The Affordability of Courage

What makes something affordable? How is that defined? And does affordability mean different things to different economic groups in our economy? And why has Connecticut become so unaffordable to those remaining legal, working, middle-class, law-abiding citizens who remain? These are all legitimate questions for the upcoming Connecticut Governor’s race, which is fast approaching.

The election is starting off as scripted. Several candidates have emerged from the minority Republican Party, each with very different ideas and political ideologies, while the Democrat Party begins its familiar, fanatical condemnation of all things President Trump. Meanwhile, Ned Lamont, the ruling/ unaccountable King/Governor has humbly announced that he is running yet again for another term. Left-wing, socialist, communist-leaning young Democrats may also enter the race, declaring that Lamont is unfit to serve any longer because he is too old and not liberal enough to govern. They will threaten him with a primary if he does not give them what they demand. This amounts to free universal health care, free rent, free public transportation, free public education from birth through graduate school, free cell phones, free food, and anything else that comes to mind over the next few months. If you are one of those humble working taxpaying citizens of Connecticut, you will be paying for this as the Federal government is on to the continual waste, fraud and abuse that is the Gold Standard of the omnipotent Connecticut Democrat Party. The spigot for all of that foolishness is about to be cut off by the Trump administration. Trump administration orders review of federal funding in more than a dozen Democratic states | CNN Politics.  

The line is being drawn in the sand for November 2026.

So how does this apply to affordability? Or does affordability have something to do with courage?

If a candidate for Governor, especially a Republican, would boldly state out loud that Connecticut is no longer affordable and present a coherent and genuine citizen-centric economic plan to reduce the economic stress and pain of living in this state, they might actually be heard and could win the election by an overwhelming margin. And if Republicans also ran a candidate for every State House and Senate district rather than leaving many uncontested and unrepresented, this would represent a radical shift in campaign strategy and indicate a seriousness heretofore not present in what has been a weak and disjointed Republican Party. With a gubernatorial candidate advancing such a genuine, citizen-centric plan, they could realistically win General Assembly seats along with statewide offices such as Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Comptroller, and more. It really can be done if someone has the courage to address it, and clearly commit to ending the irritating deference to the state workforce and the Connecticut Administrative State.

Affordability in a one-party-ruled Democrat Connecticut, can easily become the ticket to real change in state government. Contrary to the daily deranged rhetoric of Connecticut Democrats and their paid followers, toadies, and lackeys, the reality is that they have made the state totally unaffordable. Excessive local and state taxes on nearly everything especially income taxes, high and excessive business taxes, user fees, vocational taxes, license taxes, gas taxes, electric taxes, natural gas taxes, and high sales taxes have all contributed greatly to the economic destruction of this once-prosperous state. It cannot be denied that the progressive, unyielding, anti-economic- tax rates and  administrative burdens and oppression of Connecticut have damaged the state to the point of becoming a bottom-five state in the country for business and economic performance.

Excessive and unchecked state spending driven by political nepotism with no transparency and sparse resistance at best, have helped nurture these high taxes that have vandalized the economy. This entire wretched mess could be stopped with a rational citizen-centric  Republican plan to cut the bloat of an ever-expanding state government that shows negative meaningful economic results year after year, especially when Connecticut has yet to recover from the Great Recession of 1989 thirty-six years later. Think about how poor that economic record is to run on in every election. But somehow, the omnipotent and incompetent Democrats remain in power, year after year (after year). How is that even possible?

2026 is really Custer’s Last Stand for the once-great state of Connecticut. If Connecticut is to survive both socially and economically, the Republican Party must reject its RINOs and all fealty to the administrative state and its agencies, and claim policies and programs that jump-start the state through lower state spending, lower state taxes, a real adult energy policy, and true transparency in how the state operates. Freedom of Information laws and requests should not be secrets from Connecticut taxpayers. The cries for a citizen DOGE must be heeded and propounded forthwith. The $100 to $150 billion in short- and long-term debt and unfunded liabilities should be discussed and debated daily, along with these real citizen-centric solutions presented.

This election, like the elections of the past 36 years, represents a true social and economic turning point for the state. This year, the Connecticut Democrat Party is out of deceptions, lies, and smokescreens to cover up its inability and lack of desire to represent the legal voters and taxpayers of the state. The Republican Party has a perfect opportunity to flush out the corruption, crime, deception, and fraud that the Democrat Party has utilized for personal and financial gain for years.The change is there for the taking. Does anyone have the vision and the courage to get Connecticut back on track? 

That is what Connecticut voters are voting for in November. And as of the time of this writing, this type of vision and courage is what we are still waiting for.

 

 

Connecticut: The Economy Stinks. So, Let's Make Things Up.

 

“Small businesses are the heart of our communities and economy. Yesterday in Southington, I toured F&F Concrete Manufacturing, spoke with local business owners, and visited Southington High School to hear from students about their goals.”

“Showing up and listening matters.”

(Ned Lamont, Governor of Connecticut- “X” Post- January 15, 2026)

As more and more businesses leave the state or close up in the face of that irrepressible “Ned Mojo,” https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/new-haven/macys-closing-cheshire-south-windsor-distribution-centers-cutting-over-1000-positions/, as small business farmers are being driven off of their farms due to tax policies that are abysmal even by Connecticut standards, https://www.wfsb.com/2026/01/13/state-leaders-push-moratorium-some-farms-see-300-increases-under-new-assessment-rates/ and as irrational energy policy is not replaced by simple and effective fixes, (Study: Nuclear, natural gas would save New England hundreds of billions over renewable mandates)  any sane person can only wonder if Governor Lamont is the least bit sane as none of his nattering represents the sad reality of the crumbling of Connecticut. 

(https://hartfordbusiness.com/article/study-nuclear-natural-gas-would-save-new-england-hundreds-of-billions-over-renewable-mandates/)

Several prominent historical figures (most recently, Presidential candidate H. Ross Perot) reminded us that if we do the same task repeatedly with the hope of achieving different results, we are insane. Mr. Perot should have moved to Connecticut, where insanity has been the Gold Standard of the ruling Connecticut Democrat Party and the Connecticut administrative state for many years. The “moderate businessman” Governor Ned Lamont in professing his continual love for Connecticut, is the equivalent of Mark David Chapman who expressed his love for The Beatles by assassinating John Lennon in 1980. There simply is no rationality or reason for the economic dealings of Connecticut where destruction and business closure is now an almost daily event. And for solutions, that is easy. There has never been a problem that the Democrat-run state government cannot “solve” by simply throwing more Connecticut taxpayers’ money at it.

The true reality is that Connecticut still suffers from many of the same problems it has faced since 1989. The economy in particular is consistently ignored and overlooked, as it has been for more than 35 years. Connecticut has never economically recovered since that recession of 1988–89. According to the September jobs report published in December, Connecticut is losing jobs. The state ranks 50th in payroll growth from 1989 to 2025 and is one of only three states that have failed to fully recover from the Great Recession.
(https://hartfordbusiness.com/article/carstensen-federal-budget-cuts-structural-gaps-put-ct-jobs-at-risk/utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Equipment%20supplier%20buys%20Southington%20building%20for%20%241%204M%20%7C%20Developer%20buys%20CT%20office%20tower&utm_campaign=HBJ%20Today%20011326)

Since 2020, the state has continued to lose jobs while state spending has grown dramatically since 1989. During this same period, Connecticut’s population depending on the year, has either declined or remained stagnant. Businesses come and go, with fewer new business formations occurring unless subsidized by taxpayer-funded incentives and goodies from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (“DECD”). But in Connecticut, facts do not matter. According to a recent U.S. News & World Report ranking on fiscal stability, Connecticut ranks 48th out of 50 states.
(https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/fiscal-stability).

Given these facts, why isn’t Connecticut’s economy the central theme of the 2026 election? Why aren’t Republicans screaming about this, daily? Why are they silent on these most critical matters? There is ample data showing that Democrat control has coincided with long-term economic decline since 1989 . Year after year, we hear the same rhetoric: more spending here, more spending there, more “SomethingCT”- type organizations need to be set up, more funding is needed for nonprofits, more cash for state employees, more cash for education, and more spending ad infinitum. And this increased spending has produced dismal results. Businesses continue to close, residents move out of state, crime persists, illegal drug abuse remains widespread, and infrastructure continues to decay.

None of Connecticut’s political class questions why the state spends roughly $27 billion annually with little to no measurable economic growth or meaningful resolution of these chronic problems. At the same time, the state ignores between $100 and $150 billion in short- and long-term debt and unfunded liabilities. How is this a successful economic policy? And how does it benefit Connecticut businesses or taxpayers?

But Connecticut is extremely good at one thing. Faking. Faking of grandiose faux economic programs. Faking of grandiose economic programs such as “QuantumCT”    https://www.quantumct.org/, where the state has committed $121 Million dollars to fund a dream concept of quantum computing that will save the state of all of its ills. A review of the website indicates no commitment in this regard of any economic worth. The resident economist of the University of Connecticut has clearly stated that this project will take years to bear any fruit, if it ever does. The usual state GOP silence on matters such as this has become deafening. (My friend and colleague Tony De Angelo did an excellent job of covering these economic farces on the January 15 THIRTY WITH TONY) THE CONFIDENCE GAME THIRTY WITH TONY JAN 15 2026 

Regardless of the continued taxpayer-supported efforts at prevarication and fakery, the reality is that Connecticut has massive economic problems. Connecticut has massive debt problems. Connecticut has massive illegal immigration problems. Connecticut has many serious challenges not aided a historically docile Republican party yet Democrat Party leaders are more concerned with exempting themselves from the laws they impose on others, while engaging in daily incoherent and irrelevant attacks on President Trump and common sense.

Pick almost any topic. Can anyone clearly explain why criminals appear to have more rights than victims in Connecticut? Or why illegal immigrants should be supported without question by Connecticut taxpayers? Or why Connecticut forbids police to arrest and detain illegal aliens? Or why Connecticut’s state government stripped citizens of their right to earn a living during the pandemic while Governor Ned Lamont’s hedge fund was able to profit?

Connecticut desperately needs change from top to bottom in its stale, entrenched Democrat-controlled state government. That government has driven the state into an economic quagmire with no clear path forward.

Perhaps Republican candidates for state office can finally have the courage to make this the central issue of the election: You are not better off under the Democrat Party regime that has governed and failed Connecticut for decades.

With lower taxes, less spending, a renewed commitment to law and order, real accountability, and transparency at all levels of government and new leadership, Connecticut can once again become a vibrant state. 

The time for that change has finally come.

 

 

The Law Is a Jackass (And So Are You, If You Follow It)

 Do laws really exist in our society today? Or do we have a choice as to which laws we follow and which laws we do not? Minnesota is an excellent example of this question. Minnesota does not appear to be an isolated case, as other Democrat Party strongholds are also showing signs of fraud, paid professional protestors, a complete and total failure of governance, incompetent and excuse-ridden elected officials, and a growing disrespect for the rule of law in our country. It is well-settled that Minnesota has a serious, ongoing corruption debacle within its Somalian community. Fraud is rampant across several different social services programs in the state. Estimates of the fraud now exceed $9 billion, which is a sickening waste of taxpayer money. 

The magnitude of this waste, fraud and abuse caused a Congressional Hearing to take place on January 7. Here is an overview of what had transpired:

In his opening remarks, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) stated the following:

“Federal prosecutors estimate these criminals have stolen at least $9 billion. The breadth and depth of this fraud is breathtaking. And I fear it is just the tip of the iceberg. Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Minnesota’s Democratic leadership have either been asleep at the wheel or complicit in these crimes. They failed Minnesotans and all Americans, handing millions of taxpayer dollars to fraudsters. They failed children and others in Minnesota. They failed their own state employees, some of whom have come forward as whistleblowers. How could they allow this massive fraud to go on for YEARS? This is why we are here. We must expose this theft of taxpayer dollars and hold everybody accountable who let it happen. The American people demand jail time for those who stole their hard-earned money and accountability for officials who sat by as resources were drained.”
(https://oversight.house.gov/release/hearing-wrap-up-minnesota-governor-walz-and-attorney-general-ellison-ignored-rampant-taxpayer-fraud-and-silenced-state-whistleblowers/)

Minnesota State Representative Marion Rarick stated:
“I am a member serving on the Minnesota House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee. I message with whistleblowers almost daily. Their message has been consistent. They are grateful for our attention to this fraud. They have explained that they live in constant fear of retaliation. 

A former compliance specialist stated that the Minnesota Department of Human Services (“DHS”) functions in the opposite manner of what you would expect. Minnesota employees who suggest improvements, (or report fraud, heaven forbid), face significant retaliation. The messenger is shot. In 2019, employees alerted Minnesota DHS officials to sloppy contracting practices that were not legally compliant. They were later escorted out of the building, faced lengthy investigations, and received involuntary transfers.”

Unlike past Presidential administrations, The Trump Administration is not taking this gross malfeasance lightly. To date, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) has charged ninety-eight defendants in Minnesota fraud-related cases—85 of whom are of Somali descent. Sixty-four have already been convicted. The DOJ has also issued over 1,750 subpoenas, executed more than 130 search warrants, and conducted over 1,000 witness interviews.
(https://oversight.house.gov/release/hearing-wrap-up-minnesota-governor-walz-and-attorney-general-ellison-ignored-rampant-taxpayer-fraud-and-silenced-state-whistleblowers/)

The following testimony came from the same hearing cited above.

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) stated:
“According to the FBI, the $250 million in federal taxpayer money stolen was funneled into luxury cars, homes, and lifestyles. The Committee is back today because this fraud is just the tip of the iceberg. Do you all believe the Walz administration seriously pursued whistleblower reports of fraud?”

State Rep. Rarick responded:

“I think the Walz administration seriously retaliated against whistleblowers. Threats of firing them.”

Rep. Foxx concluded:
“Innocent American taxpayers are collateral damage in their reckless disregard for taxpayer funds. Hardworking American communities are left to pay the price.”

To me, this says it all—a complete disregard for both the rule of law and taxpayer money. However one underlying fact is crystal clear: While one side of the citizenry believes in the premises of laws, consequences for lawbreakers and the benefits of America and its freedoms, the side most clearly tied to Blue-State Democratic leadership is fighting a war against decency, freedom, common sense and truth, amount other things. They really do not care about whatever lie they propound and perpetuate, as long as it meets the objective and gets the job done. You see, laws and right and wrong are not applicable to them.

As we know, the federal government has also acted by sending ICE agents into Minneapolis, Minnesota, to locate illegal immigrants in the city, some of whom may be involved in the widespread social services fraud scandal and other heinous crimes. Naturally, when ICE enters an area, there seem to be never-ending protests against their presence. As usual, cries from the Democrat Party help fuel anti-ICE fringes, culminating in yet another unnecessary death of an irrational woman this past Wednesday. If a law enforcement official requests that you stop, why is this wrong? Aren’t they in charge of law and order in our country? By simply complying and answering ICE law enforcement officials’ questions, this person who died would still be alive today. That is the simple yet harsh truth of what happened, contrary to the usual Socialist/Democrat response. Their anger, cries, and incoherent gibberish mask the plain fact that the rule of law exists and that some of us in society still follow it. Paid protestors shouting everything from “Free Palestine” and “Free Maduro” to “Down with ICE” created an incoherent rhetoric of hatred against all things American. This is the reality of the Democrat Party in 2026: a party that lacks ideas, lacks solutions, and—most importantly—lacks respect for the rule of law.

But I submit unto you that this disdain for all manner of lawfulness is fought with a zeal and violence far beyond the conceptual understanding of mainstream Republicans and Conservatives that believe it is still 1995. They search for reason and discussion with Democrats and leftists that are only interested in the destruction of all things American, and sane thinking be damned. At one point in 2025, Tim Walz supercharged his constituents by comparing ICE to the Gestapo. (https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/05/19/dhs-hits-back-tim-walzs-dangerous-rhetoric-comparing-ice-gestapo). California Governor Gavin Newsom, presiding over the serial destruction of his own state, continually defends Tim Walz and demonizes President Trump as the root of all evils (https://www.thedailybeast.com/newsom-blasts-ices-state-sponsored-terrorism-after-minneapolis-killing/). More attacks against law enforcement by illegal aliens happen in other cities (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/us/politics/federal-agents-shooting-portland.html) . And given the absolutely propitious and perfect timing of the January 7 Minneapolis ICE shooting, one can only wonder if this event was perfectly calibrated to take the world’s eyes off of the Somalian multi-billion dollar fraud scandal and paint miscreants such as Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey as innocent victims, something that would have been impossible one day prior. My friend and colleague Tony De Angelo did an excellent job of exploring this possibility-becoming-probability on the January 8, 2026 THIRTY WITH TONY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0tN24XnARo) . The fact remains that these leftists and Democrats see every day as a war against all things good and decent, and they have no commitment to decency, transparency, nor reason to bring their wicked concepts to pass. They will simply kill you (and if necessary, themselves) to accomplish their objective.

So, what caused this massive Democrat swing to a lack of reason and domination at all costs including one’s life? Is it because the laws do not correspond with the political ideologies of those who wish to disregard them? Is it because the Biden Administration and other Democrat-run states and cities simply do not care about laws if their disjointed and slurred policies take priority? Do you really want to live in a state of constant chaos and anarchy? Some, do. It is clear that many in the Democrat Party want to nurture this chaos and anarchy for political benefit and that is all that matters to them.

Law and order, rooted in the Holy Bible, are the foundation of our society. Following the rule of law makes life better for everyone and truly does save lives. The Democrat Party’s disrespect for the rule of law and ethics in government needs to stop immediately, and in the interim must be aggressively fought by anyone carrying a label that says “Republican”. Leftist and Democrat arguments and temper tantrums show how severed they have become from what is actually happening in this country. 

May God finally free America from the wretched cancer now known, as the Democrat Party.

January 1, 2026. America And Connecticut Are Once Again Fighting A Revolution

 Its 2026, and we begin yet another new year. It is America’s 250th birthday. The slate is clean and ready for new actions, achievements, directions, goals, and fulfillment. We are hopeful that our lives will change for the better, and we hope for peace in the many areas of the world torn with conflict. It is an exciting time to be an American. Those who are Christians in our society look to God for the energy and power to keep pushing forward and not yield to the evils that burden our society. Christians are not fearful, contrary to what educated non-believers want society to believe. They can withstand anything and everything thrown at them as they have for over 2,000 years. But then as is now, we have doubters, malcontents, and non-believers. While non-believers worship around their false idols, they also worship all things government. Their false idols in some cases, are the leaders of different governments that buy and cheat their way into power with a superior, self-glorifying nature of being somehow great leaders, when in true reality they are the reason and cause as to why we have so many problems in our society. Once again, America is in the throes of revolution, and the battle is renewed on America’s 250th birthday year.

All of my life, I have written about societal corruption and problems. Today, there is a great divide in our society over having a different belief than the other side. One side does not believe in illegal immigration, the murders of innocent people, the use of all types of illegal drugs, free taxpayer cash given to fraudulent organizations with no worries about repayment, horrific and unnatural physical sex changes at a young age, the hunting down of political enemies, and the dictates of non-elected activist judges who arrogantly claim unfounded legalities as law. The other side embraces this rhetoric and lies while screaming how their pompous views are always correct.

Conservatives and God-fearing people are told that they must obey this tortured and painful cancer of what liberalism has become over the years. For what reason? Has liberalism, socialism, and/or communism resolved any problems such as illegal immigration, human trafficking, the illegal drug trade, murders of innocent people, starvation, homelessness, massive national debt, and corruption in government? Has it really solved these problems? No, it has made them much worse, and its daily mantra of hatred toward all things natural and normal has grown stale. Yet brainwashing continues, as we see with the different liberal, socialist, and communist figures who have gained office over the past few years. And one must point out especially to our liberal friends that over half the country does not accept their ideologies, creed, or failed doctrines. These ideas do not work, they never have worked, nor will they work in the future. Many better-educated and higher-quality liberal people of past years tried these ideologies and policies and failed miserably. These people were simply better, more thoughtful, and more intelligent than this current crowd. So now, how can these current people be any type of solution?

But conservatives are not dealing with rational premises when it comes to liberals, socialists, and communists. They are dealing in many cases with unchecked anger, hatred, rage, and violence. It is their thought that counts only, they are always right, and we are always wrong. They are allowed to be violent, ruin both public and private property, and then are allowed to walk away unchecked from their lawless vengeance. Laws need to be followed by others, not by them. It is sickening to watch liberal destruction and be forced to accept it, thanks to the destruction of accountability and lack of government competence and coherence in many locales cursed by the very same liberalism and socialism.

If one doubts the failure of liberalism and one-party rule, all they have to do is open their door and step out of it if they live in Connecticut. For in Connecticut, every single horrific and destructive policy finds a home. Also as discussed in past articles, corruption from the office of the Governor through various state agencies remains either winked at or unchallenged by any politician or candidate. But there is a solution. Money. A lot more of it. Like the disaster of the capitol city of Hartford. It is recommended that a mere $450,000,000 be injected into this floundering sinkhole, and by using the good counsel of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (“DECD”)  Hartford can finally be saved,  A much better solution would be to abolish the DECD and turn the City of Hartford into a tax-free economic opportunity zone, but liberals never think of private incentives as such thought is sinful in their religion of government.  https://www.courant.com/2025/08/03/a-450m-fix-for-troubling-ct-office-vacancies-eye-popping-price-looked-at-for-converting-to-new-use/

Elections are coming in November. “Experts,” who in my opinion have little grasp of what is really going on in both our economy and society, will be blaming President Trump for the failures of others. Millions upon millions of dollars will be invested in buying offices at all levels of government. Can you imagine if every dollar spent in the upcoming election were actually spent on real improvements for the country? But that will never happen, as the name-calling, insults, hatred, and lies will be ongoing 24 hours a day in our “non-fraudulent and safe” election process. The games have once again begun. Solutions to anything are in short supply, as we are told that wasting more taxpayer money on the politically connected will somehow “solve” the ills of society. Since it has never worked before, there is a legitimate question as to why 2026 will be the year when all things magically fall into place.

We pray that America will win this current struggle and survive another 250 years more as we battle the deceptions of failed government and social programs. We are still trying to understand what our forefathers created back in 1776. And we know fully how horrific a country under the grips of the fiasco known today as liberalism can be and needs to be addressed for the last time. We need a true give-and-take of ideas that can actually create real solutions for our country. The incoherent gibberish we are continually force-fed is an insult to the fabric of our country’s founding. We need actions and resolutions in 2026. The operative question is, is there any elected official willing to provide that quality in this most critical year?