that either he's a very small man, or that he's losing his marbles."
You neglected the rather obvious third option, that being "Trump is a very small man who's losing his marbles." No doubt like many others, I would vote for this third choice.
J.L. in Richmond, VA, writes: At this point I'm no longer surprised by Trump's petulance and childishness, so the content on the White House plaques is just another day of his presidency to me. However, I wish Democrats and the media would start keeping a tally of how much these gimmicks cost the American public. Pictures of the presidents, bronze plaques, design, installation, etc., all of which will inevitably have to be replaced at some point? I have to imagine the cost of just these stupid things are in the thousands of dollars already, and this is the party of DOGE and slashing healthcare to "save" money. The American people should be reminded daily that the supposed party of fiscal responsibility is constantly flushing money down the toilet to satisfy the whims of our toddler-in-chief.
N.S. in Lafayette, CO, writes: When I saw this picture, one word instantly came to mind:
Stonehenge.
S.T. Asbury Park, NJ, writes: I think I found a copy of the plans for the Trump Triumphal Arch (h/t to Nigel Tufnel):
R.S. in Warner, NH, writes: As a living, breathing person, I am not sure I would like my name attached to a "Memorial" center, as the term is commonly used.
T.R. in Palo Alto, CA, writes: Maybe Donald Trump got some bad news on his mortality with the results of his semiannual annual physical exams. Now he is slapping his name on anything he can, hoping no one would dare remove it after he is gone for good.
If Trump wants a fitting D.C. memorial, why not the Trump Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (inspired by the John Oliver Memorial Sewer Plant in Danbury, CT)? The plant does a type of alchemy very much in line with Trump's leadership style, but it actually converts the sh** into something useful.
A.H. in Newberg, OR, writes: I am still waiting for the renaming of OUR White House to THE DONALD J. TRUMP MEMORIAL PRESIDENTIAL PALACE AND GRIFT SHOP!
T.F. in Craftsbury Common, VT, writes: I know that there are naysayers and Debbie Downers who are critical of our president, but look at what he is doing for job creation. There will be a spike in employment that will last for at least several months just removing his name, his plaques, and his victorian-brothel-style gold-colored decor.
L.C. in Brookline, MA, writes: You wrote:
Did nobody in this administration read the books, or see the movies, in The Hunger Games trilogy? For those unfamiliar, the Hunger Games are an athletic competition staged by a corrupt president leading a fascist government in which one boy and one girl are chosen from each state (well, each "district") and pitted against each other in a competition meant to distract the teeming masses from how bad their lives are and how evil the government is. Needless to say, it does not turn out well for the president or the government.Each set of totalitarians thinks they will be the ones to make their dictatorship last. The problem for the rest of us is that sometimes they are right. Not only did Panem last for decades, but in the real world, so did the Soviet Union and Communist China, the latter of which is still going strong (stronger than ever), and the Roman Empire lasted for centuries (over a millennium if you do either or both of counting the imperial Roman Republic as part of it and/or counting the Eastern Roman Empire in the total duration).
S.B. in Johannesburg, South Africa, writes: I am sure Leni Riefenstahl would love to stage the Patriot Games... if she was still around!
D.L. in Uslar, Germany, writes: My knowledge of The Hunger Games is pretty limited, so I suppose it's only natural that my first thought on hearing the name of Trump's latest fever dream was of the Tom Clancy novel and Harrison Ford movie (loosely) based on it. Both are basically the origin story for Jack Ryan and involve a plot to kill (the then) Prince Charles (book) or some random English lord (movie) and Jack Ryan for thwarting an earlier attempt. Still not great, but not utterly tone deaf.
That is, at least, if your knowledge of the phrase is completely limited to the surface of Jack Ryan-related media. Clancy took the name from the 1958 ballad "The Patriot Game" by Dominic Behan, based on an Irish Republican Army terrorist attack on Royal Ulster Constabulary barracks as part of the border campaign to reunite Ireland and Northern Ireland. It's mostly a protest song about the cynical political use of patriotism to get young men to kill and die for a cause.
The opening verse goes:
Come all ye young rebels, and list while I sing,Then there's the seldom sung lines:
For the love of one's country is a terrible thing.
It banishes fear with the speed of a flame,
And it makes us all part of the patriot game.I don't mind a bit if I shoot down police
They are lackeys for war never guardians of peaceYeah, the Hunger Games are more meme-worthy and will resonate with a lot more people, but for some of us there's an even deeper idiocy.
J.R.A. in St. Petersburg, FL, writes: Being a little bit older than the audience for The Hunger Games, my mind went immediately to the Tom Clancy novel, which carries a whole different set of implications Trump really doesn't want to get involved with, and it makes me wonder: Does he have someone on his staff who is first generation Irish American, and who might have in their head the lyrics Clancy quotes in the novel to the traditional Irish song?
R.B. in Cleveland, OH, writes: My first thought when I saw the announcement of the Patriot Games was that it's pretty bold of this administration to put out a casting call for teenagers on the eve of the Epstein release.
S.R. in Kansas City, MO, writes: The Patriot Games is scheduled the same time as The World Cup will be in progress. Another example of no forethought and impulsive actions. Par for the course.
B.C.B. in Massillon, OH, writes: The funniest part is that they are staging the Patriot Games during the fall, when they will have to compete with the king of all high school sports... football. Do they think you will actually get the best athletes from Texas during their already-compressed football season?
D.D. in Platte City, MO, writes: It is informative (and a little terrifying) that Trump didn't mention the Patriot Games nonsense during his speech on Wednesday night. It seems certain he would have boasted about it during the "address" if he had thought it up at the time. What that has to mean is that he thought this up in the 24 hours after the speech and announced it to the country with zero vetting, zero consultation, and not a single person in the administration saying: "Uh, wait a minute, Mr. President." That's pretty frightening.
J.E. in San Jose, CA, writes: Sometimes the most in-passing line can inspire hope, and so it was Friday, when (Z) wrote: "America's semiquincentennial (250th birthday) is next year, of course, and the administration plans to milk that for all it's worth (after all, hugging the bicentennial close in 1976 worked so very well for Gerald Ford)."
That's right—it didn't! Thanks, (Z)!
L.V.A. in Idaho Falls, ID, writes: Here's a guide TCF can use in his crusade against Weapons of Mass Destruction:
Cause 2024 U.S. Deaths WMD Who to Attack Diabetes 95,190 Sugar Cuba, Hawaii Fentanyl 48,422 Fentanyl China Alcohol 44,500 Alcohol France, Kentucky Guns 44,400 Guns NRA, Red states, Hollywood Car crashes 39,345 Cars Japan, US, NATO Flu 28,000 Unvaccinated People Robert Kennedy Jr.
J.C. in Washington, DC, writes: I wanted to confirm that the "Warrior Dividend" has indeed been paid out—I received my $1,776 Friday morning.
Here's the rub I have with it: It went to all service members in the rank of O-6 (full-bird colonel) and below. I would have MUCH preferred that it be paid out on a sliding scale—more for junior enlisted and less to field-grade officers. Even worse, this was supposed to help with housing costs over the next two years. So how then, as a lieutenant colonel retiring in the next 2 months, did I receive anything?
As is the case with everything else in this administration, sloppy and not well thought out policy. It's truly been a privilege to serve, but I am so very happy to be retiring and moving on to the next chapter.
S.C-M. in Scottsdale, AZ, writes: Land mines are generally used defensively, but as you pointed out, they have a nasty way of biting the army which uses them. This is particularly true when fighting a mobile war. Keep in mind the Russian military used landmines extensively in their southern Ukraine fortifications, which helped stymie any Ukrainian offensive.
It is possible the use of surveillance drones will replace landmines as a device to channel any offensive actions by an adversary.
C.J. in Burke, VA, writes: I can't say I love the hidden longevity of land mines, but any Ukrainian grunt trying to hold the line at Pokrovsk or anywhere else along democratic Ukraine's front line depends on them for their life and their country's existence. I also suspect the mothers and fathers, brother and sisters, and husbands and wives of those grunts are happy the mines are there, and dealing with them in the future is a trade they are willing to make. Speaking of sitting in a comfortable office, you are writing a check you or yours will never have to cash.
M.M. San Jose, CA, writes: Amen Brother! People still get injured and killed from landmines sown in Vietnam and Cambodia before 1974. An organization called APOPO uses large African rats with a superior sense of smell to clear those mines.
So your point is confirmed. Once in the ground, landmines are very hard to remove.
There is a recurring effort to build landmines that self-disarm after a period of time. Does Pete Hegseth propose to use those?
O.E. in Greenville, SC, writes: I read your item on Pete Hegseth and his reintroduction of land mines, and I have two comments. One is that, while the next administration needs to reverse many Trump administration actions, those are not the only ones that need reversing. Numerous previous administrations have sought to replace principles with pragmatism (or lust for power), and have resulted in a massive growth in executive power. There should be a top-down and bottom-up review of all the laws and policies the Trump Administration has used, and a reversal of all the laws and policies that tend towards a unitary executive that can abuse power as Trump has. I don't care if the laws date back to Harry S. Truman or even John Adams.
The second comment is on your comparison of Hegseth and Curtis LeMay. I understand their both being militaristic, but one aspect is unfair... to LeMay. LeMay was in charge of strategic bombing, but he was also in the USAF (and before that, the USAAF) from when it was segregated until the 1960's. He saw how well the Tuskegee Airmen did when flying escort to U.S. bombers. He helped the USAF desegregate in a day. When George Wallace named him as his VP, a reporter asked him about segregation, he replied that integration had not caused problems for the Air Force, which embarrassed Wallace. Contrast that with Hegseth, with his ridiculing of diversity, and his support for pro-Confederate theologian Doug Wilson (who defended slavery, and is heavily influenced by Confederate theologian Robert Lewis Dabney).
R.E.M. in Brooklyn, NY, writes: I despise Curtis LeMay, too, and bear in mind that he was also a racist (or at least 100% comfortable with racism), as he was George Wallace's running mate in the 1968 presidential election. However, he should be recognized for his personal bravery in leading dangerous bombing missions over Europe in World War II, for which he was justly decorated. He continued to fly missions after transfer to the Pacific. He wasn't a chickenhawk who sat behind a desk sending others to their deaths.
Moreover, I can't find anything about landmines connected to LeMay. He carried out Chester Nimitz's orders to mine waters to interdict Japanese shipping, but that has nothing to do with deploying landmines against civilians. (He did, of course, contribute to over 100,000 Japanese civilian deaths, including the fire-bombing of Tokyo.)
M.H. in Chicago, IL, writes: It's unfair to group Curtis LeMay with Pete Hegseth. I think LeMay was more like Ulysses S. Grant [e.g., Wasn't Grant associated with scorched earth/burning the South mercilessly, because that's what was needed to prevail?) and capable of introspection. There is no way to make war clean or nice, and LeMay's strategy may have kept it from being dragged out and worse in the longer term of the campaign as opposed to the horror of a single battle. Anyway, judged by his time and circumstances LeMay could be considered relatively necessary and choosing the least bad way to win the war. Hegseth lacks any morals or compass and is just motivated by whatever sort of motivates Fox talking heads.
My knowledge of LeMay is mostly limited to the 1995 New Yorker article "The General and World War III." Maybe LeMay was correct, or we would be better off in the present if his strategy had prevailed early, very soon after World War II, given what Russia is up to today...
Viewed through some lenses, LeMay could be defensible and the ruthlessness of the campaign he led may have been necessary. He also was in real combat earlier in his career and was sort of injured from flying, if you count Bells, in contrast to the current regime's office holders, who have never been near any combat or real danger.
S.H. in Duluth, MN, writes: I might be a little late in writing about this—I was caught up in finals week—but I wanted to respond to the discussion about the increasing costs of college.
As a current undergraduate, I think is being ignored in the discussion is that college costs are not a flat constant, as there are many ways to reduce the potential cost of college well before actually attending a university. For instance, there are a lot of avenues by which high school students can earn college credit before graduating high school. I'm not sure what programs exist in other states, but in Minnesota we have a program where high school juniors and seniors can take classes for free at local community colleges and apply those courses to use for their own high school graduation. I've known other students who have earned an Associate's degree while still in high school through this program, and then who are able to use those credits to graduate with a Bachelor's degree from another university in only 2 years instead of the regular 4, which drastically reduces the time and cost of college. In any case, I think that while the cost of college has been increasing, it doesn't necessarily mean students have to pay more, as long as they are creative and can exploit these opportunities.
T.M. in Aldergrove, BC, Canada, writes: When younger, I spent four terms on the Senate (and three terms on the Board of Governors) of a major university. What I learned (among other things) during that period was:
- Only about 10% of the graduates from universities increase their lifetime earning by a large enough amount so that the increase that they pay in taxes covers the portion of their university education that was not covered by their tuition.
- There is no known way of knowing which of the admitted class of students will be in that 10%.
- There is also no known way of knowing which of the graduating class of students will be in that 10%.
- The amount of additional taxes that the 10% pay (and—more likely—create jobs for workers who will pay taxes) covers a very high percentage of the amount of the shortfall from the 90%.
Yes, generally speaking, the vast majority of university graduates earn more after graduation, but that doesn't mean that they earn enough more to cover the actual TOTAL cost of their education (using UCLA as an example, around 35% of the operating cost of the university is covered by tuition income).
As an example, to obtain a medical degree after a four year undergraduate degree at UCLA would cost (using current rates) a total of around $271,900 in tuition fees. That means that there remains around $504,950 in "subsidized education costs" that would have to be paid back into the governmental financial system for the system to break even on the cost of educating that doctor. Spread over a 45-year working life, that would work out to about $11,220 a year in additional taxes that the doctor would—theoretically—have to pay.
Believe me, any professional (or businessperson) with an income so high as to be potentially liable for paying that much in additional taxes is going to actually be paying less in taxes than their office/support staff are paying.
K.C. in West Islip, NY, writes: With Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) out of the New York gubernatorial race, that opens the door wide for Nassau County exec Bruce Blakeman (R) to grab the MAGA nomination to run against Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY).
I'd like to take this opportunity to remind my fellow New Yorkers that Blakeman had to have his arm twisted mightily just to reluctantly lower the flag for President Carter for a mere two days. He's a small, petty man much akin to his master, one Orange Foolius. One should also take note of his planned armed citizenry program, ban on transgender athletes and direction of county funds to Republican towns at the expense of large swaths of his own citizens. In other words, he's Donald Trump at a much more local level.
I (involuntarily) moved out of Nassau County almost 6 years ago. That's another story altogether, but I relish the opportunity to finally have a chance to vote against Blakeman. He's antithetical to everything good and just in this world and watching him get annihilated by Hochul would be glorious. I strongly encourage everyone to recognize that this man is a menace, and that a vote for him amounts to nothing more than a big middle finger to the great state of New York and all of her residents.
E.S. in Providence, RI, writes: The Stefanik retirement reminds me of a line from the great David Letterman, talking about his own impending retirement from The Late Show: "Anyone who says that they're retiring to spend more time with their family pretty obviously hasn't asked the family." Not "famous last words," but close enough, I guess.
J.H. in Eugene, OR (via NY State), writes: Elise Stefanik is seriously smart. She read the tea leaves and left the mainstream to carry the water for Trump. If, as you write, she was a normie, then she can't reposition herself back to the middle and while staying in the spotlight.
The best way to have "the normie epiphany" is to get back to the state, talk to the people and "see" the error of her ways. This is the path Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is also following. Become an outsider and speak ill of MAGA, hawk traditional normie values, etc.
This is yet again evidence that Donald Trump is a lame duck. The GOP is going to start to run against him for survival.
P.N. in Indianapolis, IN, writes: With Dan Bongino's resignation and Elise Stefanik's announcement that she is not running for governor, nor seeking reelection, I can't help but wonder if this is a case of rats leaving a sinking ship. I won't be surprised at all if there are plenty more people who decide to distance themselves from Donald Trump and take a year or two off. Whether they can return at a later date and be successful remains to be seen. I don't want to be too optimistic, but this seems like another sign that cracks are forming and Trump is losing power and clout.
R.L.D. in Sundance, WY, writes: You'll definitely see billionaire businessman Reid Rasner (R) throw his hat into the ring to replace Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). He's been preparing to do so ever since he lost badly against Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) in the last go-round. The good news is that he is the biggest Trump sycophant in the world, and he STILL couldn't win in even the reddest counties here in the Northeast of the state. The bad news is that there's no telling how he might fare in an open-seat contest.
P.S. in Bellevue, NE, writes: In response to D.M in Alameda, who asked if Dan Osborn has "even a fighting chance in the Nebraska U.S. Senate race," you wrote: "Osborn is a bona fide left-wing populist, and he'll be up against a plutocrat who never had to work a day in his life."
Now this is really just too much. Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) has certainly worked, and worked hard, many days of his life, both in business and in government, to get where he is, even if it is business or government you do not approve of. Though I might wonder what you have against baseball, or even a fintech that grew from an initial $12,500 investment in 1975 to a Fortune 500 company providing good professional jobs to thousands of workers in Omaha, and elsewhere. The Ricketts family was not always wealthy, Joe Ricketts did not just hand over his eventual wealth to lazy entitled children, and Ameritrade certainly did not just create itself. This is all detailed in Joe Ricketts' memoir, The Harder You Work, The Luckier You Get: An Entrepreneur's Memoir, which I highly recommend.
P.N. in Indianapolis, IN, writes: I want to wish you and all your readers a Blessed Winter Solstice tomorrow! I hope this time is one of reflection, peace, connection, and hope as the days start to lengthen again. Thank you for continuing the important work that you do and for creating a community that has helped me feel a little less alone during times of literal and figurative darkness.
S.L. in Glendora, CA, writes: I was visiting Balboa Park in San Diego today and I saw a dachshund Christmas parade. There were about 20 doggies, mostly dressed in Christmas costumes. I thought the staff dachshunds might enjoy a couple pictures that I got of the tail end. Although, somehow, I don't think they would have wanted to participate:
Happy Holidays to all of you as well as the Staff dachshunds.
(V) & (Z) respond: You're right; the staff dachshunds are now grumpy old men who do not appreciate being asked to participate in such things. In fact, Saturday was Otto's 15th birthday, and Thursday is Flash's 15th birthday. They DID enjoy the filet mignon they had for lunch yesterday in honor of the occasion.
C.K. in Haymarket, VA, writes: I wanted to thank you for asking readers about protest music, and I wanted to thank your readers who replied. All the readers who mentioned Jesse Welles turned me on to this incredible musician. He is a mix of Arlo Guthrie, Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger, all rolled into one. I can't believe I had not heard of him. I am so very thankful that your readers alerted me to this fine musician. Now I am obsessed.
Thank you, thank, you, thank you.
R.L.D. in Sundance, WY, writes: If you want to pass this along to the RPG players, I run a campaign on Roll20 based on alternate histories/parallel worlds that leans political from time to time and I'd be willing to run it for the Electoral-Vote.com crowd if there are at least three willing to join. I use GURPS 4th Edition as my rules set.
(V) & (Z) respond: Anyone who would like to be put in touch with R.L.D., please send an e-mail to comments@electoral-vote.com
R.P. in Kāneʻohe, HI, writes: In response to A.M. in Brookhaven and S.C. in Mountain View, (V) mentioned having taken a class from Henry Kendall at MIT.
I can't recall if I ever mentioned this before, but I knew Henry and I was, in fact, his "teacher" (in a sense). Specifically, I "taught" him how to use the Cis-Lunar MK-5P closed-circuit rebreather in the late 1990s. At the time, it was the most sophisticated underwater life-support system ever designed, and Henry had been a lifelong diver. I put the words "teacher" and "taught" in quotes, because Henry had started building his own rebreathers back in the 1930s, and was a true pioneer back then (he was an avid spearfisherman, and even wrote a book on it in 1954). So, the only extent to which I actually "taught" him anything was how this particular model of rebreather worked. Henry was also a long-time friend of my Ph.D. advisor, John E. Randall, so we got together whenever he passed through Hawaii (as he did in his capacity with the Union of Concerned Scientists).
Here is a photo taken after one of our training dives in Hawaii in 1998:
I'm the one in the middle, and the guy on the left is Bill Stone, who designed the Cis-Lunar line of rebreathers (which you can see in the back of my pickup truck on the left side of the photo). Bill is a famous cave explorer and was conducting a major survey of Wakulla Springs in 1998/1999. Bill invited both Henry and I to join the project, and because neither of us was a cave diver, he (Henry) and I agreed to serve as each other's dive buddies and stay in the basin outside the cave itself. I had booked a flight to arrive in Florida on February 13, 1999, but I decided to postpone my trip by a couple of days so I could spend Valentine's Day with my wife. Henry arrived before Valentine's Day, and decided to get a head start on diving before I got there. As I was about to head to the airport on February 15th, I got a phone call from Bill Stone informing me that Henry had died that morning. Inexplicably, he entered the water by himself, without a buddy, and ended up drowning in chest-deep water at the edge of the basin. The fact that he appeared to have had a serious medical issue that ultimately caused his death does not alleviate the deep sense of responsibility I felt at the time (and still feel today) as contributing to his death. First, I was technically his instructor on the rebreather he was wearing when he died, which alone is enough to lay some of the blame on me. But more directly, had I not postponed my travel plans, I would have been by his side on that fateful day as his dive buddy, which would absolutely have impacted how the events that day unfolded. It's possible (likely) that he would have died that day anyway for reasons unrelated to diving, but it haunts me that I might have been in a position to recognize something was wrong with him that morning, and perhaps have gotten him medical attention.
Apologies for the non-sequitur, but whenever I see any reference to Henry, it fills me with mixed emotions—mostly pride in having gotten to know such an AMAZING human being (forget the Nobel prize stuff, he was just as legendary in the world of diving, but also an incredibly sharp, funny, physically fit, and genuinely kind person), and sadness in having not been there by his side in what turned out to be a real time of need.
J.G.P. in Glendale, AZ, writes: I share (Z)'s interest in visiting notable graves. Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills draws visitors searching for famous names—Charles Laughton, Bette Davis, Liberace, Andy Gibb. My great Uncle Ross rests there too.
Rosario Tropea came to America from Sicily around 1913. He was a common shoemaker by trade, a craftsman who worked with his hands and lived carefully. In the 1950s he bought a modest home in Burbank, where he lived with his wife. She died tragically early in their marriage. He never remarried.
Rosario bought two crypts—one for his wife and one for himself. Today his crypt sits just below Charles Laughton's. My great aunt, who passed away before my birth, is next to Uncle Ross. Sometimes I smile imagining tourists stopping there, assuming Uncle Ross was a powerful Hollywood producer or studio big shot.
He wasn't. He was something better: a man who loved once, worked honestly, and planned carefully for the end.
In Forest Lawn, fame and faithfulness share the same wall. And my uncle keeps remarkable company:
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