If you can imagine an attempted murder witnessed by a thousand newspaper and television reporters… that’s what happened last night.
I wasn’t at the Washington Hilton so I can’t add any details to what you have already heard or read. The gunman seems to be an intelligent person who used to have common sense. Like many others who kill or try to kill a president or other prominent leader, he changed 180 degrees. He was influenced by insults and hatred against the intended victim.
For President Trump, this was the third attempted assassination. It’s time for those who openly spew hatred, including many in that Hilton ballroom and Congress, to stop the personal hateful attacks. It’s fine to disagree on policies and express those thoughtfully and logically. No need to cuss and call someone another Hitler. (If you think Trump, or Charlie Kirk, or the CEO of an insurance company, could kill 6 million people, then express that in logical way with numbers.)
Meanwhile, the topic I planned to discuss today is rampant fraud involving our tax dollars. Keep in mind that losing 2 or 3 percent to fraudsters is usually acceptable. It would likely cost more to prevent that loss than the amount saved. But lately in Minnesota, California, Maine and other states, the fraud adds up to 25 to 50 percent, and millions or billions of tax dollars.
Fraud is hard to prevent. And it’s almost impossible to prevent when governors and other office holders are benefiting from the fraud.
A different kind of fraud has been practiced by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Such a wonderful name: an organization set up to use the law to fight poverty (and racism) in the South. Wealthy people and businesses have generously financed this group of lawyers to root out racism, starting in 1971.
Attitudes changed over the recent decades. Government support and personal donations for the poor have reduced poverty. Voters elected a black man as President in 2008. While racism did not disappear, it greatly diminished.
So, did the SPLC declare victory and close up shop? No. That wouldn’t do for the 80 shyster lawyers and 150 staff people.
They decided to INCREASE racism. Yes, they gave $3,000,000 to the KKK. The SPLC revived this nearly defunct white supremacy organization, sponsored a deadly racial conflict in Charlottesville, Virginia (funding both sides), and persuaded the major news media to report on the terrible racist acts by white people. The SPLC attracted more supporters by naming Christian and conservative groups as racists who should be shunned and banned from society.
Now, the Justice Department is charging the Southern Poverty Law Center and going after fraudulent spending of health and education funds in states. Let’s hope these lawyers can claw back our money and make it much harder to fool those who allocate tax dollars and folks who give generously to charities.
Historic quote by Will Rogers:
(Will Rogers spoke to the American Bar Association annual convention) “They didn’t think much of my little (newspaper article) yesterday about driving the shysters out of their profession. They seemed to kinder doubt just who would have to leave.” DT #2791, July 16, 1935