Below is my column in The Hill on the recent appearance of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) in Munich. They found the perfect audience for pledging to reverse many current policies and re-embrace a high-taxation, high-regulation platform. The Europeans were giddy with excitement as they doubled down on policies that have stagnated many of their economies.
Here is the column:
This week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) joined the many Californians now seeking their fortune elsewhere. The difference is that Newsom is planning to come back to California, even as billionaires, investors, and companies flee his state for greener pastures.
Newsom and Democrats such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) were selling a brave new world that looked a lot like the broken old world. It was an ironic moment. They were addressing countries at the Munich Security Conference that had previously destroyed their economies through socialist and far-left policies.
The rush of liberal Democratic officeholders to Europe was telling. A new poll shows that a record 58 percent of voters believe their party is “too liberal.” But Newsom and Ocasio-Cortez found a welcoming audience in Europe.
The global elite gushed over Ocasio-Cortez and sat enraptured as she rattled off socialist platitudes. That included New York Times correspondent Katrin Bennhold, who thrilled the audience by treating it as a given that Ocasio-Cortez will run for president.
Both Newsom and Ocasio-Cortez spoke of returning the U.S. to the good graces of the global elite. Newsom assured the Europeans that Trump’s reign is temporary, and that the U.S. will soon enough dismantle the “wrecking ball” that the administration has taken to the EU.
Newsom offered his leadership and his state as the model, proclaiming that “California is a stable and reliable partner” for Europe. The model includes high taxes, massive spending programs and greater bureaucratic regulations — precisely the policies that have driven the European economy into its current stagnation. In other words, Democrats were in Europe to offer precisely what Newsom outwardly condemned: “doubling down on stupid.”
When not fumbling with security questions about issues such as Taiwan, Ocasio-Cortez was demanding that wealth taxes be implemented in the U.S. “expeditiously.” Such a tax on billionaires’ wealth, including unrealized gains, is currently being pushed in California. The predictable result is that billionaires and other wealthy citizens are rushing to leave the state and taking their investments and companies with them.
Ocasio-Cortez had the audience at hello.
Rather than having Vice President J.D. Vance shaming them for their attacks on free speech, the Europeans positively gushed over Democratic leaders pushing far-left agendas. It did not matter that such policies devastated European economies in the 20th century.
In my book “Rage and the Republic,” I discuss the rise of support for socialism in both the U.S. and Europe. Many of those supporting it are young voters with no memory of the collapse of socialist economies in the 20th Century. In 1977, Labour Prime Minister James Callaghan pursued many of the same socialist policies, leading to what was called the “winter of discontent” as inflation hit 25 percent. With the collapse of the British pound, the United Kingdom had to take the demoralizing step of securing a loan from the International Monetary Fund, as if it were a developing country.
In France, François Mitterrand was also elected to pursue his “rupture with capitalism.” The French economy collapsed; Mitterrand quickly had to reverse himself and restore capitalist policies.
That history is rarely discussed or taught today. The “warmth of collectivism,” as New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani put it, is back in vogue. It does not matter that, in Argentina, President Javier Milei is achieving one of the most impressive economic turnarounds in history — dramatically curtailing runaway inflation, government deficits and poverty — by reinstating free-market policies and reducing government spending.
What is chilling about Europe is that the EU has strangled growth with its increasingly centralized controls and massive bureaucracy. My book describes the instability of the EU and its global governance model. Europe is facing populist movements and, like many Democrats, the response has been calls for further consolidation of power. This included the creation of a new, uniform European corporate law, known as the “28th Regime.”
With an economy crushed by a massive EU bureaucracy and regulations, the solution of many is all too familiar: borrow more money. French President Emmanuel Macron and others want to issue “Euro bonds” to spend their way into an economic recovery — another policy ideal shared with many on the American left.
This week was only the latest effort of the American left to strengthen an alliance with the EU. Previously, American leaders such as Hillary Clinton pushed the EU to censor Americans online after free speech protections were restored by companies like Twitter. Likewise, the American left is enamored with the EU’s global bureaucracy and regulations.
Newsom and Ocasio-Cortez certainly found their element in Munich, and the EU certainly found the “reliable partners” it has longed for in creating “a new World Order with European Values.”
Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University. He is the author of the New York Times bestselling “Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution.”
Marco Rubio is currently in Hungary campaigning for Victor Orban who is trailing in polls leading up to the elections in April. He has pledged financial support for the Hungarian government if Orban wins. Looks remarkably like election interference.
Here is what he has been saying:
“US President Donald Trump would provide assistance if Hungary ever ran into financial trouble under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, giving an extraordinary endorsement to the long-time leader ahead of an election in April.
“I can say to you with confidence that President Trump is deeply committed to your success,” Rubio said at a joint news conference with Orban in Budapest on Monday.
“We want this country to do well. It’s in our national interest, especially as long as you’re the prime minister and the leader of this country.”
What exactly is our “national interest” in a minor East European country that is currently a vassal state of Russia ???
Oh !!!!
Now I understand.
Putin has issued instructions to Trump that he must step in to try to save Orban, his fellow autocratic strongman.
Birds of a feather as they say !!!!
What polls please? Prvada’s poll?
The pole provided by “Vlad the Impaler” that’s running through this clown’s head.
Typical bizarre thinking by MAGA morons.
You seem to be implying that the Hungarian polls are fake because they come from Pravda and Putin.
Orban is one of Putin’s strongest allies.
Why would Putin put out fake polls showing that Orban is trailing ?????
Idiot !!!!!!!!
Anon at 1:39 stated “trailing in polls” however did not state which ones. Because they do not exist. 1:39 lied.
Anon 1:45 did not state Pravda released a poll. Asked.
You, being the stupid ignorant liberal you are, could not understand simple English.
Public school?
The source and findings of the polls ARE NOT THE POINT !!!!!!
WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU !!!!
The point is that the Secretary of State of the United States is on the campaign trail for one of only two allies that Putin has in Eastern Europe.
Whether or not the polls are genuine or what they show is IRRELEVANT.
WHY IS RUBIO DOING THIS ?????
THAT IS THE POINT !!!!!!
Obviously he is acting on instructions from Putin.
As is typical for a MAGA moron you are completely missing the point.
The point is not the source of the polls.
The point is that for the first time in history, the Secretary of State of the United State is on the campaign trail for the authoritarian leader of a minor East European country that just happens to be a vassal state of Russia, and one of only two countries in the region that are allied with Russia.
Rubio is clearly doing this on the orders of Putin to try to bolster Orban.
Rubio is clearly WINNING!!!
Two examples of the success of the Socialist Dept. of Education in the United States.
Both went to private schools.
The wholly and irrefutably unconstitutional Communist Department of Education of the United States, per Article 1, Section 8.
Congress may not tax for, fund, or regulate education.
Where the —- is the Supreme Court?
Let’s put things in perspective: Trump went to Europe to pitch war, chaos, and fascism.
Trump did not start the War in Ukraine – Biden did, Trump is trying to end it.
Trump did not start the mess in Iran – the Iranians did. In ,multiple different ways. Even Obama now admits he should have stepped in during the green revolution.
Trump did not start the mess in Vensezeula, but he appears to have ended it.
Trump wants a Europe that is able to defend itself – that is a GOOD thing.
Those of you on the left should not bemoan a bit of chaos, you cause it everywhere you go.
Trump is an actual anti-fascist. The modern left is incredibly fascist.
Yet more evidence that John Say lives in an alternate realty fantasy land of delusion and mental illness.
How exactly did Biden start the war ??
I believe it was Russia that started the war, and yet your insane comment makes no mention of Russia.
How exactly can a country START a war without participating in the START of a war ???
Are you saying that Biden actively encouraged Russia to START the war ???
What a lunatic !!!!!!
He thinks he intelligent.
Say has nothing to add with those 1,000 word mumbo jumbos; thoughts are disconnected and rambling. And ideas? What ideas?
Participate if you want fellow commenters.
Biden declared minor incursion a-ok.
Biden did not start the war in Ukraine. That Trump lie was debunked long ago.
Putin started the war in Ukraine because Russia’s poor emergence from the Soviet Union’s failed style of governance and a lack of important resources that were available when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. Ukraine’s consideration of joining NATO which it was its right, was something Putin did not want.
“ Trump is an actual anti-fascist. The modern left is incredibly fascist.”
Ooh that’s rich. You’re saying Trump is a member of ANTIFA? Really?
You don’t know what a fascist is. Those on the right have been using the term “fascist” interchangeably with anything they don’t like. Same with “Marxism”, and “communism”.
“ Trump did not start the mess in Vensezeula, but he appears to have ended it.”
Are you sure? Trump is running Venezuela, according to him. He’s making it harder for U.S. oil companies to invest in Venezuela. Why would U.S. oil companies invest billions to build up Venezuelan oil infrastructure? It would undermine their half a trillion dollar investment in Canadian oil infrastructure. Cheaper Venezuelan oil will cut into their profit margins. They only
“ positive” outcome from that expensive venture for Trump is starving Cuba of it’s oil.
Aahh, show me on.tbe doll where Trump made you a war monger and fascist?
Why are you trying to convince a lying liberal troll he is wrong. He knows he is lying he knows he is wrong. That is why.he comments like that to.upset you.
Ignore him, make fun of him or tell him you wii pray for him, but don’t argue with him, it only encourages more lies.
Another mid reader.
“Ignore him, make fun of him or tell him you wii [sic] pray for him,” Ok, if you say.
As it’s the day we celebrate George Washington, this excerpt from his farewell address has special significance given his warning about Europe and our current situations around the world. My apologies for the length of the post, but I just couldn’t figure out how to edit the great man’s insights, advice and warnings.
“…Nothing is more essential than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular nations and passionate attachments for others should be excluded and that in place of them just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated. The nation which indulges towards another an habitual hatred or an habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest.
“Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur. Hence frequent collisions, obstinate, envenomed, and bloody contests….
“So likewise, a passionate attachment of one nation for another produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favorite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter without adequate inducement or justification.
“It leads also to concessions to the favorite nation of privileges denied to others, which is apt doubly to injure the nation making the concessions — by unnecessarily parting with what ought to have been retained — and by exciting jealousy, ill will, and a disposition to retaliate in the parties from whom equal privileges are withheld.
“And it gives to ambitious, corrupted, or deluded citizens (who devote themselves to the favorite nation) facility to betray or sacrifice the interests of their own country without odium, sometimes even with popularity; gilding with the appearances of a virtuous sense of obligation a commendable deference for public opinion, or a laudable zeal for public good, the base or foolish compliances of ambition, corruption, or infatuation.
“As avenues to foreign influence in innumerable ways, such attachments are particularly alarming to the truly enlightened and independent patriot. How many opportunities do they afford to tamper with domestic factions, to practice the arts of seduction, to mislead public opinion, to influence or awe the public councils! Such an attachment of a small or weak towards a great and powerful nation dooms the former to be the satellite of the latter.
“Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government. But that jealousy to be useful must be impartial; else it becomes the instrument of the very influence to be avoided, instead of a defense against it.
“Excessive partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of another cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and serve to veil and even second the arts of influence on the other. Real patriots, who may resist the intrigues of the favorite, are liable to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people to surrender their interests.
“The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop.
“Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence therefore it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves, by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.
“Our detached and distant situation invites and enables us to pursue a different course. If we remain one people under an efficient government, the period is not far off when we may defy material injury from external annoyance; when we may take such an attitude as will cause the neutrality we may at any time resolve upon to be scrupulously respected; when belligerent nations, under the impossibility of making acquisitions upon us, will not lightly hazard the giving us provocation; when we may choose peace or war, as our interest, guided by justice, shall counsel.
“Why forgo the advantages of so peculiar a situation? Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground?”
George Washington’s Farewell Address
-g
relevance?
@Anonymous
It’s President’s Day, knucklehead, it directly addresses the disparity between current European neo-oligarchy and American liberty, and he said it centuries ago but still all too relevant today; it’s why we kicked them to the curb in the first place. Nothing has really changed across the pond, not fundamentally; they have never had the complete freedom we enjoy, so it is difficult for them to even imagine it. Be it a nation, a society, even a domestic violence victim – conditioning is conditioning.
@-g
Thanks for remembering, and thank you for sharing.
Thank you for the article. From your article, “Many of those supporting it are young voters with no memory of the collapse of socialist economies in the 20th Century.” I think the appeal of socialism runs deeper than just a lack of knowledge of history. Although I virulently oppose socialism, one should recognize the strengths of one’s enemies. Socialism offers a way to feel good, that is a way to ‘help others’ and to improve your own life style by making that which you must pay for cheaper or even ‘free’. Socialists conveniently evade the fact that that which is cheaper or ‘free’ under socialism was created, made, constructed by someone else and then grabbed at gunpoint by vicious power hungry politicians (PWPs) who violate the rights of those who actually actually work for a living every time they act. But in my view, the ultimate villain here is not necessarily the socialists or the PWPs who seduce them with lies and evasion. It’s the cowardly GOP politicians who go along with the Democrats in order to hold on to their juicy well paid sinecures in Congress and in state and local offices. Until the GOP fights for the concepts of freedom and individual rights including the right to keep what you earn, a crucial component of your right to your own life, in my view, the socialists will roll along comfortably on their way to the police state which they so desperately desire.
🇺🇸 Happy Presidents’ Day! 🇺🇸
It’s Presidents’ Day, the holiday to celebrate the birthdays of two of the nation’s most revered presidents — Abe Lincoln and George Washington — who were both born in February.
I have followed this blog for about 15 years. We debate the same problems year after year. The names change. The headlines change. The patterns do not. I was part of that slugfest too. Then I stepped back and asked a systems question: we have many problems with many causes, but is there one root cause that keeps reproducing the same outcomes?
That is how I landed on formation.
The reason my question does not change while Professor Turley’s topics do is simple. He addresses events. I am asking about the conditions that produce them. Everything is downstream of formation. Like it or not, every society forms its citizens into something. That process never stops. Choosing not to discuss it does not make it disappear. It only makes it passive rather than intentional.
A constitutional republic presupposes citizens capable of self government. If we are not intentionally forming that citizen, drift is inevitable. Formation is not glamorous. It requires humility. It requires admitting that we, collectively, may not consistently be the kind of citizens our structure assumes.
If no one wants to talk about formation, fine. But then we should stop being surprised when we keep getting the same results.
Re: Olly
…” I am asking about the conditions that produce them. Everything is downstream of formation.” -Olly …
There are those that Devise (Divisive) by Division and Leverage to create control. Today they segregate communications into divisions by technology (internet – apps). These ‘Walled Gardens’ of the Internet are controlled by the overall structure, so that they can be ‘maintained’ (curated) by the Controlling Power(s). Freedom of Speech is Free but it is channeled into respective advocacy by the systemic structure of the technological medium.
The Ethos (Rhetorical Appeal) of the American Internet is different than Chinese, Japanese, French, Arabic, etc… but all are ‘controlled’ by the structure in a similar manner. This makes the overall technology ‘systemic’ in design for Total Control (Global).
It’s been this way since the invention of the printing press. Choose your version of the Bible (King James of the Gutenberg Press), Choose your News Paper, became choose you TV Station, that became choose your Cable Channel, that became choose your Internet Carrier, that became choose your ISP, that became choose your Walled Garden (a Blog, Facebook, Twitter|X, etc.).
It’s Your preference (choose you poison). Free to find the Manipulative-Medium you’re comfortable with, and suckle at the teat.
You will not stop Us from connecting-the-dots, all roads lead to King Midas.
[The story of Midas serves as a timeless, cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the folly of unbridled desire – i.e.: Politics]
😇Anonymous
Systems influence us. They do not eliminate agency.
A republic assumes citizens capable of navigating imperfect media without surrendering responsibility. If we attribute everything to external control, we remove the very capacity self-government requires.
Formation includes us.
No they do not. A republic assumes nothing or the sort. You’re making stuff up. Proven by the fact that you have no sources.
Olly: 😇Anonymous Says:
We are Media Lemmings
Sue pal, lay off the crack.
Olly, love your posts but I respectfully am curious about your oft-repeated themes. You frequently speak of true and requisite ‘civic formation,’ and point to unaddressed “root causes” that result in these repetitive polemics. Is this circular for you? in that the lack of civic formation IS the root cause? Is lack of civic formation your identification of a cause or the result?
For me, lack of civic formation is a result, not the cause.
My response is that proper and strong “civic formation” requires curiosity, explorative inquisition, rationality, logic, and Socratic critical thinking with others. Theses and antitheses. Tunnel vision vs. Panorama. We cannot truly prevail in these pursuits without exposure to a wide spectrum of information. The “root cause,” therefore, becomes the manipulation and selective editing of ‘available’ information necessary for “informed” opinion or stance.
In a Republic, this is caused by COMPETING political ideologies, who control the selection, manipulation, and release of information. Accordingly, lack of civic formation is a result, not a cause.
But wait. I refine further.
(I note that your root word of ‘formation’ can also entertain the prefix variables of disinformation, malinformation, etc.—with much less emphasis on more comprehensive and toxic ‘reinformation” such as that which plagues our IT/mass communications technology.) Oddly enough, I found the most concise definition (to post here) on an elementary school-level site:
“Reinformation is the end-product of a communication process that has undergone a mutation by an outside force or third party. Usually reinformation is the manipulation of existing information by an information sender (or an individual or organization wishing to communicate a message) that completely changes its meaning by using methods such as subverting the original message, pulling it out of context, evolution through collaboration or a combination of all of these. The advent of reinformation as a modern form of communication is largely due to the world’s ever-growing dependence on digital information technology.” https://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Reinformation
That, my friend, is what I consider theeeee most significant “root cause.” In other words, in today’s world, civic formation may negatively manifest as the cumulative particulate of civic disinformation, civic misinformation, and civic reinformation,– with no surface tension to hold it together.
Thanks for reading.
hope this makes sense; I’m outta chocolate milk to stimulate my brain today.
I have listened to Sec. Rubio’s remarks as well as Gov Newsom’s and AOC’s remarks. Sec Rubio was impressively able to convey American perceptions of where Europe needs to go in a very diplomatic manner indicating that American and European past, present, and future were intertwined. The talk by Newsom and AOC brought about, in me, a sense of revulsion. I can understand criticism of America in general and DJT in particular. There is, however, a time and place to do so. I do not believe that it is at all appropriate for a prominent American politician to go abroad and run down this country. There are plenty of appropriate opportunities to do so back home in America. On this I stand with Stephen Decatur in his toast, “Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations, may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong.”
Kushner and Witkoff are in Geneva for negotiations with Iran with regard to their nuclear program.
I’m confused. According to Trump, Iran’s nuclear program has been “COMPLETELY OBLITERATED”.
So what exactly is there to talk about???
Interestingly, the US delegation includes Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, but NOT Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who is supposedly in charge of US foreign policy and relations. Rubio is currently in Europe and yet will not participate in the negotiations.
So what exactly is going on here ??
The most likely explanation is that Witkoff and Kushner, who are not official representatives of the US government, are going to negotiate the size of the cash bribe that Iran will be required to pay into Trump’s personal Swiss bank accounts in order to avoid an invasion of their country. That is why they don’t want Rubio present for the negotiations.
The US has sent another carrier group to the region, and there are reports of preparations by ground forces at US military bases.
This is simply a large scale, mafia style shakedown.
Nice little country you have there, Iran.
It would a shame if something were to happen to it.
“I’m confused. According to Trump, Iran’s nuclear program has been “COMPLETELY OBLITERATED”.
So what exactly is there to talk about???”
Trump insists that to avoid US intervention right now Iran must agree to abandon any efforts to have a nuclear progream and the agree to regular IEAE inspections.
But that is only ONE part of Trump’s demonads.
Eliminating or limiting their ICBM program is another.
Eliminating their support of other terrorist organizations is the 3rd.
What everyone wants is a peaceful end to the unpopular rule of the ayatolahs.
But getting there is complicated.
Americans will accept near US causulaty free military intervention of short duration that actually accomplishes something.
Most mideastern nations want the Ayatolah gone. But they do not want that to happen as a result of US force.
And they really do not want their own people to see that happen as a result of popular uprising.
Israel want the Atatolah gone – and they will do it themselves if allowed.
The Iranian people want the Ayatolah gone, but WE know from Iraq that military intervention by the US or Israel gould easily undermine the forces trying to overthow the Ayatolah in Iran.
But another thing that is going on is the US has Thoroughly isolated Iran right now – very little is going in or going out.
The Ayatolah is losing his ability to pay those loyal to him.
I suspect there MAY be limited military actions to further disrupt Irans nuclear related programs,
But mostly – like what is going on in Cuba right now – this is just a very tight economic blockade seeking to bankrupt the regime,
and that may prove sucessful.
Further missing from your shallow understanding is that Trump’s recent “military” actions – while partly about drugs,
Is also greatly about isolating and neutering the “axis of evil”
Iran, Venezeuala and Russia were jointly engaged in “oil laundering” to evade sanctions on Russia, Iran and Russia.
While Iran is also the supplier of 40% of russian munitions.
The Russia Ukraine was has been a WWI style war of attrition that ultimately Ukraine would lose.
But Russia is running out of money, it is running out of armor, and it is running out of ammunition
In Jan 2025 Trump told Zelensky he hold no cards.
If you want a resolution to the war in Ukraine that does not result in Russia getting everything it wants
Then Russia must face the possibility of defeat, and if you want that – you need to either beat it on the battlefield
or defeat it logistically.
What is going on in Iran is part of the latter.
This is also a huge deal related to China – China is getting most of its oil as illegal sanctioned oil from Venezuela, Iran and Russia.
Trump is stopping that.
And lets not forget that much of this is possible because US oil and NG production is up, and the US is a significan net EXPORTER
of energy. That too changes global power.
John works closely with the Trump admin.
More insane demented gibberish from the mentally impaired John Say.
If the negotiations are so widespread beyond just Iran’s nuclear program, then why aren’t the negotiations being led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a huge team of diplomats from the State Department. Instead, Rubio is currently in Europe campaigning for Victor Orban ahead of elections in April.
Why isn’t he handling the Iran negotiations ???
Why are the negotiations through two real estate developers, neither of whom have security clearances, and who have no experience with such high level negotiations, and neither of whom are officially recognized representatives of the US. Neither of them have Senate confirmation to any official government position.
Witkoff is a long time friend of Trump. Kushner is a family member.
The answer is obvious.
This is just a shakedown of Iran for personal profit for Trump.
Nothing more, nothing less.
John Say, so what if Iran seeks nuclear power? North Korea has nukes. What did we do? Nothing. They still have their nukes and we are leaving them alone. That is what Iran wants. By having nukes Israel will think twice about attacking it as it has in the past. The whole point of preventing Iran from having nuclear weapons is that even if they don’t use them at all they still serve as a deterrent against Israeli attacks.
Iran has a right to defend itself just as Israel does. Iran has never attacked another nation outright. Israel has and so have we.
Why don’t we demand Israel open its nuclear weapons programs for inspection? Everyone knows they have them. Why should the get a pass?
Questions, questions questions lacking logic. Lay off the AI George. Makes you look stupid.
” By having nukes Israel will think twice about attacking it as it has in the past. ”
For decades, Iran has been attacking Israel with its proxies. If it could have done so, Iran would have destroyed Israel decades ago. Though Israel has nukes, it never attacked Iran, but if Iran gets nukes, there will be a nuclear war in the Middle East.
Israel is not the aggressor. Iran is, and since the overthrow of the Shah, the government of Iran has been focused on destroying Israel. Israel’s survival depends on Iran not having nuclear weapons or other weapons that can destroy Israel, because Iran will do it, even at tremendous cost. That is why in the present and future, Israel will remain ready to destroy those weapons because they are an existential threat.
S. Meyer, if these negotiations are so important to the United States and our allies, then why is Trump sending two of his least competent cronies to do the negotiating.
Why are Rubio and diplomats from the State Department not involved?
Why has Rubio instead been sent to Hungary to campaign for Orban in his bid for re-election in April ?
The negotiations are being handled by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Why do we have two real estate developer cronies of Trump doing these vital negotiations?
Neither Witkoff or Kushner have security clearances, and neither of them are officially appointed representatives of the US government.
They are Trump’s business cronies, obviously out to make some sort of deal where they make personal profits.
I had hoped that this year’s Munich Security Conference would have been marked by a cohesive body of U.S. legislators and officials. Instead, the Democrat attendees/presidential hopefuls (significantly outnumbering Republicans) appear to be Trump-bashers seeking visibility (Mark Kelly, Gretchen Whitmer, etc. in addition to Newsom and AOC). Can they not see the damage to the U.S. this political animosity creates? Where are the Joe Manchins of the Party?
And of course, why is Hillary Clinton even there? She is currently not an official of anything, nor a position-holder with any stakes in any forum. Did she invite herself to be a panelist? Watch the smirky, snarky expression on her face as Czech Deputy PM Macinka says something like, “wow, you really do dislike Trump.”
https://www.mediaite.com/politics/hes-betrayed-the-west-hillary-clinton-scolds-panelist-after-he-mocked-her-anti-trump-rant-at-european-forum/
Lin,
Clinton made an a$$ out of herself. Her response to Macinka’s there are only two genders made no sense. What did the Ukraine have to do with gender?
Upstate: Yes, agreed, -and this is not the first time that ‘Hell-Hath-No-Fury-Like-a-Woman-Scorned Hillary’ has pulled that stunt on an international stage including Munich. Very sad indeed.
I would have liked to have seen Condoleeza Rice there. Both she and Hillary are former SOSs, (Rice was also Nat’l Security Advisor prior to SOS) –and Rice has stayed CURRENT in international affairs with her professorship…..MUCH MUCH more qualified to appear on a panel….. but the world only gets to hear from vengeful hillary.
And yet Clinton had the full attention of the entirety of Europe and was lauded. Quite the rebuttal you offered there. For a nitwit.
If you have to ask why they are there is because they are presenting a saner future leadership than Trump and it’s what everyone wants. Not just the EU.
Hillary being there as a former Secretary of State who had a big influence still commands respect. Trump’s administration is a laughingstock in the EU.
Trump is the one creating the political animosity not AOC, Newsome, and Kelly. They are the sane ones representing the U.S.
“in Argentina, President Javier Milei is achieving one of the most impressive economic turnarounds in history — dramatically curtailing runaway inflation, government deficits and poverty — by reinstating free-market policies and reducing government spending.”
Milei’s “impressive” economic turnaround is heavily dependent on IMF loans and a huge $40 billion bailout from Trump. Inflation is still pretty high, 25%. Argentinians purchasing power has been severely lowered. Many are already regretting voting for Milei. Argentina is burning through its loans and U.S. bailout money fast.
While Turley is deriding the EU’s economies as stagnating he “forgot” to mention that ours is also un a state of stagnation. Low job creation, a stubborn inflation rate that won’t go down, huge growing trillion dollar deficits, and our high GDP may be attributed to higher government spending which is really odd because Republicans are in power.
Turley loves to bash democratic socialists and dismiss their increasing popularity while ignoring what is truly driving it. Trump and his incompetent attempt at being an authoritarian. Food prices are still high, utility bills are high, cost of healthcare is still high and growing. His “trade deals” are as useless as the paper they are allegedly written on.
California is indeed experiencing an outflow of wealthy people, but their businesses are not. Because the talent is there and the infrastructure is also there. Florida, once touted as the destination of the rich and well off is not so attractive anymore because of hideously high home insurance premiums and property taxes. It’s driving many out of the state too.
Just because you say so? Your AI machine is messing with you. Again.
Professor Turley’s column isn’t required reading. Why are you here?
Ours is stagnating? Do you not understand the acronym GDP? And deficits are shrinking not growing. Inflation has dropped significantly from the Biden era and is now mid 2’s. Government spending is only very slightly up, so no, it doesn’t at all explain GDP. Prices have come down; e.g. eggs, gas. Biden was a disaster – the massive spending (money printing) results in the high prices – it can’t be fixed overnight. Businesses are leaving CA – have you been asleep the past yar?
Argentina – I don’t know enough to comment, but based on your other comments I’m pretty sure your full of it there too.
Goodbeavis, GDP alone is not a definite indicator of a good economy. High prices and more government spending can affect GDP. Government spending was 23% of U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in FY 2025. That’s a LOT.
Trump’s government spending increased $46 Billion in just these past few months. According to Republicans, that is not good.
U.S. grocery prices rose 2.1% over the last 12 months ending January 2026. While the pace of inflation has moderated somewhat from its 2022 peak, essential costs remain high; a grocery bill that cost $100 in early 2022 now costs approximately $119.12 as of January 2026.
Have you seen the price of beef?
Utilities? Whew. They are soaring.
Electricity prices increased 6.3% in the 12 months ending January 2026, more than double the headline inflation rate of 2.5%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.
Natural gas? Yikes!
It is flirting with a 10% increase in prices. That’s a LOT! Trump promised to lower that by 50%.
“Milei’s “impressive” economic turnaround is heavily dependent on IMF loans and a huge $40 billion bailout from Trump. ”
Incorrect. The loans are to prevent the default on socialist acwquired debt. the US did not “bailout” Milie we provided loan gaurantees for which the US will be paid and profit from. That made it easier for Milei to borrow.
But Argentia would have been able to borrow regrdless – they are doing everything the IMF wants they are just paying a lower interest rate because of guarantees.
“Inflation is still pretty high, 25%.”
Last I checked 25% is less than 1/10 of 292%
“Argentinians purchasing power has been severely lowered.”
Incorrect – Argentine GDP/PPP is slightly up in 2025 having fallen for several years.
“Many are already regretting voting for Milei. ”
Not according to BBC or recent elections.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gw8qpyvqdo
“Argentina is burning through its loans and U.S. bailout money fast.”
Argentina’s debt is 47% of GDP – not good, but not horrible – much better than the US.
You hate Trump – I would trade Trump for an American Milei in a heart beat
Can democrats produce an american Milei ?
“While Turley is deriding the EU’s economies as stagnating he “forgot” to mention that ours is also un a state of stagnation. Low job creation, a stubborn inflation rate that won’t go down, huge growing trillion dollar deficits, and our high GDP may be attributed to higher government spending which is really odd because Republicans are in power.”
ROFL
Inflation – down
Core inflation 2.1% – still high for my test but inside the FEDs NORMAL inflation target.
Real Wages have gone UP more in the past year than they went down under the entire 4 years of Biden.
177K private sector jobs created in January – much better than expected – with 38K government jobs cut.
“January 2026: $95 billion deficit, a decrease from $129 billion in January 2025.
Cumulative FY2026 Deficit: $697 billion through January 2026, which is 16% lower than the same period in FY2025.”
FY2025 is the BIDEN budget, FY2026 is the Trump BBB
Absolutely Trump should have slashed much further.
But the deficit is headed down – not up.
It is still way too high, but headed the right direction.
Government employment cuts are reducing the cost of govenrment by almost $300B.
Tarriffs are bringing in almost 300B
Prior to Biden we had ONE Trillion dollar deficit ever that was due to Covid spending.
Since we have been stuck with Trillion dollar deficits.
BTW the stock market does NOT go up because of higher govenrment spending – and GDP is a measure of what is PRODUCED.
Government produces little of vlue.
“Turley loves to bash democratic socialists”
Because it is a failed and dead idea.
“dismiss their increasing popularity”
While not increasing in popularity at the rate you think – and the evidence is that has peaked.
That is still a very bad sign.
No ideology or economic system has caused more bloodshed or harm than socialism.
“while ignoring what is truly driving it.”
What is driving it is lies and bad education.
No informed and intelligent person would have a positive view of socialism.
“Trump and his incompetent attempt at being an authoritarian.”
We keep hearing that, but it is not what people see.
” Food prices are still high”
In real dollars food prices are down.
“utility bills are high”
In blue states – like CA
“cost of healthcare is still high and growing.”
Absolutely and shortly republicans are going to have to deal with the healthcare mess YOU made.
It is unlikely Republicans wil get it right, but they can hardly do worse than Democrats.
YOU made this mess.
” His “trade deals” are as useless as the paper they are allegedly written on.”
US exports have set new records almost every month in 2025.
“California is indeed experiencing an outflow of wealthy people, but their businesses are not.”
No CAis not experiencing a NEW outflow of businesses, Businesses have been leaving for a long time.
“Because the talent is there and the infrastructure is also there.”
“Florida, once touted as the destination of the rich and well off is not so attractive anymore because of hideously high home insurance premiums and property taxes. It’s driving many out of the state too.”
FL has a net inflow of people.
Tax RATES are higher in FL – but Taxes on the SAME HOME are about the same – The Same HOME in CA costs twice as much as FL.
So in CA you can get low insurance on a shack, or FL you have to pay higher insurance – but you get a minimansion for the price of the shack.
I do not personally want to live in CA, TX or FL.
If all things were equal CA wins hands down.
But all things are NOT equal, and with things as they are you could not force me to live in CA
John Say, we bailed out Milei. His libertarian plan does not work without a huge influx of cash from us and the IMF.
Why are we bailing out Argentina? We don’t have money for Medicaid but to bailout Argentina? No matter how you want to parse it it’s a bailout.
“ Argentinians purchasing power has been severely lowered.”
Incorrect – Argentine GDP/PPP is slightly up in 2025 having fallen for several years.”
Slightly up because their exports increased, not their citizens spending power. We are buying a LOT of beef from them after Trump undermined our beef producers with his tariffs. Milei devalued the Argentinian peso which did diminish Argentinians spending power.
“ Trump and his incompetent attempt at being an authoritarian.”
We keep hearing that, but it is not what people see.”
It’s what smart people see. Those who refuse to see it because they are in denial, like you, don’t want to see it.
“ cost of healthcare is still high and growing.”
Absolutely and shortly republicans are going to have to deal with the healthcare mess YOU made.
It is unlikely Republicans wil get it right, but they can hardly do worse than Democrats.
YOU made this mess.”
I made the mess? LOL. That’s funny. Republicans have been sabotaging the ACA for years to “show” it is not working. Republicans were terrified of the ACA succeeding and to prove it would not they intentionally sabotaged key aspects of the ACA.
YOU made the mess so YOU could show it was a mess. Nice try.
“ Florida, once touted as the destination of the rich and well off is not so attractive anymore because of hideously high home insurance premiums and property taxes. It’s driving many out of the state too.”
FL has a net inflow of people.“
A net inflow that is always temporary. When people realize how much more expensive it is to live there they move out within a year.
“ Food prices are still high”
In real dollars food prices are down.
“utility bills are high”
In blue states – like CA”
Oh yeah in “real dollars” except people are not seeing the cheaper food prices when they buy their groceries.
Utility bills are higher everywhere.
Utility bills in blue states generally have higher rates (price per kilowatt-hour), red states however often have higher total monthly bills due to higher consumption and poorer home efficiency. Their rates may be cheaper, but their usage is much higher therefore costing more.
“GDP Growth
The U.S. economy expanded at an annualized rate of 4.4% in the third quarter of 2025.
This growth was driven by strong consumer spending, increased exports, and higher government spending.
The previous quarter saw a growth rate of 3.8%.
Consumer Spending
Consumer spending rose by 3.5% in the third quarter, marking the fastest pace of the year.
This increase is significant as consumer spending accounts for about 68% of the total GDP.”
U.S. Economy at a Glance
https://www.bea.gov/news/glance
“Milei’s “impressive” economic turnaround is heavily dependent on IMF loans and a huge $40 billion bailout from Trump. Inflation is still pretty high, 25%.”
Xlax is at it again, attacking with verbal diarrhea that can be contagious to the uninformed. Sometimes when it doesn’t spin, I use Snopes. There was no $40Billion bailout. There was a $20Billion loan (“not a settled fact,” and possibly later another $20Billion to come from the private sector ). Xlax doesn’t do any better with Argentina’s inflation numbers.
Inflation was in triple digits prior to Millei, said to be over 200% and cut more than half within the first year Millei took over, and it has trended lower every month. Drinking from Xlax’s knowledge is dangerous to one’s intellectual health, as Xlax transmits a disease of the intellect infected with pollution. I felt no reason to read further. His first two sentences already proved he had nothing to say.
X
There is no need to rant idiocy on the economy.
There is little doubt it improved dramatically in every way in 2025.
There are competing claims regarding what it will do in 2026.
Thus far 2026 data is leaning more to 5% growth than 2%.
If there is 5% 2026 Growth – Republicans will increase their margins in both the house and the senate.
If growth is 1.8% – the worst prediction I have seen – Republicans will loose the house but likely retain the senate.
Trump can “sell” the economy – that is part of his job.
It is not really yours or mine.
I pay attention to the economy, mostly to track that it behaves as the laws of economics predict.
But also to falsify bogus claims such as yours.
I do not understand why you dwell on fake claims so much.
Reality exists and is perceived by all of us.
No one needs you or me to tell us what we are experiencing.
Is Newsome and AOC really the best of the Democrats got for 2028? Come on, Democrats! Dont you have anyone else better?
They thought Joe Stealin’ was better and look what that got them.
Diogenes,
Whoever was running the Biden admin was clearly “faking it, till we make it!”
Your writing and grammar skills are liberal level.
They did, but they were deemed nonviable, and summarily aborted, sequestered. The rest were regulated through Diversity.
UpStatefarmer
Mark Kelly will be our next president.
He already has a record breaking war chest, and he is not even up for election this year. He has shattered all records for fundraising by a US Senator in an off year.
In 2025 he raised $34 million. In the 4th quarter of 2025 he raised $12.5 million, and 99% of the donations were less than $100. That is a lot of every day people voting with their hard earned money.
He will win in a huge landslide.
Professor Turley is performing a huge public service here. I’ve seen instances of leftwingers rewriting history, claiming that socialistic economies during the 70’s outperformed economies under Reagan and Thatcher. It’s like the Misery Index never existed. It’s like Reagan and Thatcher were never reelected by huge majorities. It’s like Bill Clinton never admitted that “the era of big government is over.” Professor Turley is reminding his readers about that economic history which leftwing quacks in media and academia want us to forget.
huge public service And what public service might that be please?
Thank you, Diogenes, for reminding those who read the column of these important points.
AND THERE YOU HAVE IT!
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez running mates in 2028
Can they survive the Democratic Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates?
How many Contenders will the DNC have in the 2028 White House Races? *
– ⭐Newsom | Cortez ⭐ –
🫏 Democratic Party Ticket 2026 🫏
The DNC’s last offerings
2024 Democratic Party presidential candidates (Biden Incumbent Pres. Candidate)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Democratic_Party_presidential_candidates
* 2020 Democratic Party presidential candidates
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Democratic_Party_presidential_primaries
What a succession. Newsom-AOC to follow Clinton-Tim Kane (2016), Biden-Harris (2020), Harris-Walz (2024). This is the best that Democrats have to offer us? Especially the VP choices?
Yes they do and they will win in 2028. You think mocking them is going change the course of the election. The dems will get 70 million votes, reps., 48 million.
Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.
~H. L. Mencken
As a single male professional, I am taxed to the hilt. Seeing beyond that is not the amount but the waste and now the transparent theft. If my taxes truly helped and did not be the swimming pool of water to eventually fill one glass to a parched person, I would give more.
As a single male professional, I am taxed to the hilt. … Get married, make babbies, move to a tax free state.
We were birthed with the DNA for a constitutional republic. To become something fundamentally different is not just a policy shift. It is structural incompatibility.
Trying to form citizens for a system other than the one embedded in our founding design creates what I have described elsewhere as National Dysphoria.
DNA for a constitutional republic…. so the founders knew this was coming and extracted DNA and spread all around.
Rubbish.
What globalists and Democrat have in common….is the mission of destroying Western Society!
STOP THEM!
Democrats are committing TREASON at this point!
Cut 50% of Federal Spending. Decentralize Power!
European socialists PRETEND to love Democrats because Democrats let them jack up tariffs without consequence. That is now a documented fact. Democrats are Quislings–weak, inept authoritarians installed by foreign interests and eventually despised by everyone.
Documented you say. Okay, show us.
Most people believe I’m right, so the burden of proof lies with you.
Most people. Of the 8 plus billion on the plant … believe you’re right?
You still haven’t documented what you claim.
Most Americans, specifically. Most people in the world live in dictatorships and don’t know what to believe, but all of those dictators know I’m right and depend on you and ActBlue to cover for them.
Most live in dictatorships? Really, name them. The dictators know you’re right? What if they don’t speak American English?
Actblue is a new detergent you say?
Everyone knows Diogenes is right. Be honest, you know he is. Give it up.
Please, tell that to my wife 😉
Saw this? So what’s your response: Most live in dictatorships? Really, name them. The dictators know you’re right? What if they don’t speak American English?
Present your documents! says the demanding commie…
Here ya go, the Constitution of the United States! eat freedom commie.
Commie huh? You clown. Voted Trump. So ya think everyone who comments here has to fall in line or get attacked, threated and insulted. With that level of stupidity you dimwits here exhibit, confirms you are the dumbest or the dumb. The dems will win.
I wish to know more. Do you think calling someone a commie is an insult? Why? What are the major things commies believe in that you don’t?
Parasite.
Drunken lout.
He’s not drunk and you’re no lady.
Not a drunk you say? And you’re not intelligent.
Useful idiots have new limitations on the idiot part as it tends to make the commies look bad.
Says the useful idiot.
Okay Anonymous. Tobacco Tariff: Reports from that period and later analyses highlight a 350% U.S. tariff on tobacco imports.
Other High Tariffs: Other products with high ad valorem equivalent tariffs around that time included peanuts/peanut butter and certain sugar-containing products. These European Tariffs were imposed on American goods in 2008 while Obama was the President.
Thanks, fellas. This troll is playing the usual games of splitting hairs and making everybody else prove what everybody already knows.
geez, like hullbooby waiting for someone to comment? Make wild comments then get defensive when called out.
You’re a BS artist, making wild, unprovable, nonsensical statements. And you expect approval? You’re crazier than AOC, Newsom.
Thinkitthrough provided proof about foreign tariffs. You provided proof that Democrats are Quislings. I rest my case.
Proof? So just saying so makes it proof? What about linking a source. Might help eh.
How dull can you be.
. History—
Vidkun Quisling, Norway politician, collaborator and traitor 1940-45, German occupied Norway.
Phillipe Petain, French politician collaborator traitor in Vichy, France 1940-44.
Quislings all
show you Democrats are Quislings–weak, inept authoritarians installed by foreign interests and eventually despised by everyone?
everyone knows that.
and asking for someone’s documents? figures…
Diogenes: in addition to being “Quislings-weak, inept authoritarians”, Democrats have also demonstrated that they are successful grifters, as they have proven by the fraud seen in Minnesota.
Shameless frauds and hypocrites, getting rich off of taxpayers!
Dems are weak! all they have left now is crimes and criminals as everyone sensible doesn’t want to be a communist.
After trashing European nations in Munich, why is Marco Rubio now in Hungary campaigning for Victor Orban ahead of the Hungarian elections in April ???
Answer: Just following orders from Putin.
Russian state media is ecstatically reporting this.
Russian state media is ecstatically reporting this. Wow, really, then how come no link to the reporting.
Rubio was conciliatory. Trashed huh?
There are no more European Nations, just lots of people good at starting wars they can’t finish.