STATUS REPORT: America Unsettled and Uncertain About the Future

Every week we provide insight on events as they develop and transpire across America. In these unprecedented times, it’s difficult to grasp the complexity of everything that’s going on. We are not a news agency and make no claims to be experts on the topics discussed. What is absolutely certain is we are investing time to research information with a quest for truth using facts, logic, and some common sense thrown in.

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COVID-19

The spreading of COVID-19 continues with the number of cases and deaths worldwide increasing daily.

Here are the numbers as of July 16th, 2020:

Global Confirmed Cases: 13,578,608

Global Deaths: 584,782

Global Recoveries: 7,596,551

US Confirmed Cases: 3,499,771

US Deaths: 137,420

US Recoveries: 1,367,648

US Active Cases: 1,994,703

  • A 37-year-old Iraqi war veteran in Ohio dies of COVID after posting on social media that he doesn’t believe the hype. On July 1st he began to have symptoms. Three days later he was dead. 
  • Love Connection host Chuck Woolery Tweeted the following….“The most outrageous lies are the ones about Covid 19,” Woolery wrote. “Everyone is lying. The CDC, Media, Democrats, our Doctors, not all but most ,that we are told to trust. I think it’s all about the election and keeping the economy from coming back, which is about the election.” 
  • Cities across the country in areas showing an increase in positive COVID cases are suggesting a new wave of shutdowns. An Example: Houston leaders are calling for another lockdown as the number of active cases of the coronavirus in the county increased to more than 27,600 on Sunday. Houston’s Harris County — the most populous county in Texas — has been the hardest-hit in the Lone Star State.
  • California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered Monday all counties in the state to close indoor operations for a handful of businesses, including restaurants, bars, movie theaters and museums, as Covid-19 cases continue to climb.
  • Schools across the nation are developing strategies to be able to open and handle children while reducing the spread of the virus. In Los Angles, the superintendent for the Los Angeles Unified School District announced Monday that students will not return to the classroom when the fall semester begins next month because of the surge in coronavirus cases across the area.
  • Cities across the country are passing city ordinances requiring all citizens to wear masks when out in public. The repercussions of not doing so carry penalties from absolutely nothing – up to fines and jail time.
  • Georgia Governor bans all cities from mandating masks to be worn.

 

Commentary: The “new normal” continues to evolve. Policies on social distancing, wearing masks, and limits on the number of people allowed in a particular space are criteria that are just getting started and will likely be strengthened and required for years to come. The new normal will fundamentally change this country and society itself. The significant impact on the economy and the repercussions of that impact are highly underestimated.

 

PROTESTING/RIOTING/CIVIL UNREST

Protests continue to occur across the nation. Many demand racial justice, the defunding of police, or societal change towards socialism. The removal or destruction of symbols from history continues to be relevant.

  • 87 protestors were arrested as they conducted a “sit in” at the home – and on the property of – Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron on Tuesday. They were demanding justice for Breonna Taylor – who was killed as part of a No-Knock warrant by police. They were at the wrong home.
  • In North Portland, a crowd of over 200 protested against police brutality. Items were thrown at police as well as a construction worker who was boarding up the police station in that area.  A recent shooting where a black man was killed as by police seemed to be an ignitor.
  • There has been a massive spike in gun and ammunition purchases across the country as riots and protests have people on edge and have contributed to a growing level of uncertainty. A large percentage of buyers are new to the world of firearms.
  • A Supreme Cout police vehicle was set on fire by an individual who poured a flammable liquid on the car and then ignored it. The suspect has been arrested.

Commentary: Civil unrest, rioting, and protesting seem to be on the decrease. While this is good news there are still pockets of violence erupting in various places. One thing that appears to be true is that the “new normal” has that almost any controversial event will cause riots and civil unrest to occur.  There is little more American than protesting, however, the recent examples have certainly led to more significant and detrimental activities.

 

ECONOMY

The Coronavirus pandemic continues to be directed affecting the economy. Businesses across the nation have closed….and many are still closing. Businesses of all sizes are included as manufacturing plants down to small mom & pop shops feel the effect. With the rise of cases, limits on the number of people allowed in the business, and mandated masks increase ultimately businesses suffer.

  • Texas is the latest state to consider reversing its re-opening and begin shutting down “non-essential businesses.”
  • Schools in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Atlanta will begin entirely online, officials said Monday. Schools in Nashville plan to do the same, at least through Labor Day. The economic impact of schools not reopening with normal attendance across much of the country is significant.  Daycare facilities and retail sales for school clothes and supplies will suffer greatly.
  • Businesses across the country cannot get people to come back to work as they can often make more money being in unemployment than working.

Commentary:

The COVID bailouts of businesses and payments made to Americans via stimulus checks and unemployment stipends show the inept ability of the government to do anything right. Over 3 trillion dollars spent and added to the National Debt and the vast majority of it went to big corporations and businesses who scammed the system. Companies with 10 employees reported saving 500 jobs as one example.

The government is now too big NOT to fail.

 

POLITICS

Much of the divide that is present in the nation is directly correlated to the divisive political environment currently in existence. Beyond healthy debate or even normal agenda-driven bias, the level of aggressive and purposely damaging action taken by Progressive politicians and groups is at an all-time high.

  • Joe Biden is running ads in Texas. The significance of this cannot be overstated.  Normally valuable campaign funds would only be used in a state in which the candidate believes they have a chance to win. The largely Conservative Texas has largely been signed by Democrat Presidential candidates.
  • The Trump campaign is running ads in Georgia. Similar to the above story – Trump would not normally spend campaign funds this early on a state which he is sure to win. Georgia has largely been considered a shoo-in for Trump – until now.
  • Shutdowns: At this point, the division is obvious.  President Trump and other top Republicans are adamant against lockdowns, but Democratic politicians in many areas of the country are suggesting their need or implementing them.

Commentary:

Politicians are elected to serve their constituents. The reality is on both sides far too often their election leads to their serving a powerful base of special interests, donors, and large corporations. We continue to see people on the opinion spectrum well away from each other on opposing sides. Way on the Left you have Progressive Socialists who have one belief and perspective. Way on the Right you have Conservative Patriots who have quite a different perspective. What we know for a fact is one side aligns with what the Founders of this country believed and established. One side aligns with the Constitution. The other side does not.

You be the judge.

The unpredictability of these times is maddening. It’s like trying to find Waldo while on a roller coaster doing multiple loops at 90mph. It’s an effort in futility. I suspect this will continue for months and it will be months before we realize the true effect all of this will have on our daily lives – and our future.

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Comments welcome below.

Stay safe.

Rourke

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