Show Me

“Where’s the beef?”

“Show me the money!”

A person might have to be a certain age to remember those phrases.  In 1984, Clara Peller, a grumpy little elderly lady, became famous for holding a hamburger and demanding to know where the beef was.  It was a part of Wendy’s advertising to show the public that they had the hamburger patties when other chains lacked any substance.  She demanded to know “where’s the beef?”

In a 1996 film, Jerry Maguire, Tom Cruise played a sports agent attempting to save his business by getting a hold-out football player, Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a lucrative contract worthy of his talent.  He wanted a BIG payday.  Despite all the promises, Tidwell wasn’t going to believe it until he saw the actual money.  He demands proof.  “Show me the money!” 

Now in 2026 I have come to a point with our president and his constant fly-by-night word salads and promises to want some proof.  To the president I say “where’s the beef” and “show me the money”.  Promises, promises, promises . . . and nothing to show for it.

The president has made a lot of promises to the American people as a part of his “make America bigger and better”.  Part of those promises involve money in the form of dividends and rebates.  Under Elon Musk and his illicit Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), he and the president promised American citizens dividend checks from the downsizing of the government and the money it would save.  They promised that there would be checks for $5,000 per person from the trillions of dollars saved.  We, the people, are still waiting.  There hasn't been a check in the mail yet.

The other big promise straight out of the president’s mouth was a rebate for the tariffs he inflicted upon the rest of the world.  He promised these trade tariffs would raise trillions of dollars to lessen the national debt.  He promised $2,000 dollar rebate checks to lessen the fiscal impact upon the country’s citizens pocketbooks.  He promised it repeatedly . . . it was on a loop and that he constantly played whenever he felt pressure on his political future.  Haven’t seen that check in the mailbox either. There are no trillions of dollars being raked in.  The United States Supreme Court nullified his tariffs last week declaring that the president has no power of grounds to implement tariffs carte blanche.  It was illegal and against the Constitution.  And now he is claiming he doesn’t remember making such promises despite the fact there is numerous digital evidence of him making the promise on television.

“Where’s the beef?”

“Show me the money!”

Me and everyone else would like to know . . . where is the money?  After all, a promise is a promise.  This is the United States of America where we believe a person at his or her word.  Don’t we say that a person is “as good as his or her word”?  That might explain everything . . . the president’s words are worthless.  We know this president is a liar.  In his first term (2017-2021) there were 30,573 false and misleading claims–lies spoken by this individual in public.  It is well documented.  That is an average of almost 21 lies per day during his first term.  He hasn’t slowed down since . . . the man is a certified liar and is on a record pace to break his first term’s record of lies.  His first year of his second term–2025–has been called the “Year of Lies”.

So why wouldn’t we want proof?

“Where’s the beef?”

“Show me the money!”

Surely he can produce the proof to substantiate his promises.  He claims that our nation’s economy is the best it has ever been . . . that folks are moving up the economic ladder . . . that there’s money in the bank.  Egg prices are down.  Gas is under two dollars (basically in Iowa where none of us live).  Yeah . . right!  Proof it.

According to the president every policy, bill, law, and executive order has strengthened the nation’s fiscal outlook and standing.  DOGE saved trillions of dollars.  Tariffs raised trillions of dollars.  Money is coming in hand over fist for the good ol’ U.S.A.  That’s what we are being told.  Things are looking rosy.  That is why we have been promised dividend and rebate checks.  We are all reaping the benefits of this fiscal genius.

Except . . . the guy is a “fake” . . . a liar . . . an idiot.  He is driving our nation towards fiscal disaster and bankruptcy.  In his first term as president he increased the national debt by 39% or $7.8 trillion dollars.  In his second term he is doing even better as he has increased the nation’s debt by $2.17 trillion in the first year.  He’s spending like crazy when there is no money to spend.  That $2.17 trillion breaks down to $5.95 billion dollars a day, $248 million per hour, $4.13 million per minute, and $68,902 per second.  Those figures are from the United States Joint Economic Committee Report.  He’s supposed to be bringing the national debt down . . . saving money . . . with everything that he is doing.  The facts state otherwise.

The president promised DOGE would save at least two trillion dollars, thus the $5,000 dollars dividend checks were promised.  Reality is the the massive destruction of the government only saved at best $55 billion dollars.  That is not even enough to cover the $5,000 dollar dividends promised. Plus it cost the government $10 billion to cover the cost of all the “savings” cuts done in that one year.  There was no impact on the national debt beyond adding to it.  Pure genius.  The promised check vanished like the supposed savings created.  More importantly . . . where is that money?

The president promised that tariffs would bring trillions of dollars to the coffers and make us all better off . . . plus we’d get a $2,000 dollar rebate check.  So far it has only produced 5% of the government’s revenue.  Since taking office and imposing tariffs the nation has brought in $287 billion dollars–not trillions.  Turned out it was a tax on the consumer . . . a tax without representation.  Last week the United States Supreme Court struck down the president’s tariffs as illegal and unconstitutional.  Shut them down.  Plus it looks like the nation (us) will be responsible for the $175 billion refunds to those charged with the tariffs.  Something the president said would be tied up in court for a long time.  It is still going to end up on the taxpayer.  There ain’t going to be any rebate check anytime soon in this term, besides the president states he doesn’t remember promising rebates.  More importantly, where is the tariff money?

Maybe the “peace board” will bring it in at a billion dollars a pop for membership.  That’s what it costs to belong to this board–one billion dollars.  If you were invited.  I am still looking for my invitation.  The president is the chair and makes all the decisions, has all the power, and controls all of the money.  So far $17 billing has been raised.  The United States put up $10 billion and nine other nations put up the other $7 billion dollars.  Where is this money at?

Possibly, at the rate he pardons people for a one to two million dollar donation, the government’s treasury should be growing in leaps and bounds.  But, where is this money?

How about the oil taken from the illegal police action on Venezuela?  Oil the president says was stolen from us.  Oil that was taken and sold for $1.65 to 2.8 billion dollars.  Where is that money?

Where is all the money the president has stated he has raised gone to . . . where is it deposited . . . who has access . . . is it making a difference?  Where’s the beef?  Show us the money!  After all, he did promise a better life for all of us in a “bigger and better” America.  A promise is a promise.

Seems the only person seeing “bigger and better” is the president.  Since starting his second term the president has seen his wealth increase by $1.4 to 4 billion dollars in twelve months.  Nice for him.  Sucks for us as inflation goes up, the dollars plummets, and affordability is lost somewhere in the mess he has created.  But, that’s okay.  The man is generous . . . he doesn’t take a salary for his job.  Donates it.  The man makes $400,000 a year.  Has a $50,000 dollar expense account . . . $100,000 travel budget, and $19,000 entertainment budget.  Also he gets free housing, transportation, and health care.  How generous of him to donate his salary.  In the meantime he puts the burden on the taxpayers for his golf “habit”.  Taxpayers foot the bill for his golfing.  Since starting his second term that bill has been $71 to 110 million dollars . . . 97 out of 399 days or 24% of the time he has been in office is spent golfing.  It is estimated that the cost per trip is $3.4 million dollars.  Remember these costs are paid to him because he only golfs on courses he owns.  How generous.  One golf excursion is worth more than he is compensated in four years as president.  How generous of him to donate his salary.

With all of his boisterous talk of an improved economy based on fiscal genius and policies raking in the money, I have one question . . . where is the money?  Where is all this money the president is talking about?  Have you seen it?  I haven’t seen it.  The only thing I have seen is that the president, his family, and his wealthy friends and supporters are getting richer.  The rest of us are S.O.L. and he doesn’t care.  He hasn’t shown us anything beyond his ability to lie and destroy things.

Think about it . . . he hasn't shown us anything.  He hasn't shown us the money.  He hasn’t shown us an improved economy.  Hasn’t shown us all the peace he promised.  Hasn’t shown us the Epstein files.  Hasn't shown us anything. Except being offended when the people demand proof . . . evidence.  Where’s the beef?  Show us the money!

Let us step up like Clara Peller and demand to see the beef.  Let us demand like Rod Tidwell to see the money.  Lets hold the president to his promises of a “bigger and better” America for someone besides himself, his family, and his wealthy friends and supporters.  We deserve the truth though we may already know . . . it’s a lie.  We are talking about the president after all.

 

Sticks and Stones

 

Sticks and stones may break my bones

But words shall never hurt me

 

 

The antiquated rhyme taught to children around 1830 and repeated ever since was meant to be defense against name-calling and verbal bullying.  It was meant to increase resiliency, avoid physical retaliation, and/or remain calm and indifferent to such abuse.  As well intended as those words were meant to be . . . the truth is that words can hurt and destroy.

 

We all know it.  We’ve all experienced it.

 

During the Second World War the popular idiom of propaganda was. “Loose lips sink ships.”  Though it was meant to warm people about the consequences of sharing confidential information with the enemy, today it can be applied to everyday situations, reminding people to be mindful of what they say and the impact it might have on others.

 

Ask the people of Springfield, Ohio . . . especially those of the Haitian descent. 

 

It all started because of words and loose lips.

 

Remember the children’s game—Telephone?  Everyone lines up or sits in a circle.  One person starts by whispering a statement or phrase that is passed onto the person beside them.  This continues to happen until it reaches the end of the line or goes around the circle.  The last person then shares what was heard.  Rarely what was said makes it to the end intact.  Usually, it is miles away from what was originally shared.

 

As a game it is fun and good for a few laughs.  In life this is a dangerous game that can hurt, can damage and traumatize, lead to violence, ruin lives, and even kill in this day of social media.

 

Ask the people of Springfield, Ohio.

 

Ask Erika Lee . . . “It exploded into something I didn’t mean to happen.”  Bomb threats closing schools, public spaces, government offices, and the local university.  Threats of violence.  All because of words . . . misspoken and untrue words.  Words that hurt.  Words that created threats and instilled fear.  Misguided words.  Words that lead beyond broken bones and dance around death.  Ask Erika.  Ask her about the words she spoke . . . it is Telephone gone wrong.

 

It started with a Facebook post that spread a harmful and baseless claim about the community’s Haitian immigrants eating local pets . . . pets claimed to be disappearing.  A falsehood she had heard from a friend who had heard it from a friend who had heard it from an acquaintance of a friend.  By the time it had run the gamut it exploded and became viral.

 

That explosion was primed by politics and politicians seizing an opportunity to stoke and exploit fear among the masses . . . to probe their misinformed point about immigrants being dangerous and bane on the nation. Those illegals and undesirables.  They eat our pets . . . our dogs and cats!  Thanks to the politicians the Telephone game ran rampant and out of control.  First, the Republican vice-presidential candidate, J.D. Vance, spouted the falsehood.  Then his boss, the presidential candidate—Donald Trump, hooks onto it and uses it to prove a point in the presidential debate on national television and radio with millions watching and listening.

 

Boom!  It went viral.  The rumor and falsehood spread like wildfire spawning conspiracy and hatred.  This anti-immigrant fervor led to school and municipal building closures.  Families pulled their children from school and activities out of fear.  It pushed into hiding the Haitian community because of the fear it had created.  People are fearful for their lives all because someone said a falsehood . . . a lie.

 

The Springfield authorities—including local law enforcement—have stated that this is not true.  It is a falsehood.  A lie.  The community’s pets are safe.  The people of Springfield have said that there is no truth to what was said.  Even J.D. Vance has offhandedly admitted that there is no truth, but still encourages his faithful to keep it up despite knowing it is false.  The game continues to be played.  Even Donald Trump lies about it and continues to perpetuate the lie.  No one, outside of Erika Lee, has shown any compassion or remorse for the words spoken.  And why should they . . . after all, “words will never hurt” anyone.

 

Sadly, we know better.  Words can hurt.  Words can provoke.  Words can lead to threats and acts of violence.  Words can kill . . . figuratively, mentally, spiritually, and physically.  We have seen it before, and we are witnessing it now.  Look no further than Springfield, Ohio.

 

Those who speak such words should be held accountable.  Yet, as a whole, we sit back in silence . . . or we might say, “Knock it off!” If these words were spoken by our children, we would not ignore it.  We would hold our children accountable for the words that they have spoken and also to the consequences of those words.  As we have seen there are consequences to the words that are spoken.  We know the power of words.  We should be mindful of the words that are spoken . . . by us, by those around us, and by those we elect to be our representatives and leaders.

 

As we have seen in the evolving world of politics, words have become a weapon . . . a weapon to instill fear, to hurt, to polarize, to wield power, to control, to belittle.  Words have become nasty and seemingly meant to destroy instead of being used to build up.  In all honesty, most of us do not like it.  We abhor it.  Yet, we sit still.  We are quiet.  We are scared of those who are spouting out the vile words of hate and fear.  We shy away from holding those who wield the words accountable.

 

Look what happened to Springfield, Ohio . . . its community . . . its people.  All because of words.  It is wrong.  We, the people, need to take back the words . . . words are holy . . . words are powerful . . . words can build and lift up and love.  They do not have to tear down.  Just listen to the opposition and the words she speaks . . . there is hope.  But we need to reclaim the words.  Stop using them as a weapon and instead embrace them as tools to build up everyone.

 

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord.”  Words are holy.  We are all holy.  Let us never forgot.

Pious Fraud

Ex-President Donald Trump is lucky.  That is the bottom line . . . he is lucky.  On Saturday, July 13, 3034 he survived an assassination attempt upon his life at the hands of twenty-year-old Thomas Matthew Crook at a political rally at Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.  The assassin missed his mark by centimeters, grazing Trump’s ear.  The shooter did strike three other people, critically wounding two and killing one.  With Trump he missed.  The Secret Service sharp shooters did not.  Crook was killed with a single shot to the head.  The man killed was not so lucky.  The two individuals who were wounded were not so lucky.  Crook was not lucky.  Trump was lucky.

 

Yet it is being called a miracle . . . divine intervention.  As a person of faith, obviously different from those who are calling the “near miss” a miracle, this is offensive.  And I wish they would quit calling it a miracle and say it for what it is . . . luck.

 

If people could let sleeping dogs lie, I would not be so offended.  But they can’t . . . not even Trump can drop it.  At a recent political rally in Bozeman, Montana—just up the road two hours from where I live—they were still harping on the miraculous intervention.  The Billings Gazette reported: “Multiple people told Montana Free State News Bureau that they believe Trump was saved from the assassination attempt by God.  Trump said the same on stage.”  Trump stated at the rally, “For those of you that don’t believe in God, I believe there’s only one reason that could’ve happened.”  The article goes on to say: “Sunam Jang, 27, who traveled from South Korea to attend these rallies across the U.S., said that the near miss ‘can’t be explained any other way than God,’ a sentiment echoed by multiple rallygoers.” (August 11, 2024, Billings Gazette newspaper) 

 

For whatever reasons, the assassin missed.  Could have been, as Trump has stated, the fact that he turned his head to look at a chart when the trigger was pulled . . . and it missed him and grazed his ear.  Trump buys that . . . as he stated at the rally in Bozeman: “By the way, the border chart?  I love that chart.  I’m here because of that chart.  I’m gonna sleep with that chart tonight.” (Billings Gazette, August 11, 2024, newspaper) Could be that the shooter was a poor shot . . . his other attempts were way off the mark resulting in an innocent individual being killed and two wounded.  Obviously, he was not a trained sniper like the Secret Service member who shot him in one shot.  Could be a miracle, but I doubt it because the pieces of the meaning of “miracle” do not fit together to complete the deal.  No, it was just plain old luck.

 

As a pastor I have always viewed a “miracle” as a revealing of the Holy . . . revealing of God . . . a revealing of a Higher Power.  It is not what happens in a particular situation—no matter how extravagant it might be, but that the Holy is revealed to the receiver of the gift and those who are witnessing the event.  That is the first part.  The second part is that something changes in the one who receives the miracle and those who witness it . . . their lives change.  Consider the miracles in the New Testament of the Bible:

 

The great haul of fish (Luke 5:1-11)

Jesus casting out an unclean spirit (Mark 1:23-28)

Jesus healing a leper (Mark 1:40-45)

Raising the widow’s son from the dead (Luke 7:11-18)

Stilling the storm (Matthew 8:23-27)

Curing the paralytic (Matthew 9:1-8)

Healing the blind men (Matthew 9:27-31)

Curing the woman afflicted for 18 years (Luke 13:10-17)

 

With each of the miracles around Jesus, the Holy was revealed . . . the presence of the Holy was made aware . . . it was the Holy that makes it all possible and the Holy is seen.  Having seen the Holy at work, people are changed . . . their lives change . . . they act differently, live differently, speak differently, they are different.  This completes the miracle.  It comes full circle.  That is a “miracle”.

 

At first, I was willing to consider the “miracle” aspect of what happened to Trump.  Maybe God did intervene . . . made the shooter miss . . . spared Trump’s life.  It would certainly fit the story being thrown around by the Christian National movement that deems the Holy using whatever means is necessary to restore the nation to Christianity (their form, of course) . . . even a decrepit and immoral individual like Trump.  Trump was quiet following the attempt and swore that he had changed his campaign goals and was now focused on uniting the nation.  That gave me some hope.  I was willing to give the man the benefit of doubt.  That lasted about five minutes into his speech to the Republican National Convention before he was back to his spewing of hatred, belittlement, and nastiness.  Nothing had changed.  It was the same old Trumpster . . . weird and unhinged.

 

There was no “miracle” that day in Butler, Pennsylvania.  People can weave the events of that day into a “miracle” if they want to, but it was not a “miracle”.  Trump was lucky.  Plain and simple—lucky.  What has happened is the evolution of “pia fraus” or “pious fraud”.  This Latin term is used to describe fraud in religion or medicine.  A pious fraud is the faking of an event (miracle) to justify the means—in this case, building upon the idea that this individual is the chosen vessel of God to redeem the United States of American back to its Christian Godliness.  It is a deceptive play on the beliefs and faith of individuals to pull them into the desires and wants of the one twisting the truth.  It is a game . . . a nasty game.

 

If Trump had changed his tune . . . changed his actions . . . stopped the name calling . . . told the truth . . . changed his life . . . well, I might have bought the “miracle of Bethel”.  But he didn’t.  Nothing changed.  It is the same old, same old Trump.  If it had been a “miracle” we would see it as a revelation of the Holy and all that the Holy represents and desires for creation.  This was no “miracle” . . . this was pious fraud.  Unfortunately, by the record, something Trump knows much about.

 

Trump was lucky.  This was no “miracle” . . . no intervention by God.  It was plain old dumb lucky, and Trump was the recipient.  Don’t let anyone tell you differently.  Miracles reveal the Holy . . . miracles change people . . . and in this nothing changed.  Yup, dumb luck.  That is what it was.