Saturday, January 3, 2026

D.L. Gardner: The More Things Change Whatever

As I write this “end of the year/beginning of the year” column, please remember President Biden still had one month left in his term at this time last year. Wow! What did he do with that time? Think thousands of auto-pen pardons and commutations.

Frankly, it’s too daunting to think about “Bidenomics” and all the damaging policies Biden and his administration perpetrated on the American people. He began raising inflation to a 40-year high during his first five months in office. The cumulative inflation rate under Biden was approximately 21%, with a peak of 9.1% in June 2022.

What about the “unprecedented undocumented” rate of immigration from his first week in office until the bitter end in January 2025? Remember the drugs and human trafficking that rose precipitously throughout his reign? The media faithfully denied any problems with immigrants, drugs or human trafficking. Large numbers of Americans polled showed no worries about these issues.

Sometimes we need to remember how bad it was then to appreciate how far we’ve come in eleven months under Trump 2.0. How does one turn around a national cumulative inflation rate of more than 20% back to under 3% in ten months? One certainly doesn’t do it with Bidenomics!

Yet all we’ve heard from the media since last January is how bad President Trump has made the economy. Nowadays democrats and their cousins in the media are screaming about soaring healthcare costs. You may remember this issue arising 20-something years ago when a young senator from Illinois said he could fix that. In January 2007 Senator Joe Biden described this newbie as “articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking….” A year later Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama introduced Senator Joe Biden as his running mate in the 2008 race. One has to wonder how alliances are made in Washington.

How did Obamacare help American consumers? A summary of reports in the media and from the White House in 2010 included key promises of lowering health care costs, allowing individuals to keep their existing health plans and doctors, and expanding coverage to millions of uninsured Americans. That sounded pretty good until someone asked how the government was going to pay for all that coverage.

Here’s the funny thing: the government had to continually raise premiums, and millions of Americans could not afford to pay for the rising prices. That’s where we are today! No one fixed anything! Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act as it was called wasn’t as affordable as politicians claimed. How is it still around today?

Remember the government shutdown this past fall? The Democrats and Republicans were arguing over how to fix this 15-year-old law that hasn’t worked “as promised” by Democrats.

Oh well, this is how politics is played in Washington. Someone comes along and promises everything will be better and cost less if we create more government bureaucracy and give “the people” money to buy whatever they want or need. They certainly won’t have to pay more for “whatever.” It never costs more if the government is paying for it. At least no one has to pay for “whatever” if the government is paying “whatever” the people can’t afford. And that’s why “whatever” has become a throw-away line for any argument a person cannot reasonably make. You know, Whatever!

Daniel L. Gardner is a columnist who lives in Starkville, MS. You may contact him at PJandMe2@gmail.com.

Posted by Kingfish at 12:20 PM

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Democrats, why do I have to pay for my health care & also pay (via TAXES) for someone else's too? This is so Sh*tty unfair.

January 3, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Anonymous said...

So why take a chance on an election anyway? Why not just proclaim Trump the supreme leader and let him select his successor on his deathbed? It's obviously the only solution that averts another disastrous Democrat regime. What else can we do Gardner?

January 3, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Anonymous said...

The ACA required health insurance companies, for the first time, to cover pre-existing conditions, which most of the people who actually need medical care have. It also required them to cover annual check-ups, to allow people to not let those conditions deteriorate.

That's why insurance companies and their GOP puppets hate the ACA, because it helps people at the expense of insurance companies.

January 3, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Anonymous said...

1:04 Remember Trump and the Repubs have a health care plan to replace the terrible ACA... they're just keeping it in a 20 year lockbox. They have a plan...

January 3, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Anonymous said...

Sort of hard to blame Biden for anything he did when he was president. He was never president. How can people say Biden was president when Obama spent more time in the white house than Biden did. Not that Biden even knew where he was at.

January 3, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Anonymous said...

@12:53 PM No need. JD Vance is well ahead in the polls. Going to be 8 more years of JD’s version of MAGA. Which is likely more MAGA than Trump’s MIGA.

January 3, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Anonymous said...

All the comments are from Democrats except the 1st one. These commenters are wanting a free handout from birth to death. These commentors are still living with Mom & Dad plus sucking off the hard-working people paying taxes. Trump is doing a great job! I can't believe how all these democratic turds are destroying America!

January 3, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Anonymous said...

It also required them to cover annual check-ups, to allow people to not let those conditions deteriorate.

If, if, if only annual check-ups were covered people would go to the Doctor and take better care of themselves.

Total Bullshit.

January 3, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Anonymous said...

1:51 True. Unless the Dems come up with a viable candidate. Anyone other than clones of the unlikable leftist witches Trump defeated could beat Trump or his surrogate. But lately the Dems have shown that they no longer seek the moderate middle of the road and victory but the far left and certain defeat. We shall see though.

January 3, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Anonymous said...

NOWHERE in the U.S. Constitution is a there a "right" to healthcare whatsoever. You're a Communist, and don't even know it.

January 3, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Anonymous said...

Bullshit just about every poll has Newsom beating JD and Rubio . Heck even AOC beats JD.
https://www.racetothewh.com/president/2028/polls
You and DL can dream on ! The republicans have lost their way. The wave started already with the off year elections. It’s going to be a bloodbath in November.

January 3, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Anonymous said...

When you're a college professor in your little college bubble, the little things like how the economy looks and how the economy is going don't really have an effect on your life.

January 3, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Anonymous said...

NOWHERE in the U.S. Constitution is a there a "right" to public roads or highways whatsoever. You're a Communist, and don't even know it.

January 3, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Anonymous said...

1:51, You're forgetting that JD Vance is a profoundly-unlikable prick, whose name is not Donald Trump.

The more people get to know him, they more they will dislike him.

January 3, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Anonymous said...

@6:59pm

The U.S. Constitution doesn't explicitly say "pay for roads," but it grants Congress the power to establish "Post Offices and post Roads" (Article I, Section 8, Clause 7), a key foundation for federal road funding, alongside the power to regulate interstate commerce and provide for the general welfare, used to justify infrastructure projects like the Interstate Highway System (designed by General/President Eisenhower) and funding mechanisms. While states primarily fund their roads through fuel taxes and bonds, the federal government's role comes from these constitutional clauses, supporting national networks and defense.

January 4, 2026 at 6:31 AM
Anonymous said...

6:31, Stop making AI do your homework for you, and pretending you're smart:

We are highly confident this text was AI generated
Probability breakdown
100% AI generated

https://app.gptzero.me/

January 4, 2026 at 12:52 PM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Recent Comments

Loading...

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).

Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.

In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS.