Tag archives: Donald Trump

Major Policy Issue No. 3: The Debt Bomb
By Jeff Harding   |   October 22, 2024

Deficit spending has significant harmful long-term economic effects but neither Kamala Harris nor Donald Trump are talking about it. The growing deficit will lead to more borrowing by the government, higher interest rates, a “crowding out” effect on private debt markets, force cutbacks on entitlement programs, jeopardize the standing of the U.S. dollar, and slow […]

On Board with Guy Walker
By Montecito Journal   |   October 22, 2024

I give my strongest possible endorsement to Guy Walker for County Board of Education, for the Trustee Area including most of the Santa Ynez Valley, Vandenberg Village, Los Alamos, and Guadalupe. Guy has worked hard for many years as a volunteer in the field of education and understands the challenges and opportunities our students face. […]

Voter’s Guide — Candidate Statements: Montecito, What’s on the ballot for November 5th Election?
By Montecito Journal   |   October 15, 2024

Misplace your sample ballot? We have you covered. Here are the candidate statements for the upcoming election: President and Vice President  Republican: Donald J. Trump / JD Vance Peace and Freedom: Claudia de la Cruz / Karina Garcia Democratic: Kamala D. Harris / Tim Walz American Independent: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. / Nicole Shanahan Libertarian: […]

Major Policy Issue No. 2: Taxes
By Jeff Harding   |   October 8, 2024

This is the second analysis of policies proposed by our presidential candidates. No. 1 was about trade. This one is about taxes. Both candidates like to spend but have different ideas about how to raise revenues. Kamala Harris wants more revenue from taxation. Donald Trump favors less taxes but believes lower taxes would lift the […]

Major Political Issue No.1: Trade
By Jeff Harding   |   September 17, 2024

I, who get my tirades published every other week, have five articles to write before the November 2 election, starting now.  These articles will give context to the issues that you will hear from our presidential candidates. Readers who have suffered through my policy critiques understand that I try to explain what works and what […]

The Way it Was
By Montecito Journal   |   September 10, 2024

Historian Hattie Beresford’s most recent The Way It Was column, about Andrew Carnegie’s 1910 visit to Santa Barbara and the civic good works of his associates, Charles Lewis Taylor and Henry Smith Pritchett, was a winner. Ms. Beresford’s work is consistently educational and enjoyable — a reliable, welcome gem among the din of real estate […]

Harris or Trump?
By Jeff Harding   |   August 27, 2024

In my last two articles I reviewed the policies of candidates Harris and Trump. Here’s my take on the two. Just so you know, the standards through which I analyze politics and policy are things that have worked best over the years to make us the most prosperous country in the world: individual liberty, freedom […]

Living in a Real Conspiracy?
By Robert Bernstein   |   August 20, 2024

“We are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it.” This menacing threat came from Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts. This is in reference to their Project 2025. Last year I wrote “Conspiracy Theories Not What They Used to Be?” contrasting real conspiracies with muddled paranoid […]

It’s Donald!
By Jeff Harding   |   August 13, 2024

My last article (“It’s Kamala!”) was about Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president. This one is about Donald Trump as nominee for the Republicans. I’ve written a lot about Trump over the years, most of it critical of him and his policies. Like my article on Kamala, I try to rely on facts, […]

Miramar Recognition
By Montecito Journal   |   August 13, 2024

I feel compelled to recognize the Miramar for hosting a terrific community barbecue this past weekend. I know many of us in the neighborhood appreciated the warm hospitality, the live music on the beach and delicious food and drinks. It made for one of the best afternoons this summer. Beyond this event, I’m glad to […]

Some Want to Watch the World Burn?
By Robert Bernstein   |   August 6, 2024

In the 1980s I was Action Coordinator for the Central America Response Network. We were a small group of very dedicated volunteers who worked to stop Reagan’s terror campaign of rape, torture and murder in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras. We did direct aid to the victims, public education, political lobbying, organizing rallies and […]

Separating Opinions from Facts
By Montecito Journal   |   August 6, 2024

I just read Jeffrey Harding’s article, “It’s Kamala!” First, a disclaimer: I don’t often read articles by real estate investors or financial bloggers, both of which Mr. Harding is/has been. Too much self-interest and too many opportunities to be swayed by investors/clients’ priorities. But this most recent article, published under the MJ’s misleading heading, “An […]

It’s Kamala!
By Jeff Harding   |   July 30, 2024

In my last article two weeks ago (“The Thing You Can’t Unsee”) I said that Biden would go and he did. Biden immediately endorsed Kamala Harris. Most Democratic leaders and potential rivals quickly capitulated to Ms. Harris. She’s the Democratic presidential candidate. I also said that based on polls, middle-roaders, about 70% of the electorate, […]

President Biden Withdraws from Presidential Race
By Montecito Journal   |   July 30, 2024

On Sunday July 21st, President Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 Presidential race in a letter shared on social media. Biden shares, “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest […]

Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump
By Montecito Journal   |   July 23, 2024

On July 13, 2024, former president of the United States Donald Trump and currently the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee in the 2024 presidential election, was shot and wounded at a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, age 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the suspect – who fired eight […]

The Thing You Can’t Unsee
By Jeff Harding   |   July 16, 2024

It would be remiss of me to ignore our current political turmoil.  One thing is obvious: You can’t unsee what happened to Biden in the first presidential debate. No matter what he does from that moment on, that performance will be forefront in the minds of voters.  Another obvious thing: Trump isn’t going away. Republicans […]

Tribalism: Good, Bad, Ugly?
By Robert Bernstein   |   June 18, 2024

I recently had lunch with a former coworker friend. He doesn’t like talking politics, but I had to know if he was still a Republican after Trump. He agreed with most of my positions on most issues. And he agreed that Trump was not a good president. But he could not ever imagine voting for […]

The Argentinization of America
By Jeff Harding   |   May 7, 2024

Argentina is what happens to a country when the people running it have no idea what they are doing. They think they know what they are doing and are undeterred when things don’t turn out so well. Socialist countries suffer this fate. Ditto most government-run economies. I call this process “Argentinization.” I mention Argentina because […]

I’m a WhatWorksocrat
By Jeff Harding   |   April 9, 2024

With elections on the horizon I’m often asked who I’m voting for, Trump or Biden? My answer is that I can’t stomach either candidate. I don’t think I’m unique. Biden may or may not be cognitively challenged, but what he definitely is, is a Progressive. You will recall that in his inaugural speech he said […]

VP O
By Richard Mineards   |   October 31, 2023

Former TV talk show titan Oprah Winfrey, 69, suggested teaming up with Senator Mitt Romney on a 2020 White House run to beat out Donald Trump, according to a new book. There has always been frequent speculation that Oprah, a longtime resident of our rarefied enclave, had political aspirations, and analysts said her popularity and […]