thepoliticalinsider--2020-12-28--President Trump Signs Bill Posthumously Honoring Oldest Pearl Harbor Survivor

President Trump last week signed a bill into law which named a California post office after the oldest survivor of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor .
The bill – H.R .
3005 – “ designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 13308 Midland Road in Poway , California , as the Ray Chavez Post Office Building.
” The post office is located in a suburb where Chavez lived .
Chavez , a Navy Veteran who served aboard the USS Condor , passed away in 2018 at the age of 106 from pneumonia .
The Condor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed to have made the first enemy contact with the Japanese after a periscope sighting in the water shortly before the attack .
The attack on Pearl Harbor drew the United States into World War II and killed 2,335 U.S. military personnel , wounded an additional 1,143 , and killed 68 civilians .
President Trump Met The Oldest Survivor Of Pearl Harbor Months Before His Death Months before Chavez passed away , President Trump met the Navy veteran in the Oval Office and had him present at a speech at Arlington National Cemetery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also proud to be in the company of another American hero — Navy veteran Ray Chavez , ” the President beamed .
“ At 106 years of age — and he was in the Oval Office two days ago , and he doesn ’ t look a day over 60 — he ’ s the oldest living survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor , ” he added .
“ What a guy .
And , Ray , you are truly an inspiration to all who are here today and all of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So inspired by Chavez was the President , that he sent him a personal letter on his 105th birthday the year before .
“ As the oldest living survivor of Pearl Harbor , your remarkable story is treasured by our Nation , ” Trump wrote , “ and the sacrifices you made in service to our country should fill you with tremendous pride.
” The President ended the note with a handwritten message urging Chavez to “ keep going !
” In December of 2018 , Trump again remembered Chavez during a proclamation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Ray passed away only a few weeks ago at the incredible age of 106 , ” he said .
“ But his legacy is forever etched into our country ’ s rich history , along with the legacies of all our brave veterans .
”

President Trump last week signed a bill into law which named a California post office after the oldest survivor of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
The bill – H.R. 3005 – “designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 13308 Midland Road in Poway, California, as the Ray Chavez Post Office Building.”
The post office is located in a suburb where Chavez lived.
Chavez, a Navy Veteran who served aboard the USS Condor, passed away in 2018 at the age of 106 from pneumonia.
The Condor was a coastal minesweeper in Pearl Harbor believed to have made the first enemy contact with the Japanese after a periscope sighting in the water shortly before the attack.
The attack on Pearl Harbor drew the United States into World War II and killed 2,335 U.S. military personnel, wounded an additional 1,143, and killed 68 civilians.
With five Pearl Harbor survivors looking on, Pres Trump signs Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day proclamation. Invites them back for this ceremony in each of the next 7 years. pic.twitter.com/NKlt486veA — Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 7, 2017
RELATED: Trump Meets With Oldest Surviving Pearl Harbor Veteran
President Trump Met The Oldest Survivor Of Pearl Harbor Months Before His Death
Months before Chavez passed away, President Trump met the Navy veteran in the Oval Office and had him present at a speech at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day.
“We are also proud to be in the company of another American hero — Navy veteran Ray Chavez,” the President beamed.
“At 106 years of age — and he was in the Oval Office two days ago, and he doesn’t look a day over 60 — he’s the oldest living survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor,” he added.
“What a guy. And, Ray, you are truly an inspiration to all who are here today and all of our great country,” concluded Trump.
President Trump honors WWII veteran Sen. Bob Dole and Navy veteran Ray Chavez, who is 106 years old and the oldest living survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor https://t.co/z2FP53md3A pic.twitter.com/pXJNfVMRtP — CBS News (@CBSNews) May 28, 2018
Ray Chavez – An American Hero And Inspiration
So inspired by Chavez was the President, that he sent him a personal letter on his 105th birthday the year before.
“As the oldest living survivor of Pearl Harbor, your remarkable story is treasured by our Nation,” Trump wrote, “and the sacrifices you made in service to our country should fill you with tremendous pride.”
Pres. Trump sends letter recognizing oldest Pearl Harbor survivor Ray Chavez on his 105th birthday. “Keep going!” https://t.co/hl4Fck5wP0 pic.twitter.com/SavnS9MO6q — ABC News (@ABC) March 16, 2017
The President ended the note with a handwritten message urging Chavez to “keep going!”
In December of 2018, Trump again remembered Chavez during a proclamation on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
“Ray passed away only a few weeks ago at the incredible age of 106,” he said. “But his legacy is forever etched into our country’s rich history, along with the legacies of all our brave veterans.”
God bless and godspeed, Mr. Chavez.


thepoliticalinsider--2020-12-28--Escape From New York: So Many People Are Fleeing Cuomo’s Empire State It Could Cost Them Two House S

Escape From New York: So Many People Are Fleeing Cuomo’s Empire State It Could Cost Them Two House Seats

Population estimates from the Census Bureau indicate so many people are fleeing New York state that they could lose up to two congressional seats in the coming round of reapportionment .
The latest round of numbers indicates New York ’ s population dropped by more than any other state in the nation based on percentage and total numbers .
A net total of 126,355 people fled the Empire State between July 2019 and July 2020 , marking a 0.65 % percent drop .
Spectrum News reports that the drop is despite new births and an influx of immigrants , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seats in the House of Representatives , depending on which numbers are used for reapportionment .
“ New York could lose at least one House district based on the initial estimates of its April 1 population , ” Spectrum explains .
“ Two seats could be lost if the congressional reapportionment is based on July 1 estimates , according to Jeff Wice , a New York redistricting expert.
” RELATED : Janice Dean Hammers Cuomo After He Says Santa Will Be Good To Him For Working Hard – Working Hard At What ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy to suggest the population drain is based on pandemic fears – New York has experienced the highest number of deaths in the country .
Governor Andrew Cuomo ’ s own actions have contributed to that death toll .
The Democrat governor in March issued an executive order forcing nursing homes to take on patients that had tested positive for coronavirus .
The order prohibited facilities from requiring incoming patients “ to be tested for COVID-19 prior to admission or readmission , ” and may have contributed to well over 6,600 deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , is still not known .
But , as political commentator Jeff Dunetz states , “ New Yorkers have been running from the states ’ burdensome taxes for at least the past two decades.
” Indeed , a 2009 Wall Street Journal report shows that between 2000 and 2008 New York saw a population drop of 8 percent , noting that “ taxes are driving people away.
” Perhaps this news of possibly losing two congressional seats is why the left has been pushing so hard to make sure illegal aliens are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers are used in determining reapportionment .
The United States Supreme Court in December dismissed a lawsuit seeking to block President Trump ’ s plan to exclude illegal immigrants from the census count .
The President signed the executive order in July stating illegal immigrants would no longer be counted in the population numbers for the purposes of redrawing electoral districts .
“ There used to be a time when you could proudly declare , ‘ I am a citizen of the United States.
’ But now , the radical left is trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and conceal the number of illegal aliens in our country , ” the President said in a statement at the time .
“ This is all part of a broader left-wing effort to erode the rights of Americans citizens , and I will not stand for it , ” he added .
The census estimates indicate a trend that leans towards being beneficial to the GOP .
“ If reapportionment took place on the basis of the new estimates , Texas ’ s delegation to the House of Representatives would grow by three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Arizona , Colorado , Montana , North Carolina and Oregon would all add an additional seat , ” The Hill reports .
They also add that California “ would … stand to lose one seat ” which “ would mark the first time since statehood that it has lost a seat in a round of reapportionment.
” Spectrum analyzes that New York ’ s potential loss of Congressional seats would diminish “ clout and influence in the federal government and national politics over the next 10 years .
”

Population estimates from the Census Bureau indicate so many people are fleeing New York state that they could lose up to two congressional seats in the coming round of reapportionment.
The latest round of numbers indicates New York’s population dropped by more than any other state in the nation based on percentage and total numbers.
A net total of 126,355 people fled the Empire State between July 2019 and July 2020, marking a 0.65% percent drop.
Spectrum News reports that the drop is despite new births and an influx of immigrants, and could lead to a loss of two seats in the House of Representatives, depending on which numbers are used for reapportionment.
“New York could lose at least one House district based on the initial estimates of its April 1 population,” Spectrum explains.
“Two seats could be lost if the congressional reapportionment is based on July 1 estimates, according to Jeff Wice, a New York redistricting expert.”
New York state saw nation’s biggest population decline in last year: census https://t.co/37TUPAkEYh pic.twitter.com/92duifZNGi — The Hill (@thehill) December 23, 2020
RELATED: Janice Dean Hammers Cuomo After He Says Santa Will Be Good To Him For Working Hard – Working Hard At What ‘Killing Seniors?’
New York’s Population Drain
It would be easy to suggest the population drain is based on pandemic fears – New York has experienced the highest number of deaths in the country.
Governor Andrew Cuomo’s own actions have contributed to that death toll.
The Democrat governor in March issued an executive order forcing nursing homes to take on patients that had tested positive for coronavirus.
The order prohibited facilities from requiring incoming patients “to be tested for COVID-19 prior to admission or readmission,” and may have contributed to well over 6,600 deaths in New York.
The actual number, however, is still not known.
Just a reminder that @NYGovCuomo ordered over 6,000 Covid patients into nursing homes for 46 days, didn’t use the Javits Center or the Comfort ship that were provided by the federal government and is still lying about the total number of seniors that died from it. — Janice Dean (@JaniceDean) December 22, 2020
But, as political commentator Jeff Dunetz states, “New Yorkers have been running from the states’ burdensome taxes for at least the past two decades.”
Indeed, a 2009 Wall Street Journal report shows that between 2000 and 2008 New York saw a population drop of 8 percent, noting that “taxes are driving people away.”
People are fleeing New York in droves, and now the state could lose a House seat — or two https://t.co/lnE61bNcno — TheBlaze (@theblaze) December 27, 2020
Illegal Immigrants And The Census
Perhaps this news of possibly losing two congressional seats is why the left has been pushing so hard to make sure illegal aliens are counted in the census and that those numbers are used in determining reapportionment.
The United States Supreme Court in December dismissed a lawsuit seeking to block President Trump’s plan to exclude illegal immigrants from the census count.
The President signed the executive order in July stating illegal immigrants would no longer be counted in the population numbers for the purposes of redrawing electoral districts.
“There used to be a time when you could proudly declare, ‘I am a citizen of the United States.’ But now, the radical left is trying to erase the existence of this concept and conceal the number of illegal aliens in our country,” the President said in a statement at the time.
“This is all part of a broader left-wing effort to erode the rights of Americans citizens, and I will not stand for it,” he added.
BREAKING: Supreme Court blocks bid to stop Trump plan to exclude illegal immigrants from census, redistricting | Just The News https://t.co/etGTKCTTbw — John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) December 18, 2020
The census estimates indicate a trend that leans towards being beneficial to the GOP.
“If reapportionment took place on the basis of the new estimates, Texas’s delegation to the House of Representatives would grow by three seats, Florida’s by two, and Arizona, Colorado, Montana, North Carolina and Oregon would all add an additional seat,” The Hill reports.
They also add that California “would … stand to lose one seat” which “would mark the first time since statehood that it has lost a seat in a round of reapportionment.”
Spectrum analyzes that New York’s potential loss of Congressional seats would diminish “clout and influence in the federal government and national politics over the next 10 years.”


thepoliticalinsider--2020-12-28--Five New Year’s Resolutions Trump Could Make That Would Have Major Impact

Last year , President Donald Trump kept his New Year ’ s resolutions to himself .
During at a party at Trump ’ s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida , first lady Melania Trump told everyone that her resolution is for “ peace in the world.
” When the President was asked what his resolutions might be , Trump replied , “ I ’ m not sure you ’ re supposed to say a resolution out loud.
” It is not known if Trump might reveal what resolutions are as we head into the new year .
But here is what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great again .
Keep Investigating And Talking About Election Integrity Whether or not enough fraud can be found to somehow alter the results of the presidential election , as Trump ’ s legal team is hoping , Trump should continue to be outspoken about the potential for fraud .
Integrity in our elections is a bedrock democratic principle central to our republic .
If Americans no longer have faith that their vote counts , that could lead to dangerous threats to liberty .
Donald Trump could become the poster boy for election integrity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His enemies might have taken the White House from him , but they will never take his megaphone .
Probably no president since Dwight Eisenhower has done more to raise awareness that there is a Deep State in Washington , DC that is fully and forever invested in the idea of America being involved militarily abroad wherever possible .
RELATED : Pelosi ‘ Plans ’ To Pull Trump Out Of The White House ‘ By His Hair , His Little Hands And Feet ’ President Trump is winding down the U.S. presence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 2500 troops , but expect a Biden administration – and the foreign policy team he will choose – to encourage more troops in that country and to find other countries where they will find a “ need ” for them .
Our brave men and women deserve better than that .
Trump has always understood this and should continue to speak out on this important issue , in addition to his ongoing efforts to bring the troops home .
President Trump has been at war with the Deep State for four years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his 2016 presidential campaign .
Well , to be fair , they have been spying on everyone .
This is exactly what NSA contractor Edward Snowden revealed to the world in 2013 when we learned that surveillance and data collection was being applied en masse – to all of us .
Snowden only came forward after Director of National Intelligence , James Clapper , lied to Congress by telling them the government was not carrying out any mass surveillance programs .
If President Trump doesn ’ t pardon Snowden , this whisteblower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance for freedom with any other future president .
Certainly not with Joe Biden .
This might be the most important First Amendment battle of our lives , as Wikileaks ’ founder Julian Assange ’ s fate will set precedent about how just how free our press will be in the future .
The leaks shared by Assange gave a better picture about how U.S. wars were being conducted , the same wars Trump has criticized .
Villianized by Washington and the Deep State , former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin might have put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first one to admit when I make a mistake , ” the former Alaska governor said in a two-minute video “ I made a mistake some years ago , not supporting Julian Assange — thinking that he was a bad guy , ” Palin continued in the clip .
“ And I ’ ve learned a lot since then.
” Indeed .
Not to mention , President Barack Obama pardoned Chelsea Manning , who obtained the documents Assange leaked .
An Assange pardon could outshine that one significantly .
Ross Ulbricht is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for creating a website the U.S. government could not detect .
Whatever his possible crimes , that is excessive by anyone ’ s standards .
The Daily Beast reported in December , “ In his final weeks in office before Joe Biden ’ s inauguration , President Donald Trump is weighing granting clemency to , the founder and former administrator of the world ’ s , Silk Road , The Daily Beast has learned.
” RELATED : Tulsi Gabbard Savages $ 600 Stimulus Checks In COVID Relief Bill : ‘ Slap In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ According to three people familiar with the matter , the White House counsel ’ s office has had documents related to Ulbricht ’ s case under review , and Trump was recently made aware of the situation and the pleas of the founder ’ s allies.
” “ Two of these sources say the president has at times privately expressed some sympathy for Ulbricht ’ s situation and has been considering his name , among others , for his next round of commutations and pardons before the Jan. 20 inauguration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beast noted .
Ross is a victim who was made an example of by an overzealous DOJ .
TPUSA ’ s Charlie Kirk has long spoken out in defense of Ulbricht .
The Beast reported , “ It is unclear if Trump has arrived at a final decision yet , but Ulbricht has gained some influential backers in the president ’ s political and social orbit.
” “ Behind the scenes , he has the support of some presidential advisers , as well as criminal justice reform advocates with close ties to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to people with knowledge of the matter , ” the Beast added .
President Trump should pull the trigger and grant clemency to Ross Ulbricht .
All of these actions would make significant waves if President Trump is heading out the White House door .

Last year, President Donald Trump kept his New Year’s resolutions to himself.
During at a party at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, first lady Melania Trump told everyone that her resolution is for “peace in the world.”
When the President was asked what his resolutions might be, Trump replied, “I’m not sure you’re supposed to say a resolution out loud.”
It is not known if Trump might reveal what resolutions are as we head into the new year.
But here is what they should be – to make America great again.
Thank you @TPUSA for your hard work and support! We need you to STAY IN THE FIGHT! Stay in the fight for election integrity. Stay in the fight to defend all we’ve done. Stay in the fight at this Student Action Summit to KEEP AMERICA GREAT! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/b6ywxnTjAc — Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) December 22, 2020
Keep Investigating And Talking About Election Integrity
Whether or not enough fraud can be found to somehow alter the results of the presidential election, as Trump’s legal team is hoping, Trump should continue to be outspoken about the potential for fraud.
Integrity in our elections is a bedrock democratic principle central to our republic.
If Americans no longer have faith that their vote counts, that could lead to dangerous threats to liberty.
Donald Trump could become the poster boy for election integrity, and he should remain so. His enemies might have taken the White House from him, but they will never take his megaphone.
Keep Talking About Ending Endless Wars
Probably no president since Dwight Eisenhower has done more to raise awareness that there is a Deep State in Washington, DC that is fully and forever invested in the idea of America being involved militarily abroad wherever possible.
Ike called it the “military industrial complex.”
Joe Biden has a 50 year record of supporting virtually every endless war possible & he's been wrong on foreign policy every step of the way. My father hasn't started any new wars & wants to end the wars that Biden helped start!https://t.co/z3FAcmr63Z — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 1, 2020
RELATED: Pelosi ‘Plans’ To Pull Trump Out Of The White House ‘By His Hair, His Little Hands And Feet’
President Trump is winding down the U.S. presence in America’s longest war in Afghanistan to 2500 troops, but expect a Biden administration – and the foreign policy team he will choose – to encourage more troops in that country and to find other countries where they will find a “need” for them.
Our brave men and women deserve better than that.
Trump has always understood this and should continue to speak out on this important issue, in addition to his ongoing efforts to bring the troops home.
Pardon Edward Snowden
President Trump has been at war with the Deep State for four years and even suspects the U.S. government spied on his 2016 presidential campaign.
Well, to be fair, they have been spying on everyone.
This is exactly what NSA contractor Edward Snowden revealed to the world in 2013 when we learned that surveillance and data collection was being applied en masse – to all of us.
Lindsey Graham — like Liz Cheney and John Brennan — is a pure expression of the Endless War, spy-on-everyone monstrosity of the establishment wing of both parties that has done so much damage. The case against Snowden rests on outright lies:https://t.co/MWbKzEhuWQ — Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) December 16, 2020
Snowden only came forward after Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, lied to Congress by telling them the government was not carrying out any mass surveillance programs.
If President Trump doesn’t pardon Snowden, this whisteblower hero likely won’t have a chance for freedom with any other future president.
Certainly not with Joe Biden.
Pardon Julian Assange
This might be the most important First Amendment battle of our lives, as Wikileaks’ founder Julian Assange’s fate will set precedent about how just how free our press will be in the future.
The leaks shared by Assange gave a better picture about how U.S. wars were being conducted, the same wars Trump has criticized.
Villianized by Washington and the Deep State, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin might have put it best recently.
“I am the first one to admit when I make a mistake,” the former Alaska governor said in a two-minute video posted to YouTube.
“I made a mistake some years ago, not supporting Julian Assange — thinking that he was a bad guy,” Palin continued in the clip. “And I’ve learned a lot since then.”
“He deserves a pardon,” Palin said.
Indeed. Not to mention, President Barack Obama pardoned Chelsea Manning, who obtained the documents Assange leaked.
An Assange pardon could outshine that one significantly.
Clemency For Ross Ulbricht
Ross Ulbricht is essentially currently serving a double life sentence for creating a website the U.S. government could not detect.
Whatever his possible crimes, that is excessive by anyone’s standards.
The more I learn about Ross Ulbricht and his over-prosecution the more outraged I am about this total miscarriage of justice Ross, a first time NON VIOLENT offender got TWO LIFE sentences for building a website Meanwhile Epstein got a slap on the wrist in early 2000’s Outrage — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) November 11, 2019
The Daily Beast reported in December, “In his final weeks in office before Joe Biden’s inauguration, President Donald Trump is weighing granting clemency to Ross Ulbricht, the founder and former administrator of the world’s most famous darknet drug market, Silk Road, The Daily Beast has learned.”
RELATED: Tulsi Gabbard Savages $600 Stimulus Checks In COVID Relief Bill: ‘Slap In the Face To Americans’
The Beast continued, “According to three people familiar with the matter, the White House counsel’s office has had documents related to Ulbricht’s case under review, and Trump was recently made aware of the situation and the pleas of the Silk Road founder’s allies.”
“Two of these sources say the president has at times privately expressed some sympathy for Ulbricht’s situation and has been considering his name, among others, for his next round of commutations and pardons before the Jan. 20 inauguration of his 2020 Democratic opponent,” the Beast noted.
Ross is a victim who was made an example of by an overzealous DOJ.
TPUSA’s Charlie Kirk has long spoken out in defense of Ulbricht.
The President should commute Ross Ulbricht’s insane over-sentencing. He was targeted by our government and made an example of. It is the perfect time to grant mercy to a family and young man who has become a victim of our aggressive DOJ. — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) December 5, 2020
The Beast reported, “It is unclear if Trump has arrived at a final decision yet, but Ulbricht has gained some influential backers in the president’s political and social orbit.”
“Behind the scenes, he has the support of some presidential advisers, as well as criminal justice reform advocates with close ties to the administration and Trump family, including Alice Johnson, according to people with knowledge of the matter,” the Beast added.
President Trump should pull the trigger and grant clemency to Ross Ulbricht.
All of these actions would make significant waves if President Trump is heading out the White House door.
Happy New Year – hopefully!


thepoliticalinsider--2020-12-28--Republican ‘Squad’ Known As ‘Freedom Force’ Teams Up To Take On AOC And Socialism

Four incoming Republican members of Congress have teamed up to form the conservative version of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ’ s ( D-NY ) “ Squad ” with the intent of taking on socialism and communism .
Reps.-elect Nicole Malliotakis ( R-NY ) , Carlos Gimenez ( R-FL ) , Maria Elvira Salazar ( R-FL ) , and Victoria Spartz ( R-IN ) see themselves as the “ conservative counterweight ” to the democratic socialist “ Squad ” that is led by Ocasio-Cortez , according to Politico .
The four bonded during their orientation from their shared experiences with socialist countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure the U.S. does not go in that same direction .
“ It was a natural alliance that formed .
… We understand what it ’ s like in other countries .
We understand how truly special this nation is , ” said Malliotakis , whose mother is from Cuba .
“ And we look forward to working together to push back on anyone who tries to bring a socialist agenda to America.
” Related : Meet The New GOP Congresswoman Who Is Taking On AOC With Conservative ‘ Squad ’ Gimenez is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the time of the communist revolution led by Fidel Castro .
Salazar is the daughter of Cuban exiles who spent years working as a TV journalist for the Spanish-language network Telemundo .
Spartz is a Ukrainian-American who was 22 years-old when she came to the United States in 2000 , and she became a citizen six years later .
Ukraine was still a communist nation when she was born in 1978 , and it did not gain independence for another thirteen years .
Spartz is the first ever member of Congress who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Freedom Force ’ Wants To Warn Young People About Socialism Malliotakis said that she and the other members of the so-called “ Freedom Force ” want young people to understand the dangers posed by socialist ideology .
“ We want to make sure , particularly young people , understand that socialism is not something grand , ” she said .
Related : Freshman Republican Maria Elvira Salazar Creating Her Own ‘ Squad ’ To Combat Socialist Democrats Rep.-elect Nancy Mace ( R-S.C. ) , another ally of the “ Freedom Force , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to graduate from the Citadel .
“ I want to be different .
I don ’ t want it to be the same old , same old .
This is a new Republican Party , ” she said .
“ We have to be different if we want to survive and be successful in the long term.
” When asked about this conservative “ Squad , ” Ocasio-Cortez said , “ Imitation is a high form of flattery , right ?
So , I ’ m glad they think that way of me.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Samson on December 28 , 2020 .
It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission .
Read more at LifeZette : Trump Livid That Melania Hasn ’ t Been On Any Magazine Covers While Michelle Obama Was On 12 Ted Nugent Eviscerates Black Lives Matter – Rips Protests As ‘ Soulless ’ And ‘ Stupid ’ Maxine Waters Outrageously Claims Trump Has Been ‘ Compromised ’ By Putin – Calls On Us To ‘ Rely On Biden ’ To Take On Russia And China The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider .

Four incoming Republican members of Congress have teamed up to form the conservative version of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-NY) “Squad” with the intent of taking on socialism and communism.
Meet The Republican ‘Squad’
Reps.-elect Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), and Victoria Spartz (R-IN) see themselves as the “conservative counterweight” to the democratic socialist “Squad” that is led by Ocasio-Cortez, according to Politico. The four bonded during their orientation from their shared experiences with socialist countries, and they all want to make sure the U.S. does not go in that same direction.
“It was a natural alliance that formed. … We understand what it’s like in other countries. We understand how truly special this nation is,” said Malliotakis, whose mother is from Cuba. “And we look forward to working together to push back on anyone who tries to bring a socialist agenda to America.”
Related: Meet The New GOP Congresswoman Who Is Taking On AOC With Conservative ‘Squad’
Gimenez is a 66 year-old Cuban immigrant who fled during the time of the communist revolution led by Fidel Castro. Salazar is the daughter of Cuban exiles who spent years working as a TV journalist for the Spanish-language network Telemundo.
Spartz is a Ukrainian-American who was 22 years-old when she came to the United States in 2000, and she became a citizen six years later. Ukraine was still a communist nation when she was born in 1978, and it did not gain independence for another thirteen years. Spartz is the first ever member of Congress who was born in the Soviet Union.
‘Freedom Force’ Wants To Warn Young People About Socialism
Malliotakis said that she and the other members of the so-called “Freedom Force” want young people to understand the dangers posed by socialist ideology.
“We want to make sure, particularly young people, understand that socialism is not something grand,” she said.
Related: Freshman Republican Maria Elvira Salazar Creating Her Own ‘Squad’ To Combat Socialist Democrats
We are the New Face of the @GOP! So proud of my colleagues @Victoria_Spartz, the 1st immigrant from the former Soviet Union to ever serve in #Congress, & @NancyMace the very 1st woman to graduate from The Citadel. We're all working moms & we're a true FORCE to be reckoned with! pic.twitter.com/ka3208nj7U — María Elvira Salazar 🇺🇸 (@MaElviraSalazar) December 3, 2020
Rep.-elect Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), another ally of the “Freedom Force,” made history as the first woman to graduate from the Citadel.
“I want to be different. I don’t want it to be the same old, same old. This is a new Republican Party,” she said. “We have to be different if we want to survive and be successful in the long term.”
When asked about this conservative “Squad,” Ocasio-Cortez said, “Imitation is a high form of flattery, right? So, I’m glad they think that way of me.”
This piece was written by James Samson on December 28, 2020. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.
Read more at LifeZette:
Trump Livid That Melania Hasn’t Been On Any Magazine Covers While Michelle Obama Was On 12
Ted Nugent Eviscerates Black Lives Matter – Rips Protests As ‘Soulless’ And ‘Stupid’
Maxine Waters Outrageously Claims Trump Has Been ‘Compromised’ By Putin – Calls On Us To ‘Rely On Biden’ To Take On Russia And China
Read this Next on ThePoliticalInsider.com 21 Million Guns Were Sold in U.S. In 2020, An Astronomical 73% Spike
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider.


thepoliticalinsider--2020-12-28--21 Million Guns Were Sold in U.S. In 2020, An Astronomical 73% Spike

In 2020 , Americans bought approximately 21 million guns , which is a whopping 73 percent increase over the amount purchased in 2019 .
According to ABC News coverage of figures quoted by pro-gun control news outlet The Trace , this spike in gun sales is the result of a “ perfect storm ” consisting of “ the pandemic , economic recession , civil unrest and a divisive presidential election.
” RELATED : Top Trump Lawyer Jenna Ellis Slams Bill Barr : ‘ You Should Sit Down – You Did Enough Sitting Down On The Job ’ Mother And New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Is The Last Thing I Ever Want To Do ’ The Trace interviewed Trish Beaudet , a mother of three who said she and her family had never been gun owners before , but 2020 events caused them to purchase firearms .
“ I ’ ve never owned a gun , ” Beaudet said , “ I ’ ve never wanted a gun .
I ’ ve never had a gun in my home.
” But the rampant street violence in 2020 changed Beaudet ’ s mind and attitude toward gun ownership .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ watched things on the news , when you talk about the riots , and the looting , and the violence that ’ s happening , ” Beaudet said , citing the street chaos of 2020 .
“ Pulling a gun is the last thing I ever want to do , but I want to know that if I need to protect myself , my family , my , you know , my children , that I can do that , ” she added .
‘ When Things Start To Hit A Little Closer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sit Up ’ Beaudet is not alone .
“ Self-described Democrat ” Erin Hart traveled a similar path this year .
The divorced mother of two told The Trace , “ My nightmare scenario would be being at home alone , middle of the night , and just myself and , you know , the boys , and , and someone coming in to harm us.
” Hart added , “ When things start to hit a little closer home it kind of makes you sit up and think about it.
” RELATED @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Says Santa Will Be Good To Him For Working Hard – Working Hard At What ‘ Killing Seniors ?
’ FBI figures show that November 2020 was the 11th consecutive month of record background checks for gun sales .
This was also true at the beginning of 2020 , when January and February had more background checks than those same months in years prior .
Between the COVID-19 pandemic , riots and widespread financial suffering , it is not shocking that more Americans than ever were feeling the need to defend their families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden-Kamala Harris administration , what 2021 holds for Second Amendment rights will definitely be an issue to keep an eye on .

In 2020, Americans bought approximately 21 million guns, which is a whopping 73 percent increase over the amount purchased in 2019.
According to ABC News coverage of figures quoted by pro-gun control news outlet The Trace, this spike in gun sales is the result of a “perfect storm” consisting of “the pandemic, economic recession, civil unrest and a divisive presidential election.”
Fear fuels gun sales as Biden vows crackdown https://t.co/lugZUohVQp — Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) December 19, 2020
RELATED: Top Trump Lawyer Jenna Ellis Slams Bill Barr: ‘You Should Sit Down – You Did Enough Sitting Down On The Job’
Mother And New Gun Owner: ‘Pulling A Gun Is The Last Thing I Ever Want To Do’
The Trace interviewed Trish Beaudet, a mother of three who said she and her family had never been gun owners before, but 2020 events caused them to purchase firearms.
“I’ve never owned a gun,” Beaudet said, “I’ve never wanted a gun. I’ve never had a gun in my home.”
But the rampant street violence in 2020 changed Beaudet’s mind and attitude toward gun ownership.
“It really bothers me when I watched things on the news, when you talk about the riots, and the looting, and the violence that’s happening,” Beaudet said, citing the street chaos of 2020.
“Pulling a gun is the last thing I ever want to do, but I want to know that if I need to protect myself, my family, my, you know, my children, that I can do that,” she added.
"An estimated 21 million guns have been sold so far in 2020. That's up 73% over the same period last year."@devindwyer reports on the surge in gun sales and violence amid the pandemic and unrest, and how a Biden administration could take on gun laws. https://t.co/6e8CmuupwW pic.twitter.com/pjP9dr7eFi — ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) December 16, 2020
‘When Things Start To Hit A Little Closer To Home It Kind Of Makes You Sit Up’
Beaudet is not alone. “Self-described Democrat” Erin Hart traveled a similar path this year.
The divorced mother of two told The Trace, “My nightmare scenario would be being at home alone, middle of the night, and just myself and, you know, the boys, and, and someone coming in to harm us.”
Hart added, “When things start to hit a little closer home it kind of makes you sit up and think about it.”
There are already at least 870,000 gun sales (background checks) in Michigan this year, the highest in memory. Last year, less than 500,000 for the entire year. https://t.co/8dHlnUh8M6 — Niraj Warikoo (@nwarikoo) November 24, 2020
RELATED: Janice Dean Hammers Cuomo After He Says Santa Will Be Good To Him For Working Hard – Working Hard At What ‘Killing Seniors?’
The Joe Biden Factor
FBI figures show that November 2020 was the 11th consecutive month of record background checks for gun sales.
This was also true at the beginning of 2020, when January and February had more background checks than those same months in years prior.
Between the COVID-19 pandemic, riots and widespread financial suffering, it is not shocking that more Americans than ever were feeling the need to defend their families and property.
With an incoming Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration, what 2021 holds for Second Amendment rights will definitely be an issue to keep an eye on.


thepoliticalinsider--2020-12-28--More Celebrities Speak Out Against Lockdowns And ‘Tyrannical’ Government

While the Hollywood and entertainment left continues to mock conservatives who dare question the harsh lockdowns happening in many Democrat-controlled U.S. states , some celebrities are showing sympathy for those hurting financially .
And not just those hurting in the U.S. Clapton Sings ‘ You Know They ’ re Gon na Grind Us Down…Until It Really Hurts ’ legend Eric Clapton has teamed up with Irish music legend Van Morrison to release an anti-lockdown song titled “ Stand and Deliver.
” The song criticizes harsh restrictions , including those in the UK and US .
“ Do you wan na @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wan na be a slave ?
” Clapton sings .
“ Do you wan na wear these chains / Until you ’ re lying in the grave ?
” Addressing American lockdowns specifically , Clapton sings , “ Magna Carta , Bill of Rights / The constitution , what ’ s it worth ?
/ You know they ’ re gon na grind us down / Until it really hurts.
” “ Is this a sovereign nation / Or just a police state ?
/ You better look out , people / Before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adds .
Clapton said earlier this year in a statement , “ We must stand up and be counted because we need to find a way out of this mess .
The alternative is not worth thinking about.
” “ Live music might never recover , ” he added .
Van Morrison : ‘ We Are Not In This Together ’ Van Morrison has not hesitated to share his views on the lockdowns .
“ Remember , those who are shutting down our economy haven ’ t missed a paycheck since lockdown began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We are not in this together , ” he added .
Morrison tweeted earlier that day at Northern Ireland Executive , “ 10 months on and the still hasn ’ t presented the science for the Northern Ireland lockdown.
” But it ’ s not just musicians who are fed up .
Famous tattoo artist Kat Von D says she is leaving Los Angeles for rural Indiana due to “ tyrannical government overreach.
” Von D announced in a Facebook post that while she has no plans to sell her Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ink ” star is taking her son with her to Indiana to get away from the California state government ’ s heavy hand .
“ Definitely not ever selling our beautiful home in LA , but with all that ’ s been taking place in California , with terrible policies , tyrannical government overreach , ridiculous taxing , amongst so much more corruption , we just felt the need to plant roots in a small town where my son can be free to play , and where we can eventually retire one day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lawyer Jenna Ellis Slams Bill Barr : ‘ You Should Sit Down – You Did Enough Sitting Down On The Job ’ Will More Celebrities Speak Out ?
Kat Von D added , “ We will eventually be spending more time in beautiful Indiana once I finish doing some remodeling on our new historic house.
” It is not shocking that some of the more famous people in our midst are just as fed up with arbitrary government lockdowns as the rest of us .
Kudos to Eric Clapton , Van Morrison , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hopefully more celebrities , aside from a minority of conservative figures who have been vocal , will soon join them .

While the Hollywood and entertainment left continues to mock conservatives who dare question the harsh lockdowns happening in many Democrat-controlled U.S. states, some celebrities are showing sympathy for those hurting financially.
And not just those hurting in the U.S.
Sigh. Eric Clapton and Van Morrison release anti-lockdown song “Stand and Deliver" https://t.co/HeA6anl2XC pic.twitter.com/KsC06AUwkS — The A.V. Club (@TheAVClub) December 20, 2020
RELATED: After Taking Vaccine, Biden Admits President Trump ‘Deserves Some Credit’
Clapton Sings ‘You Know They’re Gonna Grind Us Down…Until It Really Hurts’
British rock legend Eric Clapton has teamed up with Irish music legend Van Morrison to release an anti-lockdown song titled “Stand and Deliver.”
The song criticizes harsh coronavirus restrictions, including those in the UK and US.
“Do you wanna be a free man/ Or do you wanna be a slave?” Clapton sings. “Do you wanna wear these chains / Until you’re lying in the grave?”
Addressing American lockdowns specifically, Clapton sings, “Magna Carta, Bill of Rights / The constitution, what’s it worth? / You know they’re gonna grind us down / Until it really hurts.”
“Is this a sovereign nation / Or just a police state? / You better look out, people / Before it gets too late,” he adds.
Eric Clapton and Van Morrison release a superb anti-lockdown song. Good to see some artists remain non-conformers.https://t.co/TnSQuEwHU1 via @YouTube — John Ruddick (@JohnRuddick2) December 21, 2020
Clapton said earlier this year in a statement, “We must stand up and be counted because we need to find a way out of this mess. The alternative is not worth thinking about.”
“Live music might never recover,” he added.
Van Morrison: ‘We Are Not In This Together’
Van Morrison has not hesitated to share his views on the lockdowns.
“Remember, those who are shutting down our economy haven’t missed a paycheck since lockdown began,” Morrison tweeted on Dec. 21.
“We are not in this together,” he added.
Remember, those who are shutting down our economy haven't missed a paycheck since lockdown began. We are not in this together. — Van Morrison (@vanmorrison) December 21, 2020
Morrison tweeted earlier that day at Northern Ireland Executive, “10 months on and the @niexecutive still hasn’t presented the science for the Northern Ireland lockdown.”
10 months on and the @niexecutive still hasn't presented the science for the Northern Ireland lockdown. — Van Morrison (@vanmorrison) December 21, 2020
But it’s not just musicians who are fed up.
Famous Tattoo Artist Kat Von D Leaving California
Famous tattoo artist Kat Von D says she is leaving Los Angeles for rural Indiana due to “tyrannical government overreach.”
Von D announced in a Facebook post that while she has no plans to sell her Los Angeles home, the former “LA Ink” star is taking her son with her to Indiana to get away from the California state government’s heavy hand.
“Definitely not ever selling our beautiful home in LA, but with all that’s been taking place in California, with terrible policies, tyrannical government overreach, ridiculous taxing, amongst so much more corruption, we just felt the need to plant roots in a small town where my son can be free to play, and where we can eventually retire one day,” Von D said.
RELATED: Top Trump Lawyer Jenna Ellis Slams Bill Barr: ‘You Should Sit Down – You Did Enough Sitting Down On The Job’
Celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D just posted this on her Facebook page. You know things are getting bad in California when even the Liberal TV stars can't handle it anymore! pic.twitter.com/2HBBjdvIZJ — Saul 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@OldSchoolSaul) December 18, 2020
Will More Celebrities Speak Out?
Kat Von D added, “We will eventually be spending more time in beautiful Indiana once I finish doing some remodeling on our new historic house.”
It is not shocking that some of the more famous people in our midst are just as fed up with arbitrary government lockdowns as the rest of us.
Kudos to Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, and Kat Von D for speaking out.
Hopefully more celebrities, aside from a minority of conservative figures who have been vocal, will soon join them.


thepoliticalinsider--2020-12-28--Marco Rubio Torches Fauci For Allegedly Lying About Masks And Herd Immunity

Senator Marco Rubio ( R-FL ) took to Twitter on Sunday to blast Dr. Anthony Fauci for allegedly lying to Americans about masks and herd immunity related to the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Dr .
Fauci lied about masks in March , ” Rubio wrote .
“ Dr .
Fauci has been distorting the level of vaccination needed for herd immunity .
It isn ’ t just him Many in elite bubbles believe the American public doesn ’ t know ‘ what ’ s good for them ’ so they need to be tricked into ‘ doing the right thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted to the New York Times that he had deliberately been moving the goalposts on herd immunity related to COVID-19 for very unscientific reasons .
When the pandemic began , Fauci had said that 60 % of the American public would need COVID-19 immunity to achieve herd immunity .
However , as the months of this pandemic have gone on , he increased this number slowly .
In his latest interview with The Times , Fauci said that 90 % of the American public would need immunity to reach the herd immunity threshold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has been doing this purposefully partly because of public polling data and partly to covertly encourage more Americans to receive the coronavirus vaccine .
Related : Fauci Issues Chilling Warning That The Worst Is Yet To Come With Pandemic “ When polls said only about half of all Americans would take a vaccine , I was saying herd immunity would take 70 to 75 percent , ” Fauci admitted .
“ Then , when newer surveys said 60 percent or more would take it , I thought , ʻI can nudge this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went to 80 , 85.
” “ We need to have some humility here , ” he continued .
“ We really don ’ t know what the real number is .
I think the real range is somewhere between 70 to 90 percent .
But , I ’ m not going to say 90 percent.
” Democrats are constantly saying that we need to “ trust the science ” and listen to the experts about everything .
This admission from Fauci shows exactly why this is so dangerous , as the scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science when they issue these kinds of warnings to the public .
Read Next : Fauci Whines That America ’ s ‘ Independent Spirit ’ Has ‘ Hurt Us ’ During Pandemic This piece was written by James Samson on December 28 , 2020 .
It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission .
Read more at LifeZette : Trump Livid That Melania Hasn ’ t Been On Any Magazine Covers While Michelle Obama Was On 12 Ted Nugent Eviscerates Black Lives Matter – Rips Protests As ‘ Soulless ’ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump Has Been ‘ Compromised ’ By Putin – Calls On Us To ‘ Rely On Biden ’ To Take On Russia And China The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider .

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) took to Twitter on Sunday to blast Dr. Anthony Fauci for allegedly lying to Americans about masks and herd immunity related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Rubio Rips Fauci
“Dr. Fauci lied about masks in March,” Rubio wrote. “Dr. Fauci has been distorting the level of vaccination needed for herd immunity. It isn’t just him Many in elite bubbles believe the American public doesn’t know ‘what’s good for them’ so they need to be tricked into ‘doing the right thing.'”
Dr. Fauci lied about masks in March Dr. Fauci has been distorting the level of vaccination needed for herd immunity It isn’t just him Many in elite bubbles believe the American public doesn’t know “what’s good for them” so they need to be tricked into “doing the right thing” — Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) December 27, 2020
Fauci Admits To Shifting Goalposts On Herd Immunity
This came after Fauci admitted to the New York Times that he had deliberately been moving the goalposts on herd immunity related to COVID-19 for very unscientific reasons.
When the pandemic began, Fauci had said that 60% of the American public would need COVID-19 immunity to achieve herd immunity. However, as the months of this pandemic have gone on, he increased this number slowly. In his latest interview with The Times, Fauci said that 90% of the American public would need immunity to reach the herd immunity threshold.
Fauci confessed in this interview that he has been doing this purposefully partly because of public polling data and partly to covertly encourage more Americans to receive the coronavirus vaccine.
Related: Fauci Issues Chilling Warning That The Worst Is Yet To Come With Pandemic
Fauci Explains His Reasoning
“When polls said only about half of all Americans would take a vaccine, I was saying herd immunity would take 70 to 75 percent,” Fauci admitted. “Then, when newer surveys said 60 percent or more would take it, I thought, ʻI can nudge this up a bit,’ so I went to 80, 85.”
“We need to have some humility here,” he continued. “We really don’t know what the real number is. I think the real range is somewhere between 70 to 90 percent. But, I’m not going to say 90 percent.”
Democrats are constantly saying that we need to “trust the science” and listen to the experts about everything. This admission from Fauci shows exactly why this is so dangerous, as the scientists themselves aren’t always relying on science when they issue these kinds of warnings to the public.
Read Next: Fauci Whines That America’s ‘Independent Spirit’ Has ‘Hurt Us’ During Pandemic
This piece was written by James Samson on December 28, 2020. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.
Read more at LifeZette:
Trump Livid That Melania Hasn’t Been On Any Magazine Covers While Michelle Obama Was On 12
Ted Nugent Eviscerates Black Lives Matter – Rips Protests As ‘Soulless’ And ‘Stupid’
Maxine Waters Outrageously Claims Trump Has Been ‘Compromised’ By Putin – Calls On Us To ‘Rely On Biden’ To Take On Russia And China
Read this Next on ThePoliticalInsider.com Senator Marsha Blackburn Calls For ‘Term Limits For Bureaucrats’
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider.


thepoliticalinsider--2020-12-28--Senator Marsha Blackburn Calls For ‘Term Limits For Bureaucrats’

Senator Marsha Blackburn ( R-TN ) in an interview discussing the ‘ swamp ’ in Washington , D.C. , called for term limits “ for bureaucrats.
” Blackburn made the comments in an appearance with Steve Hilton on Fox News ’ “ The Next Revolution.
” “ Big Business , Big Government , Big Tech , Big Media — they all go hand in hand , and they ’ re all a part of the D.C. swamp , ” she explained to Hilton .
Under President Trump , Blackburn added , Americans found out “ just how murky the swamp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long time — we need to have term limits for bureaucrats because they are the ones that dig in , and they won ’ t leave , and they never modernize , ” the Republican Senator continued .
“ They don ’ t use technology .
They always demand more money .
They never get a pay cut .
They are always getting pay raises , so we need to have term limits for bureaucrats.
” RELATED : Kayleigh McEnany Rips ‘ Lazy ’ Jake Tapper After CNN Anchor Claims He Won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lies All The Time ’ If term limits are what drains the swamp in D.C. , as Marsha Blackburn states , then President Trump ’ s inability to tackle that campaign promise almost assuredly cost him his own second term .
As a candidate in 2016 , Donald Trump announced how he intended to “ drain the swamp ” of corrupt politicians on both sides of the aisle in Congress , and that included implementing term limits .
The President vowed that if he were to win against Hillary Clinton , he “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impose term limits on all members of Congress.
” Time Magazine fretted at the time that Trump ’ s proposed term limits would “ eliminate half of Congress , ” something that in hindsight would have been a good thing for America .
Not tackling that campaign promise isn ’ t entirely the President ’ s fault , however .
Getting a constitutional amendment to impose term limits would have required two-thirds support from the very people you ’ re trying to term out .
In 1995 , former Speaker of the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total years for congressional terms , a perfectly reasonable suggestion .
RELATED : New York Post Turns On Trump – Demands He End ‘ Dark Charade ’ Of Challenging The Election Congress as Popular As Used Car Salespeople Senator Dianne Feinstein is a good example of the necessity of congressional term limits .
Feinstein , according to a report by the New Yorker , has been “ seriously struggling ” with cognitive decline .
The report outlined how the 87-year-old senator “ often forgets she has been briefed on a topic , accusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just after they have.
” Here she is repeating the same question at a Congressional hearing twice , word-for-word .
Feinstein this past summer , in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic , praised China as a “ respectable nation ” and said allowing Americans to sue the communist nation over the coronavirus would be a “ huge mistake.
” A recent Gallup poll asking Americans to rank the honesty and ethics of different professions placed members of Congress on par with car salesmen .
Congressional members actually tied car salespeople with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highly .

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in an interview discussing the ‘swamp’ in Washington, D.C., called for term limits “for bureaucrats.”
Blackburn made the comments in an appearance with Steve Hilton on Fox News’ “The Next Revolution.”
“Big Business, Big Government, Big Tech, Big Media — they all go hand in hand, and they’re all a part of the D.C. swamp,” she explained to Hilton.
Under President Trump, Blackburn added, Americans found out “just how murky the swamp is.”
“I have said for a long time — we need to have term limits for bureaucrats because they are the ones that dig in, and they won’t leave, and they never modernize,” the Republican Senator continued.
“They don’t use technology. They always demand more money. They never get a pay cut. They are always getting pay raises, so we need to have term limits for bureaucrats.”
RELATED: Kayleigh McEnany Rips ‘Lazy’ Jake Tapper After CNN Anchor Claims He Won’t Book Her Because She ‘Lies All The Time’
Marsha Blackburn’s Call For Term Limits Echoes President Trump
If term limits are what drains the swamp in D.C., as Marsha Blackburn states, then President Trump’s inability to tackle that campaign promise almost assuredly cost him his own second term.
As a candidate in 2016, Donald Trump announced how he intended to “drain the swamp” of corrupt politicians on both sides of the aisle in Congress, and that included implementing term limits.
The President vowed that if he were to win against Hillary Clinton, he “will push for a constitutional amendment to impose term limits on all members of Congress.”
Time Magazine fretted at the time that Trump’s proposed term limits would “eliminate half of Congress,” something that in hindsight would have been a good thing for America.
Not tackling that campaign promise isn’t entirely the President’s fault, however. Getting a constitutional amendment to impose term limits would have required two-thirds support from the very people you’re trying to term out.
In 1995, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich proposed a limit of 12 total years for congressional terms, a perfectly reasonable suggestion.
Other than @RandPaul only five Republicans voted against the so-called stimulus bill: @MarshaBlackburn, @ScottforFlorida, @SenRonJohnson, @SenMikeLeeMike, and @tedcruz. These are the only six Republicans who deserve to be re-elected.https://t.co/ImCTnmMOX9 — Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) December 22, 2020
RELATED: New York Post Turns On Trump – Demands He End ‘Dark Charade’ Of Challenging The Election
Congress as Popular As Used Car Salespeople
Senator Dianne Feinstein is a good example of the necessity of congressional term limits.
Feinstein, according to a report by the New Yorker, has been “seriously struggling” with cognitive decline.
The report outlined how the 87-year-old senator “often forgets she has been briefed on a topic, accusing her staff of failing to do so just after they have.”
Here she is repeating the same question at a Congressional hearing twice, word-for-word.
Feinstein this past summer, in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, praised China as a “respectable nation” and said allowing Americans to sue the communist nation over the coronavirus would be a “huge mistake.”
According to Senator Dianne Feinstein, China is “a country growing into a respectable nation,” and holding them accountable for unleashing a global pandemic would be a “huge mistake.” According to us, Communist China is the new Evil Empire. pic.twitter.com/NUdvO4Lj5f — YAF (@yaf) July 31, 2020
A recent Gallup poll asking Americans to rank the honesty and ethics of different professions placed members of Congress on par with car salesmen.
Congressional members actually tied car salespeople with a mere 8 percent of people rating them highly.


thepoliticalinsider--2020-12-28--Intelligence Panel Republicans: Swalwell ‘Compromised’ by Fang Ties

In the 21st century , even spies have a social media presence , and while Christine Fang has not been heard from or seen since she fled the United States more than five years ago , the Chinese national still keeps her Facebook account active .
Fang made two posts in November .
The first , a candid photo of her face in shadow and light .
The second , a picture of the inside of the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol , perfectly capturing the “ Apotheosis of Washington ” Painted by Italian artist Constantino Brumidi in 1865 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the heavens and is immediately familiar to every member of Congress .
This includes Rep. Eric Swalwell , but unlike the other members of Congress , the California Democrat is also very familiar with Fang .
The lissome Chinese spy cultivated relationships , some of them apparently sexual , with several local and national politicians and , if anything , her picture now reminds Swalwell not of glory but of his current hellish controversy .
RELATED : Report : Eric Swalwell One Of Several Politicians Targeted By Chinese Spy Swalwell won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included physical intimacy or disclose much about their shared past .
The normally chatty congressman won ’ t say much of anything .
When confronted by a reporter after a jog Thursday morning , the sweaty former presidential candidate kept his head down as he hustled up the steps of his Washington , D.C. , home .
He hasn ’ t been able to run as easily away from the controversy .
After Axios broke the Fang story on Dec. 8 , House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy quickly labeled Swalwell , who eagerly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump , “ a national security threat.
” The rest of the caucus has followed suit , with GOP leaders sending a letter this week to Speaker Nancy Pelosi demanding that she remove him from his post on the House Intelligence Committee .
But even if he is removed , which seems unlikely , Republicans say the saga calls into question not just the credibility of Swalwell but the judgment of Pelosi .
It is the perfect curtain raiser for their coming argument in the Joe Biden era that Democrats don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s a story too tempting to pass up .
It reads a little like a spy novel because , well , it involves a spy .
An attractive one .
Fang went by Christine in the U.S. , enrolling in early 2011 at California State University , East Bay , and quickly took an interest in Bay Area politicians .
RELATED : Top Congressional Leader Calls For Eric Swalwell ’ s Removal From Congress After Report Links Him To Chinese Spy By 2014 , according to Axios , Fang had developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little-known Dublin City Council member .
She showed up at events .
She bundled contributions for him , connecting deep-pocketed donors with his congressional election campaign .
She placed an intern in his office .
It was the long game , one that counter-intelligence experts warn China is so good at playing .
Swalwell was an obvious mark .
In 2012 , he had risen from relative obscurity , defeating an octogenarian Democratic incumbent who had represented the Northern California district since before Swalwell as born .
In some quarters , and certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen as a young rising star in Democratic politics .
But in his second term in office , U.S. intelligence took notice of something else .
According to Axios , it gave Swalwell a “ defensive briefing ” about Fang .
Swalwell reportedly cut off ties .
Fang left the country , suddenly , in mid-2015 .
RELATED : China Excited About Possible Biden Presidency : ‘ We Can Return To Objectivity And Rationality ’ The same year , somewhat unexpectedly given his junior status , Pelosi named Swalwell to the House Intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given the committee ’ s role overseeing the nation ’ s intelligence community , including the CIA .
While his office refused to comment for the Axios story , the congressman insisted he was innocent of any wrongdoing in a brief interview with Politico .
He suggested the story was a hit job from a vindictive Trump White House : “ I ’ ve been a critic of the president .
I ’ ve spoken out against him .
I was on both committees that worked to impeach him .
The timing feels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said that he cooperated with the FBI and that “ if intelligence officials are trying to weaponize someone ’ s cooperation , they are essentially seeking to do what this person was not able to do , which is to try and discredit someone.
” Swalwell also predicted that he wouldn ’ t lose his seat , saying “ this goes back to the beginning of the last decade , and it ’ s something that congressional leadership knew about.
” Swalwell hasn ’ t elaborated about the nature of his relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stonewall media inquiries .
RealClearPolitics ’ calls to his office were unreturned .
But two Republicans on the Intelligence Committee separately told RCP they don ’ t want Swalwell anywhere near state secrets .
Sitting on the committee makes members of Congress even more of a target .
This changed the habits of Rep. Rick Crawford .
After joining the panel , the Arkansas Republican says he has severely limited the number of meetings he takes with representatives from foreign countries , keeps a closer eye on who comes into contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sweep his office for bugs .
And with good reason : Earlier this year , National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe warned Congress that as many as 50 members have likely been targeted by foreign influence .
Crawford ’ s reaction to the Swalwell news ?
“ Quite frankly , I am not even remotely comfortable with him in the room , ” he told RCP , given the sensitive nature of the material the committee oversees .
Crawford doesn ’ t make much of his colleague ’ s insistence that he is working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a redirect .
Nobody ’ s trying to suggest that he ’ s not cooperating .
But being cooperative doesn ’ t change the fact that you ’ re compromised.
” What ’ s more , he added , Swalwell could still be a liability given that “ we don ’ t know the extent to which their relationship might have put him in a position to be blackmailed.
” Another colleague who doesn ’ t make much of Swalwell ’ s cooperation is Rep. Elise Stefanik .
The New York Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down from the House Intelligence Committee and appear before the House Ethics Committee.
” So far that seems unlikely , but Stefanik notes that Pelosi appointed Swalwell and Pelosi can boot Swalwell .
RELATED : Rand Paul : Eric Swalwell Should Resign From Intelligence Committee After ‘ Sleeping With A Chinese Spy ’ She wants to know why the Democratic speaker even entrusted him with the position given that “ this is not a recent infiltration — this goes back to when he was initially running for office when this Communist Chinese spy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the rest of House GOP caucus are likely to be disappointed .
Asked about the Axios story last week , Pelosi responded , “ I don ’ t have any concerns about Mr. Swalwell.
” At the same time , many other Republicans will be delighted .
After listening to Swalwell lambast Trump for his alleged collusion with Russia only a few years after coming in direct contact with a Chinese agent , they are ready to turn the tables .
If he stays on the Intelligence Committee , the GOP stands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The situation with Swalwell , just like the situation with Hunter Biden , ties together the biggest weakness Democrats have : That they ’ re soft on China , ” a former White House official said .
“ This is going to be an ongoing issue for Democrats.
” The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider .

By Philip Wegmann for RealClearPolitics
In the 21st century, even spies have a social media presence, and while Christine Fang has not been heard from or seen since she fled the United States more than five years ago, the Chinese national still keeps her Facebook account active.
Fang made two posts in November. The first, a candid photo of her face in shadow and light. The second, a picture of the inside of the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, perfectly capturing the “Apotheosis of Washington.”
Painted by Italian artist Constantino Brumidi in 1865, the fresco depicts George Washington rising into the heavens and is immediately familiar to every member of Congress.
This includes Rep. Eric Swalwell, but unlike the other members of Congress, the California Democrat is also very familiar with Fang.
The lissome Chinese spy cultivated relationships, some of them apparently sexual, with several local and national politicians and, if anything, her picture now reminds Swalwell not of glory but of his current hellish controversy.
RELATED: Report: Eric Swalwell One Of Several Politicians Targeted By Chinese Spy
Swalwell won’t say whether his relationship with the spy included physical intimacy or disclose much about their shared past. The normally chatty congressman won’t say much of anything.
When confronted by a reporter after a jog Thursday morning, the sweaty former presidential candidate kept his head down as he hustled up the steps of his Washington, D.C., home.
He hasn’t been able to run as easily away from the controversy.
After Axios broke the Fang story on Dec. 8, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy quickly labeled Swalwell, who eagerly sought the spotlight during the impeachment of President Trump, “a national security threat.”
The rest of the caucus has followed suit, with GOP leaders sending a letter this week to Speaker Nancy Pelosi demanding that she remove him from his post on the House Intelligence Committee.
But even if he is removed, which seems unlikely, Republicans say the saga calls into question not just the credibility of Swalwell but the judgment of Pelosi.
It is the perfect curtain raiser for their coming argument in the Joe Biden era that Democrats don’t take threats from China seriously.
It’s a story too tempting to pass up. It reads a little like a spy novel because, well, it involves a spy. An attractive one.
Fang went by Christine in the U.S., enrolling in early 2011 at California State University, East Bay, and quickly took an interest in Bay Area politicians.
RELATED: Top Congressional Leader Calls For Eric Swalwell’s Removal From Congress After Report Links Him To Chinese Spy
By 2014, according to Axios, Fang had developed close ties to Swalwell, then a little-known Dublin City Council member. She showed up at events.
She bundled contributions for him, connecting deep-pocketed donors with his congressional election campaign. She placed an intern in his office.
It was the long game, one that counter-intelligence experts warn China is so good at playing.
Swalwell was an obvious mark. In 2012, he had risen from relative obscurity, defeating an octogenarian Democratic incumbent who had represented the Northern California district since before Swalwell as born.
In some quarters, and certainly in his own mind, Swalwell was seen as a young rising star in Democratic politics.
But in his second term in office, U.S. intelligence took notice of something else. According to Axios, it gave Swalwell a “defensive briefing” about Fang.
Swalwell reportedly cut off ties. Fang left the country, suddenly, in mid-2015.
RELATED: China Excited About Possible Biden Presidency: ‘We Can Return To Objectivity And Rationality’
The same year, somewhat unexpectedly given his junior status, Pelosi named Swalwell to the House Intelligence Committee, a plum and important appointment given the committee’s role overseeing the nation’s intelligence community, including the CIA.
While his office refused to comment for the Axios story, the congressman insisted he was innocent of any wrongdoing in a brief interview with Politico.
He suggested the story was a hit job from a vindictive Trump White House: “I’ve been a critic of the president. I’ve spoken out against him. I was on both committees that worked to impeach him. The timing feels like that should be looked at.”
He said that he cooperated with the FBI and that “if intelligence officials are trying to weaponize someone’s cooperation, they are essentially seeking to do what this person was not able to do, which is to try and discredit someone.”
Swalwell also predicted that he wouldn’t lose his seat, saying “this goes back to the beginning of the last decade, and it’s something that congressional leadership knew about.”
Swalwell hasn’t elaborated about the nature of his relationship with Fang, and his office continues to stonewall media inquiries. RealClearPolitics’ calls to his office were unreturned.
RELATED: Pelosi Stands By Swalwell Amidst Chinese Spy Scandal
But two Republicans on the Intelligence Committee separately told RCP they don’t want Swalwell anywhere near state secrets.
Sitting on the committee makes members of Congress even more of a target. This changed the habits of Rep. Rick Crawford.
After joining the panel, the Arkansas Republican says he has severely limited the number of meetings he takes with representatives from foreign countries, keeps a closer eye on who comes into contact with aides, and regularly has Capitol Police sweep his office for bugs.
And with good reason: Earlier this year, National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe warned Congress that as many as 50 members have likely been targeted by foreign influence.
Crawford’s reaction to the Swalwell news? “Quite frankly, I am not even remotely comfortable with him in the room,” he told RCP, given the sensitive nature of the material the committee oversees.
Crawford doesn’t make much of his colleague’s insistence that he is working with the authorities: “It’s a redirect. Nobody’s trying to suggest that he’s not cooperating. But being cooperative doesn’t change the fact that you’re compromised.”
What’s more, he added, Swalwell could still be a liability given that “we don’t know the extent to which their relationship might have put him in a position to be blackmailed.”
Another colleague who doesn’t make much of Swalwell’s cooperation is Rep. Elise Stefanik. The New York Republican told RCP that “Swalwell should step down from the House Intelligence Committee and appear before the House Ethics Committee.”
So far that seems unlikely, but Stefanik notes that Pelosi appointed Swalwell and Pelosi can boot Swalwell.
RELATED: Rand Paul: Eric Swalwell Should Resign From Intelligence Committee After ‘Sleeping With A Chinese Spy’
She wants to know why the Democratic speaker even entrusted him with the position given that “this is not a recent infiltration — this goes back to when he was initially running for office when this Communist Chinese spy infiltrated his campaign.”
Crawford and Stefanik and the rest of House GOP caucus are likely to be disappointed. Asked about the Axios story last week, Pelosi responded, “I don’t have any concerns about Mr. Swalwell.”
At the same time, many other Republicans will be delighted.
After listening to Swalwell lambast Trump for his alleged collusion with Russia only a few years after coming in direct contact with a Chinese agent, they are ready to turn the tables.
If he stays on the Intelligence Committee, the GOP stands ready to make him a poster boy. “The situation with Swalwell, just like the situation with Hunter Biden, ties together the biggest weakness Democrats have: That they’re soft on China,” a former White House official said. “This is going to be an ongoing issue for Democrats.”
Syndicated with permission from RealClearWire.
Read this Next on ThePoliticalInsider.com Fauci Issues Chilling Warning That The Worst Is Yet To Come With Pandemic
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider.


thepoliticalinsider--2020-12-28--Fauci Issues Chilling Warning That The Worst Is Yet To Come With Pandemic

Dr. Anthony Fauci spoke out on Sunday to issue a chilling warning that the worst is yet to come with the coronavirus pandemic .
Fauci , who has long been a member of the White House COVID-19 task force , told CNN that Joe Biden was correct in warning that cases were expected to surge due to families gathering for the holiday season .
“ As we have gone from the late fall to the early winter , the numbers really are quite troubling , ” Fauci said .
“ With the hospitalizations over 120,000 , we really are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Fauci said , “ Even though we advise not to , it ’ s going to happen.
” However , Fauci went on to add that as vaccines are distributed over the course of the coming months , U.S. health experts should see the general population reach significant herd immunity by the end of the summer .
“ I think that ’ s going to probably be by the middle to the end of the summer , so … I hope that , by the time we get to the fall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , ” Fauci said .
Related : Fauci Backtracks – Says We Don ’ t Need To Cancel Christmas After Calling For Us To Do Just That This came after Biden spoke out last Tuesday to warn Americans against gathering for Christmas .
“ Experts say things will get worse not withstanding the vaccine , ” Biden said in a press conference .
“ We ’ re averaging a death rate of close to 3,000 a day .
That means we will lose tens of thousands of more lives in the months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be able to stop that .
So we still have to remain vigilant.
” Fauci , who turned 80 last week , had said that he would not even be seeing his own adult children for Christmas due to COVID-19 .
“ I really feel strongly that I need to practice what I preach to the country , ” he said .
“ Although I would love very much to have my children , who live in different parts of the country , [ to ] come in together and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I don ’ t think that ’ s the prudent thing to do , so I ’ ll be having a quiet dinner with my wife , and we ’ ll Zoom in the children.
” Read Next : Fauci Whines That America ’ s ‘ Independent Spirit ’ Has ‘ Hurt Us ’ During Pandemic This piece was written by James Samson on December 28 , 2020 .
It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission .
Read more at LifeZette : Trump Livid That Melania Hasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama Was On 12 Ted Nugent Eviscerates Black Lives Matter – Rips Protests As ‘ Soulless ’ And ‘ Stupid ’ Maxine Waters Outrageously Claims Trump Has Been ‘ Compromised ’ By Putin – Calls On Us To ‘ Rely On Biden ’ To Take On Russia And China The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider .

Dr. Anthony Fauci spoke out on Sunday to issue a chilling warning that the worst is yet to come with the coronavirus pandemic.
Fauci Issues Chilling Warning
Fauci, who has long been a member of the White House COVID-19 task force, told CNN that Joe Biden was correct in warning that cases were expected to surge due to families gathering for the holiday season.
“As we have gone from the late fall to the early winter, the numbers really are quite troubling,” Fauci said. “With the hospitalizations over 120,000, we really are a critical stage.”
Referring to Christmas gatherings, Fauci said, “Even though we advise not to, it’s going to happen.”
However, Fauci went on to add that as vaccines are distributed over the course of the coming months, U.S. health experts should see the general population reach significant herd immunity by the end of the summer.
“I think that’s going to probably be by the middle to the end of the summer, so … I hope that, by the time we get to the fall, we will reach that critical percentage of people,” Fauci said.
Related: Fauci Backtracks – Says We Don’t Need To Cancel Christmas After Calling For Us To Do Just That
Biden’s Warning To Americans
This came after Biden spoke out last Tuesday to warn Americans against gathering for Christmas.
“Experts say things will get worse not withstanding the vaccine,” Biden said in a press conference. “We’re averaging a death rate of close to 3,000 a day. That means we will lose tens of thousands of more lives in the months to come, and the vaccine won’t be able to stop that. So we still have to remain vigilant.”
Fauci, who turned 80 last week, had said that he would not even be seeing his own adult children for Christmas due to COVID-19.
“I really feel strongly that I need to practice what I preach to the country,” he said. “Although I would love very much to have my children, who live in different parts of the country, [to] come in together and have a celebration for my birthday and Christmas, I don’t think that’s the prudent thing to do, so I’ll be having a quiet dinner with my wife, and we’ll Zoom in the children.”
Read Next: Fauci Whines That America’s ‘Independent Spirit’ Has ‘Hurt Us’ During Pandemic
This piece was written by James Samson on December 28, 2020. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.
Read more at LifeZette:
Trump Livid That Melania Hasn’t Been On Any Magazine Covers While Michelle Obama Was On 12
Ted Nugent Eviscerates Black Lives Matter – Rips Protests As ‘Soulless’ And ‘Stupid’
Maxine Waters Outrageously Claims Trump Has Been ‘Compromised’ By Putin – Calls On Us To ‘Rely On Biden’ To Take On Russia And China
Read this Next on ThePoliticalInsider.com Submitting to Government Doesn’t Mean Surrendering Constitutional Rights
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider.