The Ten Dollar Ice Cream Cone

The cost of an ice cream cone in 2026 is 35% more than 2016 when Donald Trump started his first term. 

Just when I sit down to write about the Ten Dollar Ice Cream Cone and its distinctive pleasures, I'm distracted by ICE raids in Minneapolis and the unnecessary killing of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, by ICE agent Jonathan Ross, 65.

The President responded by promising to send more ICE troops to the Minnesota city. He has a bad attitude toward Somali immigrants, most of whom (95%) are legal US citizens. His strategy: Raise the tension and chaos. 

Is this really what the folks who voted for Trump want? I thought it was safety in our cities. I thought it was lower prices and an end to foreign entanglements, like the invasion and takeover of Venezuela. "I am the President of Venezuela," he proclaimed less than a week ago. "The only thing that can stop me is my own morality," he told a New York Times reporter.

What about us? Have you been to the grocery store lately? Not only are prices higher, the packages are smaller: shrinkflation.

Anyone who is paying attention sees what's happening here. We're being sold a bill of lies. Trump's Big Beautiful Bill passed by his lickspittle GOP cowards last September, ensure greater funding for our Defense Department (War Department to him). That is, an additional $150 billion, as well as $75 billion over three years for ICE detention and operations (to stop crime in America, according to him). 

Do you feel safer? The folks in Minneapolis sure don't. "Please go home, get out of our city," said the Mayor. Nor do the people of Los Angeles, Chicago, or Portland. These are Democratic run cities in Democratic states. The reason they are targeted is revenge. They didn't vote for Trump. Is our money being well spent?

I prefer not to write or talk about this, but it's extremely difficult when my country is becoming a police state. All power in the hands of one man. Yes, there are signs of hope, small glimmers that I pray will burst into major rays of salvation for everyone.

The conservative pundits in The Wall Street Journal are questioning Trump's influence as a "lame-duck" President as well as his motives.  Maybe that's his reason for raising the stakes, diverting attention from our cost-of-living and other dark secrets he wants hidden in the Epstein files, only 1 percent of which have been released, according the New York Times.

We know that he and Epstein were pals, but we don't know the whole story. A Trump Justice Department investigation has subpoenaed the Clinton's regarding their relationships with .Jeffrey Epstein. The Clinton's have lawyered up to fight it. May I remind you that they are no longer in government office and we have a sitting President who spent numerous days and hours with Jeffrey. Shouldn't we know about his history in this lurid tale? His moral choices? He is, after all, depending on his own morality to lead our country during a very challenging period. Victims of Epstein and their families deserve to know.

Trump says he won the last three National Elections in Minnesota, which is a lie. He claims they were illegal. It's his way of building a case against fair elections when he doesn't win. There's no guarantee that he won't pull deceitful stunts in future elections.

If you care about such things as your freedom and that of your neighbors, your living expenses, your values and rights, your safeguards as we enter the unknown world of AI and more, please make yourself heard. Don't ignore what's happening here. It affects all of us, our families and friends.

Protests of Resistance will be taking place across the country on Saturday, Jan. 17, as well as Monday, Jan. 19, in honor of Martin Luther King (Trump removed his legal holiday). Let your voice or at least your presence be known.

About a week ago I enjoyed a double-scoop ice cream cone from Baskin Robbins: Jamoca Almond Fudge and Chocolate Fudge. It was delicious. Although I was shocked when the young woman rang it up. It came to $8.41. And during these days of low wages and uncertainty, you're expected to leave a tip. Is that our responsibility? Not really. But what are we supposed to do?

Make Trump pay. 

Note: I have been publishing additional stories on Substack that do not appear on this blog. I invite you to join me on Substack by subscribing for free: https://kevinsamson731032.substack.com/. Thank you and good luck.

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