﻿<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[The Based Take]]></title><description><![CDATA[How to debate libs using logic.]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com</link><image><url>https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GHP9!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F84b84c03-80b8-427f-80bf-499b490f0088_1024x1024.png</url><title>The Based Take</title><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com</link></image><generator>Substack</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 11:38:56 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><copyright><![CDATA[Media for Men]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><webMaster><![CDATA[thebasedtake@substack.com]]></webMaster><itunes:owner><itunes:email><![CDATA[thebasedtake@substack.com]]></itunes:email><itunes:name><![CDATA[The World Needs Strong Men]]></itunes:name></itunes:owner><itunes:author><![CDATA[The World Needs Strong Men]]></itunes:author><googleplay:owner><![CDATA[thebasedtake@substack.com]]></googleplay:owner><googleplay:email><![CDATA[thebasedtake@substack.com]]></googleplay:email><googleplay:author><![CDATA[The World Needs Strong Men]]></googleplay:author><itunes:block><![CDATA[Yes]]></itunes:block><item><title><![CDATA[How Do We Make More Babies?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Solutions to the Existential Threat of Declining Birth Rates]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/how-do-we-make-more-babies</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/how-do-we-make-more-babies</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The World Needs Strong Men]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 08 Apr 2025 00:31:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TgL6!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2f71de8c-a0b8-4bd0-b588-dc8c935cd095_1024x768.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TgL6!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2f71de8c-a0b8-4bd0-b588-dc8c935cd095_1024x768.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TgL6!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2f71de8c-a0b8-4bd0-b588-dc8c935cd095_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TgL6!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2f71de8c-a0b8-4bd0-b588-dc8c935cd095_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TgL6!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2f71de8c-a0b8-4bd0-b588-dc8c935cd095_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TgL6!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2f71de8c-a0b8-4bd0-b588-dc8c935cd095_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TgL6!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2f71de8c-a0b8-4bd0-b588-dc8c935cd095_1024x768.jpeg" width="1024" height="768" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TgL6!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2f71de8c-a0b8-4bd0-b588-dc8c935cd095_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TgL6!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2f71de8c-a0b8-4bd0-b588-dc8c935cd095_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TgL6!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2f71de8c-a0b8-4bd0-b588-dc8c935cd095_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TgL6!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2f71de8c-a0b8-4bd0-b588-dc8c935cd095_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Yes, the obvious answer is HAVE MORE SEX, but there is a deeper problem brewing.</p><p>Declining birth rates aren&#8217;t just a demographic issue &#8212; they&#8217;re a civilizational crisis. Societies that stop reproducing don&#8217;t sustain themselves. </p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p>Here&#8217;s a Based Take on how to fix it:</p><div><hr></div><h3>1. Rebuild the Nuclear Family</h3><p>Stable, two-parent homes produce the next generation. Children from intact families are 5x less likely to live in poverty and 2x more likely to graduate from college. Promoting marriage before children is step one.</p><h3>2. Deprogram Feminism</h3><p>Third-wave feminism taught women that career &gt; family. Now we have 35-year-old women freezing eggs while chasing promotions. Meanwhile, studies show that women with 3+ children are more likely to report life satisfaction than those without kids.</p><h3>3. Incentivize Marriage &amp; Children</h3><p>Governments subsidize everything except the one thing that sustains civilization: families. Offer tax cuts, housing incentives, and child allowances to married parents. Hungary cut abortion by 41% and boosted birth rates by 20% in a decade using pro-family policies.</p><h3>4. Reinforce Masculinity</h3><p>Young men without purpose don&#8217;t become fathers &#8212; they become liabilities. Promote strength, responsibility, and leadership. Testosterone is down over 25% in the last 30 years. Reversing this trend is crucial.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BzAk!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd5c39905-e6d8-4bc6-8487-280100cc248b_1024x768.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BzAk!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd5c39905-e6d8-4bc6-8487-280100cc248b_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BzAk!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd5c39905-e6d8-4bc6-8487-280100cc248b_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BzAk!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd5c39905-e6d8-4bc6-8487-280100cc248b_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BzAk!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd5c39905-e6d8-4bc6-8487-280100cc248b_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BzAk!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd5c39905-e6d8-4bc6-8487-280100cc248b_1024x768.jpeg" width="1024" height="768" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/d5c39905-e6d8-4bc6-8487-280100cc248b_1024x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:768,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:236881,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/i/160802033?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd5c39905-e6d8-4bc6-8487-280100cc248b_1024x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BzAk!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd5c39905-e6d8-4bc6-8487-280100cc248b_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BzAk!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd5c39905-e6d8-4bc6-8487-280100cc248b_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BzAk!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd5c39905-e6d8-4bc6-8487-280100cc248b_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BzAk!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd5c39905-e6d8-4bc6-8487-280100cc248b_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3>5. Ban Porn &amp; Clean Up Diets</h3><p>Men glued to screens, addicted to dopamine, and surviving on seed oils aren&#8217;t becoming fathers. Cut the garbage &#8212; literally. Processed food and porn addiction are silent birthrate killers. Obesity alone reduces fertility in both men and women by up to 60%.</p><h3>6. Rebuild Faith &amp; Tradition</h3><p>Religious communities have the highest birth rates. Why? Purpose. Responsibility. Community. When people see themselves as part of a legacy, they reproduce. Western secularism breeds loneliness, not life.</p><div><hr></div><h3>Did you know?</h3><p>In 2023, 63% of U.S. men under 30 reported being single &#8212; up from just 51% in 2019. Meanwhile, fertility rates dropped to their lowest ever.</p><p>Civilizations don&#8217;t die in war. They die in comfort.</p><p>Fix the family, or fade away.</p><p></p><p>With Strength and Honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/1665d534-2a80-4bc7-8c29-cbfb738fd399?j=eyJ1IjoiMWN5ZTlqIn0.NctupmMpMFadUwXBruMMonx1Kk7IdyTzgrYsiAbSw0s">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/651a04d2-1e60-4f22-b2ec-749268d79336?j=eyJ1IjoiMWN5ZTlqIn0.NctupmMpMFadUwXBruMMonx1Kk7IdyTzgrYsiAbSw0s">Follow The Based Take on Instagram</a></p><div class="captioned-button-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/how-do-we-make-more-babies?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;}" data-component-name="CaptionedButtonToDOM"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Thanks for reading The Based Take! Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter.</p></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/how-do-we-make-more-babies?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/how-do-we-make-more-babies?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[We Spend the Most. We Die Quicker.]]></title><description><![CDATA[A Based Take on American Healthcare.]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/we-spend-the-most-we-die-quicker</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/we-spend-the-most-we-die-quicker</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 00:30:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6aYX!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa9c02ed2-e968-43bb-9d5c-ae4258b12652_1007x725.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6aYX!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa9c02ed2-e968-43bb-9d5c-ae4258b12652_1007x725.jpeg" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6aYX!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa9c02ed2-e968-43bb-9d5c-ae4258b12652_1007x725.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6aYX!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa9c02ed2-e968-43bb-9d5c-ae4258b12652_1007x725.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6aYX!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa9c02ed2-e968-43bb-9d5c-ae4258b12652_1007x725.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6aYX!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa9c02ed2-e968-43bb-9d5c-ae4258b12652_1007x725.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div 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stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h4>Treating the Symptoms, Not The Cause</h4><p>I remember sitting in the waiting room of an urgent care clinic&#8212;blaring fluorescent lights, a kid sneezing into his mom&#8217;s sleeve, and a vending machine stocked with nothing but soda and candy bars.</p><p><em>&#8220;Strange,&#8221;</em> I thought. <em>&#8220;Why is a place meant to heal you&#8230; selling the exact poison that put people here in the first place?&#8221;</em></p><p>I watched as a guy twice my size waddled to the counter, pulled out a crumpled prescription slip, and left with a bag of pills. Not a word about diet. Not a mention of exercise. Just more meds. More symptoms. More silence.</p><p>That&#8217;s when it hit me.</p><p>We don&#8217;t have a healthcare system in America&#8212;we have a disease management subscription service. You get sick, they give you pills. You stay sick, they stay paid.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><div><hr></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5Ovj!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F33158ce7-c275-473c-a27c-0d053245a772_1390x1348.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5Ovj!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F33158ce7-c275-473c-a27c-0d053245a772_1390x1348.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5Ovj!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F33158ce7-c275-473c-a27c-0d053245a772_1390x1348.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5Ovj!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F33158ce7-c275-473c-a27c-0d053245a772_1390x1348.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5Ovj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F33158ce7-c275-473c-a27c-0d053245a772_1390x1348.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5Ovj!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F33158ce7-c275-473c-a27c-0d053245a772_1390x1348.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5Ovj!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F33158ce7-c275-473c-a27c-0d053245a772_1390x1348.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5Ovj!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F33158ce7-c275-473c-a27c-0d053245a772_1390x1348.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5Ovj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F33158ce7-c275-473c-a27c-0d053245a772_1390x1348.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h4>An Expensive Way to Die</h4><p>The United States spends more than $10,000 per person annually on healthcare. No other nation even comes close.</p><p>Yet our life expectancy is lower than 30+ countries&#8212;including Lebanon and Cuba.</p><p>Japan, which spends about $4,000 per person, lives longer and suffers fewer chronic illnesses. Same with Italy. South Korea. Even Portugal.</p><p>What do they all have in common? Less processed food. Stronger families. More active lifestyles.</p><div><hr></div><h4>Feeding Ourselves Poison</h4><p>The modern American is overfed, under-moved, and spiritually starved.</p><p>&#8226; 42% of U.S. adults are obese.</p><p>&#8226; 60% of calories come from ultra-processed foods.</p><p>&#8226; We lead the world in single-parent homes, depression, and pharmaceutical use.</p><p>Big Pharma and Big Food aren&#8217;t enemies. They&#8217;re business partners. One gets you sick. The other keeps you &#8220;stable.&#8221; Both sell comfort. Neither sells cures.</p><div><hr></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pgAC!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F49c5cc42-bc66-47ac-90df-43a369cf1b43_1024x768.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pgAC!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F49c5cc42-bc66-47ac-90df-43a369cf1b43_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pgAC!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F49c5cc42-bc66-47ac-90df-43a369cf1b43_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pgAC!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F49c5cc42-bc66-47ac-90df-43a369cf1b43_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pgAC!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F49c5cc42-bc66-47ac-90df-43a369cf1b43_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pgAC!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F49c5cc42-bc66-47ac-90df-43a369cf1b43_1024x768.jpeg" width="1024" height="768" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/49c5cc42-bc66-47ac-90df-43a369cf1b43_1024x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:768,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:217014,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/i/159747692?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F49c5cc42-bc66-47ac-90df-43a369cf1b43_1024x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pgAC!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F49c5cc42-bc66-47ac-90df-43a369cf1b43_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pgAC!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F49c5cc42-bc66-47ac-90df-43a369cf1b43_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pgAC!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F49c5cc42-bc66-47ac-90df-43a369cf1b43_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pgAC!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F49c5cc42-bc66-47ac-90df-43a369cf1b43_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h4>The Red Pill Prescription</h4><p>&#8226; Eat what your great-grandparents ate.</p><p>&#8226; Ditch seed oils, sugar, and processed trash.</p><p>&#8226; Lift heavy. Move daily.</p><p>&#8226; Worship God. Lead your family.</p><p>&#8226; Reject the lie that your health is someone else&#8217;s responsibility.</p><p>This isn&#8217;t radical. It&#8217;s real.</p><p>The healthiest men I know have never needed a prescription because they live on principle.</p><div><hr></div><h4>Did you know?</h4><p>In 2022, the U.S. ranked 46th in global life expectancy, behind Estonia, Chile, and the Czech Republic (WHO).</p><p>Discipline isn&#8217;t just the cure. It&#8217;s the protection.</p><p>With strength and honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/ee040532-ec87-4bc7-92b2-800e9f0fdbc9?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/87806dae-d3eb-4115-b773-612f3e20e853?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on Instagram</a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/we-spend-the-most-we-die-quicker?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/we-spend-the-most-we-die-quicker?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p><p></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Thanks for reading The Based Take! Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trump and Vance Stand Firm on Ukraine]]></title><description><![CDATA[America First Means No Blank Checks]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/trump-and-vance-stand-firm-on-ukraine</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/trump-and-vance-stand-firm-on-ukraine</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 04 Mar 2025 01:30:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6C8T!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e4e263-784f-4038-98d9-47f13e99bf10_1920x1080.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6C8T!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e4e263-784f-4038-98d9-47f13e99bf10_1920x1080.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6C8T!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e4e263-784f-4038-98d9-47f13e99bf10_1920x1080.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6C8T!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e4e263-784f-4038-98d9-47f13e99bf10_1920x1080.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6C8T!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e4e263-784f-4038-98d9-47f13e99bf10_1920x1080.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6C8T!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e4e263-784f-4038-98d9-47f13e99bf10_1920x1080.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6C8T!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e4e263-784f-4038-98d9-47f13e99bf10_1920x1080.jpeg" width="1456" height="819" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a6e4e263-784f-4038-98d9-47f13e99bf10_1920x1080.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:819,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Trump-Zelensky meeting: GOP lawmakers double down&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="Trump-Zelensky meeting: GOP lawmakers double down" title="Trump-Zelensky meeting: GOP lawmakers double down" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6C8T!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e4e263-784f-4038-98d9-47f13e99bf10_1920x1080.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6C8T!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e4e263-784f-4038-98d9-47f13e99bf10_1920x1080.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6C8T!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e4e263-784f-4038-98d9-47f13e99bf10_1920x1080.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6C8T!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e4e263-784f-4038-98d9-47f13e99bf10_1920x1080.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3>Time for Appreciation and Accountability</h3><p>The recent Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was anything but cordial. Reports indicate that Trump took a hardline stance, warning Zelenskyy that he was &#8220;gambling with World War III&#8221; and making it clear that the days of unchecked U.S. support for Ukraine were over. Vice President JD Vance echoed this sentiment, reinforcing the administration&#8217;s unwavering commitment to an <em>America First</em> foreign policy.This confrontation wasn&#8217;t just about money or military aid&#8212;it was about priorities. The Trump administration is putting American interests above all else, rejecting the idea that the U.S. should act as an open-ended ATM for foreign conflicts. It&#8217;s a sharp contrast to the previous administration&#8217;s approach, which funneled over $100 billion into Ukraine with little accountability. Trump and Vance are sending a message: foreign aid must serve <em>American</em> interests first, not just the demands of foreign leaders.</p><h2><strong>No More Blank Checks for Ukraine</strong></h2><p>Since the war between Ukraine and Russia began, Washington has spent massive sums propping up Kyiv&#8217;s government and military. The Biden administration poured in billions without securing concrete benefits for the United States. Trump and Vance are challenging that status quo, demanding that U.S. assistance be tied to strategic returns.</p><p>One of the key disputes in the Oval Office meeting revolved around Ukraine&#8217;s rare-earth minerals. Reports indicate that a top Zelenskyy adviser attempted to push a deal through the White House, seeking immediate U.S. backing despite warnings from senior Trump officials. Trump, however, refused to be pressured, insisting that any deal must first and foremost benefit America.</p><p>Why does this matter? Because rare-earth minerals are critical for technology, defense, and energy production. China currently dominates the global supply, making it a national security issue for the U.S. Ensuring American companies have access to these resources&#8212;rather than blindly handing them over to Ukraine&#8212;aligns with the <em>America First</em> doctrine. Trump and Vance understand that national security is about more than just military strength; it&#8217;s about economic independence and strategic foresight.</p><div id="youtube2-P25t3lxulg0" class="youtube-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;P25t3lxulg0&quot;,&quot;startTime&quot;:null,&quot;endTime&quot;:null}" data-component-name="Youtube2ToDOM"><div class="youtube-inner"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/P25t3lxulg0?rel=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;enablejsapi=0" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" gesture="media" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowautoplay="true" allowfullscreen="true" width="728" height="409"></iframe></div></div><h2><strong>Trump to Zelenskyy: &#8220;Gambling with World War III&#8221;</strong></h2><p>Beyond economic concerns, Trump&#8217;s warning to Zelenskyy about the risks of escalation is another reason his approach makes sense. The Biden administration&#8217;s reckless foreign policy nearly sleepwalked the world into a global conflict by continuously escalating U.S. involvement in Ukraine without a clear exit strategy.</p><p>Trump and Vance are taking a different route. They recognize that pushing for peace is in America&#8217;s best interest. Zelenskyy, on the other hand, has repeatedly rejected diplomatic solutions, instead pushing for more weapons and military intervention. That&#8217;s not the United States&#8217; burden to bear. America&#8217;s role should be to mediate peace and avoid being dragged into another endless war&#8212;one that could spiral into something far more catastrophic.</p><h2><strong>America First Means Prioritizing Americans</strong></h2><p>At the heart of this debate is a simple but important question: <em>What does the United States get in return for its massive investment in Ukraine?</em> For years, politicians in both parties have treated foreign aid as a giveaway, prioritizing foreign conflicts over domestic needs. Meanwhile, American cities face rising crime, crumbling infrastructure, and an economic squeeze that&#8217;s hitting middle-class families hard.</p><p>Trump and Vance are making it clear that those days are over. Every dollar sent overseas should be scrutinized. If it doesn&#8217;t serve American interests&#8212;whether in national security, economic advantage, or strategic leverage&#8212;it shouldn&#8217;t be spent.</p><p>The Biden administration&#8217;s policy of limitless spending in Ukraine has drained U.S. resources while failing to bring the conflict any closer to resolution. Trump and Vance&#8217;s strategy&#8212;linking aid to economic benefits and pushing for de-escalation&#8212;marks a necessary shift. America should not be in the business of writing blank checks to foreign governments.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ipEp!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0cee44ae-90c7-4fdb-bbde-087f20ab7f2b_1200x738.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ipEp!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0cee44ae-90c7-4fdb-bbde-087f20ab7f2b_1200x738.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ipEp!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0cee44ae-90c7-4fdb-bbde-087f20ab7f2b_1200x738.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ipEp!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0cee44ae-90c7-4fdb-bbde-087f20ab7f2b_1200x738.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ipEp!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0cee44ae-90c7-4fdb-bbde-087f20ab7f2b_1200x738.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ipEp!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0cee44ae-90c7-4fdb-bbde-087f20ab7f2b_1200x738.jpeg" width="1200" height="738" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/0cee44ae-90c7-4fdb-bbde-087f20ab7f2b_1200x738.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:738,&quot;width&quot;:1200,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Whether Europe Or Oval Office, JD Vance Takes Up Attacking Role For Trump&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Whether Europe Or Oval Office, JD Vance Takes Up Attacking Role For Trump&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="Whether Europe Or Oval Office, JD Vance Takes Up Attacking Role For Trump" title="Whether Europe Or Oval Office, JD Vance Takes Up Attacking Role For Trump" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ipEp!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0cee44ae-90c7-4fdb-bbde-087f20ab7f2b_1200x738.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ipEp!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0cee44ae-90c7-4fdb-bbde-087f20ab7f2b_1200x738.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ipEp!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0cee44ae-90c7-4fdb-bbde-087f20ab7f2b_1200x738.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ipEp!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0cee44ae-90c7-4fdb-bbde-087f20ab7f2b_1200x738.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h2><strong>The Bottom Line</strong></h2><p>Trump and Vance&#8217;s stance on Ukraine isn&#8217;t about abandoning allies&#8212;it&#8217;s about redefining the terms of engagement. If Ukraine wants U.S. support, it must come with clear benefits to the American people, whether through economic deals like rare-earth mineral agreements or a commitment to genuine peace efforts.</p><p>This approach puts America back in the driver&#8217;s seat, ensuring that U.S. resources are spent wisely, not recklessly. The era of endless foreign entanglements and unaccountable spending is coming to an end. And under Trump and Vance, America will once again put its own interests first.</p><p>With strength and honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/ee040532-ec87-4bc7-92b2-800e9f0fdbc9?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/87806dae-d3eb-4115-b773-612f3e20e853?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on Instagram</a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/trump-and-vance-stand-firm-on-ukraine?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/trump-and-vance-stand-firm-on-ukraine?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p><p></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Thanks for reading The Based Take! Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Germany’s Thought Police]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Slippery Slope to Totalitarianism]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/germanys-thought-police</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/germanys-thought-police</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 18 Feb 2025 01:30:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U769!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2abf1e6-e9f8-43dc-ab00-1b63e5d36a4c_640x360.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U769!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2abf1e6-e9f8-43dc-ab00-1b63e5d36a4c_640x360.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U769!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2abf1e6-e9f8-43dc-ab00-1b63e5d36a4c_640x360.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U769!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2abf1e6-e9f8-43dc-ab00-1b63e5d36a4c_640x360.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U769!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2abf1e6-e9f8-43dc-ab00-1b63e5d36a4c_640x360.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U769!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2abf1e6-e9f8-43dc-ab00-1b63e5d36a4c_640x360.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U769!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2abf1e6-e9f8-43dc-ab00-1b63e5d36a4c_640x360.jpeg" width="640" height="360" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a2abf1e6-e9f8-43dc-ab00-1b63e5d36a4c_640x360.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:360,&quot;width&quot;:640,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Policing the internet in Germany, where hate speech, insults are a crime |  60 Minutes&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="Policing the internet in Germany, where hate speech, insults are a crime |  60 Minutes" title="Policing the internet in Germany, where hate speech, insults are a crime |  60 Minutes" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U769!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2abf1e6-e9f8-43dc-ab00-1b63e5d36a4c_640x360.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U769!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2abf1e6-e9f8-43dc-ab00-1b63e5d36a4c_640x360.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U769!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2abf1e6-e9f8-43dc-ab00-1b63e5d36a4c_640x360.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U769!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2abf1e6-e9f8-43dc-ab00-1b63e5d36a4c_640x360.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3>Germany&#8217;s Thought Police: The Slippery Slope to Totalitarianism</h3><p>In Germany, the government is no longer just policing crime&#8212;it&#8217;s policing thoughts. A new CBS <em>60 Minutes</em> report sheds light on Germany&#8217;s aggressive crackdown on so-called &#8220;hate speech&#8221; online, where prosecutors and police actively monitor social media, arrest citizens for their posts, and even raid homes over politically incorrect opinions.</p><p>Let&#8217;s be clear: this is not about stopping actual threats or incitement to violence. This is about criminalizing dissent. A German man featured in the report had his home raided at dawn simply for questioning his country&#8217;s immigration policies online. Another was fined for making a joke. This isn&#8217;t law enforcement; it&#8217;s ideological enforcement.</p><p>The justification? &#8220;Fighting hate.&#8221; But in reality, it&#8217;s the state deciding which opinions are acceptable and punishing those who step out of line. That&#8217;s a direct violation of free speech&#8212;the very foundation of a free society.</p><h3>From Hate Speech Laws to Authoritarianism</h3><p>Germany&#8217;s path should serve as a warning to the West. The concept of policing online speech was introduced under the guise of &#8220;combating extremism.&#8221; But when the state gets to define what is &#8220;hateful,&#8221; the definition inevitably expands. Today, it&#8217;s illegal to criticize migration policy. Tomorrow, will it be illegal to question government spending? To oppose lockdowns? To criticize politicians?</p><div id="youtube2-8_1VLuUCVto" class="youtube-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;8_1VLuUCVto&quot;,&quot;startTime&quot;:null,&quot;endTime&quot;:null}" data-component-name="Youtube2ToDOM"><div class="youtube-inner"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/8_1VLuUCVto?rel=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;enablejsapi=0" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" gesture="media" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowautoplay="true" allowfullscreen="true" width="728" height="409"></iframe></div></div><p>This is how authoritarian regimes rise. The worst dictatorships in history&#8212;from Stalin&#8217;s Soviet Union to East Germany&#8217;s Stasi&#8212;began with suppressing speech in the name of &#8220;the greater good.&#8221; Once free expression is lost, everything else follows.</p><p>And let&#8217;s not forget: this is the same Germany that <em>relaxed</em> laws for violent criminals, including migrants who commit assaults and worse, while simultaneously ramping up enforcement against citizens with unpopular opinions. A nation that lets crime flourish while arresting people for words is not protecting its people&#8212;it&#8217;s protecting its power.</p><h3>The West Must Wake Up</h3><p>Germany is leading the way into a dystopian future where free thought is a crime. And the U.S. isn&#8217;t far behind&#8212;Big Tech already censors political dissent, and politicians are pushing for similar hate speech laws. If the people don&#8217;t push back now, the ability to push back at all may soon disappear.</p><p><strong>Did you know?</strong> Germany has over <strong>250,000</strong> cases of politically motivated crimes annually, many of which are speech-related &#8220;offenses.&#8221; Meanwhile, violent crime in German cities has surged&#8212;coincidence?</p><p>At this rate, Orwell&#8217;s <em>1984</em> isn&#8217;t a warning&#8212;it&#8217;s an instruction manual.</p><p>With strength and honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/ee040532-ec87-4bc7-92b2-800e9f0fdbc9?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/87806dae-d3eb-4115-b773-612f3e20e853?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on Instagram</a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/germanys-thought-police?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/germanys-thought-police?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p><p></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Thanks for reading The Based Take! Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[DOGE: The Cost-Cutting Initiative That’s Saving Taxpayers Money—And Why Corrupt Politicians Hate It]]></title><description><![CDATA[Follow the Money: Who Really Loses When Government Gets Efficient?]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/doge-the-cost-cutting-initiative</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/doge-the-cost-cutting-initiative</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 11 Feb 2025 01:30:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LM2k!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0147502-bda0-43c3-b435-99250606ca4d_1200x738.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LM2k!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0147502-bda0-43c3-b435-99250606ca4d_1200x738.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LM2k!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0147502-bda0-43c3-b435-99250606ca4d_1200x738.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LM2k!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0147502-bda0-43c3-b435-99250606ca4d_1200x738.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LM2k!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0147502-bda0-43c3-b435-99250606ca4d_1200x738.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LM2k!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0147502-bda0-43c3-b435-99250606ca4d_1200x738.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LM2k!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0147502-bda0-43c3-b435-99250606ca4d_1200x738.jpeg" width="1200" height="738" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/e0147502-bda0-43c3-b435-99250606ca4d_1200x738.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:738,&quot;width&quot;:1200,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;NDTV Explainer: What Is Elon Musk's DOGE And Why It Has Americans Worried?&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="NDTV Explainer: What Is Elon Musk's DOGE And Why It Has Americans Worried?" title="NDTV Explainer: What Is Elon Musk's DOGE And Why It Has Americans Worried?" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LM2k!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0147502-bda0-43c3-b435-99250606ca4d_1200x738.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LM2k!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0147502-bda0-43c3-b435-99250606ca4d_1200x738.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LM2k!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0147502-bda0-43c3-b435-99250606ca4d_1200x738.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LM2k!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0147502-bda0-43c3-b435-99250606ca4d_1200x738.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>For years, the U.S. government has hemorrhaged taxpayer dollars on bloated contracts, redundant consulting firms, and inefficient programs that do little more than enrich bureaucrats and their cronies. Enter Elon Musk&#8217;s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)&#8212;a straightforward, no-nonsense initiative aimed at slashing unnecessary spending and returning financial accountability to Washington.</p><p>Musk&#8217;s DOGE has already proven its effectiveness, terminating 20 wasteful consulting contracts and saving $26 million practically overnight. Yet, instead of celebrating these taxpayer-friendly moves, certain politicians and special interest groups are doing everything they can to sabotage it. Why? Because their wallets are getting lighter.</p><h3><strong>Follow the Money: Who Really Loses When Government Gets Efficient?</strong></h3><p>Government waste is not an accident&#8212;it&#8217;s a feature of the system. Politicians rely on massive government budgets to distribute favors, reward donors, and secure cushy post-political careers. Consultants and lobbying firms thrive on inefficiency, raking in billions from projects that go nowhere. Cutting these contracts means fewer campaign donations, fewer kickbacks, and fewer golden parachutes for retiring politicians.</p><p>Musk&#8217;s moves through DOGE expose this entire network of corruption. And Washington doesn&#8217;t like it.</p><p>We&#8217;ve already seen pushback from key figures in Congress, particularly those tied to the industries most affected by DOGE&#8217;s budget cuts. USAID, for example, has been a notorious black hole for taxpayer money, sending billions overseas with little oversight. Musk&#8217;s efforts to scrutinize and scale back such programs have triggered outrage&#8212;not from taxpayers, but from the very politicians who profit from the current system.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uyce!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faced8d01-3018-45ac-862a-1fe6260bfba2_1500x1000.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uyce!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faced8d01-3018-45ac-862a-1fe6260bfba2_1500x1000.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uyce!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faced8d01-3018-45ac-862a-1fe6260bfba2_1500x1000.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uyce!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faced8d01-3018-45ac-862a-1fe6260bfba2_1500x1000.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uyce!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faced8d01-3018-45ac-862a-1fe6260bfba2_1500x1000.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uyce!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faced8d01-3018-45ac-862a-1fe6260bfba2_1500x1000.jpeg" width="1456" height="971" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/aced8d01-3018-45ac-862a-1fe6260bfba2_1500x1000.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:971,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;How Elon Musk's DOGE Could End the U.S. Government as We Know It&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="How Elon Musk's DOGE Could End the U.S. Government as We Know It" title="How Elon Musk's DOGE Could End the U.S. Government as We Know It" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uyce!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faced8d01-3018-45ac-862a-1fe6260bfba2_1500x1000.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uyce!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faced8d01-3018-45ac-862a-1fe6260bfba2_1500x1000.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uyce!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faced8d01-3018-45ac-862a-1fe6260bfba2_1500x1000.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uyce!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faced8d01-3018-45ac-862a-1fe6260bfba2_1500x1000.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3><strong>The Long-Term Impact for Taxpayers</strong></h3><p>If DOGE continues to gain momentum, American taxpayers stand to win big. Consider the potential long-term effects:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Billions in savings</strong>: If cutting just 20 contracts saved $26 million, imagine what cutting hundreds of unnecessary projects could do.</p></li><li><p><strong>Reduced taxation</strong>: Less government waste could mean lower tax burdens for Americans, or at the very least, a reduction in deficit spending.</p></li><li><p><strong>Government transparency</strong>: Exposing the wasteful spending habits of politicians and their donors could lead to broader reform efforts.</p></li><li><p><strong>A challenge to the status quo</strong>: If DOGE proves successful, other government departments may be forced to follow suit, fundamentally reshaping how Washington operates.</p></li></ul><p>Of course, none of this will come without a fight. The establishment has every reason to resist change. Lobbyists, career politicians, and bureaucrats depend on inefficiency. If Musk&#8217;s cost-cutting measures continue, expect to see more fear-mongering about &#8220;job losses&#8221; in government agencies, &#8220;vital programs&#8221; being cut, and &#8220;national security concerns&#8221; being raised&#8212;anything to protect the status quo.</p><h3><strong>The Bottom Line</strong></h3><p>Elon Musk&#8217;s DOGE initiative is a rare example of government actually working for the people rather than the political class. The more efficient our government becomes, the less room there is for corruption and wasteful spending. Naturally, the political elite hate it.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zNnO!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F81c2044e-1594-40f9-a9f3-d307e8e28ecd_1024x692.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zNnO!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F81c2044e-1594-40f9-a9f3-d307e8e28ecd_1024x692.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zNnO!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F81c2044e-1594-40f9-a9f3-d307e8e28ecd_1024x692.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zNnO!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F81c2044e-1594-40f9-a9f3-d307e8e28ecd_1024x692.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zNnO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F81c2044e-1594-40f9-a9f3-d307e8e28ecd_1024x692.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zNnO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F81c2044e-1594-40f9-a9f3-d307e8e28ecd_1024x692.jpeg" width="1024" height="692" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/81c2044e-1594-40f9-a9f3-d307e8e28ecd_1024x692.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:692,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Trump confronts liberal panic over 'President Musk'&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="Trump confronts liberal panic over 'President Musk'" title="Trump confronts liberal panic over 'President Musk'" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zNnO!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F81c2044e-1594-40f9-a9f3-d307e8e28ecd_1024x692.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zNnO!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F81c2044e-1594-40f9-a9f3-d307e8e28ecd_1024x692.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zNnO!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F81c2044e-1594-40f9-a9f3-d307e8e28ecd_1024x692.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zNnO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F81c2044e-1594-40f9-a9f3-d307e8e28ecd_1024x692.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Did you know? The U.S. government spent <strong>$68 billion</strong> on international aid in 2023, much of which was funneled through organizations with little accountability. (<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/marco-rubio-appointed-as-acting-director-of-usaid-as-trump-musk-work-to-shut-it-down/articleshow/117893704.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Source</a>)</p><p>The next time a politician complains about DOGE, ask yourself: are they looking out for the American taxpayer, or their own bottom line?</p><p>Why don&#8217;t politicians play hide and seek? Because good luck hiding from budget cuts!</p><p>With strength and honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/ee040532-ec87-4bc7-92b2-800e9f0fdbc9?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/87806dae-d3eb-4115-b773-612f3e20e853?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on Instagram</a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/doge-the-cost-cutting-initiative?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/doge-the-cost-cutting-initiative?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p><p></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Thanks for reading The Based Take! Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trump’s Tough Stance on Border Security is Protecting American Lives]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Core Issue is Non-Negotiable]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/trumps-tough-stance-on-border-security</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/trumps-tough-stance-on-border-security</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 04 Feb 2025 01:30:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!P17W!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5f7dea9-640a-48db-a20a-5ff95a2276bc_1600x1280.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!P17W!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5f7dea9-640a-48db-a20a-5ff95a2276bc_1600x1280.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!P17W!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5f7dea9-640a-48db-a20a-5ff95a2276bc_1600x1280.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!P17W!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5f7dea9-640a-48db-a20a-5ff95a2276bc_1600x1280.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!P17W!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5f7dea9-640a-48db-a20a-5ff95a2276bc_1600x1280.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!P17W!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5f7dea9-640a-48db-a20a-5ff95a2276bc_1600x1280.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!P17W!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5f7dea9-640a-48db-a20a-5ff95a2276bc_1600x1280.jpeg" width="1456" height="1165" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a5f7dea9-640a-48db-a20a-5ff95a2276bc_1600x1280.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1165,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:234446,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!P17W!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5f7dea9-640a-48db-a20a-5ff95a2276bc_1600x1280.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!P17W!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5f7dea9-640a-48db-a20a-5ff95a2276bc_1600x1280.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!P17W!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5f7dea9-640a-48db-a20a-5ff95a2276bc_1600x1280.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!P17W!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5f7dea9-640a-48db-a20a-5ff95a2276bc_1600x1280.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>President Trump&#8217;s recent moves to hold Mexico and Canada accountable for border security are a stark reminder of what leadership looks like when the focus is protecting American families. By leveraging tariffs and military pressure, Trump is forcing neighboring countries to prioritize their own borders&#8212;a critical step in combating two growing threats: fentanyl and terrorism.</p><h4>The Case for Securing Borders</h4><p>The numbers speak for themselves. Over 90% of fentanyl entering the United States comes through the southern border, either smuggled by cartels or hidden among legal cargo. According to the CDC, fentanyl claimed over 73,000 lives in the U.S. in 2022 alone&#8212;a staggering number that now outpaces deaths from gun violence and car accidents. This is not a matter of immigration policy; it&#8217;s a matter of life and death.</p><p>On the northern border, Canada&#8217;s relaxed asylum policies and limited border controls create vulnerabilities. A 2020 study revealed that terrorists increasingly exploit visa-free entry into Canada to later cross illegally into the U.S. The current immigration chaos isn&#8217;t just a humanitarian issue&#8212;it&#8217;s a national security nightmare.</p><p>Closing these gaps is essential. A Harvard study on border enforcement found that stricter border security, combined with targeted immigration policies, reduces illegal crossings by up to 85%. Borders are not a suggestion; they&#8217;re a nation&#8217;s first line of defense.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xwwn!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d88806c-f6b9-45af-b0f8-e9034c30e81d_1206x1222.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xwwn!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d88806c-f6b9-45af-b0f8-e9034c30e81d_1206x1222.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xwwn!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d88806c-f6b9-45af-b0f8-e9034c30e81d_1206x1222.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xwwn!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d88806c-f6b9-45af-b0f8-e9034c30e81d_1206x1222.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xwwn!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d88806c-f6b9-45af-b0f8-e9034c30e81d_1206x1222.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xwwn!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d88806c-f6b9-45af-b0f8-e9034c30e81d_1206x1222.jpeg" width="1206" height="1222" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/2d88806c-f6b9-45af-b0f8-e9034c30e81d_1206x1222.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1222,&quot;width&quot;:1206,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:410430,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xwwn!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d88806c-f6b9-45af-b0f8-e9034c30e81d_1206x1222.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xwwn!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d88806c-f6b9-45af-b0f8-e9034c30e81d_1206x1222.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xwwn!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d88806c-f6b9-45af-b0f8-e9034c30e81d_1206x1222.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xwwn!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d88806c-f6b9-45af-b0f8-e9034c30e81d_1206x1222.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h4>The U.S. Has the Leverage</h4><p>When it comes to trade, the United States holds the upper hand over both Mexico and Canada. Mexico&#8217;s economy is deeply tied to exports, with 81% of its exports heading directly to the U.S. Meanwhile, Canada sends 77% of its total exports to the U.S., primarily in the form of oil, manufactured goods, and raw materials. In comparison, only 18% of U.S. exports go to Canada and Mexico combined.</p><p>This asymmetry gives the U.S. significant leverage. Mexico and Canada need access to the U.S. market far more than the U.S. needs theirs. A 25% tariff on Mexican goods or Canadian imports would devastate their economies while causing only minor disruptions to the U.S. Given that NAFTA was renegotiated into the USMCA under Trump, these countries are now even more dependent on maintaining favorable trade terms with the U.S.</p><p>The U.S. wields unmatched economic power, and Trump is using that power to demand accountability. By linking trade benefits to border security, he&#8217;s making it clear that safety takes precedence over diplomacy.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GYm8!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa13f8789-e146-4998-949e-a8393dc12d4f_1206x1478.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GYm8!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa13f8789-e146-4998-949e-a8393dc12d4f_1206x1478.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GYm8!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa13f8789-e146-4998-949e-a8393dc12d4f_1206x1478.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GYm8!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa13f8789-e146-4998-949e-a8393dc12d4f_1206x1478.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GYm8!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa13f8789-e146-4998-949e-a8393dc12d4f_1206x1478.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GYm8!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa13f8789-e146-4998-949e-a8393dc12d4f_1206x1478.jpeg" width="1206" height="1478" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a13f8789-e146-4998-949e-a8393dc12d4f_1206x1478.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1478,&quot;width&quot;:1206,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:383907,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GYm8!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa13f8789-e146-4998-949e-a8393dc12d4f_1206x1478.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GYm8!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa13f8789-e146-4998-949e-a8393dc12d4f_1206x1478.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GYm8!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa13f8789-e146-4998-949e-a8393dc12d4f_1206x1478.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GYm8!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa13f8789-e146-4998-949e-a8393dc12d4f_1206x1478.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h4>QA Global Trend</h4><p>History shows that strong borders correlate with national stability. Israel&#8217;s border wall with Gaza reduced illegal crossings by 99%. Hungary&#8217;s border fencing during the 2015 migrant crisis slashed unauthorized migration by over 90%. Trump&#8217;s demands reflect a simple truth: no nation thrives with open borders.</p><p>Did you know? If Mexico were to lose its U.S. trade privileges, its economy could shrink by as much as 6%, according to a study by the Wilson Center. Conversely, the U.S. would only see a 0.2% dip in GDP, making tariffs a uniquely powerful tool.</p><p>Borders aren&#8217;t about isolation. They&#8217;re about control, safety, and stability. As Trump is proving, a secure border isn&#8217;t just a policy&#8212;it&#8217;s a necessity.</p><p>Good fences still make good neighbors.</p><p>Under this administration, fairness isn&#8217;t controversial. Welcome back to common sense.</p><p>With strength and honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/ee040532-ec87-4bc7-92b2-800e9f0fdbc9?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/87806dae-d3eb-4115-b773-612f3e20e853?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on Instagram</a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/trumps-tough-stance-on-border-security?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/trumps-tough-stance-on-border-security?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p><p></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Thanks for reading The Based Take! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trump’s First 100 Hours: The Start of America’s Comeback Tour]]></title><description><![CDATA[Liberal Heads Are Spinning]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/trumps-first-100-hours-the-start</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/trumps-first-100-hours-the-start</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 28 Jan 2025 01:30:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!o69C!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fec054de6-3805-4fdd-9d29-7b110bf3e8fe_826x465.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!o69C!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fec054de6-3805-4fdd-9d29-7b110bf3e8fe_826x465.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!o69C!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fec054de6-3805-4fdd-9d29-7b110bf3e8fe_826x465.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!o69C!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fec054de6-3805-4fdd-9d29-7b110bf3e8fe_826x465.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!o69C!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fec054de6-3805-4fdd-9d29-7b110bf3e8fe_826x465.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!o69C!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fec054de6-3805-4fdd-9d29-7b110bf3e8fe_826x465.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!o69C!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fec054de6-3805-4fdd-9d29-7b110bf3e8fe_826x465.jpeg" width="826" height="465" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/ec054de6-3805-4fdd-9d29-7b110bf3e8fe_826x465.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:465,&quot;width&quot;:826,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:46235,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!o69C!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fec054de6-3805-4fdd-9d29-7b110bf3e8fe_826x465.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!o69C!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fec054de6-3805-4fdd-9d29-7b110bf3e8fe_826x465.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!o69C!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fec054de6-3805-4fdd-9d29-7b110bf3e8fe_826x465.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!o69C!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fec054de6-3805-4fdd-9d29-7b110bf3e8fe_826x465.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Under this administration, fairness isn&#8217;t controversial. Welcome back to common sense.</p><p>The media may have its opinions, but numbers don&#8217;t lie. In just 100 hours back in office, President Trump has executed a flurry of strategic moves that are already setting the foundation for what could be one of the most transformative terms in modern U.S. history.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Thanks for reading The Based Take! Subscribe for free to receive new posts.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><h4>1. Restoring the Border Wall Construction</h4><p>First executive order? Restarting construction on the southern border wall. The Department of Homeland Security is already ramping up resources, with Trump announcing plans to finish 400 additional miles of the wall by the end of the year. Illegal border crossings surged 33% after Biden&#8217;s halt on the project. Restoring the wall doesn&#8217;t just secure the border; it also protects American workers, reduces human trafficking, and cracks down on the flood of fentanyl.</p><p>Did you know? In 2022 alone, over 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses&#8212;fentanyl accounting for 66%. Strong borders save lives.</p><h4>2. Energy Independence 2.0</h4><p>Biden&#8217;s war on domestic energy left the U.S. dependent on foreign oil, including from adversaries like Venezuela and Iran. Trump&#8217;s reinstatement of the Keystone XL pipeline and expansion of oil drilling on federal lands signal a return to energy independence. Lower energy costs mean cheaper goods, stronger manufacturing, and more jobs at home.</p><p>America was a net energy exporter under Trump in 2020&#8212;the first time in 70 years. By reversing Biden&#8217;s policies, Trump is bringing that power back.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fJY3!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff0105c9c-4d58-4bc1-bcb5-817956b27810_900x600.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fJY3!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff0105c9c-4d58-4bc1-bcb5-817956b27810_900x600.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fJY3!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff0105c9c-4d58-4bc1-bcb5-817956b27810_900x600.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fJY3!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff0105c9c-4d58-4bc1-bcb5-817956b27810_900x600.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fJY3!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff0105c9c-4d58-4bc1-bcb5-817956b27810_900x600.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fJY3!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff0105c9c-4d58-4bc1-bcb5-817956b27810_900x600.webp" width="900" height="600" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/f0105c9c-4d58-4bc1-bcb5-817956b27810_900x600.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:600,&quot;width&quot;:900,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:157760,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fJY3!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff0105c9c-4d58-4bc1-bcb5-817956b27810_900x600.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fJY3!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff0105c9c-4d58-4bc1-bcb5-817956b27810_900x600.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fJY3!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff0105c9c-4d58-4bc1-bcb5-817956b27810_900x600.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fJY3!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff0105c9c-4d58-4bc1-bcb5-817956b27810_900x600.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h4>3. Dismantling Woke Federal Policies</h4><p>In his first week, Trump signed an order banning DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) training in federal agencies. Instead of hiring based on identity politics, the federal government will now prioritize merit, efficiency, and excellence. The move also redirects millions of taxpayer dollars away from activist initiatives and back into essential services.</p><h4>4. Protecting Women&#8217;s Sports and Biology-Based Rights</h4><p>One of Trump&#8217;s most significant cultural moves was signing an order ensuring only biological females can compete in women&#8217;s sports at the federal level. This policy follows years of growing frustration over transgender athletes dominating female competitions, undermining fairness and decades of progress for women in sports.</p><p>Did you know? In Connecticut alone, two male athletes won 15 women&#8217;s track titles in just three years, breaking records set by biological females. Trump&#8217;s move levels the playing field.</p><h4>5. Protecting the Nuclear Family</h4><p>One of Trump&#8217;s lesser-discussed but critical actions was reinstating the Mexico City Policy, cutting U.S. funding for international organizations that promote abortion. While controversial, this move demonstrates his commitment to protecting life and supporting the family unit, which has long been the bedrock of a strong society.</p><h3>What This Means for America</h3><p>If Trump&#8217;s first 100 hours are any indication, the next four years will be defined by a return to common sense. Border security, economic strength, and the prioritization of American families and values are laying the groundwork for a second &#8220;American Century.&#8221;</p><p>This isn&#8217;t just about policy&#8212;it&#8217;s about identity. America is reclaiming its place as the global leader, free of weakness, free of compromise.</p><p>With strength and honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/ee040532-ec87-4bc7-92b2-800e9f0fdbc9?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/87806dae-d3eb-4115-b773-612f3e20e853?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on Instagram</a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/trumps-first-100-hours-the-start?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/trumps-first-100-hours-the-start?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p><p></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Thanks for reading The Based Take! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Biden’s Parting Gift: Last-Minute Pardons and the Death of Accountability]]></title><description><![CDATA[Shielding Allies, Undermining Justice: How Biden&#8217;s Final Act in Office Sets a Dangerous Precedent for Presidential Power.]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/bidens-parting-gift-last-minute-pardons</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/bidens-parting-gift-last-minute-pardons</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jan 2025 01:31:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!odys!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2cfdb464-fc94-4d1d-8b52-45ce22b70169_3216x2141.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!odys!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2cfdb464-fc94-4d1d-8b52-45ce22b70169_3216x2141.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!odys!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2cfdb464-fc94-4d1d-8b52-45ce22b70169_3216x2141.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!odys!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2cfdb464-fc94-4d1d-8b52-45ce22b70169_3216x2141.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!odys!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2cfdb464-fc94-4d1d-8b52-45ce22b70169_3216x2141.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!odys!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2cfdb464-fc94-4d1d-8b52-45ce22b70169_3216x2141.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!odys!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2cfdb464-fc94-4d1d-8b52-45ce22b70169_3216x2141.jpeg" width="1456" height="969" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/2cfdb464-fc94-4d1d-8b52-45ce22b70169_3216x2141.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:969,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Biden pardons five members of his family, including his brothers | Reuters&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="Biden pardons five members of his family, including his brothers | Reuters" title="Biden pardons five members of his family, including his brothers | Reuters" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!odys!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2cfdb464-fc94-4d1d-8b52-45ce22b70169_3216x2141.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!odys!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2cfdb464-fc94-4d1d-8b52-45ce22b70169_3216x2141.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!odys!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2cfdb464-fc94-4d1d-8b52-45ce22b70169_3216x2141.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!odys!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2cfdb464-fc94-4d1d-8b52-45ce22b70169_3216x2141.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>In a move that reeks of political opportunism, Joe Biden issued a flurry of last-minute pardons for some of the most controversial figures of his administration, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, and key members of the January 6 Committee. By preemptively absolving them of any potential criminal or civil liability, Biden has thrown the concept of accountability out the window, effectively shielding his inner circle from scrutiny.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><h3>What&#8217;s the Real Message Here?</h3><p>Biden&#8217;s justification for these pardons&#8212;claiming they are safeguards against &#8220;politically motivated&#8221; prosecutions&#8212;is a thinly veiled attempt to protect his administration's legacy. But here&#8217;s the catch: <strong>if there&#8217;s truly no wrongdoing, why the need for a pardon?</strong> Innocent people don&#8217;t require such drastic measures to avoid prosecution. This move sends a clear signal: Biden believes these individuals may have crossed lines that could be exposed by the next administration.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Wehz!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffab92474-b577-4cea-a93a-dd5f32091bdd_1100x734.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Wehz!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffab92474-b577-4cea-a93a-dd5f32091bdd_1100x734.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Wehz!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffab92474-b577-4cea-a93a-dd5f32091bdd_1100x734.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Wehz!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffab92474-b577-4cea-a93a-dd5f32091bdd_1100x734.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Wehz!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffab92474-b577-4cea-a93a-dd5f32091bdd_1100x734.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Wehz!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffab92474-b577-4cea-a93a-dd5f32091bdd_1100x734.jpeg" width="1100" height="734" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/fab92474-b577-4cea-a93a-dd5f32091bdd_1100x734.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:734,&quot;width&quot;:1100,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Biden pardons Fauci, Milley and members of Jan. 6 panel : NPR&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="Biden pardons Fauci, Milley and members of Jan. 6 panel : NPR" title="Biden pardons Fauci, Milley and members of Jan. 6 panel : NPR" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Wehz!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffab92474-b577-4cea-a93a-dd5f32091bdd_1100x734.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Wehz!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffab92474-b577-4cea-a93a-dd5f32091bdd_1100x734.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Wehz!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffab92474-b577-4cea-a93a-dd5f32091bdd_1100x734.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Wehz!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffab92474-b577-4cea-a93a-dd5f32091bdd_1100x734.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Dr. Fauci&#8217;s pardon, for example, comes after years of criticism surrounding his role in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, his alleged gain-of-function research ties, and questionable public statements that contradicted private communications. General Mark Milley, meanwhile, has faced allegations of undermining civilian control of the military and prioritizing political loyalty over strategic leadership. Members of the January 6 Committee, like Adam Schiff and Liz Cheney, have been accused of overreaching their authority and misrepresenting evidence to further political narratives.</p><p>Biden&#8217;s actions imply that these individuals have something to fear. Otherwise, why circumvent the justice system entirely? Pardons are not meant to shield political elites from accountability&#8212;they&#8217;re meant to correct injustices. This flips the concept of justice on its head, replacing impartiality with political protectionism.</p><h3>Dangerous Precedents</h3><p>By preemptively pardoning his allies, Biden has set an alarming precedent. Future presidents could now exploit the pardon power to shield their cronies, eroding public trust in the justice system. If a president can preemptively pardon anyone they suspect may face legal challenges, the entire principle of &#8220;equal justice under the law&#8221; crumbles.</p><p>Consider the broader implications:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Loss of Public Trust:</strong> The American people already view Washington as corrupt and out of touch. This move only reinforces the perception that elites play by a different set of rules.</p></li><li><p><strong>Weaponization of Pardons:</strong> Pardons are now a political tool rather than a check on judicial overreach. They could become routine for departing administrations, undermining accountability.</p></li></ul><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!M8bJ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F943cd390-ab77-4f25-a398-a78ccae7983e_1140x798.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!M8bJ!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F943cd390-ab77-4f25-a398-a78ccae7983e_1140x798.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!M8bJ!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F943cd390-ab77-4f25-a398-a78ccae7983e_1140x798.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!M8bJ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F943cd390-ab77-4f25-a398-a78ccae7983e_1140x798.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!M8bJ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F943cd390-ab77-4f25-a398-a78ccae7983e_1140x798.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!M8bJ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F943cd390-ab77-4f25-a398-a78ccae7983e_1140x798.jpeg" width="1140" height="798" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/943cd390-ab77-4f25-a398-a78ccae7983e_1140x798.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:798,&quot;width&quot;:1140,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Biden pardons his siblings and their spouses as he leaves White House |  Pittsburgh Post-Gazette&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="Biden pardons his siblings and their spouses as he leaves White House |  Pittsburgh Post-Gazette" title="Biden pardons his siblings and their spouses as he leaves White House |  Pittsburgh Post-Gazette" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!M8bJ!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F943cd390-ab77-4f25-a398-a78ccae7983e_1140x798.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!M8bJ!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F943cd390-ab77-4f25-a398-a78ccae7983e_1140x798.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!M8bJ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F943cd390-ab77-4f25-a398-a78ccae7983e_1140x798.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!M8bJ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F943cd390-ab77-4f25-a398-a78ccae7983e_1140x798.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3>The Biden Legacy: Protecting Elites</h3><p>Joe Biden campaigned on &#8220;restoring the soul of the nation&#8221; and bringing transparency to government. Yet, his last act in office is the antithesis of those promises. By prioritizing political allies over principles, Biden has cemented his administration as one that values loyalty over accountability.</p><p>The real victims here aren&#8217;t Fauci, Milley, or Schiff&#8212;they&#8217;re the American people, who are now left with even more reasons to distrust their government.</p><h3>Did You Know?</h3><p>According to a 2021 Pew Research study, only 20% of Americans trust the federal government to do the right thing most of the time. Moves like Biden&#8217;s last-minute pardons only push that number lower.</p><p>If this is what &#8220;restoring the soul of the nation&#8221; looks like, maybe we were better off with less political theater.</p><p>With strength and honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/ee040532-ec87-4bc7-92b2-800e9f0fdbc9?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/87806dae-d3eb-4115-b773-612f3e20e853?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on Instagram</a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/bidens-parting-gift-last-minute-pardons?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/bidens-parting-gift-last-minute-pardons?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[California Burning: The High Cost of Mismanagement in High-Tax States]]></title><description><![CDATA[How Misplaced Priorities and Fiscal Waste Are Fueling Wildfires, Rising Crime, and Mass Exodus]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/california-burning-the-high-cost</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/california-burning-the-high-cost</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 14 Jan 2025 01:29:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MLVQ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f1caf06-dbe9-4fba-a24b-fe56994a79d3_800x400.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MLVQ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f1caf06-dbe9-4fba-a24b-fe56994a79d3_800x400.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MLVQ!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f1caf06-dbe9-4fba-a24b-fe56994a79d3_800x400.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MLVQ!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f1caf06-dbe9-4fba-a24b-fe56994a79d3_800x400.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MLVQ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f1caf06-dbe9-4fba-a24b-fe56994a79d3_800x400.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MLVQ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f1caf06-dbe9-4fba-a24b-fe56994a79d3_800x400.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MLVQ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f1caf06-dbe9-4fba-a24b-fe56994a79d3_800x400.jpeg" width="800" height="400" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/6f1caf06-dbe9-4fba-a24b-fe56994a79d3_800x400.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:400,&quot;width&quot;:800,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;California Wildfires: How to Help | Save The Children&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="California Wildfires: How to Help | Save The Children" title="California Wildfires: How to Help | Save The Children" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MLVQ!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f1caf06-dbe9-4fba-a24b-fe56994a79d3_800x400.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MLVQ!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f1caf06-dbe9-4fba-a24b-fe56994a79d3_800x400.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MLVQ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f1caf06-dbe9-4fba-a24b-fe56994a79d3_800x400.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MLVQ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f1caf06-dbe9-4fba-a24b-fe56994a79d3_800x400.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>California&#8217;s Wildfires and the Failure of High-Tax Governance</strong></p><p>California, a state celebrated for its natural beauty and economic power, is also infamous for its mismanagement of taxpayer dollars. The recent wildfires, which have caused catastrophic damage, highlight the consequences of poor governance in a state that collects the highest taxes in the nation. </p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p>Unfortunately, this pattern of financial waste and misplaced priorities is not unique to California; it is a trend seen across many Democrat-run states and cities where high taxes fail to produce meaningful public benefits, leading to high crime, crumbling infrastructure, and growing public frustration.</p><div><hr></div><h3><strong>California: A Case Study in Mismanagement</strong></h3><p>Despite the immense resources at its disposal, California has repeatedly failed to address critical issues like wildfire prevention, public safety, and homelessness. Instead, the state allocates billions to ineffective programs that leave its residents vulnerable.</p><ul><li><p><strong>Wildfire Preparedness</strong>: In 2021, California allocated $2.7 billion to wildfire prevention. Yet, a 2022 audit found the state had completed just 13% of planned projects. This lack of action exacerbated the devastating fires, which overwhelmed underfunded firefighting teams. Los Angeles alone faced a $17.6 million cut to its fire department in 2024, impacting its ability to handle emergencies.</p></li><li><p><strong>Basic Infrastructure</strong>: During the recent fires in Pacific Palisades, a key reservoir was offline for maintenance, depriving firefighters of critical water resources. This is emblematic of broader infrastructure neglect in a state that should have no shortage of funds.</p></li><li><p><strong>Homelessness Spending</strong>: California has spent over $20 billion on homelessness since 2020, yet homelessness continues to rise, with over 170,000 people living on the streets as of 2023.</p></li></ul><p>Despite a massive $97.5 billion surplus in 2022, the state faced a $22.5 billion deficit in 2023, raising questions about its financial stewardship. A poll found that 91% of Californians believe their state government wastes tax dollars&#8212;a sentiment that is difficult to dispute given the outcomes.</p><div><hr></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ernt!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7c9db518-d5ea-49da-99f5-68cdefd8092f_1920x1080.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ernt!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7c9db518-d5ea-49da-99f5-68cdefd8092f_1920x1080.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ernt!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7c9db518-d5ea-49da-99f5-68cdefd8092f_1920x1080.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ernt!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7c9db518-d5ea-49da-99f5-68cdefd8092f_1920x1080.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ernt!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7c9db518-d5ea-49da-99f5-68cdefd8092f_1920x1080.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ernt!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7c9db518-d5ea-49da-99f5-68cdefd8092f_1920x1080.jpeg" width="1456" height="819" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/7c9db518-d5ea-49da-99f5-68cdefd8092f_1920x1080.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:819,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Gov. Newsom responds to Trump blaming him for wildfires&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="Gov. Newsom responds to Trump blaming him for wildfires" title="Gov. Newsom responds to Trump blaming him for wildfires" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ernt!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7c9db518-d5ea-49da-99f5-68cdefd8092f_1920x1080.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ernt!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7c9db518-d5ea-49da-99f5-68cdefd8092f_1920x1080.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ernt!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7c9db518-d5ea-49da-99f5-68cdefd8092f_1920x1080.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ernt!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7c9db518-d5ea-49da-99f5-68cdefd8092f_1920x1080.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3><strong>A Broader Trend: Democrat-Run States and Cities</strong></h3><p>California&#8217;s failures are mirrored in other Democrat-led areas where high taxes and bloated budgets often fail to deliver basic services.</p><ul><li><p><strong>Illinois</strong>: Chicago has some of the highest property taxes in the country, yet its public schools rank poorly, and violent crime remains rampant. The city recorded over 650 homicides in 2023.</p></li><li><p><strong>New York</strong>: New York City collects nearly $70 billion annually in taxes, yet crime continues to rise, and the subway system remains unsafe and unreliable. From 2019 to 2023, subway crime increased by 30%.</p></li><li><p><strong>Baltimore</strong>: Despite billions in federal and state funding, Baltimore&#8217;s violent crime rate is five times the national average, and its infrastructure is crumbling.</p></li></ul><p>These regions prioritize expensive social programs over essential services like policing, firefighting, and infrastructure. The result? Cities and states that are less safe, less functional, and less attractive to residents and businesses.</p><div><hr></div><h3><strong>High Crime and Fiscal Waste Go Hand in Hand</strong></h3><p>One clear consequence of mismanagement is the correlation between high taxes, rising crime, and fiscal waste.</p><ul><li><p><strong>Public Safety Underfunded</strong>: Many Democrat-led areas have cut police and fire department budgets while spending billions on programs with little accountability. For example, Los Angeles reduced its fire department&#8217;s budget while facing an uptick in natural disasters.</p></li><li><p><strong>Businesses and Residents Fleeing</strong>: California lost over 500,000 residents between 2020 and 2023, with many citing high taxes and crime as their primary reasons for leaving. Similarly, New York and Illinois are experiencing significant population losses.</p></li><li><p><strong>Strained Economies</strong>: High crime deters businesses, reducing job opportunities and shrinking the tax base, creating a vicious cycle of decline.</p></li></ul><p>The human cost of this mismanagement is profound. Rising crime disproportionately affects low-income communities. Poor infrastructure and underfunded emergency services lead to greater losses during disasters. Meanwhile, unchecked homelessness degrades the quality of life for all residents.</p><div><hr></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YPwk!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd1291f4-b3e9-46aa-8a81-05af953599c4_2048x1366.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YPwk!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd1291f4-b3e9-46aa-8a81-05af953599c4_2048x1366.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YPwk!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd1291f4-b3e9-46aa-8a81-05af953599c4_2048x1366.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YPwk!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd1291f4-b3e9-46aa-8a81-05af953599c4_2048x1366.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YPwk!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd1291f4-b3e9-46aa-8a81-05af953599c4_2048x1366.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YPwk!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd1291f4-b3e9-46aa-8a81-05af953599c4_2048x1366.jpeg" width="1456" height="971" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/bd1291f4-b3e9-46aa-8a81-05af953599c4_2048x1366.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:971,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;LA fires rage on as meteorologists warn of dangerous weather in coming days  | The Times of Israel&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="LA fires rage on as meteorologists warn of dangerous weather in coming days  | The Times of Israel" title="LA fires rage on as meteorologists warn of dangerous weather in coming days  | The Times of Israel" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YPwk!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd1291f4-b3e9-46aa-8a81-05af953599c4_2048x1366.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YPwk!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd1291f4-b3e9-46aa-8a81-05af953599c4_2048x1366.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YPwk!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd1291f4-b3e9-46aa-8a81-05af953599c4_2048x1366.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YPwk!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd1291f4-b3e9-46aa-8a81-05af953599c4_2048x1366.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3><strong>Time for Accountability</strong></h3><p>California and other Democrat-led states must reassess their priorities. Public safety, wildfire prevention, and infrastructure must take precedence over ineffective social programs and bloated bureaucracies. Taxpayers deserve to see their hard-earned dollars producing tangible benefits, not funding failures.</p><p>The recent wildfires in California are a tragic reminder of what happens when government focuses on ideology over practical governance. It&#8217;s time to put core public services first.</p><div><hr></div><p><strong>Did you know?</strong> Over 300,000 residents left California in 2022, and the state lost a congressional seat for the first time in history. (<a href="https://www.census.gov/">US Census Bureau</a>)</p><p>Why do people leave high-tax states? Because no one wants to pay champagne prices for boxed-wine governance.</p><p>With strength and honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/ee040532-ec87-4bc7-92b2-800e9f0fdbc9?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/87806dae-d3eb-4115-b773-612f3e20e853?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on Instagram</a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/california-burning-the-high-cost?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/california-burning-the-high-cost?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Dawn of a "Golden Age"]]></title><description><![CDATA[5 Predictions for the Trump Presidency]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/the-dawn-of-a-golden-age</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/the-dawn-of-a-golden-age</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 07 Jan 2025 01:30:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ki1F!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29b16118-c6b3-4782-bb2c-44efd22d96e8_749x500.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ki1F!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29b16118-c6b3-4782-bb2c-44efd22d96e8_749x500.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ki1F!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29b16118-c6b3-4782-bb2c-44efd22d96e8_749x500.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ki1F!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29b16118-c6b3-4782-bb2c-44efd22d96e8_749x500.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ki1F!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29b16118-c6b3-4782-bb2c-44efd22d96e8_749x500.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ki1F!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29b16118-c6b3-4782-bb2c-44efd22d96e8_749x500.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ki1F!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29b16118-c6b3-4782-bb2c-44efd22d96e8_749x500.jpeg" width="749" height="500" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/29b16118-c6b3-4782-bb2c-44efd22d96e8_749x500.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:500,&quot;width&quot;:749,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;AP year in Review: From Trump and AI to inflation and Moo Deng | News |  oleantimesherald.com&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="AP year in Review: From Trump and AI to inflation and Moo Deng | News |  oleantimesherald.com" title="AP year in Review: From Trump and AI to inflation and Moo Deng | News |  oleantimesherald.com" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ki1F!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29b16118-c6b3-4782-bb2c-44efd22d96e8_749x500.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ki1F!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29b16118-c6b3-4782-bb2c-44efd22d96e8_749x500.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ki1F!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29b16118-c6b3-4782-bb2c-44efd22d96e8_749x500.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ki1F!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29b16118-c6b3-4782-bb2c-44efd22d96e8_749x500.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Donald Trump's recent election victory, culminating in Vice President Kamala Harris certifying her own defeat, marks a pivotal moment in American politics. Trump's return to the presidency, with a 312-226 Electoral College win, reflects a significant shift in the nation's political landscape.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p>In his victory speech, Trump proclaimed the dawn of a "golden age" for America, emphasizing plans to revitalize the economy, strengthen national security, and restore traditional values.</p><p>Historically, periods of strong leadership and clear national direction have led to economic prosperity and societal stability. For instance, the post-World War II era, characterized by decisive governance, saw unprecedented economic growth and the solidification of the nuclear family as the societal cornerstone.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iFYb!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fae742b4c-2d10-4a84-8794-88437a7f5209_900x600.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iFYb!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fae742b4c-2d10-4a84-8794-88437a7f5209_900x600.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iFYb!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fae742b4c-2d10-4a84-8794-88437a7f5209_900x600.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iFYb!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fae742b4c-2d10-4a84-8794-88437a7f5209_900x600.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iFYb!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fae742b4c-2d10-4a84-8794-88437a7f5209_900x600.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iFYb!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fae742b4c-2d10-4a84-8794-88437a7f5209_900x600.webp" width="900" height="600" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/ae742b4c-2d10-4a84-8794-88437a7f5209_900x600.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:600,&quot;width&quot;:900,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Transition 2025: Did Trump Win an &#8220;Unprecedented and Powerful Mandate&#8221;? |  Council on Foreign Relations&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="Transition 2025: Did Trump Win an &#8220;Unprecedented and Powerful Mandate&#8221;? |  Council on Foreign Relations" title="Transition 2025: Did Trump Win an &#8220;Unprecedented and Powerful Mandate&#8221;? |  Council on Foreign Relations" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iFYb!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fae742b4c-2d10-4a84-8794-88437a7f5209_900x600.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iFYb!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fae742b4c-2d10-4a84-8794-88437a7f5209_900x600.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iFYb!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fae742b4c-2d10-4a84-8794-88437a7f5209_900x600.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iFYb!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fae742b4c-2d10-4a84-8794-88437a7f5209_900x600.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3>The Trump Agenda</h3><p>Trump's agenda includes policies aimed at bolstering the traditional family unit, promoting healthy lifestyles, and reducing dependence on processed foods and substances like drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. Such initiatives echo past public health campaigns that successfully improved national well-being.</p><p>The emphasis on the nuclear family aligns with conservative religious values, which have historically played a role in shaping societal norms. By advocating for these principles, the administration seeks to address contemporary social challenges through a return to foundational values.</p><p>As the nation anticipates this new era, the administration's commitment to these ideals will be pivotal in determining the extent to which this "golden age" materializes. The interplay between policy implementation and public reception will ultimately shape America's trajectory in the coming years.</p><h3>Predicting What&#8217;s to Come</h3><p>Donald Trump's decisive victory in the 2024 election has sparked conversations about how his administration might reshape America in a second term. Here are five predictions for how Trump could dramatically improve the nation:</p><div data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit-560w,f_auto,q_auto:best/rockcms/2024-10/241021-Rome-Georgia-donald-trump-ac-1044p-77cf84.jpg&quot;}" data-component-name="AssetErrorToDOM"><picture><img src="/img/missing-image.png" height="455" width="728"></picture></div><h3>1. <strong>Economic Revival through Deregulation and Energy Independence</strong></h3><p>Trump has long championed the reduction of bureaucratic red tape and the revival of domestic energy production. By reinvigorating the oil and natural gas industries, he could drive down energy costs, create jobs, and reduce reliance on foreign energy. A return to energy independence, similar to the early years of his first term, could save American households thousands annually in energy expenses.</p><h3>2. <strong>Strengthening National Security and Immigration Policies</strong></h3><p>With promises to fortify the southern border and reform immigration laws, Trump could significantly reduce illegal crossings and enhance national security. A focus on merit-based immigration might also address labor market needs while maintaining national sovereignty. Deportation policies targeting criminal elements within the undocumented population could further reduce crime rates in border states.</p><h3>3. <strong>Restoration of Traditional Family Values</strong></h3><p>Trump has vowed to champion policies that support the nuclear family, including tax incentives for married couples and programs to encourage father involvement. Research shows children in two-parent households are less likely to experience poverty or incarceration. Strengthening the family unit could lay the foundation for a more stable society.</p><h3>4. <strong>Educational Reforms to Empower Parents</strong></h3><p>The administration is likely to advocate for school choice, expanding voucher programs and charter schools to give parents greater control over their children's education. By focusing on merit-based education and eliminating radical ideologies from curriculums, Trump could ensure that public schools prioritize academic excellence over political agendas.</p><h3>5. <strong>Rebuilding America's Infrastructure</strong></h3><p>Trump&#8217;s administration may launch a new wave of infrastructure projects, focusing on modernizing highways, bridges, and ports while creating millions of jobs. Unlike the stalled efforts of previous administrations, his direct approach to public-private partnerships could finally bring large-scale infrastructure dreams to fruition.</p><h3>Closing Thought</h3><p>These bold initiatives could drive America into a new "golden age," reminiscent of the post-WWII boom. By returning to the fundamentals of national strength, economic freedom, and family stability, Trump&#8217;s second term could set a lasting legacy.</p><p><strong>Somewhere, an economist is already updating their GDP growth forecasts for 2025. MAGA hats optional.</strong></p><p></p><p>With strength and honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/ee040532-ec87-4bc7-92b2-800e9f0fdbc9?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/87806dae-d3eb-4115-b773-612f3e20e853?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on Instagram</a></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gRy2!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffd025835-3100-4b66-abf3-e9f98bfec6e7_1024x684.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gRy2!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffd025835-3100-4b66-abf3-e9f98bfec6e7_1024x684.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gRy2!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffd025835-3100-4b66-abf3-e9f98bfec6e7_1024x684.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gRy2!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffd025835-3100-4b66-abf3-e9f98bfec6e7_1024x684.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gRy2!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffd025835-3100-4b66-abf3-e9f98bfec6e7_1024x684.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gRy2!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffd025835-3100-4b66-abf3-e9f98bfec6e7_1024x684.jpeg" width="1024" height="684" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/fd025835-3100-4b66-abf3-e9f98bfec6e7_1024x684.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:684,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Trump wins New Hampshire primary, according to AP | PBS News&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="Trump wins New Hampshire primary, according to AP | PBS News" title="Trump wins New Hampshire primary, according to AP | PBS News" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gRy2!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffd025835-3100-4b66-abf3-e9f98bfec6e7_1024x684.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gRy2!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffd025835-3100-4b66-abf3-e9f98bfec6e7_1024x684.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gRy2!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffd025835-3100-4b66-abf3-e9f98bfec6e7_1024x684.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gRy2!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffd025835-3100-4b66-abf3-e9f98bfec6e7_1024x684.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" 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Up]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Case for Self-Defense in Modern America]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/when-citizens-step-up</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/when-citizens-step-up</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 31 Dec 2024 01:30:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3d-r!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F107cf9b2-94c4-4eb7-a594-4c909d2f0baa_1024x768.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3d-r!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F107cf9b2-94c4-4eb7-a594-4c909d2f0baa_1024x768.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3d-r!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F107cf9b2-94c4-4eb7-a594-4c909d2f0baa_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3d-r!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F107cf9b2-94c4-4eb7-a594-4c909d2f0baa_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3d-r!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F107cf9b2-94c4-4eb7-a594-4c909d2f0baa_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3d-r!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F107cf9b2-94c4-4eb7-a594-4c909d2f0baa_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3d-r!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F107cf9b2-94c4-4eb7-a594-4c909d2f0baa_1024x768.jpeg" width="566" height="424.5" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/107cf9b2-94c4-4eb7-a594-4c909d2f0baa_1024x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:768,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:566,&quot;bytes&quot;:73565,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3d-r!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F107cf9b2-94c4-4eb7-a594-4c909d2f0baa_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3d-r!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F107cf9b2-94c4-4eb7-a594-4c909d2f0baa_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3d-r!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F107cf9b2-94c4-4eb7-a594-4c909d2f0baa_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3d-r!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F107cf9b2-94c4-4eb7-a594-4c909d2f0baa_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>The streets and subways of New York City are no stranger to chaos, but a growing trend suggests that ordinary citizens are tired of waiting for institutions to solve their problems. Groups like the Guardian Angels&#8212;volunteer patrols focused on restoring order&#8212;are rising to fill the void left by overwhelmed or apathetic authorities. Their efforts underline a critical reality: self-defense and community action are not just options; they&#8217;re necessities in a society where law and order increasingly feel optional.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><h3>The Guardian Angels: A Case Study in Civic Responsibility</h3><p>Founded in 1979, the Guardian Angels are a powerful reminder that personal responsibility often trumps reliance on failing systems. While critics dismiss such groups as vigilantes, their work patrolling subways and deterring crime speaks to the timeless principle that strong, united communities protect themselves.</p><p>The recent resurgence of the Guardian Angels reflects an undeniable fact: citizens are ready to fight back. From organized neighborhood watches to individual acts of self-defense, Americans are reclaiming their safety.</p><h3>National Concealed Carry Reciprocity: A Step Forward</h3><p>President-elect Donald Trump has promised to sign nationwide "concealed carry reciprocity" legislation, which would allow gun owners with a concealed carry permit from one state to legally carry their weapons in other states.</p><p>Currently, a concealed carry permit issued in one state may not be recognized in another, creating confusion and unnecessary legal risks for permit holders. National reciprocity would simplify the system and ensure that Americans&#8217; Second Amendment rights don&#8217;t end at state lines.</p><p>The importance of this initiative cannot be overstated. According to the CDC, defensive gun use occurs approximately 1.7 million times annually&#8212;far exceeding criminal gun uses. This data highlights how empowering individuals to carry firearms responsibly can contribute to public safety.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dntU!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7f4ebef-6248-407b-ba95-c951ed3c3a9e_1024x768.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dntU!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7f4ebef-6248-407b-ba95-c951ed3c3a9e_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dntU!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7f4ebef-6248-407b-ba95-c951ed3c3a9e_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dntU!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7f4ebef-6248-407b-ba95-c951ed3c3a9e_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dntU!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7f4ebef-6248-407b-ba95-c951ed3c3a9e_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dntU!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7f4ebef-6248-407b-ba95-c951ed3c3a9e_1024x768.jpeg" width="1024" height="768" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/e7f4ebef-6248-407b-ba95-c951ed3c3a9e_1024x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:768,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:53354,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dntU!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7f4ebef-6248-407b-ba95-c951ed3c3a9e_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dntU!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7f4ebef-6248-407b-ba95-c951ed3c3a9e_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dntU!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7f4ebef-6248-407b-ba95-c951ed3c3a9e_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dntU!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7f4ebef-6248-407b-ba95-c951ed3c3a9e_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3>Building Stronger Communities</h3><p>Defending yourself doesn&#8217;t always mean a weapon; it starts with awareness and unity. Programs like neighborhood watch groups and martial arts training can empower individuals while fostering communal bonds. The Guardian Angels&#8217; success proves that visibility and solidarity can deter crime as effectively as force.</p><h3>Did You Know?</h3><p>In states with "shall-issue" concealed carry laws, violent crime rates are typically 5-10% lower than in restrictive states. Armed, law-abiding citizens make communities safer.</p><p><strong>They say &#8220;fight fire with fire,&#8221; but maybe we should fight chaos with courage.</strong></p><p>With strength and honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/ee040532-ec87-4bc7-92b2-800e9f0fdbc9?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/87806dae-d3eb-4115-b773-612f3e20e853?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on Instagram</a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/when-citizens-step-up?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/when-citizens-step-up?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Subway of Chaos: Taking Back NYC’s Underground ]]></title><description><![CDATA[How Swift Justice and Zero Tolerance Can End Violence in the Heart of the City]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/subway-of-chaos-taking-back-nycs</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/subway-of-chaos-taking-back-nycs</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:30:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2SR2!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F20a1bfbb-12d2-4eed-9e63-e6c6662f908d_720x480.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2SR2!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F20a1bfbb-12d2-4eed-9e63-e6c6662f908d_720x480.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2SR2!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F20a1bfbb-12d2-4eed-9e63-e6c6662f908d_720x480.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2SR2!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F20a1bfbb-12d2-4eed-9e63-e6c6662f908d_720x480.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2SR2!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F20a1bfbb-12d2-4eed-9e63-e6c6662f908d_720x480.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2SR2!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F20a1bfbb-12d2-4eed-9e63-e6c6662f908d_720x480.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2SR2!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F20a1bfbb-12d2-4eed-9e63-e6c6662f908d_720x480.jpeg" width="720" height="480" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/20a1bfbb-12d2-4eed-9e63-e6c6662f908d_720x480.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:480,&quot;width&quot;:720,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:143886,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2SR2!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F20a1bfbb-12d2-4eed-9e63-e6c6662f908d_720x480.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2SR2!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F20a1bfbb-12d2-4eed-9e63-e6c6662f908d_720x480.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2SR2!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F20a1bfbb-12d2-4eed-9e63-e6c6662f908d_720x480.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2SR2!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F20a1bfbb-12d2-4eed-9e63-e6c6662f908d_720x480.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>NYC Subway Violence is Out of Control: Here&#8217;s the Plan to Fix It</strong></p><p>New York City&#8217;s subway system has become a symbol of urban decay&#8212;plagued by violent crime, lawlessness, and fear. Just this year, there have been countless reports of stabbings, robberies, and assaults, with innocent commuters often left helpless. The city&#8217;s response? Tepid policies and virtue signaling, allowing criminals to act with impunity while law-abiding citizens suffer.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p>It&#8217;s time to put an end to this chaos. The solution isn&#8217;t more leniency or endless &#8220;rehabilitation&#8221; programs&#8212;it&#8217;s swift, aggressive, and uncompromising action. Here&#8217;s the plan to restore safety and order to NYC&#8217;s subway system.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LSAn!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6408f057-d347-4d58-8f23-f5b55e96282d_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LSAn!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6408f057-d347-4d58-8f23-f5b55e96282d_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LSAn!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6408f057-d347-4d58-8f23-f5b55e96282d_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LSAn!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6408f057-d347-4d58-8f23-f5b55e96282d_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LSAn!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6408f057-d347-4d58-8f23-f5b55e96282d_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LSAn!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6408f057-d347-4d58-8f23-f5b55e96282d_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/6408f057-d347-4d58-8f23-f5b55e96282d_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:661594,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LSAn!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6408f057-d347-4d58-8f23-f5b55e96282d_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LSAn!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6408f057-d347-4d58-8f23-f5b55e96282d_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LSAn!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6408f057-d347-4d58-8f23-f5b55e96282d_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LSAn!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6408f057-d347-4d58-8f23-f5b55e96282d_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>1. Flood the Subway with Tactical Law Enforcement</strong></p><p>The first step in eliminating subway violence is overwhelming presence and power. Deploy heavily armed, specially trained transit police across all major subway stations and trains. These officers must have full authority to act decisively&#8212;whether through detainment, intervention, or the use of force to neutralize immediate threats.</p><p>Stop-and-frisk must be reinstated and expanded. Suspicious individuals, particularly in high-crime areas, will be searched without hesitation. Those carrying illegal weapons, drugs, or other contraband will face immediate arrest and detention. Compliance is not optional.</p><p><strong>2. Mandatory Sentencing for Subway Crimes</strong></p><p>The era of &#8220;catch and release&#8221; is over. Violent criminals caught in the subway system will not be allowed back on the streets&#8212;period. Every offender faces mandatory detainment until trial, with no leniency for bail or release.</p><p>Sentences for subway-related violent crimes will carry a minimum of 20 years in prison. Repeat offenders or those with prior convictions will automatically receive life imprisonment. These individuals have demonstrated their threat to public safety and will no longer be allowed to endanger innocent lives.</p><p>For the worst offenders&#8212;murderers, rapists, or terrorists&#8212;<em>the death penalty will be reinstated</em>. There is no place for such individuals in a functioning society, let alone on public transit.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nAvp!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcf8795b2-a455-490c-85f2-adf8745e7342_932x1227.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nAvp!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcf8795b2-a455-490c-85f2-adf8745e7342_932x1227.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nAvp!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcf8795b2-a455-490c-85f2-adf8745e7342_932x1227.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nAvp!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcf8795b2-a455-490c-85f2-adf8745e7342_932x1227.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nAvp!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcf8795b2-a455-490c-85f2-adf8745e7342_932x1227.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nAvp!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcf8795b2-a455-490c-85f2-adf8745e7342_932x1227.jpeg" width="932" height="1227" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/cf8795b2-a455-490c-85f2-adf8745e7342_932x1227.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1227,&quot;width&quot;:932,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:227072,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nAvp!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcf8795b2-a455-490c-85f2-adf8745e7342_932x1227.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nAvp!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcf8795b2-a455-490c-85f2-adf8745e7342_932x1227.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nAvp!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcf8795b2-a455-490c-85f2-adf8745e7342_932x1227.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nAvp!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcf8795b2-a455-490c-85f2-adf8745e7342_932x1227.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>3. No Excuses for Mental Illness or Homelessness</strong></p><p>One of the greatest challenges to subway safety is the unchecked presence of homeless and mentally ill individuals. These individuals, often untreated and unmonitored, are responsible for a significant portion of subway crime.</p><p>The solution is simple: zero tolerance. All loiterers and homeless individuals will be forcibly removed from the subway system and placed into secure facilities. Those who refuse to comply with treatment or housing programs will remain in permanent detainment. Public transit is for commuters&#8212;not makeshift shelters for the unhinged.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FyD1!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13d69776-2d0a-44df-acfa-c09336945944_1280x720.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FyD1!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13d69776-2d0a-44df-acfa-c09336945944_1280x720.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FyD1!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13d69776-2d0a-44df-acfa-c09336945944_1280x720.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FyD1!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13d69776-2d0a-44df-acfa-c09336945944_1280x720.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FyD1!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13d69776-2d0a-44df-acfa-c09336945944_1280x720.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FyD1!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13d69776-2d0a-44df-acfa-c09336945944_1280x720.webp" width="1280" height="720" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/13d69776-2d0a-44df-acfa-c09336945944_1280x720.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:720,&quot;width&quot;:1280,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:74382,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FyD1!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13d69776-2d0a-44df-acfa-c09336945944_1280x720.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FyD1!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13d69776-2d0a-44df-acfa-c09336945944_1280x720.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FyD1!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13d69776-2d0a-44df-acfa-c09336945944_1280x720.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FyD1!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13d69776-2d0a-44df-acfa-c09336945944_1280x720.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>4. Deportation for Non-Citizens Who Commit Violence</strong></p><p>NYC&#8217;s sanctuary city policies have exacerbated the problem. Violent offenders who are non-citizens, including undocumented immigrants, will face immediate deportation. There is no justification for allowing those who do not belong in this country to endanger its citizens.</p><p>The city will fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities to ensure that violent offenders are removed quickly and permanently.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!NG7l!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5f976f3-86cd-4853-b4b1-34640fe8cc62_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!NG7l!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5f976f3-86cd-4853-b4b1-34640fe8cc62_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!NG7l!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5f976f3-86cd-4853-b4b1-34640fe8cc62_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!NG7l!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5f976f3-86cd-4853-b4b1-34640fe8cc62_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!NG7l!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5f976f3-86cd-4853-b4b1-34640fe8cc62_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!NG7l!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5f976f3-86cd-4853-b4b1-34640fe8cc62_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/f5f976f3-86cd-4853-b4b1-34640fe8cc62_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:726380,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!NG7l!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5f976f3-86cd-4853-b4b1-34640fe8cc62_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!NG7l!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5f976f3-86cd-4853-b4b1-34640fe8cc62_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!NG7l!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5f976f3-86cd-4853-b4b1-34640fe8cc62_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!NG7l!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5f976f3-86cd-4853-b4b1-34640fe8cc62_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>5. Real-Time Surveillance and Facial Recognition</strong></p><p>Every subway station and train must be outfitted with advanced surveillance systems, including 24/7 facial recognition technology. These systems will flag known criminals, parole violators, and anyone exhibiting suspicious behavior, allowing police to act before violence occurs.</p><p>This proactive approach eliminates the need for reactionary policing, which too often comes after an innocent person has already been harmed.</p><p><strong>6. Empower Citizens to Defend Themselves</strong></p><p>The average subway rider today feels like a sitting duck, unable to protect themselves against violent attacks. That changes now. Law-abiding citizens will be allowed to carry firearms for self-defense in the subway. Any individual who neutralizes a violent threat in defense of themselves or others will be legally protected and celebrated, not prosecuted.</p><p>Additionally, the city will offer subsidized self-defense training programs to equip commuters with the skills to protect themselves. An armed and prepared citizenry is the greatest deterrent to crime.</p><p><strong>7. Swift and Severe Justice</strong></p><p>For far too long, NYC has allowed its criminals to exploit the system. Slow trials, lenient judges, and endless appeals have emboldened offenders. That ends now.</p><p>Subway-related crimes will be fast-tracked through military-style tribunals. Trials will occur within days, and sentences will be carried out immediately. Justice delayed is justice denied, and the safety of millions cannot wait for bureaucratic red tape.</p><p><strong>The Time for Action is Now</strong></p><p>The numbers speak for themselves. NYC subways have seen a nearly 30% rise in violent crime since 2020, despite ridership remaining below pre-pandemic levels. Criminals have no fear of consequences, and permissive policies have turned public transit into a war zone.</p><p>The solution is simple: shift the fear from the innocent to the guilty. Criminals should fear swift and severe punishment, not expect sympathy or second chances. By restoring the rule of law and empowering citizens, NYC can reclaim its subway system from the grip of chaos.</p><p><strong>It&#8217;s time to make crime unthinkable, not inevitable. Crush the chaos. Restore the order.</strong></p><p>With strength and honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/ee040532-ec87-4bc7-92b2-800e9f0fdbc9?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><p><a href="https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/87806dae-d3eb-4115-b773-612f3e20e853?j=eyJ1IjoiNDhrbXZ0In0.0GCB6mvzSZoZ80AGq0D7xWJ54SjWhvJQU002JjOtg1w">Follow The Based Take on Instagram</a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/subway-of-chaos-taking-back-nycs?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/subway-of-chaos-taking-back-nycs?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rejecting the Dangerous Normalization of Predatory Behavior]]></title><description><![CDATA[Why Society Must Stand Firm Against Euphemisms, Academic Enablers, and Cultural Decay to Safeguard Our Children]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/rejecting-the-dangerous-normalization</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/rejecting-the-dangerous-normalization</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 17 Dec 2024 01:31:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OWYZ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F32563829-2cd8-4420-8de6-d125313c523b_1792x1024.webp" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Protecting children is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of any society. They represent innocence, potential, and the future. Yet, the alarming trend to rebrand pedophiles as &#8220;Minor-Attracted Persons&#8221; (MAPs) poses a direct threat to the safeguards we have in place to protect them. This linguistic shift, often masquerading as a push for &#8220;understanding,&#8221; attempts to sanitize what is, at its core, one of the most egregious moral and criminal offenses&#8212;sexual predation against children.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fa8M!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc6b931b8-18aa-4fe9-9caf-d4209793612a_96x96.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fa8M!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc6b931b8-18aa-4fe9-9caf-d4209793612a_96x96.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fa8M!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc6b931b8-18aa-4fe9-9caf-d4209793612a_96x96.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fa8M!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc6b931b8-18aa-4fe9-9caf-d4209793612a_96x96.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fa8M!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc6b931b8-18aa-4fe9-9caf-d4209793612a_96x96.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fa8M!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc6b931b8-18aa-4fe9-9caf-d4209793612a_96x96.jpeg" width="96" height="96" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/c6b931b8-18aa-4fe9-9caf-d4209793612a_96x96.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:96,&quot;width&quot;:96,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:3659,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fa8M!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc6b931b8-18aa-4fe9-9caf-d4209793612a_96x96.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fa8M!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc6b931b8-18aa-4fe9-9caf-d4209793612a_96x96.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fa8M!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc6b931b8-18aa-4fe9-9caf-d4209793612a_96x96.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fa8M!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc6b931b8-18aa-4fe9-9caf-d4209793612a_96x96.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div></div></div></a></figure></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.instagram.com/the_basedtake/&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Follow Us on Instagram&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.instagram.com/the_basedtake/"><span>Follow Us on Instagram</span></a></p><h3><strong>The Danger of Euphemisms</strong></h3><p>Words carry power. When society shifts its language, it also shifts perceptions and, eventually, behavior. By replacing the term &#8220;pedophile&#8221; with &#8220;Minor-Attracted Person,&#8221; activists and academics are attempting to separate the act from its inherent immorality. They claim this rebrand reduces stigma, but stigma exists for a reason: to protect children from harm and to enforce cultural norms that prioritize their well-being. Euphemisms like &#8220;MAP&#8221; attempt to reframe predatory behavior as an identity rather than a moral failing or a psychological disorder.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Thanks for reading The Based Take! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OWYZ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F32563829-2cd8-4420-8de6-d125313c523b_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OWYZ!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F32563829-2cd8-4420-8de6-d125313c523b_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OWYZ!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F32563829-2cd8-4420-8de6-d125313c523b_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OWYZ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F32563829-2cd8-4420-8de6-d125313c523b_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OWYZ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F32563829-2cd8-4420-8de6-d125313c523b_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OWYZ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F32563829-2cd8-4420-8de6-d125313c523b_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/32563829-2cd8-4420-8de6-d125313c523b_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:721074,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OWYZ!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F32563829-2cd8-4420-8de6-d125313c523b_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OWYZ!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F32563829-2cd8-4420-8de6-d125313c523b_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OWYZ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F32563829-2cd8-4420-8de6-d125313c523b_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OWYZ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F32563829-2cd8-4420-8de6-d125313c523b_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3><strong>Academic Enablers</strong></h3><p>Some academic circles have begun embracing the term &#8220;Minor-Attracted Persons&#8221; under the guise of fostering compassion and &#8220;preventative&#8221; research. Institutions like Old Dominion University became embroiled in controversy when a professor suggested we use the term MAP to avoid &#8220;demonizing&#8221; pedophiles. They argued that understanding these individuals is essential to preventing harm. But in practice, this approach risks blurring moral boundaries and desensitizing the public to the very real dangers of adult predation. Studies suggest that normalizing harmful behavior&#8212;even linguistically&#8212;can lead to its broader acceptance.</p><p>Instead of &#8220;normalizing&#8221; pedophilic tendencies through language, society should focus on accountability and rehabilitation for offenders and bolstering protective measures for children. Resources should be directed toward programs that educate parents and communities about warning signs of abuse and strengthen the bonds within the nuclear family.</p><h3><strong>The Role of the Family</strong></h3><p>The family is the first line of defense in protecting children. Statistics consistently show that children from stable, two-parent households are less likely to experience abuse. For example, a 2019 study found that children from single-parent homes are nearly four times more likely to be sexually abused than those from two-parent households. The presence of a strong father figure, in particular, acts as a protective barrier. Strengthening family structures should therefore be a societal priority, not undermined by cultural trends that aim to redefine harmful behaviors.</p><h3><strong>The Funding and Advocacy Problem</strong></h3><p>Another critical concern is the funding and platforming of research that seeks to normalize deviant behavior. Advocacy groups have been known to funnel money into academic studies that portray pedophilia as a misunderstood orientation. By doing so, they aim to shift the Overton Window&#8212;the spectrum of ideas considered acceptable in public discourse. Once a taboo, pedophilia is being rebranded as a topic for &#8220;compassionate understanding.&#8221; Public funds and university grants should be used to combat abuse, not excuse it.</p><p>For example, several universities have come under fire for using taxpayer dollars to fund research that explores the &#8220;challenges&#8221; of MAPs without adequately focusing on victim protection. This is not the purpose of academic study&#8212;it&#8217;s a dangerous misallocation of resources. Funds should be directed toward educating children about safety, supporting families in at-risk communities, and increasing law enforcement&#8217;s ability to track and prosecute offenders.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8FFQ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8427e2cd-aee9-46c3-8d07-0df3698462de_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8FFQ!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8427e2cd-aee9-46c3-8d07-0df3698462de_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8FFQ!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8427e2cd-aee9-46c3-8d07-0df3698462de_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8FFQ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8427e2cd-aee9-46c3-8d07-0df3698462de_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8FFQ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8427e2cd-aee9-46c3-8d07-0df3698462de_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8FFQ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8427e2cd-aee9-46c3-8d07-0df3698462de_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/8427e2cd-aee9-46c3-8d07-0df3698462de_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:554010,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8FFQ!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8427e2cd-aee9-46c3-8d07-0df3698462de_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8FFQ!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8427e2cd-aee9-46c3-8d07-0df3698462de_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8FFQ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8427e2cd-aee9-46c3-8d07-0df3698462de_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8FFQ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8427e2cd-aee9-46c3-8d07-0df3698462de_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3><strong>Cultural Desensitization</strong></h3><p>Beyond academia, mainstream culture is also contributing to desensitization. Hollywood has repeatedly flirted with the normalization of inappropriate relationships under the guise of &#8220;art.&#8221; Social media platforms, too, have been slow to crack down on pedophilic content, allowing predators to exploit vulnerable children online. The collective result is a gradual erosion of societal norms meant to protect children from exploitation.</p><h3><strong>A Clear and Unwavering Stance</strong></h3><p>Society cannot afford to waver in its stance on this issue. The well-being of children depends on our collective refusal to allow pedophilia&#8212;or any attempt to normalize it&#8212;to gain a foothold in public discourse. The push to rebrand pedophiles as "Minor-Attracted Persons" must be met with firm resistance, not just from concerned parents, but from every corner of society: educators, religious leaders, lawmakers, and anyone who values the sanctity of childhood.</p><h3><strong>The Consequences of Normalization</strong></h3><p>History provides countless examples of what happens when societies loosen their moral standards. In ancient Rome, for instance, the sexual exploitation of children was not only tolerated but often institutionalized in the form of slavery and exploitation of young boys. The collapse of such societies is often linked to their moral decay and the inability to protect their most vulnerable. The parallels to modern-day efforts to reframe pedophilia as a benign orientation are striking&#8212;and they serve as a warning.</p><p>Normalizing such behavior would inevitably lead to disastrous consequences. Legal protections might begin to erode, and predators could gain access to spaces where children should be safe, such as schools, churches, and community programs. The idea that pedophiles are simply misunderstood individuals with harmless attractions dangerously downplays the profound psychological and emotional trauma inflicted on child victims. Studies show that survivors of childhood sexual abuse are at increased risk for depression, PTSD, substance abuse, and even suicide. The stakes could not be higher.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9yLO!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9be0ffee-1e30-493f-88dd-67384a08b200_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9yLO!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9be0ffee-1e30-493f-88dd-67384a08b200_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9yLO!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9be0ffee-1e30-493f-88dd-67384a08b200_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9yLO!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9be0ffee-1e30-493f-88dd-67384a08b200_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9yLO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9be0ffee-1e30-493f-88dd-67384a08b200_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9yLO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9be0ffee-1e30-493f-88dd-67384a08b200_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/9be0ffee-1e30-493f-88dd-67384a08b200_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:577310,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9yLO!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9be0ffee-1e30-493f-88dd-67384a08b200_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9yLO!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9be0ffee-1e30-493f-88dd-67384a08b200_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9yLO!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9be0ffee-1e30-493f-88dd-67384a08b200_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9yLO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9be0ffee-1e30-493f-88dd-67384a08b200_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3><strong>What Must Be Done</strong></h3><ol><li><p><strong>Strengthen Laws:</strong> Legislators must ensure that laws against child exploitation are ironclad. Proposals to lower the age of consent in some parts of the world, or leniency for offenders under the guise of "understanding," must be unequivocally rejected.</p></li><li><p><strong>Prioritize Victim Advocacy:</strong> Society&#8217;s focus must be on the victims, not the perpetrators. Programs that support survivors of abuse, offer them therapy, and provide resources for recovery must receive far more funding and attention than efforts to understand or destigmatize those who prey on children.</p></li><li><p><strong>Combat Grooming Online and Offline:</strong> Online platforms should face greater scrutiny. Social media giants like X, TikTok, and Instagram must take stronger measures to detect and eliminate grooming behaviors. Offline, parents and communities must be educated about the tactics predators use to exploit trust.</p></li><li><p><strong>Reinforce the Nuclear Family:</strong> Studies consistently show that children in intact families with strong father figures are significantly less likely to become victims of abuse. Policies and cultural efforts should aim to strengthen, not undermine, the traditional family structure.</p></li><li><p><strong>Challenge Academia:</strong> Universities must be held accountable for how they allocate funding and the narratives they endorse. Research into child protection and offender rehabilitation should focus on prevention and accountability&#8212;not sympathy for predators.</p></li><li><p><strong>Engage Faith and Morality:</strong> Religious institutions have long been at the forefront of protecting children through moral teachings and community support. Encouraging spiritual and moral education can serve as a bulwark against cultural decay.</p></li></ol><h3><strong>Call to Action</strong></h3><p>To protect children, we must reject the euphemisms, call out the enablers, and reaffirm our commitment to upholding moral standards. This fight is not just about language or academic theory&#8212;it&#8217;s about ensuring that children can grow up safe, loved, and free from harm. Society owes this to every child, without exception.</p><h3><strong>Did You Know?</strong></h3><p>In the U.S., there are nearly <strong>500,000 reports of child sexual abuse annually</strong>, and experts believe many cases go unreported. Despite this, funding for programs addressing abuse prevention is significantly lower than for offender-focused research. (<a href="https://www.rainn.org/statistics/children-and-teens">Source</a>)</p><p>When we focus on protecting predators instead of their victims, we fail our most basic duty as a society. Remember: the innocence of a child is not a debate&#8212;it&#8217;s a sacred responsibility.</p><p><em>A society grows great when it plants trees whose shade it knows it will never sit in. Let&#8217;s ensure those trees protect our children, not predators.</em></p><p>With Strength and Honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://x.com/the_basedtake">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_basedtake/">Follow The Based Take on Instagram</a></p><div class="captioned-button-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/rejecting-the-dangerous-normalization?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;}" data-component-name="CaptionedButtonToDOM"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Open Someone&#8217;s Eyes and Share This</p></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/rejecting-the-dangerous-normalization?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/rejecting-the-dangerous-normalization?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p></div><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Everyday Heroes: The Courage to Act When It Matters Most]]></title><description><![CDATA[Celebrating bravery, empowering communities, and fostering unity in the face of rising challenges]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/everyday-heroes-the-courage-to-act</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/everyday-heroes-the-courage-to-act</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 10 Dec 2024 01:00:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Bv2M!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53b0c090-5f2d-4d14-b2a8-850bb8c45942_1206x890.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Bv2M!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53b0c090-5f2d-4d14-b2a8-850bb8c45942_1206x890.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Bv2M!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53b0c090-5f2d-4d14-b2a8-850bb8c45942_1206x890.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Bv2M!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53b0c090-5f2d-4d14-b2a8-850bb8c45942_1206x890.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Bv2M!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53b0c090-5f2d-4d14-b2a8-850bb8c45942_1206x890.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Bv2M!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53b0c090-5f2d-4d14-b2a8-850bb8c45942_1206x890.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Bv2M!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53b0c090-5f2d-4d14-b2a8-850bb8c45942_1206x890.jpeg" width="1206" height="890" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/53b0c090-5f2d-4d14-b2a8-850bb8c45942_1206x890.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:890,&quot;width&quot;:1206,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:202877,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Bv2M!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53b0c090-5f2d-4d14-b2a8-850bb8c45942_1206x890.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Bv2M!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53b0c090-5f2d-4d14-b2a8-850bb8c45942_1206x890.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Bv2M!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53b0c090-5f2d-4d14-b2a8-850bb8c45942_1206x890.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Bv2M!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53b0c090-5f2d-4d14-b2a8-850bb8c45942_1206x890.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>The acquittal of Daniel Penny, a former Marine, serves as a case study in the critical role everyday heroes play in maintaining public safety when institutions fall short. Penny&#8217;s actions came in response to Jordan Neely&#8217;s erratic and threatening behavior on a New York City subway, during which multiple passengers testified to fearing for their lives. His intervention raises important questions about the role of personal responsibility in ensuring public safety, particularly in urban environments where crime rates remain a pressing concern.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><h3>Crime Statistics and the Need for Vigilance</h3><p>Recent statistics underscore the necessity of such interventions. According to the FBI&#8217;s 2023 Crime Report, major metropolitan areas like New York City experience higher rates of violent crime, including aggravated assault and robbery, than the national average. In 2022, New York City saw a 25% increase in subway crime compared to the previous year, with multiple incidents involving attacks on passengers. When public safety feels compromised, ordinary citizens are often thrust into the role of protector, stepping in where law enforcement cannot.</p><h3>The Tradition of Vigilantism</h3><p>History provides numerous examples of individuals who have acted outside the traditional boundaries of law enforcement to protect their communities. Bernard Goetz, famously known as the "Subway Vigilante," used a firearm to defend himself against four men who attempted to rob him on a New York City train in 1984. His case sparked national debates about self-defense and the limits of vigilantism. Similarly, Mark Vaughan, a company executive in Oklahoma, stopped a workplace attack in 2014 by using his firearm to neutralize the perpetrator before law enforcement arrived. In both instances, the community widely regarded these individuals as heroes, though their actions faced legal and ethical scrutiny.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p4Ee!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff8d7f37-b6c5-4bbc-b7c3-b6c83bae2a5e_660x441.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p4Ee!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff8d7f37-b6c5-4bbc-b7c3-b6c83bae2a5e_660x441.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p4Ee!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff8d7f37-b6c5-4bbc-b7c3-b6c83bae2a5e_660x441.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p4Ee!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff8d7f37-b6c5-4bbc-b7c3-b6c83bae2a5e_660x441.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p4Ee!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff8d7f37-b6c5-4bbc-b7c3-b6c83bae2a5e_660x441.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p4Ee!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff8d7f37-b6c5-4bbc-b7c3-b6c83bae2a5e_660x441.jpeg" width="660" height="441" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/ff8d7f37-b6c5-4bbc-b7c3-b6c83bae2a5e_660x441.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:441,&quot;width&quot;:660,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Daniel Penny arrives at the criminal courthouse in New York City on Dec. 9, 2024, when a jury found the former Marine not guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the death of Jordan Neely.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="Daniel Penny arrives at the criminal courthouse in New York City on Dec. 9, 2024, when a jury found the former Marine not guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the death of Jordan Neely." title="Daniel Penny arrives at the criminal courthouse in New York City on Dec. 9, 2024, when a jury found the former Marine not guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the death of Jordan Neely." srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p4Ee!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff8d7f37-b6c5-4bbc-b7c3-b6c83bae2a5e_660x441.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p4Ee!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff8d7f37-b6c5-4bbc-b7c3-b6c83bae2a5e_660x441.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p4Ee!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff8d7f37-b6c5-4bbc-b7c3-b6c83bae2a5e_660x441.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p4Ee!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff8d7f37-b6c5-4bbc-b7c3-b6c83bae2a5e_660x441.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3>The Moral Imperative to Act</h3><p>Philosophical and religious principles often uphold the duty to protect others in times of danger. Christianity, for instance, calls for courage and self-sacrifice in the face of evil, as embodied in John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one&#8217;s life for one&#8217;s friends." Similarly, Islamic teachings advocate for standing against wrongdoing, as highlighted in the hadith: &#8220;Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand...&#8221; These teachings emphasize the collective responsibility to act for the common good.</p><h3>Challenges and the Risk of Criminalization</h3><p>The Daniel Penny case also highlights the growing tension between public intervention and legal repercussions. While Penny&#8217;s acquittal is a victory for proponents of self-defense, it underscores the need for clear legal frameworks that protect individuals acting in good faith. A 2021 Pew Research Center survey found that 57% of Americans believe people are less likely to intervene in crises today due to fear of legal consequences. This reluctance could lead to further erosion of public trust and safety, leaving vulnerable citizens exposed to harm.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Dfsa!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7a0b942-e7a4-4071-8c72-af93d4174474_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Dfsa!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7a0b942-e7a4-4071-8c72-af93d4174474_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Dfsa!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7a0b942-e7a4-4071-8c72-af93d4174474_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Dfsa!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7a0b942-e7a4-4071-8c72-af93d4174474_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Dfsa!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7a0b942-e7a4-4071-8c72-af93d4174474_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Dfsa!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7a0b942-e7a4-4071-8c72-af93d4174474_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a7a0b942-e7a4-4071-8c72-af93d4174474_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:645372,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Dfsa!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7a0b942-e7a4-4071-8c72-af93d4174474_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Dfsa!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7a0b942-e7a4-4071-8c72-af93d4174474_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Dfsa!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7a0b942-e7a4-4071-8c72-af93d4174474_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Dfsa!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7a0b942-e7a4-4071-8c72-af93d4174474_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3>A Culture of Gratitude for Everyday Heroes</h3><p>Rather than vilifying those who act to protect others, society must cultivate a culture that celebrates their courage. Programs like community self-defense training and partnerships with law enforcement could empower more citizens to step up during emergencies. By celebrating the actions of individuals like Daniel Penny, we reinforce societal values of bravery, responsibility, and moral integrity.</p><h3>Did You Know?</h3><p>A 2023 Gallup poll revealed that 72% of Americans feel less safe in urban public spaces today than they did a decade ago, with many citing a lack of visible security as the primary concern.</p><h3>Closing Thought</h3><p>When the system hesitates, heroes don&#8217;t. Every act of courage reminds us that the preservation of safety and order begins with individual responsibility. After all, "Heroes aren&#8217;t born&#8212;they&#8217;re made in the moments that matter."</p><p>With Strength and Honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://x.com/the_basedtake">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><div class="captioned-button-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/everyday-heroes-the-courage-to-act?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;}" data-component-name="CaptionedButtonToDOM"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Open Someone&#8217;s Eyes and Share This</p></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/everyday-heroes-the-courage-to-act?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/everyday-heroes-the-courage-to-act?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p></div><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Joe Biden’s Pardon of Hunter Biden Exposes Blatant Hypocrisy]]></title><description><![CDATA[It's Despicable in Many Ways]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/joe-bidens-pardon-of-hunter-biden</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/joe-bidens-pardon-of-hunter-biden</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 03 Dec 2024 01:30:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mk1q!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F94848359-ed71-48d2-a101-99e5ec21e33c_1024x768.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mk1q!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F94848359-ed71-48d2-a101-99e5ec21e33c_1024x768.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mk1q!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F94848359-ed71-48d2-a101-99e5ec21e33c_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mk1q!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F94848359-ed71-48d2-a101-99e5ec21e33c_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mk1q!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F94848359-ed71-48d2-a101-99e5ec21e33c_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mk1q!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F94848359-ed71-48d2-a101-99e5ec21e33c_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mk1q!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F94848359-ed71-48d2-a101-99e5ec21e33c_1024x768.jpeg" width="1024" height="768" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/94848359-ed71-48d2-a101-99e5ec21e33c_1024x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:768,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:181332,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mk1q!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F94848359-ed71-48d2-a101-99e5ec21e33c_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mk1q!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F94848359-ed71-48d2-a101-99e5ec21e33c_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mk1q!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F94848359-ed71-48d2-a101-99e5ec21e33c_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mk1q!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F94848359-ed71-48d2-a101-99e5ec21e33c_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Joe Biden built his presidency on promises of restoring &#8220;integrity&#8221; to government. But his recent full pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, demolishes that narrative, showcasing political nepotism at its worst. Here&#8217;s how this act underscores Biden&#8217;s hypocrisy and weakens his legacy:</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><h3>1. Betraying His Own Promises</h3><p>Biden repeatedly vowed not to interfere with the Justice Department, claiming independence from legal matters involving his son. Yet, by pardoning Hunter, he&#8217;s gone from being &#8220;hands off&#8221; to taking complete control. This isn&#8217;t just a reversal&#8212;it&#8217;s a betrayal of the trust he asked voters to place in him.</p><h3>2. &#8220;Selective Prosecution&#8221;&#8212;Or Selective Standards?</h3><p>Biden argues that Hunter was unfairly targeted because of his last name. But this logic falls apart when his son&#8217;s offenses include blatant tax evasion and firearm violations&#8212;crimes that send average Americans to prison daily. Rather than let the justice system work, Biden weaponized the pardon power to shield his son while preaching &#8220;equality under the law.&#8221;</p><h3>3. The Pardon That Stands Alone</h3><p>Presidential pardons for family members aren&#8217;t new, but Biden&#8217;s stands out for its timing and context. Most past pardons came after sentences were served, not as a lifeline to avoid accountability altogether. For a man who campaigned on &#8220;restoring norms,&#8221; this action reeks of desperation, not justice.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Omy!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a9d3c62-8c68-4898-a666-5fe20b9524e9_1024x768.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Omy!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a9d3c62-8c68-4898-a666-5fe20b9524e9_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Omy!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a9d3c62-8c68-4898-a666-5fe20b9524e9_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Omy!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a9d3c62-8c68-4898-a666-5fe20b9524e9_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Omy!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a9d3c62-8c68-4898-a666-5fe20b9524e9_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Omy!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a9d3c62-8c68-4898-a666-5fe20b9524e9_1024x768.jpeg" width="1024" height="768" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/5a9d3c62-8c68-4898-a666-5fe20b9524e9_1024x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:768,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:167245,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Omy!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a9d3c62-8c68-4898-a666-5fe20b9524e9_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Omy!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a9d3c62-8c68-4898-a666-5fe20b9524e9_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Omy!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a9d3c62-8c68-4898-a666-5fe20b9524e9_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_Omy!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a9d3c62-8c68-4898-a666-5fe20b9524e9_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3>4. Political Fallout&#8212;Even from His Own Party</h3><p>Biden&#8217;s move has angered some Democrats, with many calling it &#8220;tone-deaf&#8221; and &#8220;self-serving.&#8221; Republicans, meanwhile, are using the pardon as Exhibit A in their case against what they call the &#8220;Biden crime family.&#8221; This act doesn&#8217;t just look bad&#8212;it&#8217;s political ammunition for his opponents and a betrayal to voters who believed his rhetoric.</p><h3>5. A Legacy in Tatters</h3><p>This pardon raises serious questions about Biden&#8217;s priorities. Is he a leader who puts public trust above all else? Or a father who will manipulate the levers of power to protect his family? For many, this decision cements the latter, tarnishing his presidency and undermining claims of integrity and fairness.</p><p><em><strong>Did you know? Americans convicted of the same tax and gun charges as Hunter Biden typically face years in federal prison. But Hunter won&#8217;t serve a single day.</strong></em></p><h3>A Final Based Thought</h3><p>Joe Biden&#8217;s pardon of his son is a masterclass in political hypocrisy. A man who promised unity and justice for all has instead shown us what cronyism looks like at the highest level. If this is Biden&#8217;s idea of restoring &#8220;norms,&#8221; imagine what happens if they get any worse.</p><p>With Strength and Honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://x.com/the_basedtake">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><div class="captioned-button-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/joe-bidens-pardon-of-hunter-biden?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;}" data-component-name="CaptionedButtonToDOM"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Open Someone&#8217;s Eyes and Share This</p></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/joe-bidens-pardon-of-hunter-biden?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/joe-bidens-pardon-of-hunter-biden?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p></div><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Posting Mental Breakdowns is a Cry For Help ]]></title><description><![CDATA[and the Healthier Alternatives We Should Pursue]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/posting-mental-breakdowns-is-a-cry</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/posting-mental-breakdowns-is-a-cry</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 26 Nov 2024 01:30:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SsiV!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6b93e17b-e83b-452a-945c-b8641a150ed3_1792x1024.webp" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SsiV!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6b93e17b-e83b-452a-945c-b8641a150ed3_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SsiV!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6b93e17b-e83b-452a-945c-b8641a150ed3_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SsiV!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6b93e17b-e83b-452a-945c-b8641a150ed3_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SsiV!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6b93e17b-e83b-452a-945c-b8641a150ed3_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SsiV!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6b93e17b-e83b-452a-945c-b8641a150ed3_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SsiV!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6b93e17b-e83b-452a-945c-b8641a150ed3_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/6b93e17b-e83b-452a-945c-b8641a150ed3_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:407198,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SsiV!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6b93e17b-e83b-452a-945c-b8641a150ed3_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SsiV!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6b93e17b-e83b-452a-945c-b8641a150ed3_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SsiV!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6b93e17b-e83b-452a-945c-b8641a150ed3_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SsiV!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6b93e17b-e83b-452a-945c-b8641a150ed3_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>Imagine this:</strong> you&#8217;re sobbing uncontrollably, the world is crumbling around you, and your first thought is&#8230; </p><p><em><strong>&#8220;Let me set up the camera.&#8221;</strong></em> </p><p>You adjust the lighting, check your angles, maybe throw on a filter to make sure your pain pops just right. Then you upload it for likes, because what&#8217;s the point of grieving if the algorithm isn&#8217;t grieving with you? </p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p>Gone are the days when people handled their emotions privately or leaned on close friends and family. Now, every heartbreak is a content opportunity, and every tear is monetized. It&#8217;s performance art disguised as vulnerability, and the audience is expected to applaud your courage for hitting &#8220;record.&#8221; </p><p>Here&#8217;s the thing: true emotional strength doesn&#8217;t seek validation. If your pain needs a Wi-Fi connection to feel real, maybe it&#8217;s time to log off. Did you know: Studies show excessive social media use increases anxiety and depression. Maybe the dopamine hit from your &#8220;sad video&#8221; isn&#8217;t curing anything after all. </p><p>Cry offline&#8212;your ancestors survived famines without ring lights.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yU13!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbfb4c15a-9de8-4ec9-a972-af31b49d1c99_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yU13!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbfb4c15a-9de8-4ec9-a972-af31b49d1c99_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yU13!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbfb4c15a-9de8-4ec9-a972-af31b49d1c99_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yU13!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbfb4c15a-9de8-4ec9-a972-af31b49d1c99_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yU13!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbfb4c15a-9de8-4ec9-a972-af31b49d1c99_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yU13!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbfb4c15a-9de8-4ec9-a972-af31b49d1c99_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/bfb4c15a-9de8-4ec9-a972-af31b49d1c99_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:334602,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yU13!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbfb4c15a-9de8-4ec9-a972-af31b49d1c99_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yU13!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbfb4c15a-9de8-4ec9-a972-af31b49d1c99_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yU13!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbfb4c15a-9de8-4ec9-a972-af31b49d1c99_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yU13!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbfb4c15a-9de8-4ec9-a972-af31b49d1c99_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3><strong>The Psychology Behind Posting Mental Breakdowns Online</strong></h3><ol><li><p><strong>Validation and Community Seeking</strong> Social media is a dopamine-driven system, rewarding likes, comments, and shares. Studies show that <strong>dopamine release from social media validation is comparable to that of addictive substances like nicotine or cocaine</strong> (Meshi et al., 2013). For individuals in distress, this validation offers a fleeting sense of connection in a moment of isolation.</p><ul><li><p>Liberal individuals, who are statistically more likely to value inclusivity and community (Pew Research, 2020), may turn to platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where emotional vulnerability is often celebrated.</p></li><li><p>The rise of hashtags like #MentalHealthAwareness and #ItGetsBetter has normalized sharing personal struggles, sometimes at the expense of private coping.</p></li></ul></li><li><p><strong>Normalization of Oversharing</strong> In an era where privacy is a diminishing commodity, younger generations (primarily Millennials and Gen Z) increasingly see personal transparency as authenticity. This cultural shift is amplified by liberal ideologies that encourage expressive individualism.</p><ul><li><p>A 2022 survey by the American Psychological Association found that <strong>65% of Gen Z respondents believe it&#8217;s important to publicly share struggles to destigmatize mental health issues</strong>. However, this approach often blurs the line between raising awareness and seeking personal attention.</p></li></ul></li><li><p><strong>Performative Activism</strong> Liberals are more likely to align themselves with activism-based identity markers. Publicizing a breakdown may inadvertently serve as a signal of solidarity with broader movements, such as mental health advocacy or anti-capitalist critiques of overwork culture. This is not always malicious but reflects a tendency to externalize personal struggles as part of systemic commentary.</p></li></ol><div><hr></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yS3l!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27db5476-696d-4782-9626-9173b23a43fd_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yS3l!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27db5476-696d-4782-9626-9173b23a43fd_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yS3l!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27db5476-696d-4782-9626-9173b23a43fd_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yS3l!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27db5476-696d-4782-9626-9173b23a43fd_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yS3l!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27db5476-696d-4782-9626-9173b23a43fd_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yS3l!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27db5476-696d-4782-9626-9173b23a43fd_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/27db5476-696d-4782-9626-9173b23a43fd_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:487870,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yS3l!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27db5476-696d-4782-9626-9173b23a43fd_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yS3l!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27db5476-696d-4782-9626-9173b23a43fd_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yS3l!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27db5476-696d-4782-9626-9173b23a43fd_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yS3l!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27db5476-696d-4782-9626-9173b23a43fd_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3><strong>The Hidden Consequences of Posting Breakdowns</strong></h3><p>Despite the perceived benefits, sharing mental breakdowns online carries significant risks:</p><ol><li><p><strong>Reinforcement of Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms</strong> Relying on social media for emotional relief prevents individuals from developing internal resilience. A 2017 study in <em>Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking</em> found that <strong>frequent social media use is correlated with increased symptoms of anxiety and depression</strong> due to comparison and overexposure to others&#8217; curated lives.</p></li><li><p><strong>Stigma and Exploitation</strong> While the intention may be to normalize mental health struggles, publicizing one&#8217;s breakdowns can lead to backlash or exploitation. Employers, future partners, or even trolls can weaponize these moments, causing regret once the immediate emotional storm subsides.</p></li><li><p><strong>Loss of Introspection</strong> Constant broadcasting interrupts the internal work necessary for true emotional healing. Psychologists argue that journaling, private therapy, or personal reflection are far more effective at addressing root causes than seeking external validation.</p></li></ol><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p5jy!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb8abede7-0d75-4df6-af57-1266eca5ad45_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p5jy!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb8abede7-0d75-4df6-af57-1266eca5ad45_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p5jy!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb8abede7-0d75-4df6-af57-1266eca5ad45_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p5jy!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb8abede7-0d75-4df6-af57-1266eca5ad45_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p5jy!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb8abede7-0d75-4df6-af57-1266eca5ad45_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p5jy!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb8abede7-0d75-4df6-af57-1266eca5ad45_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/b8abede7-0d75-4df6-af57-1266eca5ad45_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:356354,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p5jy!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb8abede7-0d75-4df6-af57-1266eca5ad45_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p5jy!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb8abede7-0d75-4df6-af57-1266eca5ad45_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p5jy!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb8abede7-0d75-4df6-af57-1266eca5ad45_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!p5jy!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb8abede7-0d75-4df6-af57-1266eca5ad45_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><div><hr></div><h3><strong>A Healthier Path Forward</strong></h3><p>Instead of turning to social media, individuals struggling with mental health should consider the following alternatives:</p><ol><li><p><strong>Professional Help</strong> Therapy remains the gold standard for mental health treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression in <strong>80% of patients after 12 weeks</strong> (Journal of Psychiatric Research, 2018). For those unable to afford therapy, apps like BetterHelp or community services can provide cost-effective options.</p></li><li><p><strong>Building Real-Life Connections</strong> Face-to-face support from family and friends is invaluable. Research by Holt-Lunstad et al. (2010) revealed that <strong>strong social networks reduce the risk of mortality by 50%</strong>, underscoring the importance of personal connections over virtual ones.</p></li><li><p><strong>Physical and Spiritual Practices</strong> Exercise, meditation, and prayer have been proven to stabilize mood and provide clarity. <strong>Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise three times a week reduces depressive symptoms by 47%</strong> (Harvard Medical School, 2017). Spiritual practices offer grounding and meaning, often missing in digital spaces.</p></li></ol><div><hr></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mYnj!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cb75bbf-ca6e-412f-b880-444bf078f160_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mYnj!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cb75bbf-ca6e-412f-b880-444bf078f160_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mYnj!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cb75bbf-ca6e-412f-b880-444bf078f160_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mYnj!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cb75bbf-ca6e-412f-b880-444bf078f160_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mYnj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cb75bbf-ca6e-412f-b880-444bf078f160_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mYnj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cb75bbf-ca6e-412f-b880-444bf078f160_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/5cb75bbf-ca6e-412f-b880-444bf078f160_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:370608,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mYnj!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cb75bbf-ca6e-412f-b880-444bf078f160_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mYnj!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cb75bbf-ca6e-412f-b880-444bf078f160_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mYnj!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cb75bbf-ca6e-412f-b880-444bf078f160_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mYnj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cb75bbf-ca6e-412f-b880-444bf078f160_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3><strong>Conclusion</strong></h3><p>Sharing emotional breakdowns online might feel cathartic in the moment, but it often deepens the cycle of distress while exposing individuals to public scrutiny. By seeking validation through healthier, offline channels, individuals can foster true resilience and healing. Social media is a tool&#8212;not a therapist.</p><p>With Strength and Honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://x.com/the_basedtake">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><div class="captioned-button-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/posting-mental-breakdowns-is-a-cry?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;}" data-component-name="CaptionedButtonToDOM"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Open Someone&#8217;s Eyes and Share This</p></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/posting-mental-breakdowns-is-a-cry?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/posting-mental-breakdowns-is-a-cry?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p></div><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Does Your Vote Define You? ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Understanding Single-Issue Voters Might Change How You See Politics]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/does-your-vote-define-you</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/does-your-vote-define-you</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 19 Nov 2024 01:30:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LX5a!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90c1e537-9265-4557-b0bc-cd8dcedf85c9_1792x1024.webp" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LX5a!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90c1e537-9265-4557-b0bc-cd8dcedf85c9_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LX5a!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90c1e537-9265-4557-b0bc-cd8dcedf85c9_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LX5a!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90c1e537-9265-4557-b0bc-cd8dcedf85c9_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LX5a!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90c1e537-9265-4557-b0bc-cd8dcedf85c9_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LX5a!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90c1e537-9265-4557-b0bc-cd8dcedf85c9_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LX5a!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90c1e537-9265-4557-b0bc-cd8dcedf85c9_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/90c1e537-9265-4557-b0bc-cd8dcedf85c9_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:530354,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LX5a!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90c1e537-9265-4557-b0bc-cd8dcedf85c9_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LX5a!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90c1e537-9265-4557-b0bc-cd8dcedf85c9_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LX5a!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90c1e537-9265-4557-b0bc-cd8dcedf85c9_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LX5a!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90c1e537-9265-4557-b0bc-cd8dcedf85c9_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3>Why You Can&#8217;t Write Someone Off Based on Who They Voted for in the Last Election</h3><p>In today&#8217;s polarized political climate, it&#8217;s easy to see people purely as "left" or "right" and judge their character based on their vote in the last election. But when we dig deeper, it becomes clear that most people vote based on a small handful of issues that impact their lives the most, and those issues vary widely depending on personal experiences and values. </p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p>For example, let&#8217;s take the issue of abortion and women&#8217;s reproductive rights. To someone who has had personal experiences that made them value the freedom to make reproductive choices, that issue could feel like a top priority. However, for another person, issues like healthcare reform, foreign policy, or economic stability might weigh more heavily on their decision. Just as someone may feel their freedoms and well-being are at risk without reproductive rights, others may feel just as strongly that their own or their loved ones' lives are affected by issues like healthcare accessibility or America&#8217;s role in global conflicts. These are all personal, deeply-felt issues that can lead voters to prioritize certain stances over others, not because they lack empathy but because each of these issues carries weight in very different ways.</p><h4>The One- or Two-Issue Voter: A Common Reality</h4><p>Studies show that a large percentage of voters are essentially &#8220;single-issue&#8221; or &#8220;two-issue&#8221; voters. According to a 2019 Gallup survey, about 35% of voters say a single issue will strongly influence their vote, and that number often rises in elections where divisive issues like reproductive rights, healthcare, or economic policies dominate the conversation. This is a common reality: people vote for candidates who support their core concerns, even if those candidates don&#8217;t align perfectly with every single one of their beliefs. </p><p>What this means is that, often, people aren&#8217;t voting against reproductive rights, for instance, when they support a candidate who has mixed or conservative views on the issue. They might instead be voting for what they see as a bigger-picture priority: for example, ending corporate control over public health or keeping the nation out of unnecessary wars. These decisions come down to personal values and lived experiences, and dismissing people for their voting choices can overlook the nuanced reasons behind them.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kQ0Q!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdbb3eebf-2a44-4641-9434-97dad7ee7f28_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kQ0Q!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdbb3eebf-2a44-4641-9434-97dad7ee7f28_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kQ0Q!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdbb3eebf-2a44-4641-9434-97dad7ee7f28_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kQ0Q!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdbb3eebf-2a44-4641-9434-97dad7ee7f28_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kQ0Q!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdbb3eebf-2a44-4641-9434-97dad7ee7f28_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kQ0Q!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdbb3eebf-2a44-4641-9434-97dad7ee7f28_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/dbb3eebf-2a44-4641-9434-97dad7ee7f28_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:442736,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kQ0Q!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdbb3eebf-2a44-4641-9434-97dad7ee7f28_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kQ0Q!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdbb3eebf-2a44-4641-9434-97dad7ee7f28_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kQ0Q!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdbb3eebf-2a44-4641-9434-97dad7ee7f28_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kQ0Q!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdbb3eebf-2a44-4641-9434-97dad7ee7f28_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>Trump&#8217;s Policies and Media Manipulation</strong></p><p>One good example of this complexity is former President Donald Trump&#8217;s stance on health and Big Pharma. Although Trump&#8217;s stance on reproductive rights was portrayed by media as extreme in order to mobilize voters against him, his policies aimed to tackle health issues and corporate influence in ways that actually resonated with millions of Americans concerned about Big Pharma and public health. </p><h4>Let&#8217;s look at three key issues Trump prioritized:</h4><p><strong>1. Holding Big Pharma Accountable:</strong> Trump&#8217;s administration took steps to lower prescription drug prices and proposed changes to curb drug companies&#8217; pricing power, while bringing RFK Jr. onto his team to increase scrutiny over unnecessary vaccines and other pharmaceutical practices. For Americans facing soaring drug prices or worried about over-prescription, this stance was compelling. </p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GEOX!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F215b9064-2b5c-405c-b485-d636040d33f1_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GEOX!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F215b9064-2b5c-405c-b485-d636040d33f1_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GEOX!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F215b9064-2b5c-405c-b485-d636040d33f1_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GEOX!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F215b9064-2b5c-405c-b485-d636040d33f1_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GEOX!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F215b9064-2b5c-405c-b485-d636040d33f1_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GEOX!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F215b9064-2b5c-405c-b485-d636040d33f1_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/215b9064-2b5c-405c-b485-d636040d33f1_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:919856,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GEOX!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F215b9064-2b5c-405c-b485-d636040d33f1_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GEOX!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F215b9064-2b5c-405c-b485-d636040d33f1_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GEOX!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F215b9064-2b5c-405c-b485-d636040d33f1_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GEOX!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F215b9064-2b5c-405c-b485-d636040d33f1_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>2. Challenging the FDA and Big Food:</strong> Trump&#8217;s administration took a hard line against processed food giants and the FDA's questionable regulatory practices. Many Americans are now aware that U.S. foods are filled with additives and chemicals banned in Europe and other parts of the world, contributing to chronic diseases, obesity, and even cognitive issues. His stance was to push for more transparent and stricter regulation, which resonated with those who feel harmed by current FDA practices. </p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yfem!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e6a4d02-2b45-4ea5-82c8-d2a373190c80_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yfem!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e6a4d02-2b45-4ea5-82c8-d2a373190c80_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yfem!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e6a4d02-2b45-4ea5-82c8-d2a373190c80_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yfem!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e6a4d02-2b45-4ea5-82c8-d2a373190c80_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yfem!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e6a4d02-2b45-4ea5-82c8-d2a373190c80_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yfem!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e6a4d02-2b45-4ea5-82c8-d2a373190c80_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/6e6a4d02-2b45-4ea5-82c8-d2a373190c80_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:315302,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yfem!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e6a4d02-2b45-4ea5-82c8-d2a373190c80_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yfem!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e6a4d02-2b45-4ea5-82c8-d2a373190c80_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yfem!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e6a4d02-2b45-4ea5-82c8-d2a373190c80_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yfem!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e6a4d02-2b45-4ea5-82c8-d2a373190c80_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>3. Reducing U.S. Involvement in Overseas Conflicts:</strong> Trump ran on a largely isolationist foreign policy, arguing that the U.S. shouldn&#8217;t bear the burden of endless wars overseas. For many Americans, this focus on &#8220;America First&#8221; was not about a lack of empathy for other nations, but rather a desire to see resources allocated to domestic issues.</p><p>Each of these issues affects millions of people in tangible ways. For instance, people have lost loved ones to the opioid crisis fueled by Big Pharma, experienced chronic health conditions linked to additives in food, or felt the ripple effects of foreign conflicts. For these people, Trump&#8217;s policies weren&#8217;t about making a statement on reproductive rights but about voting for a future that addressed immediate issues threatening their lives and communities.</p><h3>Drawing Parallels to Reproductive Rights</h3><p>Now, consider how reproductive rights are a vital, personal issue for many people. When someone faces barriers to reproductive healthcare, they might see it as a threat to their autonomy and well-being. This is a real, deeply personal issue. But here&#8217;s where empathy can bridge understanding: others feel similarly when facing the fallout of corrupt health institutions, or when watching young people struggle with health issues tied to dietary problems and unregulated food additives. </p><p>Consider the opioid crisis, for example, which has led to over 500,000 deaths in the last 20 years. Families destroyed by addiction may be inclined to vote for a candidate who promises to hold Big Pharma accountable, even if that candidate&#8217;s views on reproductive rights don&#8217;t align with theirs. Or think about those who struggle to afford lifesaving medications due to drug monopolies. For these people, the manipulation of the pharmaceutical industry can feel like a violation of their personal freedom just as impactful as the freedom to make reproductive choices.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!E6y0!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc1fc4778-0e0c-45d9-a7cc-98f46a6d7477_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!E6y0!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc1fc4778-0e0c-45d9-a7cc-98f46a6d7477_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!E6y0!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc1fc4778-0e0c-45d9-a7cc-98f46a6d7477_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!E6y0!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc1fc4778-0e0c-45d9-a7cc-98f46a6d7477_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!E6y0!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc1fc4778-0e0c-45d9-a7cc-98f46a6d7477_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!E6y0!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc1fc4778-0e0c-45d9-a7cc-98f46a6d7477_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/c1fc4778-0e0c-45d9-a7cc-98f46a6d7477_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:416644,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!E6y0!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc1fc4778-0e0c-45d9-a7cc-98f46a6d7477_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!E6y0!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc1fc4778-0e0c-45d9-a7cc-98f46a6d7477_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!E6y0!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc1fc4778-0e0c-45d9-a7cc-98f46a6d7477_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!E6y0!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc1fc4778-0e0c-45d9-a7cc-98f46a6d7477_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h4>Empathy and Understanding in a Divided Landscape</h4><p>When we understand that people often vote based on a few core concerns, it opens the door to empathy. Voting isn&#8217;t about one&#8217;s stance on every issue; it&#8217;s often about prioritizing what&#8217;s most pressing to you and your loved ones. Recognizing this can help us approach each other with understanding, rather than drawing lines in the sand based on assumptions.</p><p>Politics is personal because people&#8217;s experiences are personal. Just as someone may vote primarily for reproductive rights, others might vote to hold Big Pharma accountable, or to ensure that our food and water are safe, or to see America prioritize diplomacy over military interventions.</p><p>So, before writing someone off because of their vote, remember that the very issues driving your decisions are likely mirrored in theirs&#8212;even if they look different on the surface. When we can start to recognize shared concerns and root motivations, we open the door to understanding, dialogue, and maybe even some much-needed unity in our divided world.</p><p>With Strength and Honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://x.com/the_basedtake">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><div class="captioned-button-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/does-your-vote-define-you?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;}" data-component-name="CaptionedButtonToDOM"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Open Someone&#8217;s Eyes and Share This</p></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/does-your-vote-define-you?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/does-your-vote-define-you?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p></div><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Libs Don't Know What's Best for Them]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Trump Reality Check]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/libs-dont-know-whats-best-for-them</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/libs-dont-know-whats-best-for-them</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 12 Nov 2024 01:29:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wqBJ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b108e65-c1ed-40a7-872f-1677cdf2ed3e_1792x1024.webp" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wqBJ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b108e65-c1ed-40a7-872f-1677cdf2ed3e_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wqBJ!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b108e65-c1ed-40a7-872f-1677cdf2ed3e_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wqBJ!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b108e65-c1ed-40a7-872f-1677cdf2ed3e_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wqBJ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b108e65-c1ed-40a7-872f-1677cdf2ed3e_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wqBJ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b108e65-c1ed-40a7-872f-1677cdf2ed3e_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wqBJ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b108e65-c1ed-40a7-872f-1677cdf2ed3e_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/1b108e65-c1ed-40a7-872f-1677cdf2ed3e_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:510496,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wqBJ!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b108e65-c1ed-40a7-872f-1677cdf2ed3e_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wqBJ!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b108e65-c1ed-40a7-872f-1677cdf2ed3e_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wqBJ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b108e65-c1ed-40a7-872f-1677cdf2ed3e_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wqBJ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b108e65-c1ed-40a7-872f-1677cdf2ed3e_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>When I was 26, I broke up with my high school girlfriend&#8212;the girl I&#8217;d once thought I might marry. But deep down, I knew it wasn&#8217;t right, and I had for some time. The love was gone, replaced by a sense of responsibility and routine. I knew she still cared deeply and that breaking up would be painful for her. But I couldn&#8217;t ignore the truth: I&#8217;d outgrown the relationship, and I needed to move on.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p>When I finally told her, she was heartbroken. We had an intense conversation, full of tears and frustration. She said, &#8220;You&#8217;re ruining my life,&#8221; and I could see the conviction in her eyes. She believed with everything in her that our relationship was her future. But I knew she was holding onto an idea of our relationship that no longer matched reality. So I told her, &#8220;One day, when you&#8217;re married with kids, you&#8217;re going to look back and thank me for this, because it&#8217;s what&#8217;s best for both of us&#8212;even if you don&#8217;t see it right now.&#8221;</p><p>There was a long silence as she took it in. She didn&#8217;t believe me then, and I understood why. In her mind, this relationship was her future, her stability, her life plan. She didn&#8217;t have the perspective to see beyond the immediate pain to what this decision would bring her in the long run.</p><p>Years later, she did find that life&#8212;her husband, her family, her happiness. And I found mine. That breakup, though painful, forced us both to grow, to leave a situation that was limiting us, and to build lives that truly made us happy. Sometimes, we can&#8217;t see what&#8217;s best for us until we&#8217;ve left the comfortable routine that keeps us from reaching our potential.</p><p>In many ways, I see America at that same crossroads. Many Americans, especially on the left, are clinging to ideals that feel comforting or familiar. They see change as disruptive or dangerous, like my ex felt in that moment. But in the end, sometimes hard change is exactly what we need. That&#8217;s why I believe that Donald Trump, for all the polarization he brings, is exactly what America needs to face some of its deepest challenges. Here&#8217;s why.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gX56!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F68a59a1d-b88b-4c69-b027-8328afb25751_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gX56!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F68a59a1d-b88b-4c69-b027-8328afb25751_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gX56!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F68a59a1d-b88b-4c69-b027-8328afb25751_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gX56!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F68a59a1d-b88b-4c69-b027-8328afb25751_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gX56!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F68a59a1d-b88b-4c69-b027-8328afb25751_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gX56!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F68a59a1d-b88b-4c69-b027-8328afb25751_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/68a59a1d-b88b-4c69-b027-8328afb25751_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:874308,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gX56!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F68a59a1d-b88b-4c69-b027-8328afb25751_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gX56!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F68a59a1d-b88b-4c69-b027-8328afb25751_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gX56!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F68a59a1d-b88b-4c69-b027-8328afb25751_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gX56!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F68a59a1d-b88b-4c69-b027-8328afb25751_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3>1. Economic Prosperity and Job Growth</h3><p>Under Trump&#8217;s previous administration, policies focused on tax cuts, deregulation, and job creation. These moves resulted in the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years, at 3.5%, just before the pandemic. The 2017 tax cuts saved the average American family nearly $1,200 per year, giving millions of families more financial freedom. Under Trump&#8217;s policies, countless Americans were able to thrive economically and gain independence from welfare programs.</p><p><em><strong>Did you know? Before the pandemic, the economy was growing at a 2.9% GDP growth rate in 2018&#8212;the highest in over a decade.</strong></em></p><h3>2. Border Security and Responsible Immigration Reform</h3><p>Trump&#8217;s approach to immigration wasn&#8217;t about exclusion; it was about control and fairness. Illegal immigration costs American taxpayers approximately $116 billion annually&#8212;funds that could go to strengthening schools, infrastructure, and healthcare. By enforcing immigration laws and securing the border, Trump&#8217;s administration aimed to ensure that American resources, jobs, and safety were prioritized. In an age of globalization, a nation without secure borders risks losing control of its own destiny.</p><p><em><strong>Did you know? Illegal immigration, if unchecked, reduces wages in certain sectors by over 3%, which disproportionately impacts low-wage American workers.</strong></em></p><h3>3. Deregulation and Energy Independence</h3><p>During Trump&#8217;s time in office, the U.S. achieved energy independence for the first time in over 50 years, becoming a net exporter of oil. By reducing regulatory burdens on the energy sector, he lowered gas prices and freed America from dependency on politically unstable foreign nations. Energy independence isn&#8217;t just about cheaper gas; it&#8217;s a strategic advantage that makes the U.S. more resilient and self-reliant.</p><p><em><strong>Did you know? In 2019, the average price of gas was 30% lower than it is today, making commuting, business operations, and logistics more affordable for all Americans.</strong></em></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9qHL!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F236ae161-4b2f-4411-af3c-f14ccb644067_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9qHL!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F236ae161-4b2f-4411-af3c-f14ccb644067_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9qHL!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F236ae161-4b2f-4411-af3c-f14ccb644067_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9qHL!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F236ae161-4b2f-4411-af3c-f14ccb644067_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9qHL!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F236ae161-4b2f-4411-af3c-f14ccb644067_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9qHL!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F236ae161-4b2f-4411-af3c-f14ccb644067_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/236ae161-4b2f-4411-af3c-f14ccb644067_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:549116,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9qHL!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F236ae161-4b2f-4411-af3c-f14ccb644067_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9qHL!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F236ae161-4b2f-4411-af3c-f14ccb644067_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9qHL!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F236ae161-4b2f-4411-af3c-f14ccb644067_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9qHL!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F236ae161-4b2f-4411-af3c-f14ccb644067_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3>4. Criminal Justice Reform</h3><p>The First Step Act, supported by Trump, was a bipartisan effort to overhaul outdated criminal justice policies. It offered second chances to non-violent offenders and addressed racial disparities in sentencing, reducing prison sentences for thousands. This legislation was a practical reform with real impacts, demonstrating that conservative policies can support criminal justice reform and individual redemption.</p><p><em><strong>Did you know? Over 3,000 people received reduced sentences due to the First Step Act, with 90% of those released being Black Americans or people of color.</strong></em></p><h3>5. National Defense and Veterans&#8217; Rights</h3><p>Trump emphasized a strong defense policy, increasing the defense budget and focusing on modernizing America&#8217;s military strength. This investment came at a time when global tensions were on the rise. For veterans, Trump passed the VA MISSION Act, which allowed them to seek private healthcare options outside the VA system, ensuring faster and more efficient care. This act alone improved healthcare access for millions of veterans.</p><p><em><strong>Did you know? Since the VA MISSION Act, over 2 million veterans have had faster access to private healthcare, leading to better overall care and quality of life.</strong></em></p><h3>6. Trade Reform and Standing Up to China</h3><p>Trump&#8217;s trade policies aimed to address long-standing trade imbalances, particularly with China. His administration renegotiated deals, imposing tariffs to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. and create more jobs domestically. The USMCA deal alone was projected to create 176,000 new jobs and add $68 billion annually to the economy. Strengthening American industry ensures that the U.S. isn&#8217;t dependent on foreign manufacturing, especially from politically volatile nations.</p><p><em><strong>Did you know? The U.S. trade deficit with China dropped by $100 billion during Trump&#8217;s term, keeping more money in the American economy.</strong></em></p><h3>7. Parental Rights and School Choice</h3><p>Education is one of the most personal choices parents can make for their children, yet many families are stuck with limited options. Trump&#8217;s support for school choice gave families more control over their children&#8217;s education, especially in underserved communities where public schools often struggle. School choice programs have been linked to increased graduation rates and improved student performance, particularly for low-income students.</p><p><em><strong>Did you know? In states with school choice programs, high school graduation rates increased by as much as 15%, creating more opportunities for students to succeed.</strong></em></p><h3>8. Constitutional Values and Judicial Appointments</h3><p>By appointing over 200 federal judges and three Supreme Court justices, Trump helped restore a focus on constitutional values and individual freedoms. His judicial appointments emphasized restraint and a commitment to preserving rights against overreach, setting a foundation for legal stability for generations. The judiciary, when aligned with constitutional principles, protects citizens from political extremism on either side.</p><p><em><strong>Did you know? Nearly 30% of all current federal judges were appointed under Trump, ensuring that constitutional protections remain at the forefront of American law.</strong></em></p><h3>The Reality Check</h3><p>In the end, I believe many Americans today are like my ex-girlfriend back then&#8212;convinced they know what&#8217;s best, unable to see the larger picture. Sometimes, real progress comes with hard choices and uncomfortable changes. Just as my ex eventually saw that breaking up was the best path forward, many may one day look back and see that the tough, transformative policies they resisted were what led to a stronger, more prosperous America for themselves and their families.</p><p>With Strength and Honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://x.com/the_basedtake">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><div class="captioned-button-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/libs-dont-know-whats-best-for-them?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;}" data-component-name="CaptionedButtonToDOM"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Open Someone&#8217;s Eyes and Share This</p></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/libs-dont-know-whats-best-for-them?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/libs-dont-know-whats-best-for-them?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p></div><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[It’s Never Been More Clear]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Harsh Truths About Modern Power Structures]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/its-never-been-more-clear</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/its-never-been-more-clear</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 05 Nov 2024 01:15:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yRk3!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F617ca905-5640-40c6-b317-1715322c677b_1024x1024.webp" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yRk3!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F617ca905-5640-40c6-b317-1715322c677b_1024x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yRk3!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F617ca905-5640-40c6-b317-1715322c677b_1024x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yRk3!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F617ca905-5640-40c6-b317-1715322c677b_1024x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yRk3!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F617ca905-5640-40c6-b317-1715322c677b_1024x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yRk3!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F617ca905-5640-40c6-b317-1715322c677b_1024x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yRk3!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F617ca905-5640-40c6-b317-1715322c677b_1024x1024.webp" width="1024" height="1024" 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https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yRk3!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F617ca905-5640-40c6-b317-1715322c677b_1024x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yRk3!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F617ca905-5640-40c6-b317-1715322c677b_1024x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yRk3!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F617ca905-5640-40c6-b317-1715322c677b_1024x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>In the past few years, an undeniable reality has emerged. The institutions many believed were pillars of democracy, health, and progress&#8212;government, media, tech, and health&#8212;have shown their true colors. Underneath the slogans of &#8220;safety,&#8221; &#8220;progress,&#8221; and &#8220;trust the science,&#8221; there&#8217;s been an orchestrated push for profit, control, and agenda-pushing at the expense of individual freedom and well-being. </p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p>Let&#8217;s break down seven areas that have exposed themselves and what it means for the future.</p><h3>1. Big Government and the Corruption Machine</h3><p>The premise of democracy is that the government serves the people. But recent scandals have shown how this institution operates to benefit itself. The Ukraine-Burisma affair is a prime example of how foreign entanglements can influence American politics. When Hunter Biden was being paid exorbitant fees by Burisma while his father was in a position of power, it raised clear ethical questions. And yet, mainstream coverage was minimal, pushing these stories to the sidelines.</p><p>At home, government overreach has grown alarmingly, from mandates around health choices to surveillance initiatives. Governments across the world have leveraged fear as a tool to strip citizens of freedoms in the name of security, and people are barely aware of how easily their rights were compromised.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!f5Dr!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8e3eb232-ea5b-4927-b1ae-f63f71be825d_1024x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!f5Dr!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8e3eb232-ea5b-4927-b1ae-f63f71be825d_1024x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!f5Dr!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8e3eb232-ea5b-4927-b1ae-f63f71be825d_1024x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!f5Dr!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8e3eb232-ea5b-4927-b1ae-f63f71be825d_1024x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!f5Dr!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8e3eb232-ea5b-4927-b1ae-f63f71be825d_1024x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!f5Dr!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8e3eb232-ea5b-4927-b1ae-f63f71be825d_1024x1024.webp" width="1024" height="1024" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/8e3eb232-ea5b-4927-b1ae-f63f71be825d_1024x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1024,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:492318,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!f5Dr!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8e3eb232-ea5b-4927-b1ae-f63f71be825d_1024x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!f5Dr!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8e3eb232-ea5b-4927-b1ae-f63f71be825d_1024x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!f5Dr!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8e3eb232-ea5b-4927-b1ae-f63f71be825d_1024x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!f5Dr!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8e3eb232-ea5b-4927-b1ae-f63f71be825d_1024x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3>2. Big Pharma&#8217;s Control Over Health</h3><p>Big Pharma has one clear objective: profit. In the past decade, major pharmaceutical companies have been caught inflating drug prices, hiding data on harmful side effects, and lobbying against natural health alternatives. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and others have exposed how Big Pharma has manipulated regulatory bodies, pushed questionable vaccines, and influenced government policies. The opioid crisis, responsible for over 500,000 deaths since 1999, was fueled by companies like Purdue Pharma, which misrepresented the addictive nature of opioids to maximize profit.</p><p>And it doesn&#8217;t stop at pills. Big Pharma&#8217;s reach extends into the food industry, where toxic ingredients are normalized, and seed oils and high-fructose corn syrup are injected into nearly every processed food. These substances contribute to chronic illnesses that then require&#8212;you guessed it&#8212;more pharmaceuticals. The cycle is self-sustaining, with our health as collateral damage.</p><h3>3. Big Food and the Epidemic of Chronic Disease</h3><p>Take a look at most foods on American shelves, and you&#8217;ll find an assortment of chemicals, preservatives, and oils banned in other countries. But in the U.S., Big Food giants hold significant sway over regulatory agencies, allowing substances like seed oils and high-fructose corn syrup to remain in nearly everything we eat.</p><p>Calley Means, a whistleblower from within the health industry, has highlighted the deep ties between Big Food and the regulatory bodies meant to protect consumers. While heart disease, diabetes, and obesity rates skyrocket, Big Food continues pushing low-quality ingredients, and the government subsidizes it. It&#8217;s no coincidence that the obesity rate in the U.S. has tripled since the 1970s; the very foods Americans consume daily are designed for profit, not health.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-7jx!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a5dd6b-e7d3-4b2e-9516-dd63022f5ab2_1024x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-7jx!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a5dd6b-e7d3-4b2e-9516-dd63022f5ab2_1024x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-7jx!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a5dd6b-e7d3-4b2e-9516-dd63022f5ab2_1024x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-7jx!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a5dd6b-e7d3-4b2e-9516-dd63022f5ab2_1024x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-7jx!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a5dd6b-e7d3-4b2e-9516-dd63022f5ab2_1024x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-7jx!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a5dd6b-e7d3-4b2e-9516-dd63022f5ab2_1024x1024.webp" width="1024" height="1024" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/21a5dd6b-e7d3-4b2e-9516-dd63022f5ab2_1024x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1024,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:362512,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-7jx!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a5dd6b-e7d3-4b2e-9516-dd63022f5ab2_1024x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-7jx!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a5dd6b-e7d3-4b2e-9516-dd63022f5ab2_1024x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-7jx!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a5dd6b-e7d3-4b2e-9516-dd63022f5ab2_1024x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-7jx!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F21a5dd6b-e7d3-4b2e-9516-dd63022f5ab2_1024x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3>4. The Military-Industrial Complex</h3><p>The recent escalation in Ukraine revealed the true influence of the military-industrial complex. Billions of dollars are funneled overseas with little accountability, creating opportunities for money laundering, exploitation, and corruption. America has maintained a constant state of war or military engagement for over two decades, funneling trillions into defense contractors who profit off instability.</p><p>President Eisenhower warned of this decades ago, yet today, the U.S. government&#8217;s ties to the arms industry are stronger than ever. When defense stocks rise with every conflict, it&#8217;s clear there&#8217;s no real incentive for peace. What&#8217;s worse, these endless wars leave veterans struggling at home, with a VA system that often fails them. The beneficiaries of this system are not the citizens or the servicemen&#8212;they&#8217;re the corporations and politicians.</p><h3>5. Big Tech and Government-Backed Censorship</h3><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hEb_!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F12d297ee-adf7-4093-b70b-edf56514a5c6_1024x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hEb_!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F12d297ee-adf7-4093-b70b-edf56514a5c6_1024x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hEb_!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F12d297ee-adf7-4093-b70b-edf56514a5c6_1024x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hEb_!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F12d297ee-adf7-4093-b70b-edf56514a5c6_1024x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hEb_!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F12d297ee-adf7-4093-b70b-edf56514a5c6_1024x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hEb_!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F12d297ee-adf7-4093-b70b-edf56514a5c6_1024x1024.webp" width="1024" height="1024" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/12d297ee-adf7-4093-b70b-edf56514a5c6_1024x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1024,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:454272,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hEb_!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F12d297ee-adf7-4093-b70b-edf56514a5c6_1024x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hEb_!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F12d297ee-adf7-4093-b70b-edf56514a5c6_1024x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hEb_!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F12d297ee-adf7-4093-b70b-edf56514a5c6_1024x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hEb_!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F12d297ee-adf7-4093-b70b-edf56514a5c6_1024x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Freedom of speech, the foundation of American democracy, is under attack like never before. The Twitter Files, leaked communications, and Meta&#8217;s own admissions have shown how Big Tech colludes with the government to censor information. During the 2020 election, stories about Hunter Biden&#8217;s laptop were suppressed under pressure from the Biden administration. And when people raised questions about COVID policies, platforms swiftly de-platformed dissenters, branding them as &#8220;misinformation spreaders.&#8221;</p><p>This isn&#8217;t just about protecting public health or national security; it&#8217;s about controlling narratives. When tech giants hold this much power over information, they can dictate public perception, stifle debate, and control the democratic process.</p><h3>6. Mainstream Media&#8217;s Role in Shaping (and Distorting) Reality</h3><p>Once upon a time, journalists were watchdogs. Today, they&#8217;re lapdogs. Whether it&#8217;s selective reporting, carefully edited videos, or outright falsehoods, mainstream media has repeatedly shaped the narrative to align with establishment interests. From Russiagate to the supposed &#8220;mostly peaceful protests,&#8221; media coverage often bends reality rather than reporting it.</p><p>Fake stories circulate with no retraction, quotes are manipulated, and dissenting voices are dismissed. It&#8217;s a chilling reminder that the &#8220;free press&#8221; is largely controlled by a handful of corporations with vested interests. And as the public increasingly questions narratives, media companies seem more invested in pushing back rather than engaging in real journalism.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Q78W!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F96de872a-6539-4710-b1cd-b51198fd8ae2_1024x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Q78W!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F96de872a-6539-4710-b1cd-b51198fd8ae2_1024x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Q78W!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F96de872a-6539-4710-b1cd-b51198fd8ae2_1024x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Q78W!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F96de872a-6539-4710-b1cd-b51198fd8ae2_1024x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Q78W!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F96de872a-6539-4710-b1cd-b51198fd8ae2_1024x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Q78W!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F96de872a-6539-4710-b1cd-b51198fd8ae2_1024x1024.webp" width="1024" height="1024" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/96de872a-6539-4710-b1cd-b51198fd8ae2_1024x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1024,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:304210,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Q78W!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F96de872a-6539-4710-b1cd-b51198fd8ae2_1024x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Q78W!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F96de872a-6539-4710-b1cd-b51198fd8ae2_1024x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Q78W!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F96de872a-6539-4710-b1cd-b51198fd8ae2_1024x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Q78W!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F96de872a-6539-4710-b1cd-b51198fd8ae2_1024x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3>7. The Public&#8217;s Distraction, Ignorance, and Apathy</h3><p>Despite all these revelations, millions remain oblivious. For many, critical thinking has been replaced by sensationalist news, quick headlines, and instant gratification. Social media addiction, constant notifications, and mindless entertainment serve as distractions, leaving little room for real, informed dialogue. People are more likely to know the latest celebrity scandal than who their elected officials are or what policies are being passed under their noses.</p><p>Many have become comfortably numb, accepting each new infringement on their freedom as inevitable. The erosion of freedoms happens gradually, often unnoticed by a population focused on temporary distractions.</p><h3>It&#8217;s Time for Strong Men to Rise Up</h3><p>In the face of such overwhelming corruption and collusion, it&#8217;s essential that a new generation of strong, principled men steps up. Society needs leaders who can critically assess information, protect their communities, and prioritize values over profit. We need men who understand the importance of a free society and are willing to defend it&#8212;men who will teach the next generation to question authority, analyze facts, and resist manipulation.</p><p>True change will come not from waiting for institutions to fix themselves but from individuals standing up, speaking out, and holding the line. The future of a free and moral society depends on men and women who can&#8217;t be bought or swayed, who understand that truth, justice, and freedom are worth fighting for.</p><p><strong>Did you know? A recent Gallup poll found that only 7% of Americans trust Congress &#8220;a great deal&#8221; . The message is clear: if we want real change, we&#8217;ll have to build it ourselves.</strong></p><p>With Strength and Honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p><a href="https://x.com/the_basedtake">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p><div class="captioned-button-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/its-never-been-more-clear?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;}" data-component-name="CaptionedButtonToDOM"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Share This With Someone Who Needs To AWAKEN</p></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/its-never-been-more-clear?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/its-never-been-more-clear?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p></div><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Party Line or Real Results?]]></title><description><![CDATA[5 Ways Conservative Policies Are Quietly Reshaping America&#8217;s Core Values]]></description><link>https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/the-party-line-or-real-results</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/the-party-line-or-real-results</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chad Based]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:30:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SHEd!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0c95ef51-bc13-473f-8bc9-e8370a52d41b_1792x1024.webp" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote><p>With rising crime, soaring costs, and declining education standards, it might be time to question if Democratic policies truly serve everyday Americans&#8212;or if conservative approaches offer the solutions we actually need.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SHEd!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0c95ef51-bc13-473f-8bc9-e8370a52d41b_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SHEd!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0c95ef51-bc13-473f-8bc9-e8370a52d41b_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SHEd!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0c95ef51-bc13-473f-8bc9-e8370a52d41b_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SHEd!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0c95ef51-bc13-473f-8bc9-e8370a52d41b_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SHEd!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0c95ef51-bc13-473f-8bc9-e8370a52d41b_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SHEd!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0c95ef51-bc13-473f-8bc9-e8370a52d41b_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/0c95ef51-bc13-473f-8bc9-e8370a52d41b_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:486396,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SHEd!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0c95ef51-bc13-473f-8bc9-e8370a52d41b_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SHEd!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0c95ef51-bc13-473f-8bc9-e8370a52d41b_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SHEd!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0c95ef51-bc13-473f-8bc9-e8370a52d41b_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SHEd!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0c95ef51-bc13-473f-8bc9-e8370a52d41b_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div></blockquote><p>As Americans, we all want safe neighborhoods, quality education, a stable economy, and fair opportunities for everyone. But after years of support for one party, it&#8217;s worth asking&#8212;are current Democratic policies truly delivering on these promises? Rising costs, increased crime, and an education system that struggles to compete internationally have left many wondering if it&#8217;s time to rethink traditional party lines.&nbsp;</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p>Below, we explore five key issues where a conservative approach might actually better serve American families, communities, and futures. Take a moment to reflect; you might be surprised by how much sense these perspectives make.</p><h3><strong>1. The Real Cost of &#8220;Compassionate&#8221; Policies</strong></h3><p>A lot of Democrat-leaning voters support policies that seem compassionate, like increased government aid, minimum wage hikes, and extensive welfare programs. But these programs often miss the mark on real outcomes. Let&#8217;s look at inflation: under current policies, Americans are feeling the heat, paying hundreds more each month for basics like food and gas. Meanwhile, wage growth isn&#8217;t catching up.</p><p>Now think back to Trump&#8217;s term&#8212;wages rose, unemployment hit record lows, and inflation stayed in check. Why? Lower taxes, fewer regulations, and energy independence meant Americans kept more of their own money. Compassion means empowering people, not making them dependent on aid.</p><p>Did you know? Since 2021, food prices have jumped nearly 20%, impacting low-income families the hardest. Sounds like &#8220;helping&#8221; Americans just got a lot more expensive.</p><h3><strong>2. Crime and Safety: Time to Get Real</strong></h3><p>Cities that cut back on police funding as part of &#8220;reform&#8221; efforts have seen spikes in crime, especially violent crime. Take Portland, where police funding was slashed and crime surged by 20%. Public safety isn&#8217;t political; it&#8217;s personal. Supporting law enforcement with resources and training isn&#8217;t an ideological stance&#8212;it&#8217;s common sense.</p><p>Under Trump&#8217;s administration, funding for police and community programs increased, aimed at protecting neighborhoods while building trust between cops and citizens. Democrats value community safety&#8212;so why support policies that make streets more dangerous?</p><p>Did you know? A recent poll found that 70% of Americans feel less safe today than they did three years ago. Hard to feel safe in a city where police are understaffed and overworked.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-2XM!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6759ce2d-ee2e-4e85-94f3-10df6f994c87_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-2XM!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6759ce2d-ee2e-4e85-94f3-10df6f994c87_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-2XM!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6759ce2d-ee2e-4e85-94f3-10df6f994c87_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-2XM!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6759ce2d-ee2e-4e85-94f3-10df6f994c87_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-2XM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6759ce2d-ee2e-4e85-94f3-10df6f994c87_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-2XM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6759ce2d-ee2e-4e85-94f3-10df6f994c87_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/6759ce2d-ee2e-4e85-94f3-10df6f994c87_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:675392,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-2XM!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6759ce2d-ee2e-4e85-94f3-10df6f994c87_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-2XM!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6759ce2d-ee2e-4e85-94f3-10df6f994c87_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-2XM!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6759ce2d-ee2e-4e85-94f3-10df6f994c87_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-2XM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6759ce2d-ee2e-4e85-94f3-10df6f994c87_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3><strong>3. Family and Responsibility: The Backbone of Strong Communities</strong></h3><p>For decades, the Democrat platform has sidelined family structure as a key policy focus, often framing it as a &#8220;conservative&#8221; issue. But here&#8217;s the truth: a stable, two-parent family environment statistically improves life outcomes across the board, from education to income. Kids raised with two active, involved parents are less likely to face poverty and more likely to succeed in school.</p><p>Supporting family values isn&#8217;t a &#8220;conservative&#8221; thing; it&#8217;s a common-sense thing. Trump&#8217;s policies emphasized parental rights in education and incentivized family stability through tax credits and community programs. Democrats value social equity&#8212;what&#8217;s more equitable than giving kids the best start in life with strong family support?</p><p>Did you know? Children raised in two-parent homes are 82% less likely to live in poverty. Stability at home is step one to a thriving community.</p><p>Sometimes breaking out of old habits is the first step to seeing things clearly. If there&#8217;s a time to rethink how policies impact everyday Americans, it&#8217;s now.</p><h3><strong>4. Education Reform: Empowering Parents, Not Bureaucrats</strong></h3><p>For years, Democratic policies have funneled billions into public education, yet America ranks 38th in math and 24th in science worldwide. The recent push toward progressive curricula often sidelines core subjects, leaving students without essential skills. Meanwhile, Democrats consistently oppose school choice, leaving parents in failing districts with no options.</p><p>The Trump administration championed school choice, advocating for policies that give parents the power to choose the best education for their children. In a country that prides itself on opportunity, why deny kids access to quality education because of their ZIP code? If Democrats truly care about equity, it&#8217;s time to put students over politics.</p><p>Did you know? Students in school choice programs, especially low-income students, are 40% more likely to graduate and attend college. Education reform shouldn&#8217;t be partisan; it should be about our kids.</p><h3><strong>5. Border Security: Protecting Workers and Communities</strong></h3><p>Immigration is another area where lifelong Democrats might consider a fresh perspective. Under the Biden administration, there have been historic surges at the border, with a record 2.76 million illegal crossings in 2022 alone. Uncontrolled immigration can flood the low-wage job market, making it harder for working-class Americans to find jobs and negotiate fair wages. The communities most impacted by this influx? Often low-income neighborhoods where Democrats have long held support.</p><p>Trump&#8217;s administration prioritized secure borders, aiming to protect American workers and reduce strain on social services. Open-border policies hurt job opportunities, tax resources, and put American communities at risk. Logical compassion means controlled immigration that benefits citizens first.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K9WI!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ab8c779-2eea-4573-bdbe-6f4db9fafdac_1792x1024.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K9WI!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ab8c779-2eea-4573-bdbe-6f4db9fafdac_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K9WI!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ab8c779-2eea-4573-bdbe-6f4db9fafdac_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K9WI!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ab8c779-2eea-4573-bdbe-6f4db9fafdac_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K9WI!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ab8c779-2eea-4573-bdbe-6f4db9fafdac_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K9WI!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ab8c779-2eea-4573-bdbe-6f4db9fafdac_1792x1024.webp" width="1456" height="832" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/1ab8c779-2eea-4573-bdbe-6f4db9fafdac_1792x1024.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:832,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:633158,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K9WI!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ab8c779-2eea-4573-bdbe-6f4db9fafdac_1792x1024.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K9WI!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ab8c779-2eea-4573-bdbe-6f4db9fafdac_1792x1024.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K9WI!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ab8c779-2eea-4573-bdbe-6f4db9fafdac_1792x1024.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K9WI!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ab8c779-2eea-4573-bdbe-6f4db9fafdac_1792x1024.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><em><strong>Did you know? Nearly 70% of Americans believe that the border crisis negatively impacts their safety and job prospects. A secure border protects Americans and ensures fair opportunities for all.</strong></em></p><p>For Democrats who believe in opportunity, safety, and fairness, reconsidering these policies might lead to a fresh understanding of which policies actually deliver.</p><p>At the end of the day, politics is about results, not rhetoric. When prices are up, safety is down, and families struggle to thrive, it&#8217;s not just a matter of ideology&#8212;it&#8217;s a matter of real impact. Policies that prioritize strong family units, local control in education, safe communities, and border security empower Americans rather than make them dependent. Sometimes the boldest step is rethinking what we&#8217;ve always believed. Maybe, just maybe, the values we share matter more than the party lines that divide us.</p><p>With Strength and Honor,</p><p>Chad</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/the-party-line-or-real-results?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://thebasedtake.substack.com/p/the-party-line-or-real-results?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share"><span>Share</span></a></p><p><a href="https://x.com/the_basedtake?s=21&amp;t=GIOHN8MhxFQ5jpVCDbqXEw">Follow The Based Take on X (f/k/a Twitter)</a></p>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>