John Stone

The Trump administration has requested a 1.5 trillion INCREASE in defense spending for 2027. This equates to roughly a 42 percent increase in defense spending and TEN percent reduction in nondefense spending.

I do not say as a pejorative that less than ten percent of enlisted U.S. Armed Forces personnel have a college degree ........ and education has little to do with leadership ability. Young people enlist for many reasons that might include patriotism, romantic notions (big screen), escapism, adventure, trade training opportunities, etc. Generally, on enlistment as commissioned, requires at least a BA ....... the higher education proves to a degree that the individual has the proven capacity to learn, better bet(?) ..... says nothing about leadership tho. A fact is that college educated young adults lean liberal /Democrat..............ideology has zero to do with leadership but the chances are that although there are more right-leaning rank/file numerically, those leading them are left leaning / Democrat. In any event ............. a nation definitely desires an apolitical military .......... ideology has no place when ur leading.

Mississippi street gangs ...................

Universal Health Care - warts and all? The U.S. has the economic capacity to implement such a system. The challenge is mainly political and the groomed concept of individualism. What is truly crazy is the country spends more on health care than any other high-income country, yet when compared it remains the only one without universal health coverage? Health Ins net earnings peaked at 30 billion last year............. a mere 30 billion? Adjusted figures for the Iran war are estimated to be 200 billion. “I am thrilled to announce my plan to lower healthcare prices for all Americans and truly make healthcare affordable again—we’re doing things that nobody’s ever been able to do, we’re calling it The Great Healthcare Plan.” / Trump Don't just talk about it, be about it Donald!

.............. Kanada has experience with ethnic cleansing ...........giggles n chuckles, look at the cultural cleansing done with the indigenous ............ for several hundred years.

Anyone should be forgiven in believing the U.S. is increasingly moving towards an oligarchy. The concentration of power is seen as being in the hands of a few billionaires. Extremely wealthy individuals disproportionately influence policy and elections................. because they can. Control the courts, intimidate media, dismantle oversight institutions, weaponize law enforcement, jerrymander to gain an advantage, emasculate the legislatures? Look ma, no Democracy.

Diploma divide?

Always a controversy over what country has better health care. U.S. has Health Ins and Medicaid (Medicare) Kanadian citizens tap Universal Health Care (Medicare) Additionally, many U.S. hospitals are profit-drive (Business) Kanadian hospitals are government owned. Per capita U.S. citizens pay huge amounts in Ins / deductibles (15K USD/ yr) Kanada it depends on the Province .......... but the bill is paid by the Gov. .......... around 5k CDNf Roughly 10 percent of the U.S.. population have no health ins.

................ doable.

............ hmmmmm..... it was Truman, known for his Fair Deal agenda that green-lighted the dropping of two atomic bombs.

.........................reduced economic initiatives, increased taxes ...........by extension, overall reduced quality of life. Universal Health Care, Defense are good examples of punting.

.............. staying incumbent............... it has a way of taking the edge off principles.

........... agreed, it is all a game .......... but it needs to be played with skill and long term strategy. What ever happened to the political Right and their refrain of fiscal responsibility The option for government hacks? Grow the economy Reduce spending Cut / eliminate entitlements. Review mandatory spending in general RAISE TAXES Punt. ................ what is most attractive to any incumbent government? 🤪

Just before the collapse of the USSR, the apparatchik's rhetoric was loudly proclaiming that the economy was undergoing a readjustment? They weren't lying ........... it collapsed........ and left the (then) Russia with 25 years of debt to amortize. Many reasons for the collapse ...... but likely attempting to keep up to the West in terms of defense spending played a large part. National debt is a threat to National Security of course............. but it is also a threat to the next generations economic security....... Indeed, grow the economy, entitlement cuts and of course raise taxes............................. or punt?

........... this is what Trump wants at the upcoming CUSMA negotiations. Carney has international recognition ......... the World will be watching ........ there is nobody better at giving a right hook with a velvet glove. That said, King Charlie did a surprisingly good job .......... likely went over Trump's head, but later, after his debrief I'm sure he ground down a few false teeth.

There has been a seismic shift in Canada / U.S. / Mexico trade relations. Immediately following Trump's inauguration it was obvious to everyone that the relationship Canucks (World) thought they had with the U.S. was over. There is no trust dealing with the U.S. and certainly no stability in terms of trade, defense or ideology The relationship that once was (Global) will never return. Canada will benefit by diversifying as will Europe ....... the wheels of change are in motion and they have inertia. The U.S. will continue to be a great power, but diminished. Trust is gone.

........... Diefenbaker was charismatic ................ but pales in comparison to Trudeau Snr.

Always the same with u Liberals .................. u don't realize that eventually u run out of other people's money!

............ your rhetoric is akin to putting lipstick on a pig. 😁

............. jeez dude, have ya seen the figures on the U.S. dept load vs. GDP. 😁 The really bad news is when SS is cancelled as the dept approaches 165 percent (of GDP) in 9 years. 😧

I'm been accused of being to the right of Lago.

“Robert Mueller just died,” Trump posted on social media shortly after the death was first reported. “Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!” In a statement, Mueller's family said, “With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away last night.” They urged public to respect their privacy. Robert Mueller (August 7, 1944 – March 20, 2026 Princeton Grad Decorated Vietnam Vet (Bronze Star for heroism under fire) 6th Director of the FBI Asst Attorney Gen (DOJ) In 2017, Mueller was appointed special counsel to oversee the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The Mueller Report found extensive Russian interference in the 2016 election, numerous contacts between Trump’s campaign associates and Russian linked actors, no conclusive evidence of criminal conspiracy, but substantial evidence of potential obstruction of justice by President Trump

The World is a stage and we're all actors.

.................. rumor is it was a generic term in use during the, 'scoop' tenure. First Nations have weighed in to a degree apparently. The Alberta Court of King’s Bench has their oar in the water with FN challenging the constitutionality of the separation petition. There is some precedent to indigenous standing up on their hind legs. Harkens back to Elijah Harper (FN MLA, Ruperts land, Manitoba), preventing Brian Mulrooney from changing the national constitution by refusing to give consent to the Meech Lake Accord (1990). Harper rejected the Accord because First Nations were not adequately consulted in the proceedings. Heap big trouble coming, Kemosabe!

According to the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) long -term budget outlook, the U.S. national debt in 25 years is projected to reach 160 percent of GDP. Mandatory spending is being targeted............. Social Security bennies could be reduced as much as 35 percent by 2034.