To Honor A Hero, BE A Hero

We’re honoring heroes today. Which is well and good and proper.

But why aren’t we following in their footsteps… and trying to become heroes, too?

Most of us don’t have to go to war. But we’re still in a war today. Rampant, choking inflation. Climbing interest rates. Pollution. Dependency on the Middle East.

Brave men and women gave their lives for us to have a better world. And when it comes to our big moment to contribute… to be counted on…

… what the hell are we doing?

Squat.

Here’s something you can do to be a hero TODAY: Drive less. Ride a bike. If you have to drive, drive 55.

We ALL can do that. Right now. This very minute. We can reduce our oil consumption by 10-15%.

Let’s throw out the lead foot (i.e., fast starts/stops) and we save another 10-15%.

Why does this make you a hero?

Because we lessen our dependency on oil politics… whether that’s Middle East or in our own backyard.

Because less oil consumption means less pollution.

Because less oil consumption means less demand and therefore falling oil prices. And — CRITICALLY — there is a one-to-one correspondence between oil prices and inflation. Higher oil, higher inflation.

But LOWER oil, LOWER inflation. Everyone has more money in their pockets. Interest rates are lower. Less pollution so everyone is breathing a bit easier, including the Planet Earth.

And just like that… without government intervention… without having to watch the market painfully spiral downward… without really anything more dangerous than a slight change of bad habits… YOU’RE A HERO.

Just like that.

Btw, if you’re someone who’s saying, “forget that, my freedom is the ability to burn as much gas as I please!” … then you’re someone that doesn’t deserve the sacrifice made by our fathers and mothers… because acting irresponsibly does NOT equate to personal freedom… it equates to you being a selfish, unappreciative jerk.

We’re at war… no one is asking you to risk your life… just sacrifice a little bit of speed for a whole lot of good.

Be a hero. Drive 55.

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And I Thought There Was Only One Party-Sinking Political Issue… Trump Single-Handedly Created Another

We have a LOT of problems in the United States.  All of them are important… but, realistically, if we can’t PRIORITIZE correctly, we’re shooting ourselves in the foot… and maybe the head.

It’s this prioritization that has strangled the Republican party… or should I say “hijacked.”

The greatest example of this is pro-life and pro-choice.  Clearly this is a hugely important issue… but it’s a hugely important PERSONAL issue… and as such should actually stay out of politics. 

Practically speaking, the Republican party has alienated large numbers of Americans on this single issue… meaning, no matter how intelligent the rest of the republican agenda may be, regulating right-to-choose is a complete and utter deal-breaker for many voters.

I would hope the Republican party would have learned this lesson by now.

But — unbelievably — Trump just created a SECOND complete and utter deal-breaker:  Climate change.

From Business Insider this morning:

The US officially tells the UN it is quitting the Paris climate change deal

Are you kidding me?

Whether you agree there’s people-made climate change or not… whether you agree this is good for business or not… Trump has just created YET ANOTHER deal-breaking issue for a mass of voters.

How stupid.

P.S.  My take on climate change?  Go live in Beijing for a couple months — A COUPLE OF DAYS — and then give me your opinion.