What Happens This Year Builds to 2026

By Robin Itzler 

Editor's Note:  This is one of the commentaries selected from Robin's weekly newsletter Patriot Neighbors.  Any cartoons will have been added by me.  If you wish to get the full edition, E-mail her at PatriotNeighbors@yahoo.com to get on her list, it's free. 

April 24, 1775: Today we receive news as it happens or within seconds of the event occurring. This wasn’t the case 250 years ago. It took more than one week for all 13 colonies to learn about the April 19 shot heard around the world that occurred in Lexington, Massachusetts.  

America was truly at war for its independence!  

On April 25, 1775, in Philadelphia, the Second Continental Congress met. They voted to form a Continental Army AND appointed George Washington as its commander-in-chief. This was a major turning point in our War for Independence.   America's first revolution, the Civil War was the second, and it appears this is a third revolution in progress. 

New York City: If you didn’t think the Big Apple could turn into more of the Big Dumpster, get ready for the 2026 mayoral race. Like so many other Democrat run cities, New York shows that the “D” following the candidate’s name is for “disaster.” It’s a given that the majority of idiots in this city will elect another Democrat. Let’s look at the three leading Democrat candidates (have your barf bag nearby).  

• Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams has an uphill climb. Hizzoner followed Democrat policies, and the people are angry, failing to connect their anger with Democrat policies.
• Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. When Cuomo wasn’t filming CNN comedy skits with his brother Chris during the COVID “scamdemic,” he was sending elderly patients to their death in nursing homes. 
• State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. He hates Israel. He hates Jews. The communist Mandani says that the best way to bring down the cost of groceries is for there to be city-run grocery stores that “will operate without profit motive.” (Yup, communism is the answer!)

Hogging the spotlight: Democrat Party national vice chair David Hogg, who has the same intelligence as AOC, has announced plans to primary out incumbent Democrats who aren’t communist enough. Okay, that’s not how he put it, but that appears to be his plan. Sounds good to us!

Pennsylvania:  The Keystone State is now officially a purple state. According to the non-partisan voter data firm, L2 Data, which obtains its source data from the state and the 67 counties, in Pennsylvania: 

41.9% of voters are registered as Republicans (3,414,974)
42.6% of voters are registered as Democrats (3,464,763) 
15.5% of voters are Independents and other parties (1,252,562) 

New Jersey: The Shore News Network reports that Democrat New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin have ordered the state’s police departments to STOP cooperating with immigration officials. Alina Habba, who is U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, says not so fast boys! She posted on X: 

“Let me be clear: Executive Orders will be followed and enforced in the State of New Jersey.” 

New Jersey votes for its next governor in November. The off-year election is always interesting, but more so after what happened in November 2024. While Democrats still outnumber Republicans, there was a sizable shift to the right. We will learn on Election Day 2025 whether that shift in the Garden State was a move to Trump or to Republicans. 

Florida: Governor Ron DeSantis has mentioned phasing out property taxes. While some Republicans in the state immediately applauded the idea, the legislature would have to first determine how to replace the $50 billion in revenue that is generated by property taxes. 

As a side bar, let's give a big thank you to Ice and the Border Patrol!  We have a wonderful opportunity to let the hardworking law enforcement Patriots know we appreciate their service. Handwrite a card (or several note cards), addressed "Dear Hero" or "Dear Officer." Just write a few heartfelt lines. 

The cards are delivered by Morale Boosters along with delicious snacks and Bibles. (Note: Morale Boosters is a Christian organization, that supports law enforcement officers of all faiths.) 

Handwritten cards are a BIG hit with Officers who receive them. Mail your card(s) to:  Morale Boosters PO Box 27842 Anaheim, CA 92809.  Learn more about Morale Boosters.