Out of Control…

The intro music was released the year I enlisted in the USAF – I left for training in February 1972. There were several reasons I volunteered, and someday I may regale you with that story. Let’s just say the decision confirmed my commitment to America and made me the vexed patriot who writes these commentaries and holds this Republic to account; if I don’t, who will? I give you my opinion on what I see and how I feel, and, like it or not, it’s who I am… and I will not apologize.

I’d intended this piece as a fourth chapter in my last commentary, but on counsel’s advice, I’m adapting it to reflect his opinion and repurposing it as American Epitaph. I try hard to be optimistic, to see the good in things, and to look for alternatives and possibilities. I see them, but they’re slipping away as I watch. My fear is that we’ve crossed the Rubicon and there’s no going back. We’re writing America’s Epitaph.

“Old Charlie stole the handle…
And the train it won’t stop…
Oh no way to slow down…” 

Symbolism: Old Charlie is often interpreted as a metaphor for fate, the devil, or an indifferent creator, leaving the train (life, society, this republic) to run out of control. More precisely, this republic is out of control as the two primary political parties contend for control of the United States of America, Our Republic, while the third watches from the sidelines, committed not to commit through Active Inaction… a deliberate effort to avoid taking action. Think of finding fault, bitching about it incessantly, and doing absolutely nothing productive to change it.

I was searching for an appropriate musical selection to open this commentary when this Jethro Tull song popped up – there are no coincidences.

I’ll begin, as I usually do, with a quote we should all know by heart: it encapsulates the founding principles of this republic in 44 powerful words.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that governments are instituted among men to secure these rights.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson’s quote above explains why this republic exists and points to what we chose to ignore to our detriment and peril. It’s like the massive amount of information available to us that we choose to ignore. It’s all just useless data until we decide to do something with it. It saddens me that so many people fought and died to bring it to our attention, and that we dismiss it as inappropriate to our specific situation or time in history. The amazing thing about knowledge is that it is timeless and universally applicable. Jefferson’s quote laid the foundation for this republic and America’s direction. As you know, the statement comes from our Declaration of Independence, which began a war in 1776, 250 years ago.

The war to free the colonists from the British Monarchy set in motion the rise of the most powerful nation on Earth – the United States of America: a constitutional federal republic with a representative democracy, meaning power is divided between a national government and the states (federalism), limited by the Constitution, and with citizens electing representatives (republic/representative democracy) to make laws, creating three branches: legislative (Congress), executive (President), and judicial (Courts). Yet America was not alone in this action; we had help from countries that believed in freedom and wanted to see us succeed. Sadly, these countries have suffered our fate for the very reasons we fought against.

But you knew that, too.

The next quote is one we conveniently neglect, and it exemplifies the essence of this epitaph and why we are in extreme disorder, mismanagement, dysfunction, a perfect storm, a complex, multifaceted challenge, a significant, chaotic situation, a complete debacle, or a complete train wreck; all of which are polite ways to describe the Great American Cluster-f*ck!

“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should!” ~ Attributed to William C. Taylor (Fast Company’s founder)

This quote means and implies that we:

– Act Ethically and Responsibly

– Respect Boundaries and Priorities

– Use Wisdom over Power

– And considers 1st Corinthians 6:12, which notes that not all allowed actions are beneficial.

The biblical passage above highlights the difference between Christian liberty and license, urging believers to consider whether their actions are truly beneficial or enslaving rather than merely technically permissible. It’s not only doctrinal but also secular, as are almost all the principles in these ancient texts. It expects us, as citizens of this republic, to understand the difference between liberty and license. If you look past the religious origins of these nuggets of wisdom, you can appreciate their relevance to most situations. A broader view of these words reveals the power of the wisdom they contain.

Liberty:

– freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control.

– freedom from external or foreign rule; independence.

– freedom from control, interference, obligation, restriction, hampering conditions; power or right to do, think, speak, according to choice.

License:

– formal permission from a governmental or other constituted authority to do something, such as carrying on a business or profession.

– permission to do or not to do something.

– to give permission to or for

“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should!”

There is an example from a few years ago, from the last regime, that set this shitstorm in motion. It was the Biden-Harris Mass Migration, which allowed over 20 million people into America unvetted and unimpeded. For reference, only three (3) states have populations exceeding this number: California (39.4 million), Texas (31.3 million), and Florida (23.3 million). Put another way, it increased our population by 5%. This means the Biden-Harris regime admitted more people than each of the remaining 47 states has individually.

As of June 2025, there were 51.9 million immigrants in the US, with a majority in the South, Texas, and Florida. The demographic political distribution is clear when you consider that Red states host a substantially larger number of undocumented immigrants. It seems counterintuitive until you realize that these undocumented immigrants are intentionally placed in these states to unbalance the House of Representatives (HoR) seat count, which is based on census records rather than partisan political distribution. Couple this with the expectation that these new potential voters will support the party that provided all the free shit they now enjoy and that they will claim constitutional rights as implicit citizens.

Although there are laws prohibiting non-citizens from voting in certain elections, the census imbalance in HoR seats has a similar effect, and the Left vehemently opposes proof of citizenship to register to vote or vote in federal elections.

So, let’s consider the long-term impact of Anchor-babies on future elections. There are currently about 255,000 in America, and that number is expected to top 12.8 million by 2075. According to the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), Anchor-babies will add 8.4 million potential voters by 2028. Maybe now you’ll understand why there’s a push to amend or ignore the 14th Amendment altogether.

Liberal – The Left’s long-term plans for America center on building a robust social safety net, transitioning to a green economy, expanding healthcare access, and reforming immigration and voting systems. Key goals include investing in infrastructure and affordable housing, strengthening labor unions, reducing income inequality through tax policy, and promoting environmental sustainability.

– Healthcare expansion – Medicare for all, universal child, and elder care

– Universal Basic Income – equitable government financial support, “to each according to their need”

– Environmental Action – combating climate change.

– Immigration Reform – simplified pathways to citizenship and migrant support.

– Government and Voting – strengthening democratic institutions and increasing participation.

– Infrastructure and Housing – expanding affordable housing units and access.

These policies are often designed to expand the government’s role in managing economic growth, reducing inequality, and strengthening social protections for all citizens. Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity (DIE).

The Left is playing the long game again. Eventually, they will simply outnumber the opposition, and in the meantime, they will finagle, contrive, and manipulate whatever they can to gain an advantage.

But… there ain’t no free lunch. The money to support these programs must come from somewhere. To fund their proposed programs, liberals generally rely on a combination of tax reform targeting high earners, closing corporate loopholes, and improving government efficiency. It’s basically biting the hand that feeds it.

– Did you notice that government efficiency is listed last?

Conservatives – The Right are no angels… They have their own plans for this republic’s future. Long-term conservative plans for America focus on restructuring the federal government to enhance executive power, cutting federal spending and regulations, promoting traditional social values, and strengthening borders. Centered on initiatives like “Project 2025,” the 920-page agenda [link] aims to dismantle “Biden-era” policies, reduce the federal workforce, and advance economic policies, including permanent tax cuts and energy independence.

It has been a monumental challenge to find objective information about the Conservatives’ plans for America. The internet sources are clearly liberal-leaning, but here’s the primary view.

From the Planners:

– Dismantle the Administrative State – reduce the powers of federal agencies and consolidate them in the President.

– Restore the Traditional Family – prioritize family values and religious devotion as society’s foundation.

– Enforce National Sovereignty – Focus on border security, mass deportations, and the end of globalist influences.

– Secure Individual Rights – Protect what they call “God-given liberties,” often emphasizing religious freedom and property rights over collective regulations.

Libertarian – These Independents challenge the cult of the omnipotent state and defend individual rights. They hold that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives and to live in whatever manner they choose, provided they do not forcibly interfere with others’ equal right to do the same.

– Personal Liberty: Self-Ownership – Individuals own their bodies and have rights in them that other individuals, groups, and governments may not violate.

– Expression and Communication: Full freedom of expression and opposition to government censorship, regulation, or control of communications media and technology.

– Privacy: Individual privacy and government transparency.

– Personal Relationships: Sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity should not influence the government’s treatment of individuals.

– Parental Rights: Guardians have the right to raise their children according to their own standards and beliefs, provided that children’s rights to be free from abuse and neglect are protected.

– Crime and Justice: Government force must be limited to protecting individuals’ rights to life, liberty, and property, and governments must never be permitted to violate those rights.

– Death Penalty: adamantly opposed to its use.

– Self-Defense: the only legitimate use of force is in defense of individual rights — life, liberty, and justly acquired property — against aggression.

“In every matter, Libertarians advocate the consistent application of the principle of non-initiation of coercion, physical force, or fraud. Our silence regarding any other government law, regulation, ordinance, directive, edict, control, regulatory agency, activity, or machination should not be construed as approval.” – from the Libertarian website [link]

The list is extensive and covers nearly every aspect of life in this republic. It’s an interesting read and made me reconsider quite a few of my ideals. I’ve considered myself an independent thinker, but not quite a Libertarian.

The best way to describe my political position is as a Cafeteria Voter, meaning I research the issues, the candidates, and their impact… then I choose the candidate who meets my criteria. This method requires effort and thought, and it’s a lot of work, but given what’s at stake, it’s the least I can do.

I made a disturbing discovery while researching this part of the commentary. Honestly, it was more of a confirmation of my theory than an epiphany, but the outcome is the same. Using the internet, especially AI, to find anything other than subjective left-leaning bias is a futile effort at best. The answer is to retreat to tried-and-true methods: read widely and draw an informed conclusion.

As you read through the list of additions, clarifications, and caveats for the three main parties above, it’s easy to forget that the US Constitution already covers each of these partisan political party elucidations, requiring that we take the Constitution at face value and refrain from convenient interpretations, amplifications, and convolutions for our or a partisan political party’s advantage.

My goal was to provide an unbiased characterization of the three main partisan programs: The Left, the Right, and the Independent. I intended for you to see that each of these parties presents its own partisan interpretation of the Constitution and that they all want the same thing, each with its own partisan spin. Each has its own interpretation and spin of the basic Constitutional tenets and defines them to fit its unique narrative and ideology. They are exactly the same, but different.

It’s like the myriads of religions and faiths on this planet, which are structured systems of beliefs, practices, rituals, and values that connect people to the sacred, divine, or supernatural. They serve as frameworks for understanding life’s meaning, often incorporating moral codes, community, and answers to existential questions. They are not single, monolithic concepts but are diverse, encompassing both organized faiths and personal spiritual experiences.

Hint: Government and religion are similar in that both are societal institutions that establish moral orders, define rules, and shape behavior, often aiming to create a cohesive social structure. While both can exercise authority and influence, they are often distinct in that government regulates behavior externally through laws, while religion often shapes internal desires and morals. Both are man-made to achieve the same purpose: power and control. They are equally beneficial and equally corruptible.

However, as I used AI and the internet to research several portions of the commentary, I found a massive liberal bias in AI’s interpretation. I’ll remind you that AI was created in the Liberal Indoctrination Camps throughout this republic. The engineers who wrote the algorithms and scripts that search, retrieve, and prepare the information for presentation are all graduates of these liberal indoctrination camps, so expecting an unbiased response is irrational. It would be like expecting a cat to act like a dog, and vice versa. Although there are a few anomalies in my theory, QED, it still stands as a sound analogy.

The key takeaway from all of this is that AI’s liberal bias and its impact are undeniable and should be treated with suspicion, not taken at face value as presented.

You’re no doubt wondering where this is going and what my point is in this exposé of political ideologies. I’m glad you asked…

This republic is undermined by the constant jockeying for position and power among the partisan political parties. As George Washington warned in his farewell address, he urged national unity and cautioned against the dangers of political factions and permanent foreign alliances, which he believed threatened the fragile young republic’s survival. He feared that partisan strife would lead to jealousies, animosities, and ultimately despotism, undermining republican government. Not the Republican Party’s ideology, but the system of government in which sovereignty resides in the people and their elected representatives, as opposed to a hereditary monarchy or other forms of absolute personal power.

That was in 1797, about 230 years ago. How did Washington know, or did he understand the minds of 18th-century politicians and realize they would never change? Washington, like all the notable leaders in the early republic, was classically educated and an avid reader of world history. They used this knowledge to lay the foundations of this republic and openly discussed and debated each tenet. They created the US Constitution, a truly remarkable but imperfect document to administer this fledgling republic. And… they were wise enough to include provisions for corrections and adjustments as the republic advanced. The founders hoped that the citizens of the republic would accept responsibility for its care and feeding and not relinquish that duty to political factions.

21st-century politicians are not too different from their predecessors in the early years of the republic, but their tools are vastly more sophisticated and technologically advanced. The volume of political information transmitted daily is immense and rapidly increasing with the advent of social and digital media and a 24-hour news cycle. More than 5,000 news articles are published daily. Roughly 54% of Americans report that they use social media as their sole source, and 86% of US adults get their news from digital devices, which accelerates the spread of misinformation to unprecedented levels. Fortunately, 72% of social media news consumers say they question the accuracy of these stories, yet partisan political bias permeates the messaging advancing their agendas.

Was this what the founders had in mind when they chartered the United States of America? I seriously doubt it. Rereading Jefferson’s opening quote paints a very different picture, and when you consider President Washington’s admonition against partisan political despotism and confederacy, it’s easy to draw a line through this republic’s history, pointing to this moment in our existence. It’s as though the founders foresaw this moment and tried to warn us of this prophecy.

“What fools we mortals be… to ignore the admonitions of history. Yet we always think we know better and that those warnings are bound to the time in which they occur; that assumption is always proven wrong. Apparently, our hubris kicks us squarely in the proverbial balls, proving us to be the epitome of ignorance.

We have before us a golden opportunity to change our expectations in America. JFK said in his inaugural address: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country…” We treat America as a Zero-Sum Game, where one person’s gain is another person’s loss. It was designed as a Non-Zero-Sum Game, where the total gains and losses are not zero; one participant’s gain does not require another’s loss, allowing all parties to potentially benefit together. I much prefer the Positive-Sum Game, where the total of gains and losses is greater than zero, commonly referred to as “Win-Win.”

Capitalism, by definition, is a Positive-Sum system in which voluntary exchange creates mutual value rather than merely redistributing a fixed amount of wealth. I’m not an economist, but I’ve taken several graduate-level economics courses and have owned a few businesses. I can say without hesitation that Free-Market Capitalism is the ideal system for mutual gain. AI thinks so, too…

Ain’t that America, or how it was envisioned?

It’s time to choose which direction we will take… It won’t be easy, which is why I predict the failure of this republic. Our history from the middle of the 20th century to the present shows our revulsion for extra effort unless we gain from it. We are mercenaries, expecting compensation for our efforts, or we refuse to participate. This is a glaring generalization, but as they say, “if the shoe fits…”

Or – is it “if the Foo shi*s…”

The end, as they say, is in sight, but the conclusion is up to us. It’s not carved in stone or predestined, yet given our track record, we’ll let it all go to shit and then blame everyone but ourselves for the failure. That’s why I’m comfortable predicting America’s demise.

The question burning in your minds is…

Why Bother?

Well… I’d like to prove myself wrong!

For the Amalgamated Heavy

The dickens you say…

 

 

February 10, 2026

~ the Author ~
Charles R. Dickens Was Born in 1951, Is a Veteran of the Vietnam War, for Which He Volunteered, and the Great-Great Grandson of the Noted Author, Whose Name He Shares.

He Is a Fiercely Proud American, Who Still Believes This Is the Greatest Country on the Planet, With Which We’ve Lost Control and Certainly Our Direction. He Grew Up in Moderate Financial Surrounding; We’re Not Rich by Any Stretch, but Didn’t Go Hungry – His Incredibly Hard Working Father Saw to That. As Most From That Era, He Learned About Life From His Father, Whose Story Would Take Too Long to Tell, Other Than to Say That, He Is Also a Fiercely Proud American; A WWII and Korean War, Veteran Marine.

Charlie Was Educated in the Parochial System Which, Demanded That You Actually Learn Something, and Have Capability to Retain It Before You Advance. He Attended Several Universities in Pursuit of a Bachelor’s Degree, and Chased the Goose Further to a Master’s, and Has Retained Some Very Definite Ideas About Education in This Country.

in Addition, Charlie Is a Retired Blues Guitar and Vocalist – a Musician. This Was His Therapy Career. Nothing Brings Him as Much Joy as Playing Music, and He Wishes That He Could Make a Living at It… but Alas… Life Goes on!