Is 2024 A Mess? - Which way are we headed for the rest of the year?

INTRODUCTION:

Greetings. I would like to wish my sister Kathy a Happy Birthday. It's a day early, but that's okay. I travel a lot and have the privilege of speaking to many people. I have found, not only through the emails I receive but also through the people I meet and talk with, that everyone is concerned about what the rest of the year will bring. Will it get so bad that it cannot be repaired? Whether you believe in polls or not, every poll shows how many are unhappy with how our country is headed and fear it will worsen. Polls are relative. However, they do represent what the percentage of those people polled think. Most Americans are unhappy with how the country has gone backward in the past three years. There are no signs that the Biden administration is listening to the American people and taking measures to change things. Therefore, why should we think the remainder of this year before the elections will be better?

The key to success for any elected official is to listen to the people they represent and attempt to institute the proper change. Of course, this is within reason. However, when any elected official does NOT listen to those they represent, that is a recipe for failure, and re-election is probably slim. The economy and the border crisis are probably the two most important issues this election year. The critical issues are always the ones that hurt people in their pockets, and people are hurting. There will always be those who have the money. However, they are few as compared to the entire population.

IT'S MID-YEAR:

So far, in 2024, approximately 988,819 known migrants crossed the border from January 1st to the end of March 2024. That's only in three months. (REFERENCE) It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how many that could be by the end of 2024. Here are more facts: "2024 SO FAR: 988,819

"2023: 3,201,144

"2022: 2,766,582

"2021: 1,956,519

"2020: 405,036

"2019: 859,501

"2018: 404,142

"2017: 310,531

(Figures courtesy of "US Customs & Border Protection")

It's pretty staggering if you ask me. These are only the known encounters. We can only estimate the unknown migrants who have crossed. What we do know is that they come from various countries. Including countries that are known terrorist countries, and the majority of these individuals are not vetted. We also know that drug trafficking, crime, and other statistics have sharply risen in our larger cities. These cities are called sanctuary cities and are located in sanctuary states, which means that these cities and states are committed to accepting these individuals.

Folks, these cities are discovering they had no clue what they were in for. These cities are over budget because they do not have the financial resources to care for these people. What were once beautiful cities to visit are now trashed and unsafe for visitors. Assault, rape, looting, murder, drug dealing, and more are now commonplace around the country. People have had enough!

THE PRESIDENT:

Although the President of the United States wears many hats, the primary constitutional duty of the President is to protect the citizens of this great nation. How anyone in their right mind can think our President is meeting that responsibility is beyond me, and there are no signs of change for the remainder of this year.

I am in no way stating the President has an easy job; he certainly does not. However, if you take the time to read the Constitution regarding the President, this administration is a drastic failure. I get it. This is politics. You win some battles, and you lose some. However, the President must NEVER lose sight of their primary goals. That is the ultimate failure.

As a nation and as voters, we have a unique opportunity. Never in our country's history have we had an election between two candidates in which we could compare one who has served as President against one who is presently serving. Hence the phrase, "Are you better off than you were four years ago?" It's a basic comparison of what we had versus what we have now. OF course, only you can decide. However, we must remember, and I always maintain, that it is not whether you like a candidate or a person. It is about whether or not they are and will do a better job than the other candidate.

No one is perfect. Everyone, including each of us, has faults. Some think that both candidates aren't the best choice. In that case, we must choose the one that is better for the country as a whole. It's not only one policy that makes a great President; it's many policies. It is what they stand for compared to what the voters want.

ELECTION INTERFERENCE:

Election interference is a broad term. Many people view it differently. We must know precisely what is considered election interference. Election interference has emerged as a critical issue in recent times, posing a significant threat to the integrity of democratic processes worldwide. With the rise of digital technologies and social media platforms, malicious actors have increasingly sought to influence elections through various tactics, from disinformation campaigns to cyberattacks.

The Impact of Election Interference

Election interference can have far-reaching consequences, undermining the legitimacy of election results and eroding public trust in democratic institutions. By spreading false information and sowing discord among voters, perpetrators can manipulate the outcome of an election, effectively subverting the will of the people. Moreover, election interference can fuel political polarization and cause division within societies, making it even more challenging to forge consensus and address pressing issues.

Tactics Used in Election Interference

Perpetrators of election interference use tactics to achieve their objectives, leveraging traditional and modern tools to manipulate opinion and undermine electoral processes. One common tactic is disseminating fake news and disinformation through social media platforms, which can reach a broad audience quickly and effectively. In addition, malicious actors may use cyberattacks targeting election infrastructure, such as voter registration databases or voting machines, to disrupt the voting process or tamper with results. Furthermore, foreign governments or entities may conduct covert influence campaigns to sway public opinion in favor of particular candidates or policies, exploiting existing societal divisions and vulnerabilities.

Measures to Safeguard the Electoral Process

To combat election interference effectively, governments, election authorities, and tech companies must work together to enhance the security and transparency of the electoral process. Steps can be taken to improve the cybersecurity of election infrastructure, such as implementing robust encryption protocols and conducting regular security audits. Additionally, efforts to educate the public on discerning credible information from misinformation can help inform voters against the influence of false narratives. Furthermore, regulatory measures can be put in place to hold perpetrators of election interference accountable and deter future attempts to undermine the integrity of elections.

In Summary

Many years back, when elections were held on one day and voter identification was mandated, we did not have these issues. In addition, technology was not as advanced during those times. Election interference represents a severe threat to democracy, potentially undermining the legitimacy of electoral outcomes and eroding public trust in democratic institutions. By understanding the impact of election interference, identifying the tactics used by perpetrators, and implementing measures to safeguard the electoral process, countries can protect the integrity of their elections and uphold the principles of democracy. Everyone must remain vigilant and proactive in countering the threat of election interference, ensuring that future elections are free, fair, and transparent.

There are mixed feelings about all these trials with former President Trump during an election year. Some feel that is election interference since he is not afforded the same opportunity to campaign as his opponents, while others think the legal process must be upheld. In this writer's opinion, this is a form of election interference. I ask this question. Since Donald Trump is NOT testifying daily, why shouldn't he be allowed to campaign while his lawyers address these issues? Instead, he has been ordered by a judge, who many feel should have taken himself off the case due to areas of conflicts of interest, ordered him to be in court each day. Furthermore, this judge placed a gag order ONLY on Donald Trump while others could openly attack and accuse him of different issues. If nothing else, this certainly opens the minds of many to think about the possibility of election interference.

WHAT"S TO COME?:

We can only look at the previous trends and estimate what could be coming. As we stand at the midpoint of 2024, it is natural to look ahead and speculate on what the remainder of this unprecedented year may hold. From global politics to technological advancements, economic trends, and societal shifts, various factors will shape the path ahead for the world. Let's look at some key areas and attempt to forecast what we can expect for the remainder of 2024.

Global Political Landscape:

The global political arena is poised to undergo significant transformations in the latter half of 2024. With several major elections scheduled across different countries, the outcomes will have far-reaching consequences. Issues such as international relations, climate change agreements, and regional conflicts will continue to dominate geopolitical discussions. The ongoing tensions between major powers, such as the United States, China, and Russia, are likely to influence global diplomacy and trade dynamics. The war in Ukraine and Israel will continue to be a point of contention for many reasons—social unrest as well as finances.

Technological Advancements:

The rapid pace of technological innovation shows no signs of slowing down in the second half of 2024. Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space exploration are expected to redefine many aspects of our lives. Integrating these technologies into various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and transportation, will bring opportunities and challenges. Cybersecurity will remain a critical focus as reliance on digital infrastructure increases. However, the controversy surrounding artificial intelligence and its use will continue to be challenging.

Economic Trends:

Economic recovery from the effects of the global pandemic will continue to be a central theme for the remainder of 2024. Governments and central banks will navigate inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions, and labor market dynamics as they seek to stabilize economies. The shift towards sustainable and green practices will shape investment decisions and corporate strategies. Emerging markets will play an increasingly influential role in the global economy. These issues will not be resolved any time soon. Each day that passes, our national debt increases. We will quickly hit 35 trillion dollars of national debt, and personal credit card debt will continue to rise.

Societal Shifts:

Societal attitudes and values are evolving rapidly, driven by factors such as climate change, social justice movements, and technological advancements. Focusing on sustainability, diversity, and inclusivity will drive social and cultural changes. Mental health and well-being will be prioritized, leading to greater awareness and support systems. The ongoing debate on privacy, misinformation, and digital ethics will shape the discourse on society's future. Protests will continue due to the lack of our leaders failing to enforce the law and colleges failing to implement the rules of conduct. Society changes will play a significant role in the next few months.

Admittedly, these are my opinions. However, the trend for the last three years has shown this to be true, and with no signs of policy changes and other areas of concern being changed, I see no reason to think or believe things will get better in the next six months, especially given how we have seen them degrade in the last three years, and especially in the past six months.

IN CLOSING:

There is a great deal to think about now and for our future. Nothing in this article is untrue or unfactual. These are the realities we all face. One way to solve these problems is to vote for who you believe will fix our nation's problems. However, vote wisely. Once you vote, you can't complain about what you voted for.

We need to listen to all the candidates to make an informed decision. As citizens, we know what we like, want, and don't like or want. We are not ignorant. However, you are ignorant if you do not listen to both sides. This election year is critical for shaping this nation's future for generations to come.

A great deal can happen in the next six months. However, the signs do not support any positive changes. If anything, the economy can get worse. Global tension will probably increase since other countries will no longer respect our nation.

Every choice made at every level of government and in our personal lives has consequences. The only consequences we can control are the ones we know about. These known consequences usually involve choices we make in our individual lives. We cannot control the consequences or even know the full extent of consequences based on the choices made for us by others. However, in some cases, we do know. For example, Joe Biden has already stated that if elected in 2025, when Trump's tax cuts expire, he will not renew them. What are the consequences that come with this? Business taxes will go back up, the cost of goods and services will rise, the increase you received in your paycheck when Trump was in office will disappear, and more taxes will be taken from your wages. This means less take-home pay than you are receiving now.

Therefore, do the math. If you are barely making ends meet week-to-week now, you cannot do it next year. Raises never occur when a company is making less money. Or, the wage increases don't even come close to what you are losing. This is just one example, yet an important one. More small businesses may go out of business. More chain stores may be forced to close. For instance, in Florida alone, Family Dollar, a vast chain, will close about 600 stores over the first half of 2024, and another 370 stores and 30 Dollar Tree stores will close as their leases expire. (REFERENCE) And that is only in Florida. This will lead to massive layoffs. Remember that word consequences?

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Be safe, stay well, and focus on being happy. And remember to always: