Chris Wallace on Fox News asked, “Will we ever get out of The Middle East? That is a great question with no answer yet. Wallace interviewed Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida. He asked Scott if Biden won the election fair and square. Scott said, “Yes, absolutely.” A Gallup poll asked for people to give their opinion of Biden. They gave Joe a 56% approval rating. That is higher than Trump ever had. Senator Tim Kaine a Democrat in Virginia thinks that we need to repeal the approval Congress gave after 9/11 for all military actions in the Middle East. There is no way to fund unlimited financial support for an unlimited amount of time there. That poses a dilemma. All US military forces are scheduled to be removed in April. A likely result would be a complete takeover of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Trump was at a convention for conservatives in Orlando on Sunday. Trump said as reported by CBS and The L.A. Times, Joe Biden had the worst first month of any President in modern history. Trump said “the election was rigged,” and that, removal of our border controls would result in a massive flood of illegal immigration.” Never at a loss for words DJT went on to declare that “Biden is anti-family, anti-women, and anti-energy. 75% of Republicans still support Trump. He will be Biden’s current age 78, if Trump runs in 2024.
There is a $1.9 trillion dollar bill under consideration in Congress. The stimulus checks for $1,400, continued unemployment check assistance, aid for small businesses, and also for state and local governments all are very popular with voters. All Democrats now support raising the minimum wage to $15 and hour. It is already $14 in California. That has been a big issue for Sen. Bernie Sanders for many years. Opposition by all Republicans and a couple of Democrats will probably eliminate that part of it. It could be possible to phase in a slow increase in the minimum wage. To pass at all a political manipulation called reconciliation will be necessary. That mean a simple majority vote will pass the bill. Totally left out will be climate change, infrastructure, carbon neutrality, and green new jobs.
Another complicated bill may face Congress later in the year.
Senator Ted Cruz has said that we may still be getting vaccines 300 years from now. No need to be that pessimistic Ted. Right now in San Diego County 10% of residents have received two vaccination shots. 20% have received one. The numbers for COVID-19 deaths and contamination have gone gradually lower for the last month. A gradual re-opening of business is likely. The pace is uncertain. Some improvement is likely in the spring, with more in the summer. It would be nice to have the Civic Center Library and the Norman Park Senior Center open again. Alas, those may happen last.
Deuel Woodward resides in Chula Vista.
