Month: November 2025

Sarah Beckstrom, a young National Guard soldier from Webster County, West Virginia (about 30 miles from my hometown) was murdered by a radical Islamic Muslim from Afghanistan. He is in this country only because he was one of thousands flown here after our disastrous withdrawal from the country in 2021. He shot another West Virginia soldier, Andrew Wolfe, who may not survive.

We’re always generous towards those who help us in war. In the case of Afghans, we should have safely transported them to another country where Islam is the main religion. They would feel right at home there instead of being so frustrated a few of them decide to murder Americans.

We’ve got some home-grown nutty folks, too, including political leaders. They oppose law enforcement officers who are arresting dangerous criminals.

Switching from today’s news… here is a highlight from our new book, “Common Horse Sense from Will Rogers: Seven Timeless Tips for Leaders (and Everyone Else).”

“Will Rogers lived his life as a role model for leaders (and everyone else). ‘Live your life so that whenever you lose (it), you’re ahead.’ When Will wrote that in 1931, he added, ‘Get a few laughs, do the best you can.’

“Once, on the ‘lecture circuit,’ Will left his hotel and walked to the theater just in time to go on stage. Outside the theater, a group of black kids, teenagers, and probably a few adults were standing on the sidewalk, hoping to get a chance to see the famous Will Rogers. You might guess that a star performer would greet the group briefly and move on. But not Will. He pulled out his lassos and gave them a free show for at least 30 minutes, while the folks inside waited impatiently for him to take the stage. Why did Will do this? The theater was segregated. Those young Blacks were not allowed to go inside.

“In 1929, he made the first of 21 “talkies” (movies with sound). The producers and directors, including Oscar-winning John Ford, gave Will complete freedom to change scripts and alter scenes. Will used that freedom to promote the growth of fellow actors, including Lincoln Perry, known as Stepin’ Fetchit, Bill Robinson, known as Bojangles, and Henry B. Walthall. Will Rogers created situations where these three actors could grow beyond what was expected of them.”

This $5 book, by Jennifer Rogers and me, is available from: ShopWillRogers.com/collections/books. It can make a nice little gift slipped in with bigger presents.

Historic quote by Will Rogers:

       “Like a lot of my big ideas, they don’t seem to work out. There must be a bit of college professor in me somewhere.” DT #2208, Aug. 31, 1933

Since this is Thanksgiving week I’m focusing on gratitude for blessings received in 2025.

I’ll start with the doctors and nurses at Riverside Methodist and Dublin Methodist Hospitals. They detected an aortic aneurysm and replaced it in July.

The rest of these are in random order.

My friends in the National Speakers Association and the Ohio Chapter of NSA are inspiring and generous with tips to make me a better speaker. Several have been friends for more than 30 years.

I’m grateful for friends and colleagues in my work as an agricultural engineer, especially at Ohio State University since 1979, and farmers and other professionals involved with no-till farming and soil health across the state and country. It is a pleasure to serve with them in making our food system the best in the world. Healthy soils are the foundation for healthy people.

Jennifer Rogers (Will’s great-granddaughter) is the co-author of our new book, “Common Horse Sense from Will Rogers: 7 Timeless Tips for Leaders (and Everyone Else).” At a time in the country when common sense is often lacking, this little book provides inspiring, uplifting stories from Will Rogers. We’re grateful for readers who have left wonderful messages. (Available for $4.95 at ShopWillRogers.com/collections/books)

Carl and Deb Potter of Haskell, Oklahoma, suggested I write a leadership book based on Will Rogers and in one evening we had the basic framework for it.

Tracey Jones, owner of TremendousLeadership.com, published our book. It is the 37^th in a series of Life-Changing Classics.

The YMCA in Hilliard provides the equipment to help me get in good physical shape and stay in shape.

Of course I’m grateful to family. My sister and a lot of cousins in West Virginia always welcome me when “Country Roads” take me back home. Our son and daughter, their spouses, and six granddaughters are delightful. The granddaughters are in the Gen Z generation and are nothing like the negative stereotype of that age group. They study hard, work hard, earn money, pay off loans, and they have lots of friends. The oldest is married to a Lt. in the new Space Force.

To all of you who read my Weekly Comments, I thank you also.

I’m grateful to others not mentioned here. I’ll thank them personally.

Who are you thankful for? What blessings have you received in 2025?

Historic quote by Will Rogers:

         “Thanksgiving Day. In the days of its founders, they were willing to give thanks for mighty little, for mighty little was all they expected. But now neither government or nature can give enough but what we think it’s too little. Those old boys in the Fall of the year, if they could gather in a few pumpkins, potatoes and some corn for the winter, they was in a thanking mood. But if we can’t gather in a new Buick, a new radio, a tuxedo and some government relief, why we feel like the world is agin us.” DT #2594, Nov. 28, 1934

COLUMBUS, Ohio: Eight Democrat Senators voted with Republicans to end the Shutdown after 43 days. I’ll let you reach your own conclusions about the Shutdown and the decision to end it.

Essential federal employees were working and “non-essential” employees were not working. Their paychecks are delayed, but ALL of them will receive their pay. A surprising number of Democrats wanted the Shutdown to continue indefinitely. I’ve heard they mainly wanted to hurt the Trump economy.

Speaking of the economy, a new political issue is “affordability.” Affordability has always been with us as a personal or family problem. But it hasn’t been viewed often as a divisive political topic.

You might like to drive a Cadillac Escalade but all you can afford is a Chevy. T-bone steak and lobster sound mighty tasty, but the main course for supper is usually chicken, hamburger, or pork loin. We cook our meals because it’s more affordable to eat at home than in a restaurant. It’s common sense that some items are more affordable than others. And we make choices accordingly.

But a smiling Socialist in New York City convinced 51% of the voters (especially young single women) that he can make living there “affordable.” How? By freezing rent prices, lowering other prices, and providing some things for free.

Concerning affordability, most of us make decisions throughout our lives. Not many wait for a Socialist politician to suddenly make everything affordable. A 12-year-old might decide to study harder on math and science because engineers make more than a waitress. Or at 15, a student might decide to concentrate on trade school to become a top welder. At 22, a new college grad passes up a job opportunity in New York City or San Francisco to take the same job in Tulsa or Tampa. Many more decisions we make affect affordability.

Our schools should teach affordability, otherwise known as economics. Spend as much time teaching about capitalism as they do Communism. Students (future voters) need to know the difference between a free capitalist society contrasted to Cuba or Venezuela.

Happy birthday Oklahoma! Became our 46th state on Nov. 16, 1907. Clem Rogers, Will’s dad, served on the board that wrote the state Constitution.

Historic quotes by Will Rogers:

          “Why don’t somebody print the truth about our present economic situation? We spent six years of wild buying on credit… This would be a great world to dance in if we didn’t have to pay the fiddler.” DT #1224, June 27, 1930

         “I started out on my little tour at Chicago… I don’t see how it is that people can afford to live in Chicago. They switched from pistols to Machine Guns, and now from Machine guns to Bombs. I can’t see how a poor man can afford it. Well anyway we had a… mighty appreciative audience. Chicago people are mighty fine when they live.” WA #272, March 11, 1928

Weekly Comments: Fasting and Praying. Common Sense in the Senate? #1284    Nov. 9, 2025

COLUMBUS, Ohio: We’re still shut down after 40 days. Even Jesus only had to spend 40 days in the Wilderness. He fasted and prayed, which is what a lot of federal employees and SNAP recipients are doing now.

Churches, businesses, and individuals are stepping up to provide food. As one example, the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma set aside $6.7 Million to help its citizens get through the Shutdown.

Will Rogers experienced the generosity of Americans, “People in America have got the money and will give if they know the need is there.” (DT #1411, Jan. 30, 1931)

Will Rogers also understood why Congress creates roadblocks to common sense solutions, “Now these fellows in Washington wouldn’t be so serious and particular if they only had to vote on what they thought was good for the majority of the people in the U.S. That would be a cinch. But what makes it hard for them is every time a bill comes up, they have things to decide that have nothing to do with the merit of the bill. The principal thing is of course: What will this do for me personally back home?…  A (lawmaker’s) thoughts are naturally on his next term more than on his country.” (WA #78, June 8, 1924)

The whole Shutdown debate seems to be over Obamacare. Officially it’s the “Affordable Care Act” and was passed in 2010 with the promise it would reduce the cost of health care. To be honest, when the folks in Congress passed it, they knew it would not reduce costs, and probably not be “affordable” for everyone. They promised to cover “pre-existing conditions” which is a wonderful, caring idea. But it’s expensive.

One reason Obamacare policies need tremendous subsidies is that you could sign up anytime you like. You didn’t have to sign up and start paying immediately or the day you turned 21.  So, many healthy young folks decided to take the risk until later in life. Also, most workers have health insurance provided through their employer. The result is Obamacare is overloaded with unhealthy people.

How many are on Obamacare? There is some disagreement but it ranges between 25 and 45 million. The Senate has hindered normal life for 330 million Americans for 40 days and nights because they can’t agree on how much to subsidize the health insurance for those 25 to 45 million. Should the subsidy continue at 80% or drop to 70%? And should people with incomes from $200,000 to $500,000 qualify for a subsidy?

Since I was flying last weekend, I want to personally thank the TSA folks and Air Traffic Controllers who were working. We know they will be paid, eventually. My Southwest flights both directions were on time so I had better thank those folks, too.

Historic quotes by Will Rogers:

“You can’t legislate intelligence and common sense into people.” DT #2377, March 16, 1934

“(Senator) Magnus Johnston says he is ‘going to use common sense in the Senate.’ That’s what they all say when they start in. But if nobody don’t understand you, you naturally have to switch.” WA #59, Jan. 27, 1934

Nov. 4, 2025

COLUMBUS, Ohio: Yes, Nov. 4 is “my” birthday. #146.

I’m a couple days late writing this edition because I was in Claremore, Oklahoma celebrating Will Rogers Days from Friday evening to Monday afternoon. The celebration is a little smaller than the Fourth of July nationally. But in Oklahoma, Will Rogers is #1.

A lot of folks wondered what Will would say about the folks in Washington today. And most of those who answered, including the Chief of the Cherokee Nation, said Will would be disgusted. Disgusted with both sides.

Any common horse sense that ever existed in our nation’s capital has left the barn.

It’s been so long since the government shut down, you may have forgotten what caused it. Since Congress could not agree on a new budget by Sept. 30, the House passed a bill to continue spending at the current level for another seven weeks. Several times since then, “Congress [Senate] met and adjourned right away. One more day’s salary for six hundred went up the taxpayers’ flue.” (DT #103, Dec. 6, 1926)

In the Senate, the simple majority does not rule. For important bills, like the budget, the Senate rules require 60%, or 60 votes. Republicans have 53 Senators, so they need at least 7 Democrats to agree.

Since Republicans have majorities in Congress, plus the President, Democrats blame Republicans for the Shutdown. When a Conservative points out the 60% rule, Liberals claim they are ignorant because they watch Fox News. But really, what Conservatives have been watching is the World Series and football. And after almost every NFL football game, the opposing team members greet each other pleasantly, without the losers demanding a piece of the winner’s prize.

In today’s election, Democrats walloped Republicans. Democrat candidates for Governor easily won in Virginia and New Jersey. According to their campaign speeches, they were running against Donald Trump. The new Attorney General of Virginia favors the death penalty, by firing squad. The losing Republicans agree with Will Rogers, “Politics has got so expensive that it takes lots of money to even get beat with nowadays.” (DT #1538, June 28, 1931)

The new mayor of New York City, Mr. Mamdani, will solve the homeless problem by housing them in city buses. He does not believe Billionaires should exist in NYC. His wish will be granted because all the Billionaires, and most of the millionaires, will move to Florida or Texas. Police stations will be converted to city-run groceries. Operating similar to Russian groceries in the 1950s, the price tags on the front of each shelf will show a price less than half the same item at Kroger or Walmart. Only problem is the shelves will be empty.

In California, the voters decided they don’t want any Republicans in Congress. They figured since Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Wyoming don’t have any Democrats in Congress, California shouldn’t have any Republicans. Well, maybe one or two.

While Republicans and Democrats in Congress argue over the amount of subsidies needed for health insurance, 40 million have lost their food stamps (SNAP). During the Great Depression, with 25% unemployed, Will Rogers wrote, “Congress yesterday turned down the $15 million food bill… You can get a road anywhere you want to out of the government, but you can’t get a sandwich.” (DT #1398, Jan. 15, 1931).  Since California has the most people dependent on SNAP, and New Mexico the highest percentage, maybe their Senators should vote to end the Shutdown or at least fund SNAP.

Will Rogers said, “I’m not a member of any organized political party… I’m a Democrat.” But by golly, today the Democrats were totally organized, mainly by the leadership of Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jasmine Crockett, Rashida Tlaib, Gavin Newsom, and now Zohran Mamdani. There’s nobody in that group equal to Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, or Bill Clinton.

With the election over, if Congress doesn’t reach agreement and end the Shutdown, we’ll all be even more disgusted with ‘em.

Historic quote by Will Rogers:

“Look at what we produce, and there is only about one third of us producing anything. The two thirds are living off the one third, and then we got more than we can sell… For that’s what’s the matter with us. No Country ever had more, and no Country ever had less. Ten men in our Country could buy the World, and ten million can’t buy enough to eat.” (WA #451, Aug. 16, 1931)

Randall Reeder   WillRogersToday(dot)com.     614-477-0439