Authored by Paul Joseph Watson via Modernity.news,

German train conductors in the state of Thuringia have been given permission not to check the tickets of foreign migrant passengers in an effort to reduce intimidating and violent behavior from asylum seekers.

A married couple who had recently traveled on a Süd-Thüringen-Bahn contacted the Thüringer Allgemeine newspaper to report that they had witnessed individuals who didn’t appear to be German not having their tickets checked while German citizens still had theirs scrutinized.

After the newspaper contacted the railway service provider, they initially denied the claim, insisting that all tickets were being checked.

However, after further enquiries, the company admitted that train conductors had been given powers not to check the tickets of passengers who posed a risk of being troublesome in order to de-escalate tensions.

If the conductors feel threatened or intimidated by approaching such individuals, they can bypass the ticket check and the individual effectively gets to travel for free.

The same company recently complained to Thurinigia’s left-wing Minister-President Bodo Ramelow that its staff were increasingly on the receiving end of unprecedented abuse from foreigners on public transport.

“State and federal politics repeatedly talk about “integration” and tolerance of/towards migrants/refugees. We ask you seriously, how can you expect citizens of this country to be open to the refugee policy being practiced when they have to witness – practically every day, and not just on public transport! – such violence, brutality, and absolute contempt and mockery of our laws and society, including its so-called “values”? asked the letter.

As Remix News highlights, mass migration has also heightened violence and disorder on the train network in neighboring France.

“Annual figures provided by the French interior ministry’s statistics bureau, the SSMSI, in September last year revealed that 69 percent of violent robberies and other violent crimes, including sexual assaults, on public transport in the greater Paris region of Île-de-France were perpetrated by foreign nationals.”

“A closer look at the data showed Africans alone were responsible for 52 percent of such crimes while only representing 3.2 percent of the population of France.”

“Across the whole of France, 55 percent of suspects pertaining to offenses on public transport are foreign nationals, the data indicated.”

Earlier this month, the anti-mass migration right-wing AfD party won a significant victory in the state of Thuringia’s regional election.

The German political establishment has been busy trying to outlaw the AfD, laughably, in the name of ‘protecting democracy’, despite it now being the second most popular party in Germany.

*  *  *

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Authored by Antonio Garcia via OilPrice.com,

Despite Western sanctions and oil price caps, Russia continues to use an aging “shadow fleet” of tankers to circumvent restrictions, allowing for stable oil exports.

Russian oil is now primarily heading to ‘friendly markets’ like China, India, and Turkey.

In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union and several other Western countries imposed extensive sanctions on Russia, attempting to stop the trade of Russian oil. In December 2022, the G7 countries decided on an oil price cap. However, Russia has found ways to circumvent these sanctions, primarily through the creation of a “shadow fleet” of oil tankers.

Despite robust US Treasury sanctions targeting the shadow fleet, Russia continues to expand it by incorporating new tankers, allowing for stable exports and further evasion of oil price caps. Only 36% of Russian oil exports were shipped by IG-insured tankers. For other shipments, Russia utilized its shadow fleet, which was responsible for exports of ~2.8 mb/d of crude and 1.1 mb/d of oil products in March 2024.

Kpler data shows that in April 2024, 83% of crude oil and 46% of petroleum products were shipped on shadow tankers. The shrinking role of the mainstream fleet fundamentally undermines the leverage of the price cap.

The shadow fleet is a collection of aging and often poorly maintained vessels with unclear ownership structures and lack of insurance. The number of old, outdated ships departing from Russia has increased dramatically. The EU has recently introduced legislation aimed at cracking down on the sale of mainstream tankers into the Russian shadow trade, but the problem persists. Russia managed to expand its shadow tanker fleet, adding 35 new tankers to replace 41 tankers added to OFAC’s SDN list since December 2023. These tankers, all over 15 years old, are managed outside the EU/G7. With 85% of the tankers aged over 15 years, the risk of oil spills at sea is heightened.

The shadow fleet poses a significant and rising threat to the environment. The aging and underinsured vessels increase the risk of oil spills, a potential catastrophe for which Russia would likely refuse to pay. The vessels can cause collisions, leak oil, malfunction, or even sink, posing a threat to other ships, water, and marine life. With estimates suggesting over 1,400 ships have defected to the dark side serving Russia, the potential for environmental damage is substantial. For instance, since the beginning of 2022, 230 shadow fleet tankers have transported Russian crude oil through the Danish straits on 741 occasions. Also, a shadow fleet tanker on its way to load crude in Russia collided with another ship in the strait between Denmark and Sweden. Last year, a fully loaded oil tanker lost propulsion and drifted off the Danish island of Langeland for six hours. Recovery after any potential oil spill could take decades.

Added to the environmental issue, seaborne Russian oil is almost entirely heading to the Asian markets, with India, China, and Turkey being the biggest buyers. In 2023, 86% of oil exports went to friendly countries compared to 40% in 2021, and 84% of petroleum product exports compared to 30% in 2021. This shift in export destinations highlights the changing geopolitical landscape of the oil market due to the sanctions and the rise of the shadow fleet.

Several measures have been proposed to address the challenges posed by the shadow fleet. These include stricter sanctions on individual vessels, increased scrutiny of financial institutions involved in Russian oil deals, and fines that would limit sales or decommission tankers. The G7 countries are taking measures to tighten control over the price cap and further pressure Russia. The US has introduced a series of sanctions against ships and shipowners suspected of violating the price cap. However, concerns remain that these measures could lead to higher energy prices and escalate tensions with Russia. The Danish foreign ministry has stated that “The Russian shadow fleet is an international problem that requires international solutions.”

The shadow fleet has allowed Russia to circumvent Western sanctions and continue profiting from its oil exports, but it has come at a significant cost. The environmental risks posed by these aging and poorly maintained vessels are alarming, and the shift in oil trade patterns is reshaping the geopolitical landscape. Addressing this complex issue will require concerted international efforts and a delicate balance between maintaining sanctions and ensuring stable energy markets. The situation is unsustainable, and the need for action is becoming increasingly urgent.

According to a recent study by the Consumer Choice Center, the average wait for a GP appointment in the United States in 2023 was around three weeks, two to ten times longer than in Europe.

For example, in that year, the average waiting time for a medical consultation was two days in Switzerland, six days in France and ten days in the United Kingdom and Italy.

Additionally, as Statista’s Anna Fleck shows in the following chart, waiting times for non-emergency surgeries also varied widely from one country to another.

You will find more infographics at Statista

In 2023, the average waiting time was lowest in the U.S. and Switzerland (28 days), while it was highest in Spain (77 days) and France (63 days).

Authored by Dave DeCamp via AntiWar.com,

Some of Ukraine’s top military commanders opposed President Volodymyr Zelensky’s plans to invade Russia’s Kursk Oblast, but he went through with the assault anyway, POLITICO reported Tuesday.

The report, which cited Ukrainian military officials, said that Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, the former commander-in-chief and current ambassador to the UK, opposed the offensive when Zelensky first broached the idea earlier this year.

Zaluzhny opposed the offensive because there was no clear second step once the border was breached. “He never got a clear answer from Zelensky,” one of the Ukrainian officials said. “He felt it was a gamble.”

Russian Defense Ministry

Another Ukrainian officer who opposed the invasion was Emil Ishkulov, the former commander of Ukraine’s 80th Air Assault Brigade. He was removed from his position in July, which drew protests from senior Ukrainian military officials, who said they didn’t understand why Ishkulov was dismissed.

Ukrainian media reported at the time of his dismissal that Ishkulov was removed because he “opposed a task that didn’t correspond to the brigade’s strength.”

Two senior Ukrainian military officials told POLITICO that Ishkulov opposed the Kursk invasion because he thought the brigade would be too exposed inside Russia and would suffer heavy casualties.

Russia recently began a counteroffensive in Kursk and has recaptured some villages. One purpose of the Ukrainian invasion was to distract Russia from the Donbas region, where Russian forces have been making steady gains. But that has failed as Russian troops continue to close in on the Donetsk city of Pokrovsk.

Another purpose of the invasion was to psychologically impact Russian civilians, a strategy that was praised by Richard Moore, the head of the British spy agency MI6, during a joint public appearance with CIA Director William Burns.

Moore said the operation was “typically audacious and bold on the part of the Ukrainians, to try and change the game” and that it had “brought the war home to ordinary Russians.”

Despite intense US lobbying efforts in the other direction, the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to demand an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, approving a resolution demanding a total withdrawal within 12 months.

It passed with a final tally of 124 member states in favor, 14 against, and with 43 nations abstaining. The “no” votes include a handful of tiny island-nations which typically vote on the side of the United States. They are: United States, Hungary, Israel, Argentina, Czechia, Fiji, Malawi, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, and Tuvalu.

Palestinian representative Ryad Mansour applauds the result of a vote, via AFP

The resolution calls for all UN member states to “implement sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, against natural and legal persons engaged in the maintenance of Israel’s unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, including in relation to settler violence.”

It further asks nations to “take steps towards ceasing the importation of any products originating in the Israeli settlements, as well as the provision or transfer of arms, munitions and related equipment to Israel… where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that they may be used in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”

The resolution further calls on Israel to completely end its military operations, in line with the recent ruling of the International Court of Justice.

On Tuesday Sky News Australia noted of the behind-the-scenes efforts of the US: “Joe Biden’s government is urging Australia to say no to a draft UN resolution by the Palestinian Authority (PA).” The US ambassador called on allies “to either reject or abstain from the vote.” Many US allies abstained. 

The final resolution is essentially a call for nations to adopt principles of the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement.

Israel blasted Wednesday’s outcome at the UNGA, with its UN ambassador Danny Danon calling it a “shameful decision that backs the Palestinian Authority’s diplomatic terrorism.” It also said it plans to retaliate against Palestine at the UN:

The resolution was sponsored by the “State of Palestine” and 29 other countries, mostly Muslim nations. The UAE was the only Arab country that has recognized Israel to decline adding its name to the sponsors (though it voted in favor of the resolution).

Below is the UN vote breakdown:

However, Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, hailed the vote a turning point “in our struggle for freedom and justice.”

China says it sent warplanes to monitor and mirror a US military reconnaissance plane as it flew over the contested Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, according to statements of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

The PLA’s Eastern Theater Command identified the aircraft as a US Navy P-8A Poseidon patrol plane. A statement said the PLA “organized warplanes to tail and monitor the U.S. aircraft’s flight and handled it in accordance with the law.”

US Navy file image: P-8A Poseidon, capable of hunting submarines

“Theater command troops will remain on constant high alert and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability,” the statement added.

The US Navy’s 7th Fleet later confirmed, “The aircraft’s transit of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.” It asserted in response to Beijing’s condemnation: “The United States military flies, sails and operates anywhere international law allows.”

“The Poseidon on Tuesday encountered foreign military forces, but the flight was not affected,” the US Navy indicated. “All interactions with foreign military forces during the transit were consistent with international norms and did not impact the operation,” the statement noted.

Tuesday’s fly through marked the US Navy’s first aerial transit of the vital strait in five months. Days prior, the German frigate Baden-Wuerttemberg and support ship Frankfurt am Main made their own transit.

The German pass-through was much rarer, a first in over two decades, and suggests deepening NATO forces’ involvement in the Taiwan issue.

This past summer, Taiwan’s foreign ministry had stated that it “welcomes NATO’s continuous increase in attention to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region in recent years, and its active strengthening of exchanges and interactions with countries in the Indo-Pacific region.”

The German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Friday regarding the transit of the frigate across Taiwan Strait:

“It’s the shortest route … so we’re going through.” But It’s not true, it traveled NM, the shortest route is 1528 NM

Seems like it was just a provocation https://t.co/lrZWB9qFyi pic.twitter.com/Rr9LMSED6G

— MenchOsint (@MenchOsint) September 18, 2024

Median line incursions by Chinese military assets have seen an uptick ever since the election victory last January of new Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, which Beijing has called a ‘separatist’. China’s Foreign Ministry has repeatedly vowed that “The determination of China to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity remains unrelenting.”

Authored by Jonathan Turley,

Benjamin Franklin once wrote “Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults.”

Yet, Franklin might be a bit confused by his critics at the University of Pennsylvania.

Anti-Israel activists vandalized his statue as a symbol of colonialism.

The man who was instrumental in the Declaration of Independence against the British Empire is being denounced as an “imperial” colonizing figure. Franklin would likely fess up to any number of “faults” over the excesses of his personal life, but being an imperial colonizer would not be one of them. Indeed, he was estranged from his son, William Franklin (right), who was the last Royal Governor of New Jersey.

Nevertheless, the group Up Against the Occupation, or (u)PAO, posted pictures to Instagram of defacing the statue with red paint.

The group called the statue “a symbol of imperial violence and colonialism.”

The red paint was meant to be a “visual reminder of the over 186,000 martyrs and the university’s complicity in genocide.” They also objected that “the University has tried to supress [sic] the student intifada, supressing [sic] Palestinian voices, all in the name of ‘campus safety.’ There are NO Universities left in Gaza. There are NO first days. The education system of Gaza has been systematically destroyed, and the genocide has only expanded.”

This is the Benjamin Franklin who noted in Paris that “It is a common observation here (Paris) that our cause is the cause of all mankind, and that we are fighting for their liberty in defending our own.”

That does not quite sound like a supporter of imperial colonial ambitions.

The “colonizer” accusation is reminiscent of the ahistorical objections to GW being called the “Colonials.”

Franklin was a loyal British citizen but then, like many, came to support the cause of “independency.”

He was also not an advocate of violence.

This was the figure who declared “May we never see another War! for in my Opinion there never was a good War, or a bad Peace.”

And now for a singing Franklin to wipe away the memory of radicals defacing the statue of one of the greatest American figures in history:

Texas freight trains are become a problem when they cross busy roadways. With some trains now 3 miles or longer in length, places like Pleasantville, Texas often see traffic waiting for up to 7 minutes for them to pass.

The town is near rail yards run by Union Pacific, Wall Street Journal highlighted in a new article. It says the ‘monster trains’ are a way to make higher profits because they can haul more goods with less locomotives and less crew. 

There are no federal limits on train length, though regulators are reviewing the issue, the report says. Over a dozen states, including Texas, have proposed limiting trains to 1.6 miles, but they can’t enforce these laws due to interstate commerce rules.

Union Pacific, the top source of blocked crossing complaints, runs trains up to 3.8 miles long. Last quarter, its average train length was 1.8 miles, up from 1.3 miles in 2018.

The Wall Street Journal article reports that long trains move slowly, causing longer waits for drivers, and when they stop, it worsens. School buses, ambulances, and firetrucks face delays, while pedestrians and cyclists sometimes risk their lives by crossing between train cars.

In July, a 27-year-old woman in Texas died doing so when the train started moving. Texas leads the nation in blocked rail crossings, with over 8,000 reports in the past year, compared to 1,600 in Illinois. Rising population and container traffic from Gulf Coast ports have made blocked crossings more common in Texas.

“Any time a train operates through a community—whether it’s 3,000-feet-long or whether it’s 10,000-feet-long—you know you’re going to impact roadways, the communities,” commented Jim Vena, chief executive of Union Pacific.

Railroads also argue that long trains help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while labor unions claim they increase safety risks and threaten jobs.

A 3-mile train moving at 25 mph takes about 7 minutes and 12 seconds to clear a crossing, plus 20 seconds for the gate warning.

Ramon Rios has a special needs son with a service driver, who sometimes calls to tell him trains are delaying his ride home.

“But if you get caught right at the train tracks and you’ve traffic behind you, you can’t get out,” the 70-year-old said.

“I ask where he’s stopped at and I say, ‘Yeah, I know exactly where you’re at,'” he told the Journal. “You’ve got to stay to wait for the train to go by. And then if it’s hot, it definitely sucks.”

Letitia Plummer, a Houston City Council member concluded: “People can’t get to work on time in the mornings or get back home in the evenings. And now our babies are crawling underneath the trains to cross the railroad tracks.”

Authored by Fred Galvin via American Greatness,

As we approach the 2024 election, many Americans are disillusioned by the notion that their votes truly matter.

Why?

Because there’s a growing belief that a hidden force – often referred to as the Deep or Administrative State – wields disproportionate power behind the scenes.

Despite our democratic process, can we truly trust that our elected leaders are running the country, or are they merely figureheads for a larger, more insidious operation?

Consider the historical context: Barack Obama’s admiration for Saul Alinsky and Hillary Clinton’s thesis on his methods are no coincidence. Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals”—specifically, Rule 8 (Keep the pressure on) and Rule 13 (Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it)—have been adopted as strategies by those who seek to manipulate and control political narratives.

Let’s review some unsettling examples:

2016 Election: The FBI misled Congress about the dubious Steele dossier, fueling a media frenzy that sought to destroy Donald Trump. This dossier, which claimed Trump was a Russian agent, was debunked, yet it set the stage for relentless attacks on his presidency.

Hunter Biden Laptop: During the 2020 election, 51 former intelligence officials publicly denounced the New York Post’s Hunter Biden laptop story as Russian disinformation. Yet, as revealed by the House Judiciary Committee, FBI employees knew the laptop was legitimate but still pressured social media companies to suppress it.

Censorship During COVID-19: Mark Zuckerberg’s letter to Representative Jim Jordan in August 2024 admitted to bowing to administration pressure to censor COVID-19 posts. This highlights a broader pattern of censorship and manipulation.

Impeachment Trials: The relentless pursuit to impeach Trump, despite his acquittal, was another clear instance of the Deep State’s interference in democracy.

2023-2024 Trials: The ongoing legal attacks against Trump in multiple states are not just about legal accountability—they are strategic moves to drain his resources, distract his campaign, and tarnish his reputation.

In a startling revelation from Labor Day weekend 2024, while President Biden enjoyed a beach vacation, his administration took the unprecedented step of seizing Venezuelan President Maduro’s personal plane.

This unprecedented action underscores the growing reach and audacity of this shadowy influence.

Furthermore, during critical moments when U.S. forces were engaged by Irania-backed militias in Iraq and by Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Oman, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin disappeared from public view, his whereabouts unknown even by his Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, who was on vacation in the Caribbean. Nor was the president or vice president either aware of the Pentagon’s senior two leaders’ complete absence. Initially, it was claimed that Austin was undergoing elective surgery and that Austin was working from home, it was later disclosed that he was receiving in-patient treatment for prostate cancer at the Walter Reed Military Medical Treatment Center.

The lack of transparency and coordination within the Defense Department raises serious questions about who is truly in control and whether is there any actual presidential oversight.

This administration’s awareness of these orchestrated efforts to undermine President Trump is evident.

The deep state continues its relentless pressure campaign to prevent him from reclaiming the presidency.

For those who believe in transparent governance and accountability, this is a wake-up call: The real battle is not just at the ballot box but against an unseen force that seeks to control and manipulate the American government.

The question is not whether we can handle the truth – but whether the people will act on it before it’s too late.

*  *  *

Major Fred Galvin, USMC (retired), provides a stark example of the consequences of such unchecked power. Galvin, who led the Marine Corps’ first Special Operations Task Force in Afghanistan, was falsely accused and tried for war crimes in Afghanistan. Despite being exonerated, the media’s relentless false reporting destroyed his reputation for twelve years—a testament to the Deep State’s ability to manipulate public perception. His book, A Few Bad Men, is a #1 best-selling non-fiction account of Marine Special Operators ambushed in Afghanistan and betrayed in America.

Bloomberg has unveiled one of the most detailed maps yet, showing where the 2023 migrant invasion has spread across the US, broken down on a county-by-county basis. The map, built on immigration court case data, highlights clusters of new migrant populations that primarily emerged across the eastern half of the nation. The question becomes if the federal government and a shadowy network of non-governmental organizations worked in unison to precision dump migrants in small towns and cities to replace native blue-collar workers. 

The data plotted on the map includes immigration court data showing where the 1.8 million migrants landed in the US and have since taken up residence. Notice massive clusters of new migrants across the Mid-Alantic and Northeast metro areas, as well as the Midwest and Rust Belt regions. 

“In the battleground states that will decide this November’s election, about 72% of migrants in 2023 went to Biden counties while less than a third went to Trump counties, the Bloomberg analysis found. Counties that voted for Biden four years ago are home to roughly 60% of the overall US population,” Bloomberg said. 

Source: Bloomberg

Bloomberg continued, “Swing states received 12% of all migrants, with most going to blue counties like Philadelphia, home to Pennsylvania’s largest city, and Gwinnett, which is outside Atlanta.”

Source: Bloomberg

Meanwhile, within the report, Bloomberg’s journos claim former President Trump’s crackdown on migrants via the America First political agenda has “used extreme or disproven examples to demonize migrants.” 

Come on, Bloomberg reporters. Maybe it’s time to step out of your parents’ basements or elitist Midtown or DC studio apartments and do some actual investigative work instead of just sitting behind a boring office desk echoing the Democratic Party’s lame talking points (groupthink, eh?)

Take, for instance, Charleroi, Pennsylvania. Last week, Trump said, “The small 4,000 person town of Charleroi, Pennsylvania has experienced a 2,000% increase in the population of Haitian migrants under Kamala Harris — the schools are scrambling to hire translators for the influx of students who don’t speak English, costing local taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

PRESIDENT TRUMP: “The small 4,000 person town of Charleroi, Pennsylvania has experienced a 2,000% increase in the population of Haitian migrants under Kamala Harris — the schools are scrambling to hire translators for the influx of students who don’t speak English, costing local… pic.twitter.com/jvlP19ANL0

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 12, 2024

Trump was entirely correct last week about Charleroi. We recently had boots on the ground who investigated the former president’s claim and found he was right. 

Watch: Resident Of PA Manufacturing Town Exposes Reality Of Haitian ‘Great Job Replacement’

In fact, the Haitians were dumped into the small town to work at several food-packing plants. These plants produce food items for the processed foods-industrial complex, which sells junk food in major big-box stores. The Haitians (and or other migrants) have mostly or entirely displaced the native workers at Fourth Street Foods factories. 

The picture being painted in Charleroi is part of a much broader labor theme:

Great Replacement Job Shock: 1.3 Million Native-Born Americans Just Lost Their Jobs, Replaced By 635,000 Immigrants

How is this not the biggest political talking point right now: since October 2019, native-born US workers have lost 1.4 million jobs; over the same period foreign-born workers have gained 3 million jobs. pic.twitter.com/Z5HVWmQ24C

— zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 15, 2024

One Charleroi resident exposed how the Haitians were dumped into the town to supply local food plants with cheap labor, effectively displacing native workers and making life for them a living hell. 

Here’s how it all works… First real example. 

This isn’t just happening in Charleroi. As the Bloomberg map revealed, the ‘Great Job Replacement’ of native workers by migrants is a nationwide phenomenon.

Blue-collar workers should thank the Biden-Harris team for facilitating the greatest migrant invasion this nation has ever seen. 

Authored by Ned Ryun via American Greatness,

What if I told you that the President of the United States doesn’t really run our government? Or that most people in Washington, D.C., don’t really believe in representative democracy? Or that a government of, by, and for the people is just an illusion? Because all of those things are closer to reality than the idea that we are still a republic in which all power flows from the people to their duly elected representatives to create a government that promotes and defends the interests of the American people first and last.

It’s time for the American people to understand that the past century has seen a slow regime change, a gradual coup, undermining our Constitution and Constitutional Republic. This internal insurrection has undercut the original intent of the Constitution, eroded our freedoms, undermined our civil liberties, and called into question who is actually governing this country.

The coup I’m referring to is the focus of my new book, American Leviathan, which examines the Progressive Statist movement that began in the early 20th century and gave rise to the unconstitutional and un-American Administrative State that now dominates Washington, D.C., and, by extension, our country.

The Progressive movement, led by such men as Woodrow Wilson, Herbert Croly, Robert La Follette, and Theodore Roosevelt, was a complete rejection of the original intent of the Constitution. In fact, the Progressive movement, as John Marini wrote in Unmasking the Administrative State, “has as its fundamental purpose the destruction of the political and moral authority of the U.S. Constitution.”

The Progressives’ goal: build a massive bureaucracy filled with unelected bureaucrats, separated from political accountability, who would do the actual governing in this country. Viewing the all-powerful state as salvation for society and mankind, the Progressives weren’t shy about their aims: “We are not bound to adhere to the doctrines held by the signers of the Declaration of Independence,” Wilson declared. “We are as free as they are to make and unmake governments.” So they set out to unmake the American Republic.

Progressive Statists deeply resented the separation of powers, the essence of our Constitution and the greatest protector of our natural inherent rights, so piece by piece they pulled apart the machinery of the Republic. The diffusion of power in their minds was the greatest hindrance to progress, so they set out to consolidate the legislative, executive and judicial powers in the Administrative State in the name of “progress.”

Vehemently opposed to the idea of a rights-based government, Progressives rejected the ideals of the Declaration that “All men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men.” A rights-based government was too limited in size and scope for them to achieve their grandiose “progress.”

As the separation of powers meant to protect those rights was a hindrance to progress, so, too, was a rights-based government: one could not have efficiency in the pursuit of progress if every individual was demanding his or her rights be secured and protected. No, in their thinking, the State was all, a living organism that subsumed everything else—corporations, individuals, individual rights—and the State, for the sake of progress, would return those rights if it deemed it advantageous to the State.

In the end, the Progressives triumphed. They built their Administrative State, consolidating in many ways the executive, legislative, and judicial powers into one entity. Over the course of the 20th century until the present day, this State, which primarily resides in the Executive Branch, has become a sprawling bureaucracy, the American Leviathan, filled with powerful, unelected bureaucrats who owe nothing to the American people, who feel in many ways they rule the people.

This unconstitutional state and its ruling class are now the greatest threat to our freedom and inherent rights.

The question, now, is: What will be done with it? Every aspect of the Administrative State is deeply antithetical to our founding and the idea of representative democracy. When threatened by Donald Trump’s idea that he, as the duly elected representative of the American people, was the one to decide both foreign and domestic policy—with Congress serving in its advise and consent role—the State lashed out, declaring political war on Trump and his supporters.

The American people gained a significant victory against the State earlier this summer when the Supreme Court in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondi overruled the “Chevron doctrine,” which for the past 40 years allowed the Administrative State to “reasonably interpret” a regulatory statute regardless of congressional intent. In other words, the bureaucrats could do what they felt best regardless of what the other two branches of the government told them to do. As a result of Loper Bright, a host of regulatory and bureaucratic overreaches can now be rolled back to the benefit of our country.

A far more aggressive rollback should take place by Trump when he wins in November: he should declare on Day 1 of his administration that he will break apart the Administrative State, devolve it, returning legislative powers to the Article I branch, that he will break the State to drain the Swamp and then bring about the great restoration of our Republic.

Authored by Joel Warsh via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s article in The Wall Street Journal brings urgent attention to the chronic disease epidemic gripping the United States. Regardless of your thoughts on RFK, we can all agree that our children deserve to be healthy. While we may not all agree on the path to achieving that goal, it is clear that something must be done to change the current trajectory of our nation’s health.

Fuss Sergey/Shutterstock

Nearly 50 percent of children and 60 percent of adults are living with chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. As health care costs skyrocket and life expectancy stagnates, it’s clear that the current system is not addressing the root causes of these issues.

In his article, RFK Jr. outlined several key reforms to address these problems, including overhauling pharmaceutical regulations, banning harmful pesticides, and promoting preventive health education in medical schools. While these reforms are crucial steps toward tackling the crisis, I believe we must go even further to truly reverse the chronic disease epidemic and transform the nation’s health.

For those who haven’t read RFK Jr.’s plan, here is a quick summary of his main points:

Reform the Prescription Drug User Fee Act to reduce pharmaceutical industry influence on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Prohibit U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition panel members from profiting from food or drug companies.
Review and possibly limit direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising.
Prevent National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds from going to researchers with conflicts of interest.
Cap drug prices to align U.S. costs with international standards.
Restrict Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from being used to buy unhealthy foods such as soda.
Revisit U.S. pesticide and chemical standards to align with stricter global regulations.
Require nutrition education and functional medicine in medical schools.
Reform crop subsidies to promote healthier food production.
Reinstate Presidential Fitness Test standards for American physical health.
Allocate more NIH research funds to preventive and holistic health approaches.
Expand Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to give Americans more control over health care choices.

Expanding on RFK Jr.’s Ideas: A Comprehensive Plan for America’s Health

While I agree with much of what RFK Jr. proposes, I believe the plan does not go far enough to address the deep-seated health issues facing the United States today. Below are additional strategies I would recommend to create a healthier America and truly tackle the chronic disease epidemic.

National Emergency Declaration for Health

The first step in making America healthy again should be to declare a national health emergency addressing the chronic disease crisis. This would allow for the launch of a National Wellness Campaign, similar to past anti-smoking or COVID-19 efforts. The campaign would focus on public education about diet, exercise, and mental health and allocate substantial funds toward prevention and wellness, rather than just treatment.

Recreate the Food Pyramid: A Simpler, Healthier Approach

It’s time to overhaul the outdated food pyramid and replace it with a simpler, more effective model that prioritizes real, whole foods, and cooking at home. At the base of the new pyramid should be fresh, locally sourced, and organic foods—fruits, vegetables, eggs, regenerative and free-range animal products. The next tier should consist of lightly processed foods, such as whole grains, beans, and dairy, which retain their nutritional integrity. At the very top, the smallest section, should be heavily processed foods, which should be consumed sparingly. The focus should be on simplicity: eating fresh, local, organic foods whenever possible and emphasizing home-cooked meals. This approach would guide people to make healthier choices and foster a deeper connection with food and cooking.

Tax Incentives for Healthy Living

To encourage Americans to adopt healthier lifestyles, the government could offer tax breaks or credits for individuals who maintain a healthy lifestyle. This could be verified through annual check-ups, and deductions could be provided for gym memberships, healthy food purchases, and participation in community sports. These incentives would create a financial reward for healthy behavior. Providing a universal HSA as proposed above is a great adjunct to tax deductions

Corporate Wellness Mandates

Companies with more than 100 employees should be required to offer wellness programs that include fitness classes, nutritional counseling, and mental health services. To encourage participation, tax breaks or insurance discounts could be offered to employees who take advantage of these programs.

School Reform: Physical Activity and Healthy Nutrition

School environments play a critical role in shaping children’s health habits. We should reform school lunch programs to remove processed foods, excess sugars, and artificial dyes, replacing them with fresh, nutrient-dense options. In addition, schools should increase physical activity time and require that every school maintain gardens that produce fruits and vegetables for students.

Educational Reform for Health Literacy

True health education must be mandatory from elementary school through high school. This curriculum would focus on nutrition, physical fitness, mental health, and first aid, equipping children with the knowledge and habits they need to live healthier lives.

Urban Planning and Urban Agriculture for Health

New urban developments should include green spaces and community gardens, bike lanes, and pedestrian-friendly zones to encourage physical activity. Community gardens should also be promoted as a way to increase access to fresh, locally grown food. City council positions could be created to plan and maintain these gardens, providing fresh food and educational opportunities for communities. Every community across the United States should be encouraged to create a food garden that produces local, regenerative food.

Regulation of Food Industry Marketing

To protect children, stricter regulations should be implemented on the marketing of unhealthy foods, especially during children’s television programs. We should also ban the use of cartoon characters to promote sugary snacks.

National Sugar Tax

Introducing a nationwide tax on processed sugar, including sugar-sweetened beverages and high-sugar processed foods, could help reduce consumption. The revenue from this tax could be directed toward public health initiatives such as nutrition education and wellness programs. This was done with smoking and it can be done with processed sugar.

Health Care Provider Incentives for Preventive Care

The health care system must shift from a focus on treating illness to preventing it. Reimbursement models should reward preventive care, encouraging doctors to focus on lifestyle interventions that keep patients healthy. Health care providers should be incentivized to collaborate with nutritionists, therapists, and fitness counselors, ensuring comprehensive preventive care.

End Political and Corporate Conflicts of Interest

To reduce conflicts of interest, a five-year waiting period should be implemented, preventing FDA officials or pharmaceutical executives from moving into senior roles in the other sector. Additionally, Big Pharma, Big Food, and Big Health companies should be prohibited from funding political campaigns.

Insurance Coverage for Preventive Services

Insurance companies should be required to cover preventive health services, including exercise classes, gym memberships, nutrition counseling, and wellness programs. This could be capped at a reasonable amount annually, to ensure that more Americans can afford to prioritize their health.

Transitioning Monocrop Subsidies

Over the next one to two decades, the government should gradually shift subsidies away from monocrop farming (such as corn, wheat, and soy) and toward healthier food production, including small family farms. Farmers transitioning to sustainable and organic practices should receive financial rewards to promote healthier, environmentally friendly agriculture.

Leadership for Future Health Policy

In shaping the future of health policy, we need leaders who stand outside the influence of Big Pharma and Big Food, and who genuinely care about the well-being of our children. Two such individuals are Calley Means and Dr. Casey Means, both of whom should be offered prominent positions in shaping the country’s health policies, if they are interested. Their vision for health is deeply rooted in love, care, and an unparalleled understanding of the systemic issues that drive the chronic disease crisis. They are among the few, in my opinion, who prioritize making children and adults healthier, rather than lining their pockets or being swayed by corporate interests. Their clear, coherent, and realistic health plan offers hope for a brighter, healthier future for the United States. By giving them a platform in government, I believe we can move closer to real, lasting change that prioritizes health over profit.

Conclusion

By expanding on RFK Jr.’s proposals with a stronger focus on prevention, nutrition, and holistic wellness, we can take meaningful steps toward reversing the chronic disease epidemic in the United States. These additional strategies offer a comprehensive approach to transforming our nation’s health, ensuring future generations are empowered to lead healthier, happier lives.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times or ZeroHedge.