What’s Jon Reading This Week, And A Short Video on … Illegal Immigrants

I am perusing the web all week, and I write about some things, but read about a lot more. Each week I curate interesting things that you may enjoy checking out.

Aug 02, 2025

Before we get into what I have been reading, how about I treat you to what I am saying. I like throwing a short video commentary or analysis on top of this Saturday newsletter…

300 Seconds With Me Talking About Illegal Immigrants

I take a few minutes to remind everyone exactly how far apart we are, as a nation, on a solution for what to do about the more than ten million illegal immigrants currently living in the United States.

What Have I Been Reading?

Raise your hand if you think Newsom will do the right thing here.

My longtime friend Lance Christensen, now with the California Policy Center, has a sharp piece in EdSource on Governor Newsom’s reaction to President Trump’s proposed federal school-choice tax credit. The plan would give families a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit for donations to private-school scholarship funds, expanding options beyond public schools. Newsom, aligned with teachers’ unions, is signaling California may reject the program entirely. Lance breaks down what that means for parents, school choice, and education funding here in California. If you want a clear, insider’s view of this looming state-vs-federal education clash, this is well worth a read.

Legendary political handicapper Charlie Cook has a reminder for all of us…

The elections are still a long way off… Of course, Cook entertains us by weaving a lot of national political updates into his thoughtful post. You should subscribe to him on Substack IF you follow national Senate/House races.

Charlie Cook Politics

Elections are further away than they appear

It is still unfathomable to me that so many people think an election 463 days from now will be materially affected by this sordid Jeffrey Epstein mess. Political events, even seemingly big ones, tend to be the opposite of the great scene in the original…

16 days ago · 3 likes · Charlie Cook

This week, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Announced It Was Shutting Down

I have written about why this is a good thing. And not because public television stations have a left-wing bias, but because the federal government should not be funding such an enterprise in the first place, if you believe in Federalism.

Here are two stories—one by National Public Radio (the irony) and one by National Review. Guess which one has a quote from someone (MTG) supporting their closure? LOL. All I have to say is bye, bye, bye.

The Unforced Error - Tariffs Making American Chocolate More Expensive!

Cocoa beans cannot be grown in the U.S. - they require a tropical climate.

Those who have read my work for a while will know that, while I generally support many of what President Trump is doing, I strongly oppose tariffs, which I feel are de facto taxes on American consumers. In this case, I think everyone should take the time to read this long-form story in Reason Magazine about how American chocolate companies, like Hershey, are getting hosed because cocoa beans, which are a key ingredient to chocolate, are grown in tropical environments, close to the equator. i.e., not in America. But the costs to pay tariffs to import the beans mean American consumers (us) are going to pay more. I call this an unforced error. Especially painful because, well, it’s chocolate!

California v. Texas, again. Guess which state is pro-liberty, and which one is the opposite?

California and Texas lawmakers are clashing over voter transparency in ballot measures. California's AB 699 aims to obscure tax hike details, while Texas's SB 414 enhances debt disclosure. These contrasting approaches highlight a broader debate on informing voters, with implications for democratic accountability. Read this column by my friend Patrick Gleason, of Americans for Tax Reform, in Forbes Magazine Online.

Gallup Survey Says: Dems have an edge in terms of people giving party affiliation, but the image of the Democratic Party is in the toilet…

According to the Gallup Organization, Democrats have regained a slight edge in party affiliation, with 46% of U.S. adults identifying or leaning Democratic compared to 43% for Republicans in Q2 2025.

Despite this shift, the Democratic Party’s image is at a record low, with only 34% favorability, slightly worse than the GOP’s 38%.

Former U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel cements her former MC status…

My family friend, Michelle Steel, who served in Congress for four years, but narrowly lost her re-election to Congress last year, has made it crystal clear she is not running again. It is rumored that Steel is in consideration by the Trump Administration to serve as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea. Frankly the President could not pick anyone better. Good luck!

Some Non-Political Stories Of Interest (To Me!).

AI can make you laugh, but is it funny?
There is no more prestigious honor for a restaurant than to be recognized with a Michelin award. We’ve all heard of the famous (or infamous) French Laundry in the Napa Valley, one of the highest rated (sometimes the highest rated) Michelin restaurant. I was blown away to learn that a Michelin rating as been given to… a taco stand. Seriously.
A little one-year-old baby has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World records for being the youngest person every born (and who lived), at just over five months old!
Would your day be complete if you didn’t watch a video of dozens of people running a race while wearing T-Rex costumes?
The 31 most beautiful towns across America - Curious?

Speaking of beautiful…

Vogue Magazine causes some controversy by featured the first AI fashion model…

What have I been watching?

OK, back to politics…

Kamala Harris On Colbert

So on Thursday night the Presidential candidate who was cancelled by the voters appears on the Late Show that was just cancelled by CBS. Of course you couldn’t find a more softball interviewer for Harris, on her “book tour” than the ultra-liberal Stephen Colbert. This right on the heels of Harris’ announcement that she is not running for Governor of ~~Clusterfuckistan~~ California. Is she prepping a third run for the Presidency? You can watch (as much as you can handle) and decide for yourself. Oh, and if you are interested in reading her book, 107 Days, well by all means go for it. Because you know you want to re-live her Presidential campaign of last year.

Actually, if you have time, the video below is worth the time. It really lays out Harris for her decision.

After Harris made her announcement I made my own video commentary on it, which will of course be in tomorrow’s ICYMI week-end wrap up newsletter. But my friend Chris Cillizza (former CNN, WPost reporter) did his own video that is really something. Especially when you consider that Chris is no conservative - he styles himself a neutral “shot caller” beholding to neither party.