The consensus is that most Americans are pleased we’ve entered a new year. In order to make it a safe and happy one, here are some ideas:
Crush the pandemic
For mostly political reasons, mainstream media types doubted we’d have a vaccine. But President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and their team successfully pushed Operation Warp Speed. Along with scientists and medical experts, this gave us a vaccine in miracle time. There’s light at the end of the tunnel. It’d be nice if Democrat politicians stopped playing political games and noticed.
Liberate small businesses
Governments across the country should finally end shutdown orders. Bequeath a list of safety protocols to help businesses, then let them adapt to their individual circumstances, as many have tried. If something as irrelevant as “Saturday Night Live” can pay an audience, restaurants can open. If movie sets are operational, local businesses can operate. End the embarrassing hypocrisy of leaders in corrupt cities and states, and thank generous individuals who stepped up when needed.
Reopen all schools
It’s January, meaning many teachers haven’t been in their classroom for nearly a year! None have missed a paycheck. Coronavirus facts continue to show schools remain the safest places around, yet teachers unions refuse reality and prefer lavish vacations.
“The truth is, for kids K through 12, one of the safest places they can be from our perspective is to remain in school,” Robert Redfield said in November. “There’s extensive data to confirm that schools can operate with face-to-face learning and they can do it safely and they can do it responsibly.” Even Anthony Fauci agreed.
It is time for execrable teachers unions to stop crushing kids’ futures and get children back to school. And while they’re there, teach students objective history. End the woke agenda, and stop brainwashing impressionable youths to detest America; instead, support the efforts of our military and law enforcement.
Cut government waste
The national debt is approaching $28 trillion, which equates to more than $83,000 per American. The $2,000 stimulus checks supported by Ilhan Omar, Bernie Sanders, most Democrats, the president, and newfound populist Republicans, surely could help some individuals; but most Americans are working, so such a massive amount was unnecessary. I am glad my U.S. congressman was only the Minnesota representative to stand up for fiscal sanity.
Lower college tuition; do not cancel loan debt
Student debt is soaring mainly because the price of college has risen 500% in the last four decades. Increases in administration, faculty and pay are driving up the cost exorbitantly. Why ask a taxpayer who already paid for college, or never went, to pay off current student loans? How about keeping costs reasonable? But what’s the incentive to lower costs? Maybe once a drop-off in applicants shows a decrease in revenue.
Normal businesses have a financial interest in eliminating excess bureaucracy to preserve profitability; in higher education, however, there’s no profitability requirement. University bloat must be trimmed because it’s not sustainable, and ongoing economic disasters in blue states are proof.
Continue a hard line on China and Iran
We know China gave the world a virus that’s now killed 2 million people. We also know Adidas, Apple, Coca-Cola, Costco, Google, Nike, the NBA, and other corporations want to weaken important, bipartisan bills to hold the rogue regime accountable.
Their dealings in Xinjiang province benefit from forced labor and human trafficking. The Chinese Communists persecute Christians and engage in crimes against humanity, such as torture, involuntary abortions, and family breakups.
These supposedly progressive corporations trumpet their support for “justice and human rights,” yet deepen their ties to an unjust dictatorship. Let’s expose this shameful duplicity — often coming from ignorant athletes and celebrities — and remain tough on Beijing.
Speaking of dictatorships, stand up to Iran’s abuses by never reentering the flawed nuclear deal. Middle East stability won’t come when America rejoins the deal; it will arrive when the Iranian people put an end to the Ayatollah’s “revolution.”
Pray for the health of Joe Biden
I didn’t vote for the president-elect, and I don’t respect his policies, but the alternative is far worse. Not only are woke congressional socialists dangerous, but second in line is an ignorant far-left authoritarian with bigoted tendencies, who’s achieved little besides being born female.
End the GOP civil war
For five-and-a-half years, I’ve been frustrated by the intra-party divide between traditional conservatism and populism or so-called economic nationalism. People who once cared about deficits and fiscal responsibility don’t. Those who supported our troops’ missions a decade ago now inexplicably echo Michael Moore propaganda or John Kerry’s 2004 anti-war ignorance. Some provocateurs put personal ambition over the country. The hatred for Republican colleagues with differing tactics is disturbing.
We are a big tent party, so both the anti-populist and Trump sycophant wing need to cool down, while insane folks need to be repudiated. United, we can overcome any regime and reclaim the country, starting Tuesday.
A.J. Kaufman
A.J. Kaufman is an Alpha News columnist. His work has appeared in the Baltimore Sun, Florida Sun-Sentinel, Indianapolis Star, Israel National News, Orange County Register, St. Cloud Times, Star-Tribune, and across AIM Media Midwest and the Internet. Kaufman previously worked as a school teacher and military historian.