Officer Down

Just when it seems that tensions might be relaxing a bit, there comes the heartbreaking news of another police shooting. Late last night, two San Diego officers, members of the gang suppression unit, were shot during a routine traffic stop. Sadly, one of these courageous men has since died.

We know from the news -- Dallas, Baton Rouge and now San Diego -- that the men and women who protect us on the thin blue line have become targets. Their job was always a difficult one, but now those who hunt criminals are being hunted. What was once unthinkable -- killing a cop -- has seemingly become a sport.

The Associated Press reported this week that, "Shooting deaths of law enforcement officers spiked 78 percent in the first half of 2016 compared to last year." Behind these alarming statistics are grieving families -- spouses, children, parents and siblings.

The men and women in law enforcement keep us safe. They are the first to come when there is an emergency. They deserve our respect. Sadly, even a moment of silence is too much to ask of some radicals.

More Bad News

The Commerce Department announced this morning that America's economy is stalling. Economic growth in the second quarter of the year was half what economists had predicted. Instead of 2.6% growth, GDP was just 1.2%.

And there was even more bad news. Growth in first quarter of the year was slashed from 1.1% to just 0.8%.

While some politicians are crowing about the economic "recovery," Americans are scratching the heads wondering what alternate reality our elites are living in. All is not well. For example, according to Investor's Business Daily:
 

• 3.1 million people fell into poverty over the last seven years, and the poverty rate climbed from 14.3% in 2009 to 14.8% in 2014, according to Census data.
   
• 60% of American households saw their incomes shrink between 2009 and 2014. The bottom 20% saw their incomes decline by 8.4% over those years.
   
• There were 8.7 million more people on food stamps this April (the last year for which data are available) than there were when "recovery" started.
   
• While the number of people who are unemployed fell by about 7 million between June 2009 and today, the number who are no longer in the labor force -- either because they've quit looking for work or retired -- climbed an astonishing 14 million.

  The American people know that this "recovery" has not lived up to the hype. Just 17% of Americans -- 17% -- say they are satisfied with the state of our union.

  Hillary Makes "Herstory"

  I can't ignore the big story of the week. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made history -- or "herstory" if you are politically correct. Mrs. Clinton is the first female candidate ever nominated for president by a major political party.

  I know other women have run for president before. But they were protest candidates on minor party tickets with no chance of winning.

  And what about Hillary's chances? According the latest polls, Donald Trump got a bounce out of the Republican convention and is now running even with Mrs. Clinton.

  In just about 100 days, the American people will decide which of these two candidates becomes our next president.

  Are you registered to vote? How about your friends and family members? You can't vote unless you are registered. Register today.