Let’s start with the obvious: more fighting in the Middle East. It’s exhausting. The endless conflict feels like it’s on autopilot, and we taxpayers are footing the bill. We send $3.8 billion every year to fund Israel’s defense, a commitment locked in through 2028. Over the last seven years, that’s nearly $266 billion of our money that could be used to fix problems here at home or chip away at our $37 trillion national debt.
Now, don’t get me wrong - I have nothing against Israel or the Jewish people. I’ve never understood the hate directed at them, especially the kind we’ve been seeing lately on college campuses. But we can no longer afford to be the world’s policeman. It’s time to take care of our own house. Maybe, just maybe, if we stop funding wars in far-off places, the world might start learning to get along without our constant interference.
Then, right here in Illinois, Mike Madigan was finally sentenced. Yes, the long-reigning puppet master of state politics is going to prison. But not for long enough. He got a mere 90 months and a $2.5 million fine, which is pocket change compared to what he looted from Illinois taxpayers.
He was found guilty on counts of federal bribery, conspiracy, and mail fraud. And yet, he doesn’t even have to report to prison until October. If it had been you or me, we’d already be behind bars and probably violated by our new bunkmate.
Madigan ran Illinois like a private empire for nearly 40 years, turning this state into a national punchline. He’s the longest-serving legislative leader in US history, and he used that power to steer business to his law firm and line his own pockets. He is the poster child for everything wrong with government. They should’ve locked him up on the spot. I have no compassion for him. None.
In Los Angeles, another protest that quickly turned into a riot, looting, vandalism, and chaos, in the name of “social justice.” Just like the absurd George Floyd riots, a career criminal. And yet the media keeps spinning the violence as “mostly peaceful.” And somehow, it’s Trump’s fault again.
Let me be clear: I support peaceful protest. It’s one of the things that makes America great. But the moment it turns violent, the National Guard should be deployed. Rioters, looters, and anarchists need to be dealt with firmly. Shoot a few of them on the spot, and I guarantee the chaos stops. That may sound extreme, but we’ve coddled lawlessness for far too long.
Here’s another thing that’s been grinding my gears: people waving the flags of other nations during protests on US soil, or their home flagpoles. You’re in America. You want to wave the Mexican flag? Fine, do it in Mexico. Don’t stand on somebody’s car and wave a foreign flag while trashing this country.
We’re a melting pot, but that pot only works if we’re all stirring in the same direction. One flag. One nation. And that flag should be the Stars and Stripes that flies proudly over every home, business, and public square. Anything else is blatantly wrong.
Even President Trump doesn’t get a free pass from me, for the second time in two weeks. Why on earth did we need a military parade? It was flashy, unnecessary, and cost $45 million- money we simply don’t have. It was a tone-deaf display that gave the media yet another excuse to attack him. Not smart, Mr. President.
That said, I fully support his decision to cut funding to public radio. That’s a cost-cutting move that makes sense. If they want to keep broadcasting their bias, they can do it on their dime, not ours.
Finally, last Saturday, I was sitting at a red light near the Kankakee County Courthouse. On the grounds was a small crowd of protestors suffering profusely from Trump Derangement Syndrome. They waved ridiculous signs and flew the American flag upside down. That’s not protest - that’s disrespect. An upside-down flag is a slap in the face to every veteran and soldier who has ever worn the uniform. It’s disgraceful.
It’s time to grow up. This country needs adults at the wheel, not petulant children throwing tantrums over issues they barely understand. We’ve got serious problems in this country—debt, crime, corruption, division. But for the love of God, we’re all Americans. It’s time we started acting like it.
We need leaders with spines, citizens with common sense, and enough unity to fix the mess we’ve made. The future of this nation depends on it.
Still Proud. Still American. Just Fed Up.
Alan N. Webber is Author of 'Whipping Post & Roll Me Away'
Cave Creek AZ
Editorial comments expressed in this column are the sole opinion of the writer.
