(Breitbart)—In the murky waters of American politics, the ascent of Tim Walz, the Democrat vice-presidential nominee, raises eyebrows and questions. His political journey is steeped in the radical ideologies of Paul Wellstone, a figure whose ties to the Democratic Socialists of America and Marxist influences are well-documented. Is Walz merely a puppet of a far-left agenda, or does he genuinely embody the progressive ideals he espouses?
Now, after seemingly rushing to elevate Walz to the national stage, one must wonder about the implications of his radical roots. Before his political career, Walz was a high school teacher and football coach in Mankato, Minnesota, presenting himself as a humble outsider. However, his true political foundation was laid in January 2005 at Camp Wellstone, a training camp designed to indoctrinate grassroots progressives in the radical methods of Wellstone himself. This camp, named in honor of a man who once declared, “I am an old Alinsky organizer,” served as a breeding ground for those who would push the boundaries of acceptable political discourse.
“I am an old Alinsky organizer.” – Paul Wellstone
The camp was not just a place for learning; it was a launchpad for a new generation of leaders, including Walz, who would go on to achieve a stunning victory in Minnesota’s conservative 1st Congressional District in 2006. This victory was no accident; it was the result of a carefully orchestrated campaign, bolstered by fellow Camp Wellstone alumni. The radical roots of this camp are undeniable, as it was heavily influenced by figures like Frances Fox Piven and Heather Booth, both of whom have long histories in radical activism.
“He is a radical and, yes, a 1960s radical at that.” – Washington Post
The legacy of Paul Wellstone is one of confrontation and civil disobedience, a legacy that Walz has embraced wholeheartedly. His political rise mirrors that of Wellstone, who, with the backing of the Democratic Socialists of America, shocked the political establishment by defeating a two-term Republican incumbent in 1990. The DSA’s influence on Wellstone was profound, and it continues to echo in Walz’s career.
“The first 1960s radical elected to the US Senate.” – Mother Jones
Walz’s connections to Camp Wellstone are not just historical footnotes; they are the bedrock of his political identity. The camp has produced a cadre of progressive leaders, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. It is a veritable incubator for radical thought, with its advisory committee featuring prominent socialist leaders and activists.
“You could tell he was a leader.” – David Wellstone
The training Walz received at Camp Wellstone was instrumental in shaping his political skills. As Marcia Avner, a longtime progressive activist, noted, “What you see is what we saw back then, but it has been strengthened with extraordinary experience.” This experience has allowed Walz to navigate the treacherous waters of modern politics, often with the guidance of his former trainer, Peggy Flanagan.
“He was my camper; I taught him everything he knows!” – Peggy Flanagan
Flanagan’s influence on Walz cannot be overstated. She has been a key player in shaping his progressive agenda, often being described as his “progressive whisperer.” Walz himself has acknowledged her role, stating, “[For] every major decision she is there from the beginning.” Together, they have pushed through some of Minnesota’s most radical legislation, all while invoking the legacy of Wellstone.
“We all do better when we all do better.” – Peggy Flanagan
The radical legacy of Wellstone looms large over Walz’s political career. His deep ties to the DSA and other far-left organizations raise serious questions about the direction of the Democratic Party. As the DSA proudly proclaimed, “The DSA and its allies on the left are a force that cannot be ignored.”
“No one does it better.” – Jon Youngdahl
The implications of Walz’s radical connections extend beyond Minnesota. His past involvement in a student exchange program with China and his numerous trips to the country have sparked controversy and raised eyebrows. The House Oversight Committee is now investigating these ties, questioning the nature of his relationship with the Chinese Communist Party.
“He has been so seasoned by the work here.” – Pam Costain
As the 2024 election looms, the Walz-Harris ticket appears to be a harbinger of a more radical Democratic agenda. With figures like Bernie Sanders suggesting that Kamala Harris has adjusted her positions to be more “pragmatic,” one must wonder what this means for the future of American politics.
“He has demonstrated a remarkable ability to evolve as a public leader, uniting Democrats’ diverse coalition to achieve significant milestones for Minnesota families of all backgrounds.” – Elianne Farhat
In a political landscape rife with uncertainty, the radical influences that have shaped Tim Walz’s career cannot be ignored. As he and Flanagan continue to push the boundaries of progressive politics, the question remains: will the American electorate embrace this radical vision, or will they push back against the tide of extremism?
“I want to burn down the system, and you want to get into the system and change it from the inside out.” – Marvin Manypenny
As we reflect on the legacy of Paul Wellstone and the rise of Tim Walz, it’s clear that the radical left is alive and well in American politics. The question is, how far will they go to achieve their goals?
“It’s always a sad day to think Paul and Sheila…” – Peggy Flanagan
In the end, the radical legacy of Wellstone endures, and with it, the potential for a more extreme Democratic agenda. The stakes have never been higher, and the American people must remain vigilant.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
