Instead of a celebratory commentary on Independence Day, Michael Smerconish reminded us that the 250^th anniversary is coming next year. And he asked a provocative question: “Will the U.S. endure for another 250 years?” The answers are almost split in half, with “yes” prevailing slightly. A more interesting question would be: Do Americans today know what they need to do to keep America prosperous for the next 250 years? Do most of them even care? And those who care, do they agree on what they need to do? By looking around, one could worry if the U.S. will endure to its 250^th anniversary.

Gaza is a thorn in Israel’s politics. There are still speculations about why the attack on October 7, 2023 happened. But there is no doubt that Israel’s military did not annihilate Palestinians’ resistance and did not free all hostages, despite that no one house was left standing. Iran helped Palestinians in Gaza, so now Israel went after Iran, which has 45 times more residents and 4,500 times larger territory. Israel’s armory is technologically the most advanced; Iran’s is not. Judging by Israel’s success in Gaza, what outcome can one expect from its venture in Iran?

In the criticism of the Trump administration’s concepts and methods of implementation, some see parallels to what extremists like Hitler had done in the past. Others see that comparison as an unacceptable exaggeration. After all, we cannot compare Trump’s policies to the Holocaust. However, we should not forget that until 1939, Hitler was a respected leader of a large nation, vide Munich in 1938. Therefore, if we see signs of the same behavior in current leaders that Hitler exhibited before revealing his true nature, it is our civic duty to call it out. We may or may not be right about a particular politician, but it is the only way to prevent another Hitler from reemerging. The warning of Martin Niemöller comes to mind.

The interview at FOX sounded good. In the early 1990s, I was looking to expand my small business. I checked the SBA loan option; it smelled of corruption, so I passed. From what I have heard since then, almost everyone interacting with the SBA had the same impression. Why did everyone pretend no one knew? I am leaning toward DOGE’s conclusions. However, I will patiently await criminal charges in the cases of loans given to children or seniors over 100 years old. When those who committed these frauds are in prison, DOGE will be credible.

Donald Trump asks Ukraine to make territorial concessions because Russia is stronger. If we accept war as a way of resolving disputes, and if Russia will get even one square inch of Ukraine thanks to the aggression, it means that the UN is a joke and NATO stands for nothing; those with more guns rule. That approach gave us WWI. So, in 1928, nations signed the Pact of Paris, agreeing that solutions to conflicts shall be by pacific means. They forgot about it in Munich in 1938, yielding to Hitler because he had more guns. We got WWII as a result. Trump does not get that the UN and NATO protected us for 80 years from the next global war. By attacking Ukraine, Putin tells the world that values and signed accords promoting peace are worthless. By that, he started WWIII, which is not full-blown yet. But it will become hot if Putin gets any reward for starting this war.

Elon Musk asked that question on X earlier today. He should look in a mirror for answers. Donald Trump got the mandate to deport illegal immigrants violently instead of turning immigration into an economic opportunity. DOGE violently chases petty real or assumed government inefficiencies but will not touch health care bankrupting Americans nor Medicare Advantage, the scam grabbing the savings of baby boomers and giving them to a handful of billionaires. Zelensky was bullied in the Oval Office, but Putin, the violent aggressor, gets an understanding there. Trump made evil normal and noble. He awakened the worst of human nature. Sadly, on both sides of the political divide.

American military experts predicted Russia would overcome Ukraine in three days. Ukraine was still standing three weeks later, so they started talking about help. They blocked the sending of Polish aircraft fighters as too risky. Ukraine did not get what it needed the most, but it still pushed the Russians back. Ukraine stands despite getting too little too late, but the same military experts tell Trump that Russia is winning. Those experts forgot the lesson of Vietnam and lost the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. They did not learn anything from the Israelis, who destroyed Gaza and killed 50,000 people, including all Hamas leaders, but Hamas still stands, and the Palestinians’ resolve is firm. They are experts at losing. Trump trusts them, but Ukraine should not.

Observers say that Donald Trump and JD Vance provoked Volodymyr Zelenskyy into an undiplomatic squabble in the White House. They blame the Ukrainian President for responding candidly. Zelenskyy made a different error. He tried to be diplomatic in response to the verbal ambush by bullies. The reason does not work in response to the provocation. Zelenskyy could pretend to accept all the insults as the truth and acknowledge his weakness. Then, he could humbly ask Trump and Vance for their message for Ukrainians. According to Trump and Vance, what should Ukrainians do to get peace? And let them talk, asking for clarifications about borders and Ukraine’s security. Knowing what American leaders have in mind, I bet that after they finish, Zelenskyy could answer that Ukrainians do not need Trump’s help in getting peace by surrendering to Russia.

My first job was in Poland, at times when it was a socialist country. Every Monday, we wasted about half a day writing a report telling what we got done the previous week. Biggest loafers always had the most impressive reports. In socialism, the actual work outcome does not matter, but the creativity in writing remarkable reports advances people. Now, the socialists run America. Elon Musk turned into a top socialistic apparatchik. One would say, God, please save America. Sadly, when it comes to money, God is an atheist.

More than once. First, they were against Ukraine’s independence in 1991. Ukrainians prevailed. In 1994, Americans imposed on Ukrainians to give up the possession of post-Soviet nuclear weapons in exchange for the respect of Ukraine’s “independence and sovereignty in the existing borders.” Then in 2014 and again in 2022, Americans screwed Ukrainians, saying that respect does not mean security guarantees. Ukrainians can use the Budapest Memorandum as toilet paper. After the Russian invasion, U.S. support has always been too little and too late. Trump rightfully blames Biden for that, but his offer is even worse. He acts on behalf of the world’s financial elites, who make more money by prolonging the war than ending it. It is time for Ukraine to say it loudly and clearly to the world and, most of all, to Americans.