Dr. Sean

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to get caught up in the demands and expectations of others, often neglecting our own well-being in the process. However, it’s crucial to remember that your physical and mental health should always take precedence. Here’s why: Foundation for a Fulfilling Life: Your health forms the foundation upon which you can build a fulfilling and meaningful life. Without good physical and mental well-being, it becomes challenging to enjoy even the simplest of pleasures or pursue your goals and aspirations wholeheartedly. Energy and Vitality: When you prioritize your health, you unlock a wealth of energy and vitality. Physical exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient rest all contribute to higher energy levels, allowing you to tackle daily challenges with enthusiasm and resilience. Similarly, nurturing your mental well-being through practices like mindfulness and self-care rejuvenates your mind, fostering clarity, focus, and creativity. Improved Relationships: Taking care of yourself not only benefits you but also positively impacts your relationships with others. When you are physically and mentally well, you are better equipped to engage in meaningful connections, communicate effectively, and empathize with others. Stronger relationships can provide support during tough times and contribute to your overall happiness and well-being. Prevention is Better than Cure: Prioritizing your health involves taking preventive measures rather than waiting for illness or stress to strike. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and stress management techniques can help you avoid many health issues. Regular check-ups and seeking professional help when needed are also essential in maintaining your well-being. Lead by Example: By valuing your physical and mental health, you set an example for others—your loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Your commitment to self-care can inspire and motivate them to prioritize their well-being as well, creating a positive ripple effect in your social circles and beyond. Remember, self-care is not selfish. It’s an investment in yourself that yields benefits for all aspects of your life. By making your physical and mental health a priority, you equip yourself with the strength and resilience to face life’s challenges head-on and live a more fulfilling and rewarding existence. Keep Calm and Jester On!

Life, a magnificent tapestry woven with countless emotions and experiences, is a journey defined not only by joy and contentment but also by its fair share of unhappy moments. It is in the face of adversity, disappointment, and sadness that we truly learn and grow as individuals. My lifetime has been an exploration of acknowledging and embracing these unhappy moments, for they hold within them profound lessons and opportunities for personal transformation. As a young child, the world appeared like a blissful oasis, sheltering me from the realities of pain and sorrow. However, as I embarked on the tumultuous journey of adulthood, I encountered the harsh truth that unhappiness is an inherent part of life. At first, I resisted these moments, seeking solace in the pursuit of fleeting happiness. Yet, as time passed, I realized that my efforts to avoid the unhappy moments were futile. Instead, I made a conscious choice to acknowledge their presence and accept them as integral parts of my life’s narrative. Acknowledging the unhappy moments was not an easy path to follow. It required courage and an unwavering commitment to self-reflection. When faced with heartbreak, failure, or loss, I learned to resist the temptation of denial and escapism. Instead, I allowed myself to sit with the discomfort, to delve into the depths of my emotions, and to confront the lessons hidden within these moments of unhappiness. In the depths of sorrow, I discovered the immense strength of the human spirit. Each unhappy moment served as a catalyst for self-discovery, leading me to unexplored corners of my being. I unearthed resilience I never knew I possessed and a wellspring of compassion that enabled me to empathize with the pain of others. These moments became stepping stones on the path towards personal growth and inner transformation. By embracing the unhappy moments, I discovered the profound truth that life’s most valuable lessons often arise from moments of darkness. They taught me the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and gratitude. Adversity unveiled hidden strengths, while disappointment paved the way for resilience. Through loss, I learned to cherish the fleeting nature of time and the fragility of relationships. These lessons, though born out of unhappy moments, brought depth and meaning to my existence. Moreover, embracing the unhappy moments fostered a newfound appreciation for the moments of happiness that inevitably followed. The contrast between sadness and joy made the latter all the more vibrant and profound. Each smile became a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a reminder that happiness can emerge even from the darkest corners of life. As I reflect upon my lifetime, I see a tapestry that intertwines both happiness and unhappiness. The moments of unhappiness, though challenging, have been essential in shaping the person I have become. They have taught me to acknowledge the fleeting nature of emotions, to accept the ebb and flow of life’s tides, and to find beauty in the midst of adversity. So, I encourage you, fellow traveler, to acknowledge the unhappy moments that cross your path. Embrace them with an open heart and a curious mind, for within their folds lie the seeds of growth and wisdom. Remember that life’s greatest lessons are often forged in the crucible of unhappiness, and it is through the acknowledgement of these moments that we truly discover the depth and resilience of our own souls.   Keep Calm and Jester On!

“Reason must be our last judge and guide in everything.” (John Locke) The cautious part of me says ‘don’t write this,’ while the ‘rebel without a clue’ part of me says – ‘just write the damn thing.’ Yea, who am I kidding, I don’t have a cautious part, so as always, I’m going with the clueless part. I can’t remember who said it, but I found this the most accurate and pithy summation of Trump’s presidency: “he has the best policies and worst personality of any president in the last century and a half.” I would add that his inability to use precise language coupled with his personal attacks on those he disagrees with caused problems getting things done in his first term. Unfortunately, I’ve seen no evidence that he’s changed, which will likely result in as much chaos in his second administration (if he has one) as there was in his first. More importantly, I question whether he can get elected. Both Republicans and Democrats think they, and they alone determine elections. They don’t. They determine who wins their respective primary. Independents determine who gets elected to office. According to Gallop, as of April 2023, the political affiliation of voters in the U.S. is: Democrats – 27%; Republicans – 30%; and Independents – 41%. As can be seen, neither party can win a Presidential election, or any election, without the Independent vote. Even assuming “leaners” – those independents who lean towards one of the parties – vote for the party they “lean” towards, fails to get either party to the magical 50% figure. Instead, Democrats come in at 40%, and Republicans at 48%. That means the block that will decide the election are the 12% of Independents who lean towards neither party. In short, to win a Presidential election you must win the Independents.1 Many Independents I’ve talked to find a Trump candidacy less than optimal, and often unacceptable. Granted many also find Biden even more unacceptable, but that does not mean they’ll vote for Trump…there’s two other choices.  Stay home and vote for neither or cast a protest vote and vote for a 3rd party.  The Independents staying home or casting a protest vote is almost as bad as if they voted for Biden. Unless something major changes, I just don’t see Independents breaking for Trump. If I’m correct, then Trump can’t win. If I’m wrong and Trump wins, there’s a very good chance that his personality will result in four years of chaos and alienate those he needs to push his policies through Congress. The belief that Trump lacks wide and deep voter appeal is supported by how candidates he endorsed did in 2022 midterm races.2   Everyone points to the fact that in the midterms 241 of the 257 candidates Trump endorsed won.  While true, these numbers are misleading.  What people ignore is that only 41 of those races were rated by Ballotpedia as “battleground races” and only 21 as “toss-ups” by Real Clear Politics (RCP). Ballotpedia’s “battleground races” are those The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, or Sabato’s Crystal Ball rate as toss-ups or lean/tilt Democratic or Republican.  In the 41 battleground races Trump endorsed candidates won 16 (39%) and lost 25 (61%).  If Trump’s voter appeal is as broad and deep as people say, then these numbers should be inverted, with 61% of Trump endorsed candidates winning. And yet, here we are. I think an even better measure of voter appeal is how Trump endorsed candidates did in races rated as “toss-ups” by Real Clear Politics’ (RCP), which does not include races that lean/tilt towards one of the parties.  Trump endorsed 21 candidates in races RCP rated as a toss-up. The results: 6 for the House of Representatives – one won and five lost. 6 for the Senate – one won and five lost. 9 for governor races, two won and seven lost. Trump’s record of 17 (81%) loses and 4 (19%) wins in toss-up races is abysmal.3  The inability to exceed 50% in competitive races indicates Trump’s voter appeal may be a mile wide, but it’s only an inch deep. What I find perplexing, is why so many are dead set on nominating Trump. Especially since there are so many proven Republicans with the same policy goals, but without the speak first/think later mentality. Governor DeSantis (FL) is obviously one. Sen. Tim Scott (SC), Governor Kristi Noem (SD), Sen. Ted Cruz (TX), Governor Youngkin (VA), and Nikki Haley (SC) are all worth considering. All of these people are pretty much committed to advancing the same policies Trump is, and most of them have a track record of not only working to implement those policies but doing so more efficiently than Trump. An additional benefit is that these people, with the possible exception of Sen. Cruz and Nikki Haley have greater appeal among independents than Trump. At this point, Trump’s major strength in the 2024 election is his presumed opponent – President Biden – who will be 82 when the next President takes office and has mental acuity issues.  Additionally, a whopping 66% of Americans believe a second Biden term would be a Disaster or a Setback. But what happens if Biden is not the Democrat’s nominee?  I believe there’s more than a slight chance that his health, physical and/or mental will force him to withdraw from the presidential race.  If that happens, Trump losses his biggest asset – a politically weak Biden. RFK Jr has already entered the Democrat’s primary and is currently polling 20%.  Not enough to win the party’s nomination…at least for now.  However, if Biden drops out of the race, then RFK Jr. becomes a contender.  He’s already at 20% among Democrats and his stance on the COVID vaccine has given him some cross-party appeal as well as support among some Independents.  Then there’s Governor Newsom (D-CA) waiting for the chance to jump in.   He doesn’t have cross-party appeal, but he does appeal to many Democrats and more than a few Independents.  If either one of these

CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTED SPENDING – EARMARKS ALABAMA       MONTANA     Representatives       Representatives     Aderholt, Robert R $2,300,000   None Reported   $0 Carl, Jerry R $7,116,991   Total Represnatives   $0 Rogers, Mike R $28,350,000   Senators     Sewell, Terri R $8,379,355   None Reported   $0 Total Represnatives   $46,146,346   Total Senators   $0 Senators       State Total   $0 Shelby, Richard C. R $644,913,000         Total Senators   $644,913,000   NEBRASKA     State Total   $691,059,346   Representatives             Bacon, Don R $12,027,000 ALASKA       Smith, Adrian R $5,000,000 Representatives       Total Represnatives   $17,027,000 None Reported   $0   Senators     Total Represnatives   $0   None Reported   $0 Senators       Total Senators   $0 Murkowski, Lisa R $224,754,000   State Total   $17,027,000 Total Senators   $224,754,000         State Total   $224,754,000   NEVADA             Representatives     ARIZONA       Amodei, Mark R $11,452,000 Representatives       Horsford, Steven D $8,858,000 Gallego, Ruben D $8,626,226   Lee, Susie D $9,228,000 Grijalva, Raul D $5,721,800   Titus, Dina D $6,904,700 Kirkpatrick, Ann D $12,787,049   Total Represnatives   $36,442,700 O’Halleran, Tom D $6,333,750   Senators     Stanton, Greg D $9,991,000   Cortez Mastro, Catherine D $68,012,000 Total Represnatives   $43,459,825   Total Senators   $68,012,000 Senators       State Total   $140,897,400 Kelly, Mark D $80,970,000         Sinema, Kyrsten I $6,555,000   NEW HAMPSHIRE     Total Senators   $87,525,000   Representatives     State Total   $130,984,825   Pappas, Chris D $6,972,000         Total Represnatives   $6,972,000 ARKANSAS       Senators     Representatives   $10,355,000   Shaheen, Jeanne D $61,695,000 Womack, Steve R $10,355,000   Total Senators   $61,695,000 Total Represnatives       State Total   $68,667,000 Senators             Boozman, John R $97,650,000   NEW JERSEY     Total Senators   $97,650,000   Representatives     State Total   $108,005,000   Gottheimer, Josh D $8,547,626         Malinowski, Tom D $8,997,357 CALIFORNIA       Norcross, Donald D $4,325,000 Representatives       Pallone, Frank D $15,165,000 Aguilar, Pete D $5,987,500   Pascrell, Bill D $7,729,682 Barragan, Nanette D $7,535,000   Payne, Donald D $5,582,627 Bass, Karen D $5,340,000   Sherrill, Mikie D $7,167,330 Bera, Ami D $3,760,929   Sires, Albio D $11,162,240 Brownley, Julia D $26,997,000   Smith, Christopher R $3,060,000 Calvert, Ken R $24,552,000   Van Drew, Jefferson R $29,930,000 Carbajal, Salud D $17,487,340   Watson Coleman, Bonnie D $7,330,091 Cardenas, Tony D $12,550,000   Total Represnatives   $108,996,953 Chu, Judy D $17,650,000   Senators     Correa, J. D $15,625,000   Booker, Cory A. D $44,432,000 Costa, Jim D $11,004,664   Menendez, Robert D $35,185,000 DeSaulnier, Mark D $8,200,000   Total Senators   $79,617,000 Eshoo, Anna D $10,975,600   State Total   $188,613,953 Garamendi, John D $11,752,648         Garcia, Robert D $9,980,000   NEW MEXICO     Gomez, Jimmy D $9,093,000   Representatives     Harder, Josh D $13,360,000   Leger Fernandez, Teresa D $74,204,651 Huffman, Jared D $5,818,000   Stansbury, Melanie D $10,507,800 Jacobs, Sara D $3,000,000   Total Represnatives   $84,712,451 Khanna, Ro D $11,905,000   Senators     LaMalfa, Doug R $16,808,098   Heinrich, Martin D $152,206,000 Lee, Barbara D $10,330,000   Lujan, Ben Ray D $12,932,000 Levin, Mike D $21,680,836   Total Senators   $165,138,000 Lieu, Ted D $10,849,650   State Total   $249,850,451 Lowenthal, Alan S. D $7,619,239         Matsui, Doris D $10,950,000   NEW YORK     McNerney, Jerry D $16,040,000   Representatives     Napolitano, G. D $17,075,000   Antonio Delgado D $2,141,594 Obernolte, Jay (R-CA23) R $11,113,027   Bowman, Jamaal D $5,079,000 Panetta, Jimmy D $5,900,000   Espaillat, Adriano D $11,479,440 Pelosi, Nancy D $11,300,000   Garbarino, Andrew R $4,350,000 Peters, Scott D $16,245,500   Higgins, Brian D $7,265,000 Roybal-Allard, Lucille D $5,850,000   Jacobs, Chris R $8,474,906 Ruiz, Raul D $10,000,000   Jeffries, Hakeem D $21,867,500 Sanchez, Linda D $9,667,000   Jones, Mondaire D $8,195,000 Schiff, Adam D $7,705,546   Katko, John R $8,065,000 Sherman, Brad D $9,625,000   Malliotakis, Nicole R $11,276,560 Speier, Jackie D $5,615,000   Maloney, Carolyn B. D $6,001,000 Steel, Michelle R $15,500,000   Maloney, Sean Patrick D $19,587,500 Swalwell, Eric D $11,525,000   Meeks, Gregory D $15,127,000 Takano, Mark D $7,050,000   Meng, Grace D $9,579,000 Thompson, Mike D $10,810,000   Morelle, Joseph D $4,126,700 Torres, Norma D $14,346,500   Nadler, Jerrold D $10,759,000 Valadao, David D $13,454,112   Ocasio-Cortez, A. D $4,123,000 Vargas, Juan D $11,523,481   Reed, R $13,084,700 Waters, Maxine D $13,153,127   Rice, K D $7,605,000 Total Represnatives   $534,309,797   Stefanik, Elise R $31,702,000 Senators       Suozzi, Thomas R. D $5,950,000 Feinstein, Dianne D $209,865,250   Tenney, Claudia R $10,512,022 Padilla, Alex D $42,004,000   Tonko, Paul D $14,447,500 Total Senators   $251,869,250   Torres, Ritchie D $6,751,000 State Total   $786,179,047   Velazquez, Nydia D $5,225,000         Zeldin, Lee R $21,900,000 COLORADO       Total Represnatives   $274,674,422 Representatives       Senators     Crow, Jason D $7,950,000   Gillibrand, Kirsten E. D $88,097,000 DeGette, Diana D $13,270,000   Schummer, Chuck E D $49,086,113 Neguse, Joe D $5,071,557   Total Senators   $137,183,113 Perlmutter, E. D $7,615,000   State Total   $411,857,535 Total Represnatives   $33,906,557         Senators       NORTH CAROLINA     Bennet, Michael F. D $111,066,000   Representatives     Hickenlooper, John W D $43,395,999   Adams, Alma D $11,165,000 Total Senators   $154,461,999   Butterfield, G.K. D $22,798,291 State Total   $188,368,556   Cawthorn, Madison R $1,655,250         Manning, Kathy D $16,513,000 CONNECTICUT       Price David D $14,283,800 Representatives       Ross, Deborah D $10,680,405 Courtney, Joe D $9,727,130

The Debt Ceiling and the 14th Amendment: Is President Biden Correct? President Biden and some Democrats in Congress are claiming the 14th Amendment allows them to exceed the Debt Limit without Congressional approval in order to avoid a default on the federal debt.  They are wrong, at least in this case. The 14th Amendment provides “The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.” President Biden and his supporters argue that the current $31.4 trillion Debt Limit will be reached on June 1, 2023.  After that date the Treasury Department would be prevented from borrowing funds to finance federal spending, which will result in a default on the federal debt and violate the 14th Amendment’s mandate that the federal debt “shall not be questioned.”  Therefore, if Congress doesn’t raise the Debt Limit, the President has the authority under the 14th Amendment to ignore the limit and continue to borrow money needed for federal spending.[1] I’m sure this argument sounded good in their echo chamber, but it’s silly for at least two reasons.  First, contrary to the pronouncements from Washington that the U.S. has never defaulted on its debt, it has – four times since the 14th Amendment was ratified: The 1933 default on U.S. Gold Bonds (at the time literally all U.S. bonds were “gold bonds”); The 1968 Default on Silver Certificates; The 1971 repudiation of the U.S. agreement to exchange the dollar for gold under the Bretton Woods Agreement; The 1979 default on principal and interest payments for T-Bills from April 26 through May 10. (This was a short-lived default due to several factors, but a default nevertheless). More important than the four post 14th Amendment defaults is the fact that even if the Debt Limit is not raised, the government has more than enough income to service the federal debt, just not enough to continue to service the debt and fund all government programs. The federal government takes in more money every month than is required to service the federal debt.  In April 2023, the government took in just over $638.5 billion and needed just over $76 billion to service the debt, leaving a balance of just under $562.5 billion.  In March 2023, they took in just shy of $313.5 billion and needed almost $77.6 billion for the debt, leaving a balance of a tad less than $325.6 billion.  It’s the same for every month – the federal government has a large balance after servicing the debt.  Don’t believe me? Then go to the Treasury Department’s website here and here, download the data and run the numbers…you’ll see I’m correct. Point I’m making, is even though the Debt Limit prevents the government from borrowing more money, they still have more than enough money to service the debt.  Therefore, if they follow the dictates of the 14th Amendment (as Biden interprets it) and service the debt before spending on other programs, there will be no default.  Under this scenario, failing to raise the Debt Limit will result in a partial government shutdown which is both legal and constitutional, though not desirable. Simply put, a failure to raise the Debt Limit will not result in, or at least should not result in a default on the federal debt, therefore the 14th Amendment cannot be invoked in order to bypass the congressionally mandated Debt Limit. If there is a default, it would be because Biden ordered the continued funding of federal programs to the extent possible and ignored servicing the debt.  In this case, it would be Biden who violated the 14th Amendment, not to mention causing significant disruption in the financial markets and further weakening of the economy. There’s no reason for the government to default on our debt obligations, they just have to prioritize servicing the debt as the 14th Amendment requires. The bigger and more pressing problem is getting our spending under control and reducing our $31.4 trillion debt.  To put it in prospective, $31.4 trillion in $100 bills would weigh 692,251,503 pounds, that is some heavy debt…. [1] I’m not sure Biden’s interpretation that “shall not be questioned” means that the debt has to be paid is correct.  Another interpretation is the validity of the debt cannot be challenged (questioned) in a court of law or by any other means.  

Here is the top five things a father needs to teach his son in today’s Daily bite. Self respect comes from failure, when you fail you learn. Pick yourself up and do it again. It is your responsibility to lead your family to greatness. There are only four situations you are allowed to openly weep. How to light a fire and tie a tie. Orating the perfect toast. Keep Calm and Jester On!

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” This quote is attributed to Abraham Lincoln, and it is a powerful reminder that we have the power to shape our own destiny. We can’t control everything that happens to us, but we can control how we react to it. When we choose to focus on the positive and take action towards our goals, we are creating the future we want. So today, take some time to think about what you want your future to look like. What are your goals? What are your dreams? Once you know what you want, start taking steps towards making it happen. Believe in yourself and your ability to achieve your goals, and you will be well on your way to creating the future you want. Here are some additional thoughts on this quote: The future is not something that happens to us, it is something we create. We have the power to choose our own destiny. When we focus on the positive and take action towards our goals, we are creating the future we want. Believe in yourself and your ability to achieve your goals. I hope this daily Wisdom Bite has inspired you to create the future you want. Keep Calm and Jester On!

“We expect more from technology and less from each other.” – Sherry Turkle In today’s Daily Bite, we delve into the darker side of social media and the importance of maintaining a cautious and discerning approach in this digital realm. While social media offers avenues for connection and self-expression, it also poses risks to our well-being and mental health if not handled with care. Consider the potential pitfalls of excessive social media usage. Are you caught in an endless cycle of comparison, envy, or information overload?  Has it become a breeding ground for negativity, divisiveness, or misinformation? Acknowledging these realities can help us take necessary steps to protect ourselves. Consider establishing healthy boundaries. Take breaks from social media, limit exposure to toxic content, and be mindful of the impact it has on your emotions and mental state. Remember, not everything you see on social media accurately represents reality, and prioritizing your well-being is paramount. Today, let us approach social media with caution and critical thinking. Engage thoughtfully, fact-check information, and cultivate a digital environment that aligns with your values and mental well-being. Seek authentic connections, uplifting content, and opportunities for growth amidst the noise. Remember, social media is a digital beast—an entity that demands our awareness and vigilance. Tame it by using it as a tool for positive change, meaningful connections, and informed engagement. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Daily Bite, as we continue to explore wisdom that empowers us to navigate the digital landscape and lead balanced, fulfilling lives in an ever-connected world. Keep Calm and Jester On!