Esoteric Meandering Shouting Into the Void

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

The recent passage of the GOP tax bill in the House represents a stark example of economic policy that redistributes wealth from the middle and lower classes to the wealthiest Americans. While proponents argue that the bill stimulates economic growth, analyses from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and other nonpartisan entities reveal a different reality: the legislation exacerbates income inequality and shifts financial burdens onto those least equipped to bear them.

The bill’s provisions include substantial tax cuts for high-income earners and corporations, such as lowering the corporate tax rate to 15% and eliminating the estate tax for millionaires. These measures are projected to cost trillions over the next decade. In contrast, the CBO estimates that by 2033, the bottom 10% of income earners would experience a 4% decline in their annual financial resources, including both cash and the value of government aid such as Medicaid and SNAP .

To offset the revenue loss from these tax cuts, the bill proposes significant reductions in social safety net programs. Medicaid and food assistance programs would face deep cuts, disproportionately affecting low-income families. For instance, the Economic Policy Institute reports that the average household among the bottom 20% of earners could see a 6.8% decrease in their budget due to increased healthcare expenses resulting from Medicaid cuts .

Additionally, the bill includes changes to the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap, raising it from $10,000 to $40,000 for individual filers. While this adjustment may benefit middle-class taxpayers in high-tax states like New York, it primarily serves affluent households who itemize deductions, leaving many middle-class families with no significant relief .

Critics argue that these policies represent a form of economic theft, where public resources are redirected to benefit the wealthy at the expense of the broader population. The combination of tax cuts for the rich and cuts to essential services for the poor and middle class constitutes a regressive redistribution of wealth, undermining the social contract and exacerbating economic disparities.

In conclusion, the GOP tax bill passed by the House exemplifies a deliberate policy choice to prioritize the interests of the wealthy over the needs of the majority. By shifting financial burdens onto lower-income Americans and reducing support for essential services, the legislation deepens existing inequalities and undermines efforts to build a more equitable society.

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

Dear Donald proclaimed that he has had the most successful 100 days of any president in the history of our country. I would like to dispute that fact, so I’m gonna compare Donald’s first 100 days to Franklin Delano Roosevelt 100 days.

Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office in 2017 and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s in 1933 present stark contrasts in context, tone, and legislative output. FDR entered office during the depths of the Great Depression. His first hundred days became historically significant as a model of swift, transformative governance. He introduced 15 major pieces of legislation, including the Emergency Banking Act, the Agricultural Adjustment Act, and the Civilian Conservation Corps, all aimed at economic recovery and restoring public confidence.

In contrast, Trump took office during a period of economic stability but political polarization. His first hundred days were marked more by executive actions than legislative achievements. Trump issued over 30 executive orders, addressing immigration (such as the controversial travel ban), deregulation, and the rollback of Obama-era policies. His major legislative effort—a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act—failed to pass the House during this period.

Where FDR enjoyed broad congressional support and a national consensus for bold federal intervention, Trump faced a divided Congress and an energized opposition. FDR’s first 100 days laid the groundwork for the New Deal and expanded the federal government’s role in economic and social life. Trump’s initial period, by contrast, signaled a turn toward nationalism, deregulation, and conservative judicial appointments.

FDR communicated hope and unity in his fireside chats, appealing to a broad swath of Americans. Trump’s rhetoric was more combative and divisive, aimed at energizing his political base. Ultimately, while both presidents used their first hundred days to signal their priorities, FDR’s tenure is remembered for sweeping systemic reform, whereas Trump’s is noted for executive assertiveness and ideological confrontation rather than legislative success.

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

I feel it necessary to explain a short history of vaccines and how they have affected everything we do and how the current iteration of mRNAs is light speed compared to what was.

Vaccines have played a transformative role in public health, preventing millions of deaths from infectious diseases. The story of vaccines began in the late 18th century with Edward Jenner, who in 1796 developed the first successful vaccine using material from cowpox pustules to protect against smallpox. This groundbreaking method of inoculation led to the eventual eradication of smallpox, declared by the World Health Organization in 1980—a major victory for modern medicine.

The 20th century saw rapid advancements in vaccine development. One of the most notable successes was the fight against polio. In the 1950s, Dr. Jonas Salk developed the first effective inactivated polio vaccine, followed by Albert Sabin’s oral version in the early 1960s. These vaccines dramatically reduced the incidence of polio worldwide, and today, global polio cases are reduced by over 99% thanks to sustained immunization efforts.

Vaccines traditionally worked by introducing weakened or inactivated viruses, or pieces of them, to prompt the immune system to recognize and fight future infections. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated the adoption of a new vaccine technology: mRNA vaccines. Unlike traditional vaccines, mRNA vaccines deliver genetic instructions to cells, prompting them to produce a harmless protein that mimics part of the virus, triggering an immune response.

The success of mRNA vaccines in fighting COVID-19 opened a new frontier in medicine, with researchers exploring their use beyond infectious diseases—most notably, cancer. Cancer occurs when cells grow uncontrollably due to genetic mutations. mRNA technology offers a highly customizable way to target these abnormal cells.

mRNA cancer vaccines work by teaching the immune system to recognize proteins specific to an individual’s tumor. Scientists can sequence the tumor’s DNA to identify mutations and design personalized mRNA molecules that encode tumor-specific antigens. When these mRNA molecules are injected, the body’s cells produce these antigens and present them on their surfaces, training the immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells displaying the same markers.

This approach holds promise for various cancers, including melanoma, lung, pancreatic, and breast cancers. In early trials, mRNA vaccines have shown encouraging results, especially when used alongside existing treatments like immunotherapy. For instance, combining mRNA vaccines with checkpoint inhibitors can enhance the immune system’s ability to fight tumors, potentially leading to long-term remission in some patients.

Moreover, mRNA vaccines are faster and cheaper to produce than traditional cancer therapies. Their adaptability means they can be updated quickly as new tumor mutations are identified, offering a dynamic tool against a constantly evolving disease.

In summary, from the eradication of smallpox to the near-elimination of polio, vaccines have already reshaped human health. The advent of mRNA vaccines represents the next leap forward—not only in controlling infectious diseases but in tackling one of medicine’s greatest challenges: curing cancer. With ongoing research and clinical trials, mRNA vaccines could one day revolutionize cancer treatment and bring us closer to personalized, precision medicine.

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

The recent actions of the current administration regarding the January 6 Capitol riot have sparked widespread controversy and outrage. Notably, the administration has partnered with individuals imprisoned for their involvement in the riot and agreed to a nearly $5 million settlement with the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was fatally shot during the events.

Ashli Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran and staunch Trump supporter, was among the rioters attempting to breach the Capitol on January 6, 2021. She was fatally shot by Capitol Police Lieutenant Michael Byrd while trying to enter the Speaker’s Lobby. The incident was widely publicized, and Babbitt’s death has since been portrayed by some as a martyrdom, fueling further division and controversy. Despite investigations concluding that the officer acted in defense of lawmakers under threat, the current administration has agreed to a settlement of nearly $5 million with Babbitt’s family, a move that has been met with criticism from various quarters. 

Additionally, the administration has taken steps to partner with individuals imprisoned for their roles in the January 6 riot. This includes granting clemency to over 1,500 individuals convicted of offenses related to the Capitol attack, a decision that has been described by critics as an unprecedented and dangerous use of executive power. Legal scholars and former prosecutors have expressed concerns that these actions undermine the justice system and may encourage future political violence. 

These developments have raised alarms about the administration’s approach to the events of January 6 and its implications for the rule of law. Critics argue that by partnering with those involved in the riot and compensating the family of a rioter, the administration is rewriting history and sending a message that such actions are acceptable. This has further deepened the political divide and eroded trust in the institutions meant to uphold justice and democracy.

Welcome Summer

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

The current administration’s reaction to the growing “8647” movement has exposed a striking contradiction in their own rhetoric and behavior. While critics and activists have adopted “8647” as a symbolic call to vote out the 47th president, the administration and its allies seem unusually rattled—despite having previously embraced the “8646” mantra to celebrate the departure of the 46th president. This double standard is glaring. When their opponents chanted “8646,” it was hailed as a clever political slogan and proudly printed on t-shirts, mugs, and campaign signs. Now, with the tables turned, they label “8647” as unpatriotic or disrespectful.

The outrage suggests a level of hypocrisy, as if dissent is only valid when it suits their agenda. The very people who celebrated free expression and protest under the previous administration are now scrambling to delegitimize the same tactics aimed at them. It’s not just political theater—it’s a sign of how deeply polarized and inconsistent our discourse has become. If “8646” was fair game, then “8647” should be, too. The attempt to suppress or mock it only gives the slogan more power and raises questions about whether this administration can handle the same scrutiny it once championed.

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

A Cautionary Tale: The Consequences of Misinformation in Power

In the not-so-distant future, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stood at the helm of the Department of Health and Human Services, a role that required rigorous scientific judgment, strategic coordination, and above all, trust in evidence-based medicine. But from day one, cracks formed beneath the weight of his past. Once an environmental lawyer, Kennedy had become better known for peddling vaccine conspiracies — claiming links between vaccines and autism long after the science had decisively refuted it. His rise to power was heralded by anti-vaccine activists and skeptics of public health, who saw in him a champion of “freedom” over science.

Kennedy’s misunderstanding of the HHS secretary’s role — seeing it as a platform for crusading against pharmaceutical companies rather than coordinating disease prevention, Medicare oversight, and health equity — led to chaos. One of his first moves was to form a “vaccine safety panel” filled with discredited researchers and conspiracy theorists. Public trust eroded quickly.

Routine vaccination rates dropped. Measles outbreaks flared in schools across the country. Maternal health initiatives were sidelined as Kennedy redirected funding to “toxicity audits” of childhood immunizations. Health professionals resigned en masse, unwilling to compromise their oath for ideology.

Worst of all, during a flu pandemic that winter, Kennedy’s delays in approving emergency vaccines and his skepticism toward mRNA technology caused preventable deaths. Hospitals were overwhelmed, and thousands perished, victims not of disease alone but of leadership failure.

The cautionary tale was clear: placing a man steeped in medical misinformation at the head of national health policy was not just symbolic—it was catastrophic. The damage lingered long after he stepped down. In public health, trust lost is not easily regained. And science, when politicized, always has casualties.

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

Oh, if Biden had done even a fraction of what Trump’s doing right now, the Republican Party would be hosting 24/7 emergency press conferences. Fox News would declare the end of democracy, and Lindsey Graham would faint on the Senate floor. They’d draft impeachment articles on gold-embossed parchment, screaming about “unprecedented corruption” and “constitutional collapse.” But Trump? Oh no, he could torch the Constitution on live TV and they’d call it “bold leadership.” It’s not hypocrisy, it’s patriotic flexibility! The mental gymnastics are so impressive, you’d think the entire GOP moonlights as Cirque du Soleil performers. Bravo, truly inspiring consistency.

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

Karma is a concept originating in Indian religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It refers to the idea that a person’s actions—good or bad—will return to them in the future, shaping their experiences either in this life or in future lives. In this view, ethical behavior leads to positive outcomes, while harmful actions bring suffering. Karma is often seen as a moral law of cause and effect, independent of divine judgment.

Whether karma is “real” depends on one’s philosophical or religious perspective. From a spiritual standpoint, many believe karma is a cosmic principle ensuring moral balance. Others interpret it more psychologically or socially: doing good can lead to inner peace, trust from others, and improved relationships, while harmful behavior often results in guilt, distrust, and conflict.

Scientifically, karma is not verifiable in the traditional sense—there’s no empirical evidence that actions universally lead to proportional outcomes. However, the principle aligns with social reciprocity and natural consequences. So while karma may not be a literal cosmic ledger, its effects can still be observed in how actions influence personal and societal dynamics. In that sense, karma might not be “real” as a supernatural force, but it’s a powerful metaphor for personal responsibility.