How has 2025 been for you? For many, it has been a mix of both good and sad news, high expectations and disappointing results.
The year had a crushing start for Will Rogers fans and family. On Jan. 7, the Pacific Palisades fire in California destroyed the house and barn at the Will Rogers State Historic Park.
I won’t go into details of policies and politics that contributed to the tragic loss of over 6000 structures. Unfortunately, hardly any new construction has been started to rebuild Pacific Palisades and other LA suburbs destroyed by the fires.
Of course, the election of Donald Trump and a Republican Congress has had the most impact on 2025. This is probably the most sudden impact for any new President since Franklin Roosevelt in 1933. The country is divided on whether that impact is good or bad.
On the economy, Sen. Schumer gave President Trump an F. However, most Republicans are pleased with low inflation, lower gasoline prices, slightly lower interest rates, and the S&P 500 is up 18%. And Trump emphasizes the changes in taxes that will take effect in 2026.
The contrast of illegal immigration under President Biden and President Trump is the most dramatic, from 10,000,000 to near 0. The Dept. of Homeland Security (I.C.E.) has arrested and deported 600,000 criminal immigrants and 2,000,000 have self-deported.
Oddly, a lot of Americans protest the removal of murderers, rapists, drug dealers and other illegal aliens who committed serious crimes. They are led by a few Governors and Mayors who seem to favor criminals over their own citizens and victims of those criminals.
Internationally, Trump’s success at negotiating peace settlements, including Radical Islamists vs. Israel, has hit a road block in Ukraine. Putin of Russia does not negotiate. Unlike other national leaders, Putin has no soul, no concern for human life except his own. For Putin, capturing Ukraine is simply the first step to overrun eastern Europe and restore the former USSR.
A couple of personal notes: I recovered quickly from open-heart surgery in July. Only missed a couple of events and was back to full strength by September. Jennifer Rogers, Will’s great-granddaughter, and I finished our little book, “Common Horse Sense from Will Rogers: Seven Timeless Tips for Leaders (and Everyone Else).” And I announced that I am transitioning out as the main organizer for the annual Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference after 39 years.
Looking forward to the new year… I’m continuing as Executive Director of the Ohio No-Till Council. I’ll be speaking at the National No-Till Conference in St. Louis, Jan. 6-9. Jennifer Rogers and I are working on an expanded version of our “Common Horse Sense” book and preparing for presentations across the country as the USA celebrates 250 years. Plus, Historic Route 66, from Chicago to Santa Monica (and going through Claremore, Oklahoma) is celebrating 100 years.
I hope you have plenty of reasons to anticipate a Happy New Year.
Historic quotes by Will Rogers:
“If I wanted to start an insane asylum that would be 100 percent cuckoo, I would just admit applicants that thought they knew something about Russia.” DT #1291, Sept. 14, 1934
“I know common sense when I see it, and the commoner the better I know it.” WA #202, Oct. 24, 1926
“A comedian is not supposed to be serious nor to know much. As long as he is silly enough to get laughs, why, people let it go at that. But I claim you have to have a serious streak in you or you can’t see the funny side in the other fellow.” WA #13, March 11, 1923