By Matthew Hayward In a time when discussions of civil unrest and even civil war permeate the national conversation, on July 8, 2024, President Joe Biden made a statement to his donors that has since sparked significant controversy: "We’re done talking about the debate, it’s time to put Trump in the bullseye." This remark, coming from the highest office in the land, raises serious concerns about the impact of such language on an already tense political environment. With the nation still reeling from January 6th, where Trump has been alleged to have incited an insurrection , and the ongoing heated debates about election integrity, Biden's words fanned the flames of division. Given Biden's access to intelligence from agencies like the FBI, CIA, and NSA, which are acutely aware of the effects of political radicalization, it cannot be argued that Biden was unaware his comments could be interpreted literally, especially when his supporters and the liberal media regularly ...

In days gone by, a business was just a business – a place where you'd go to buy goods or services. The political or social leanings of the owner were not on display; the focus was solely on the transaction at hand. Times, however, have changed. Now, large and small businesses actively participate in societal dialogues, advocating for various causes and aligning themselves with certain political ideologies. From corner stores to multinational corporations, businesses make bold political statements that extend beyond their core operations. While some interpret this as a conscientious corporate citizenry, to others, it seems like a strategy to protect their interests or a form of virtue signaling. Consider the rise of Black Lives Matter signs in shop windows. Initially, these signs emerged in response to the tragic death of George Floyd – an incident that unified the nation in grief and outrage. However, As time passed, the Black Lives Matter message became entangled with a broader, p...

Often, the American conversation is stuck in a never-ending loop, repeating the same tired debates. But the reality is, the tracks we're replaying aren't even the ones we should be listening to. Instead of discussing the root causes, philosophical underpinnings, and societal implications of our policies, we often argue over them. It's time to shift our attention and focus our debate on the fundamentals. Abortion Rights: A Societal Reflection Consider the perennial issue of abortion. It's a subject that incites heated debates and strong emotions, yet the conversation almost always centers on the policy itself. Should it be legal? Under what circumstances? What restrictions should there be? These questions, while important, ignore the more profound issues at play. At its core, the debate on abortion is really a philosophical discourse on the sanctity of life, women's autonomy, societal responsibilities, and the role of government in personal decisions. Our discussions...

It's not every day that sports and politics cross paths so explicitly. Yet, we live in extraordinary times where athletes leverage their platforms to voice their social and political stances. In 2020, team USA, both the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) and U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT), joined this trend, endorsing the Black Lives Matter movement. The players wore apparel adorned with supportive messages and made public statements against systemic racism and police brutality. As admirable as these initiatives are, they walk a thin line, potentially turning Team USA from a unifying national symbol into a politically charged entity. In November 2020, the USWNT took to the field against the Netherlands with a simple yet loaded message: Black Lives Matter. They made it clear that their message was not political but a statement on human rights, intending to draw attention to systemic racism. Meanwhile, the USMNT displayed a similar stand with jackets inscribed with "B...

 By Matthew Hayward Navigating the complexities of the current educational landscape, the quote "accuse your enemy of doing what you're doing, while you're doing it to create confusion," attributed to Karl Marx, rings particularly resonant. A potentially disturbing trend has emerged in our school systems across the nation, underpinned by this quote, illustrating a classic tactic of projection. The core of the issue is the accusation that conservative groups aim to politicize our school systems, imposing their values onto our communities and children. However, when we delve deeper, we find it is often the progressive left that has been successful in steering the educational discourse towards highly contentious socio-political issues in our schools, ranging from pre-K to high school. One of the most notable shifts has been the incorporation of critical race theory (CRT) into the curriculum , a theory that grapples with the role of race and racism in society. While the d...

By Matthew Hayward  Disclaimer: This blog is dystopian fiction based on my interpretation of listening to current radio and news media. Triumph in the East: The Eastern Phoenix Rises Against the Iron Bear. Good citizens of Oceania, rejoice in the news of our Eastern Phoenix allies' valiant efforts against the Eurasian invaders! The Iron Bear is being smashed, its ferocious claws blunted by the indomitable spirit of the freedom-loving people of the Eastern Phoenix. As the sun rose this morning, our reporters on the ground could hardly contain their joy as they relayed the news of yet another glorious victory by the Eastern Phoenix. The determined forces of the Eastern Phoenix, backed by the unwavering support of Oceania, have dealt a crushing blow to the Russian war machine, liberating the city of Kharkiv from the grip of the Eurasian oppressors. Our brave comrades in the Eastern Phoenix have demonstrated their tactical prowess on the battlefield and their unyielding commitment to t...

By Matthew Hayward In the shadows of history lie countless forgotten scandals, complex webs of deceit, corruption, and power that once sent shockwaves through societies around the globe. From the Panama Papers to Operation Fast and Furious to the 1MDB Scandal and the DC Madam scandal to the Battle of Athens, this blog post delves into the details of these remarkable events that, despite their implications, have slipped from public consciousness. Join us as we peel back the layers of time and bring these once earth-shattering scandals back into the spotlight. LIBOR Scandal (2012):  The London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) is a benchmark interest rate used in global financial markets. In 2012, it was revealed that banks had been manipulating LIBOR for profit. This scandal had massive implications, affecting trillions of dollars worth of financial contracts globally. Barclays, the bank at the center of the scandal, was fined hundreds of millions of dollars, and several other banks we...

By Matthew Hayward The right to freedom of speech, expression, and assembly, with recognition of the need for safe spaces, trigger warnings, and accommodations for individuals who have experienced trauma or are sensitive to certain topics or stimuli. The right to bear arms, with recognition of the need for responsible gun ownership and regulations to address systemic bias and gun violence in communities of color. The right to protection against the quartering of soldiers, with recognition of the need for protection against government surveillance and the right to privacy. The right to protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, with recognition of the need for protection against implicit bias and discrimination in policing and law enforcement. The right to protection against self-incrimination and double jeopardy, with recognition of the need for protection against systemic oppression and unfair treatment in the criminal justice system. The right to a speedy and public trial...

 By Matthew Hayward This is what a rewrite of the Declaration of Independence might look like if the progressive left in American gets there way: When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of ethics entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of Humankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths as self-evident that all individuals are created equal and have inherent worth and dignity and that among their unalienable rights are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. To secure these rights, governments are instituted among individuals, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the individuals to ...

By Matthew Hayward 11-9-2016 The initiative process was intended to provide an outlet for citizens to take direct action in the legislative process when elected officials fail to enact the will of the people. Unfortunately, it appears the process has been hijacked by wealthy special interest groups after they failed to lobby our elected officials into passing protectionist laws on their behalf. Citizens United has brought about a hyper-awareness of political expenditure in politics. Two Initiatives, I-735 , and I-1464 were on the ballot in Washington State this election, both designed to address big money in politics. There was also a presidential campaign that was largely based on “ Getting Big Money Out of Politics and Restoring Democracy,” Bernie Sanders. Ironically I-735 was funded with over $500,000 , largely from out of state donors intending to influence Washington’s elections. 4 of the top 10 donors were from out of state. This initiative has an additional ...