Three thoughts to begin the week…
ONE: Federal Overreach on Vaccines
RFK Jr.’s Department of Health and Human Services is inserting itself into West Virginia’s compulsory vaccination debate. The Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has told the state it must honor religious exemptions to childhood vaccinations as a condition of receiving about $1.37 billion annually through the Vaccines for Children program. The directive leans on West Virginia’s 2023 Equal Protection for Religion Act, which bars government from burdening religious exercise unless it is the least restrictive means possible. Not to mention the idea of preventing communicable diseases long eradicated as a compelling government interest.
But here’s the reality: courts, not Kennedy or any other person, will decide what EPRA requires. This move feels less about law and more about political quid pro quo for West Virginia’s proactive stance on SNAP waivers and food dye restrictions. If OCR escalates, Senator Capito – who voiced support for states’ rights and due process on Talkline last week – should push back. The rest of West Virginia’s congressional delegation should join in as well. Minus any repercussions, Kennedy and OCR will believe they can continue with these kinds of manipulation.
TWO: Trump’s Intel Stake – Anti-Capitalist at its Core
Donald Trump announced the federal government will acquire a 10% stake in Intel – 433.3 million shares valued at $8.9 billion. The purchase repurposes unspent CHIPS Act funds ($5.7B) and Secure Enclave program funds ($3.2B). It’s a passive stake – no board seats, no governance rights — but Washington now owns part of a publicly traded company. The government also secured a five-year warrant to buy another 5% if Intel’s foundry ownership slips below 51%.
That’s a problem. Even without control, government ownership in any private or public company is objectionable. If the concern is foreign influence, there are other tools – limiting foreign stakes or tightening contract eligibility. As an Intel shareholder (and in competitors as well), this is harmful, anti-capitalist, and precedent-setting. It’s frankly un-American and is in fact quasi-nationalization, from a Republican president no less.
And worse, there seems to be no pushback from Republicans on the Hill, save Rand Paul and Thomas Massie. Supporters will argue it’s part of some grand Trump strategy, but specifics to back that up are lacking.
A possible counter for we the people to push back? A market-driven push – perhaps even a “short and distort” play of sorts à la Roaring Kitty (yes I know it’s a different play) – that penalizes the move in the short term rather than allowing Washington to entrench itself long-term in private enterprise.
Keith Gill, are you paying attention?
THREE: Lessons from a Neighbor’s Passing
Life is fragile. A neighbor passed away late last week – a man who, along with his wife, had become like bonus great-grandparents to our children. His loss is heavy, but the ripples of his life are easy to see in his family and community.
Reflecting, I realized: I don’t know his politics. I don’t know who he voted for. What I do know is that he cared deeply for others, invested in children, and lived with kindness. That mattered more than any political position. So often today, we become defined by our political bents; that is disappointing and even dangerous. Perhaps that’s the lesson – better to be remembered for how we treat others than for the issues we argued about. He lived well, and in doing so, taught others how to do the same. His example deserves repeating.