Commentary

SADNESS FROM THE BORDER

Last year, eighth grade test scores in civics and U.S. history hit record lows. The decline didn’t start with pandemic school closings. But they made it worse and revealed its extent.

Less than half of adults can name the three branches of the U.S. government. Another 25% can’t name even one. And just over one-third of Americans can pass the U.S. citizenship test.

These sad facts are a reminder that the future success of our nation is far from guaranteed. We must acknowledge the imperfections of our current system and work to reform them -- a challenging but hardly impossible task.

For starters, history curricula should be based on the United States’ founding documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Federalist Papers.

Remember the story about the Mayan calendar? How the world according to them, would end December 21, 2012. All the hoopla that surrounded this gloomy prediction, what a scene people rushing out to buy products to store in closets at home, some running around not knowing what to do, some worried about if they were destined to die, panic. Another failed non-Biblical prophetic expectation. After that date failed and the Rapture didn’t take place, Christians were able to take advantage by pointing out that, when it comes to the Second Coming of Christ, the Bible says that “Of that day and hour knoweth no man” (Matthew 24:36) Those that knew the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming were able to point out that the date of the former is just as unsearchable in Scripture as that of the latter.

by Russell Gloor, National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Association of Mature American Citizens

Ask Rusty – Are Spousal Benefits Always a Factor?

( Newsworthy Articles and My Opinion)

FIGHTING CRIME

There’s a new delegation moving into the Louisiana legislature. We can hope they are taking on their new responsibilities wisely tackling our crime problem. The laws were weakened during the past administration’s term, particularly wanting to let criminals out of jail and back on the streets. They can brag about the jail population being reduced but it puts criminals back on the streets and the public at risk and asking our police force to rehabilitate them rather than keeping them in jail.

Most people don’t realize that if you commit a non-violent crime like burglary and breaking into homes, these are classified as non-violent and the judges’ hands are tied for lighter sentences.

The criminal laws in this State of Louisiana are a big part of the problem and the legislature needs to address this. Talk to your lawmaker and let’s get more muscle in our law and save lives.

Do you agree that we live in a world with secret meetings, back door operations, and under-the-table deals? These are most often performed out of the public eye with hopes of never being discovered. If it’s in the dark no one sees and you can get away with it, or at least you think you can. But then things done in the dark are not always bad things. Some people choose to do good things for people with no desire for recognition or notoriety. Whatever the action whether good or bad, it recalls the question does God really see and hear what’s done in the dark? Will the answer to this question reveal God’s love, justice, God’s recognition.

by Russell Gloor, National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Association of Mature American Citizens

( Newsworthy Articles and My Opinion)

TRUMP’S FRAUD TRIAL

We have all heard about and read about the Trump’s civil fraud trial going on with a New York State Supreme Court justice. Trump took the stand this past week and it is sad to see that a citizen could be victimized as he is. Trump faced about four hours of questioning from lawyers with the state attorney general’s office, which alleges he and his business engaged in a lengthy scheme to inflate his worth for financial gain. For Trump, the stakes are high as Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, is seeking about $250 million in financial penalties in addition to measures that would cripple Trump’s business from operating in New York.. No one lost any money nor was anybody complaining, but the reigning government in the state of New York wants to break him and get him out. They had been after him ever since he came down the elevator to announce.

LOUISIANA CONGRESSIONAL MAP.

Where and when was Jesus born?

Micah 4:8 “And thou, o tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall come, even the first dominion: the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.”

by Russell Gloor, National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Association of Mature American Citizens Ask Rusty – We’re Planning to Claim at 62; What Do We Need to Know? Dear Rusty: My wife (born May 1962) and I (born April 1963) are retired and will soon be looking to start collecting our Social Security as we each hit 62. As this is new to us, I›m wondering what things we may need to be aware of or consider as we get closer to her 62 birthday in May. Any advice or information will be appreciated! Signed: Planning Ahead Dear Planning: If you and your wife are both retired from working and have decided to start your (reduced) Social Security as soon as you are eligible at age 62, then there is nothing you need to do in advance of applying. The Social Security retirement benefit amount for each of you will be determined by your individual lifetime earnings record and your age when you claim.