The Patriot Post® · Thursday Short Cuts

Insight

“The false theory of progress maintains that we alter the test instead of trying to pass the test.” —G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

Friendly Fire

“At 79, Joe Biden is the oldest president in American history. Concerns about his age top the list for why Democratic voters want the party to find an alternative for 2024. I don’t think this reflects an ‘ageist’ prejudice against those who have reached such withering heights so much as an understanding that people in their late 70s and 80s wither. … Joe, please don’t run.” —former Labor Secretary Robert Reich

Political Futures

“In order for the Republican Party to attract more minority voters, Republicans need to do a much better job going into minority communities and educating these voters about what is actually going on in the country and what it means to them. Low-income Americans are disproportionately minority Americans. They need an economy that functions properly, an economy where prices are stable and an economy that is growing at a healthy pace. They must understand that economic opportunity comes from economic growth, not from government programs. Minorities must understand that limited government, not bloated government, allows robust growth.” —Star Parker

For the Record

“Right now, fewer than 1% of vehicles on the road are electric. EVs are probably the long-term future, but they won’t solve the current pain at the pump; they cost too much, and charging them is a logistical nightmare. The U.S. has 145,000 gas stations but only 6,000 fast-charging stations. … The average new EV costs about $66,000. A good deal is the 2022 Kia EV6, priced at $40,900 before add-ons, according to U.S. News and World Report. Even that’s more than most people can afford. Three-quarters of Americans who need a car buy a used one, paying around $31,000 for it. EVs are for big spenders. AAA reports a staggering 78% of EV buyers own other cars. They’re in the income bracket to afford multiple cars. They drive the EV short distances but still fall back on their gas-powered car for long-distance driving. … In the long run, count on market ingenuity to solve the shortcomings of EVs and increase their affordability, just like what happened with cellphones. Unfortunately, [Pete] Buttigieg refuses to wait. He’d rather ram the technology down the public’s throats.” —Betsy McCaughey

“How come it’s wrong to produce our own oil and gas here, but you can go to Saudi Arabia and fist-bump to try to get it from Saudi? … We have opportunities here to be energy independent and not have to worry about any of these other countries. And yet they’re intentionally not doing it, and you can’t run a modern economy on windmills. You just can’t do it.” —Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

“Americans are paying $4-$5/gal of gas, and President Biden is devoting his time to America’s ‘climate emergency.’ The economic pain caused by his poor leadership is the real emergency.” —Senator Tommy Tuberville

“Democrats think Americans who are struggling with $4.50 gas can afford $65,000 electric cars.” —Senator Tom Cotton

Grand Delusions

“As president, I have a responsibility to act with urgency and resolve when our nation faces clear and present danger. And that’s what climate change is about. It is literally, not figuratively, a clear and present danger. … Since Congress is not acting as it should … this is an emergency — an emergency — and I will look at it that way.” —Joe Biden

“Climate change creates instability. … The fighting in Syria started really as a result of a drought.” —Pentagon spokesman John Kirby

“The solution is to move as fast as possible away from fossil fuels.” —Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo

“I’m still astonished that some folks … seem to really struggle to let go of the status quo.” —Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (“I’d love to watch Pete Buttigieg try to drive a diesel tractor in a field for an hour. Or work on a construction site for five minutes. What an ignoramus.” —Katie Pavlich)

“When it comes to the climate, we’re running out of time. The science is unambiguous in terms of the level of threat, in terms of the lives and livelihoods that America and the world stand to lose if we don’t accelerate our action.” —Pete Buttigieg

“The more pain we are all experiencing from the high price of gas, the more benefit there is for those who can access electric vehicles.” —Pete Buttigieg

Non Compos Mentis Award

“You had to put on your windshield wipers to get literally the oil slick off the window. That’s why I and so damn many other people I grew up [with] have cancer.” —Joe Biden (“You know things have gotten ridiculous when the President of the United States says out loud that he has cancer and everyone responds by saying ‘oh, that’s probably just his dementia.’” —Greg Price)

The BIG Lie

“Look, the border is secure. We are working to make the border more secure. That has been a historic challenge.” —Homeland Security Secretary Baghdad Bob Alejandro Mayorkas

Dumb and Dumber

“I would suggest that you stop throwing the word ‘abortion’ around because you think it’s one that is going to raise the emotions above having a reasonable conversation.” —Congresswoman Kathleen Rice

“If you’re a good guy with a gun, you should not object to … a limitation on military-style weapons that kill thousands at once, or hundreds at once.” —"The View" co-host Joy Behar