Victoria Woodhull: The First Woman to Run for President of the United States

In 1872, that is 144 years before Hillary Clinton’s run for US President, Victoria Woodhull was the first woman to run for President of the United States and Woodhull remains a significant milestone in the history of American women’s politics. Her life story, marked by perseverance and advocacy, continues to inspire generations of women to challenge societal norms and pursue their aspirations. Woodhull’s contributions to women’s rights and her groundbreaking presidential candidacy paved the way for future female leaders in the political arena to continue the effort to break the highest, hardest glass ceiling in politics.

Victoria Woodhull, born on September 23, 1838, in Homer, Ohio, emerged from a life of poverty and adversity to become a trailblazer in American politics. Her journey from a tumultuous childhood to the forefront of the women’s rights movement is a testament to her resilience and pioneering spirit. Woodhull’s candidacy in the 1872 presidential election marked a significant milestone in the fight for gender equality in the United States.

Early Life and Struggles

Victoria Woodhull was one of ten children in a family plagued by hardship. Her mother was illiterate, and her father was a criminal. Despite these challenging beginnings, Woodhull displayed an early determination to overcome her circumstances. She began elementary school at the age of eight but dropped out three years later. At the age of fifteen, she married Dr. Canning Woodhull, an alcoholic, which forced her to support her family through various jobs, including working as a clerk, seamstress, actress, and spiritual medium.

Advocacy for Free Love and Women’s Rights

The onset of the Civil War marked a pivotal point in Woodhull’s life. She divorced her husband but retained his surname, reflecting her growing independence. The divorce led her to become involved in the Free Love movement, which sought to make it easier for women to leave abusive marriages and argued that issues like divorce and birth control were personal matters, not state concerns. Woodhull famously proclaimed, “Let women issue a declaration of independence sexually, and absolutely refuse to cohabit with men until they are acknowledged as equals in everything, and the victory would be won in a single week.”

Rise to Prominence

During the Civil War, Woodhull worked as a healer alongside her sister Tennessee. Through this work, she met Colonel James Blood, whom she married after the war, and Cornelius Vanderbilt, a wealthy railroad tycoon. These connections proved crucial for Woodhull’s future endeavours. In 1868, she and her sister moved to New York City, where they continued working as clairvoyants for Vanderbilt. The sisters amassed significant wealth from stock tips provided by Vanderbilt, enabling them to open Woodhull, Claflin & Co. in 1870, becoming the first female stockbrokers on Wall Street.

Political and Social Advocacy

Woodhull utilized her newfound platform to advocate for women’s rights, labourers, and the poor. She founded Woodhull and Claflin’s Weekly, a newspaper promoting Free Love, women’s suffrage, and political reform. This publication served as a critical vehicle for Woodhull’s progressive ideas and her political aspirations.

Presidential Candidacy

In 1872, Victoria Woodhull made history by becoming the first woman to run for President of the United States. Running on the Equal Rights Party ticket, she championed a progressive platform that included women’s suffrage, regulation of monopolies, nationalization of railroads, an eight-hour workday, direct taxation, abolition of the death penalty, and welfare for the poor. Frederick Douglass was selected as her running mate, although he never formally acknowledged the nomination. Despite her groundbreaking candidacy, Woodhull’s votes were minimal and went largely uncounted.

Decline and Legacy

After the election, Woodhull’s political career declined rapidly. Her personal life, often sensationalized in her newspaper, alienated key allies like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Consequently, she was ostracized from the suffrage movement and received no further invitations to speak at conventions.

Disillusioned, Woodhull moved to England in 1877, where she married into a wealthy family and became a patron of the arts. Although she never saw her activism fully realized in the United States, she lived to witness the achievement of women’s suffrage in Great Britain. Victoria Woodhull passed away on June 9, 1927, at the age of 88.

Isolationism and Tariffs: A Strategic Response to Global Trade Practices

 October 27, 2024

The United States has often championed free trade and open markets in an increasingly interconnected global economy. However, the current global trade environment, characterized by widespread tariffs and protectionist policies from many countries, has led to calls for a more strategic approach. Partial isolationism and the selective use of tariffs could effectively protect U.S. interests and ensure fair trade practices.

Conclusion

Partial isolationism and the strategic use of tariffs can provide the United States with the tools necessary to navigate a complex global trade landscape. The U.S. can ensure its economic security and prosperity by focusing on self-sufficiency, protecting key industries, and engaging selectively in global trade.

The following balanced approach allows for protecting domestic interests while maintaining the flexibility to engage with the world when it is most advantageous.

Understanding Trade Imbalances and Restrictions

1. Global Trade Barriers: Many countries impose high tariffs and non-tariff barriers to protect their domestic industries. For instance, the European Union, China, and India maintain various trade restrictions that affect U.S. exports. These barriers create an uneven playing field, disadvantaging U.S. businesses and workers.
2. Trade Deficit Concerns: The U.S. often runs significant trade deficits with several major trading partners. In 2022, the trade deficit with China alone was over $350 billion. Persistent trade deficits can impact domestic industries and lead to job losses in key sectors.

The Case for Partial Isolationism

1. Economic Self-Sufficiency: The U.S. has a large, diverse economy capable of producing most of the goods and services it needs domestically. By focusing more on domestic production, the U.S. can reduce its reliance on volatile international markets and strengthen its internal economic stability.
2. Resource Abundance: The U.S. is rich in natural resources, including energy resources such as oil, natural gas, and coal, as well as agricultural products. Leveraging these resources can help ensure energy independence and food security.
3. Innovation and Technology: The U.S. is a global leader in innovation and technology, with a highly skilled workforce and world-class research institutions. Investing in domestic technological advancements can drive economic growth and maintain global competitiveness.

Strategic Use of Tariffs

1. Levelling the Playing Field: Tariffs can be used strategically to counteract unfair trade practices and protect U.S. industries from dumping and subsidized imports. For example, imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports has helped safeguard American jobs in these sectors.
2. Encouraging Fair Trade: By implementing targeted tariffs, the U.S. can encourage trading partners to negotiate and reduce their trade barriers. Trade negotiations, such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), show how tariffs and trade policy can be used to secure more favourable terms.
3. Protecting Key Industries: Tariffs can protect strategic industries critical to national security, such as aerospace, electronics, and pharmaceuticals. Ensuring the viability of these industries is essential for economic resilience and national defence.

Balancing Isolationism with Global Engagement

1. Selective Engagement: While partial isolationism can protect domestic interests, the U.S. should remain engaged in global trade where it benefits. Strategic partnerships and trade agreements with allies can enhance economic security and geopolitical influence.
2. Domestic Investment: Redirecting resources from global trade to domestic infrastructure, education, and research can foster long-term economic growth. Policies that support small businesses and entrepreneurship can drive innovation and job creation.
3. Resilience and Adaptability: The U.S. must remain adaptable to changing global dynamics. Flexibility in trade policy can help respond to new opportunities and challenges. Building a robust economy that can thrive both independently and in concert with global partners is the ultimate goal.

The Path to a Realistic USA Border Strategy

 October 23, 2024

Addressing the Failures of Migration Policies and The Financial Burden on US Citizens

Under the Harris/Walz/Biden policies for immigration, the U.S. has faced an unprecedented migration crisis, with US borders overwhelmed by tens of millions of illegal crossings and an asylum system buckling under the weight of these millions of cases. While the Biden/Harris administration continues to allocate billions in aid to address the humanitarian needs of migrants, this approach is neither a sustainable stop-gap measure nor a viable long-term border strategy. Financial aid, as part of the current response, not only fails to address the core issues driving migration but also imposes an enormous financial burden on American taxpayers and encourages more illegal border crossings.

The True Cost of the Border Crisis

According to testimony before the House Budget Committee, President Biden’s border policies have cost American taxpayers a staggering $150.7 Billion annually. Studies from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) estimate that the true cost could be closer to $400 Billion when accounting for various social and economic impacts. The largest share of this financial burden is borne by state and local governments, which are often forced to raise taxes or cut services to accommodate the influx of migrants. Unlike the federal government, these local entities cannot simply borrow or print more money—they must balance their budgets while dealing with a crisis largely beyond their control.

This cost isn’t just about dollars and cents—it’s about the social and security implications for every corner of the U.S. Communities far from the US borders, like Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, are grappling with the devastating impacts of illegal immigration. In Lancaster alone, fentanyl—smuggled across the border by cartels—has claimed tens of thousands of lives, a tragic reminder that the border crisis affects every American city.

Failure to Enforce Existing Immigration Laws

The crisis at the border stems, in part, from the Biden/Harris government’s failure to enforce existing immigration laws. On day one, President Biden’s actions rolled back many of the border security measures put in place by the previous Trump administration, signalling that illegal crossings would not face serious consequences. This lack of enforcement has not only encouraged illegal immigration but also created a perception that the U.S. borders are effectively open. Despite the unprecedented surge in migration, the Biden/Harris administration has downplayed the crisis, referring to it as "cyclical" or "seasonal" as late as 11 months into their administration.

The U.S. immigration system is now flooded with migrants, most of whom do not qualify for asylum under international law. Instead of fleeing persecution for reasons of race, religion, or political opinion, many are economic migrants or individuals escaping generalized violence—factors that, while tragic, do not meet the legal standards for asylum. The failure to uphold these legal distinctions not only burdens the U.S. legal system but also frustrates those who follow legal immigration pathways, only to see millions "cut in line" through illegal means.

Financial Aid: A Temporary Fix with Long-Term Consequences

This year, the DHS Shelter and Services Program (SSP) allocated nearly $640 million to nonprofits and local governments to help manage the migrant influx. This financial was for providing food, shelter, legal and medical care, it does little to address the root causes of migration or offer a sustainable solution. The $150.7 billion in taxpayer dollars spent annually to deal with this crisis represents not only a strain on resources but also a glaring example of how temporary fixes are inadequate in the face of an ongoing crisis.

Furthermore, the federal government’s spending priorities are troubling. As noted in the House Budget Committee’s hearing, $66 billion was spent on illegal immigrants in 2023 alone, while only $3 billion was allocated to homeless veterans—those who risked their lives in service to this country. This lopsided allocation of resources demonstrates a failure to prioritize American citizens, particularly those who have already given so much to the nation.

The Dangers of Working with Totalitarian Regimes

Some have suggested that the U.S. should implement “safe third country” agreements, where asylum seekers must apply for protection in the first safe country they enter. While this could reduce the number of migrants arriving at the U.S. border, the reality is that many neighbouring countries are not governed by democratic principles and lack the infrastructure or will to process asylum claims fairly.

Expecting totalitarian regimes or corrupt governments to uphold international agreements in good faith is unrealistic. These governments often fail to protect migrants, and some may use them as pawns to extract political or financial concessions from the U.S. Without transparency, legal frameworks, and accountability, such agreements risk sending vulnerable individuals into further danger, undermining both the ethical and legal obligations of the U.S. asylum system.

The Role of Cartels and Criminal Organizations

Compounding the crisis is the involvement of transnational criminal organizations, particularly cartels that profit from human trafficking and smuggling. These organizations exploit the current border chaos, smuggling drugs like fentanyl into the U.S. and subjecting migrants—especially women and children—to horrific abuse. Cartels have evolved into sophisticated criminal enterprises, using drones, submersibles, and other advanced technologies to evade U.S. authorities and facilitate their operations.

The open border policies of the Biden/Harris administration have made it easier for these criminals to operate, putting both migrants and U.S. citizens at risk. As the crisis grows, so too does the power and influence of these cartels, creating a dangerous feedback loop that will be difficult to break without decisive action.

A Balanced Approach to Immigration

To solve the migration crisis, the U.S. must prioritize enforcement of existing immigration laws and eliminate incentives for illegal crossings. At the same time, we need to reform the asylum process to ensure that only those truly fleeing persecution are granted protection. This will not only help reduce the strain on the immigration system but also restore faith in legal immigration, which has been undermined by the current crisis.

The U.S. must also resist the temptation to rely on unstable or authoritarian governments to manage migration flows. Instead, the focus should be on working with democratic countries in the region that can be trusted to handle asylum claims ethically and legally. Diplomatic efforts must aim at addressing the root causes of migration, including economic instability, corruption, and violence in migrants' home countries.

Conclusion: The Need for Real Solutions

The border crisis is not just a humanitarian issue; it is a national security threat and a financial catastrophe. The Biden/Harris administration’s policies have failed and exacerbated the situation, leaving American taxpayers to foot the bill while cartels and human traffickers profit. To protect the nation and those genuinely seeking asylum, the U.S. must adopt a more realistic and compassionate border strategy—one that enforces the law, addresses root causes, and partners with trustworthy allies.

The $150.7 billion price tag of this crisis is unsustainable. Without immediate reform, both the financial and social costs will continue to rise, putting the future of the U.S. at risk.

CDN/USA Protesters For Hamas and Hezbollah Promoting Hate Speech and Antisemitism

 October 8, 2024

There is a crucial balance between freedom of expression and the limitations that are necessary to protect society from harm, particularly from hate speech and the glorification of terrorism.

Yes, freedom of expression is fundamental, yet countries must intervene when this freedom is used to incite harm, whether through hate speech or the glorification of terrorism. Thoughtful legislation that includes necessary protections can prevent these dangerous forms of expression from undermining the very society that guarantees freedom in the first place.

While freedom of expression remains a fundamental right, there are clear legal boundaries and existing laws regarding support for terrorism and incitement to violence. Governments must enforce laws while protecting their democracy and yet preserve peaceful dissent by ensuring that terrorist sympathies or actions by protestors that undermine public order and support terrorism and antisemitism must be immediately prosecuted within the legal framework of existing laws.

When peaceful dissent crosses the line into hatred toward a specific group, such as antisemitic or racist behaviour, it ceases to be a matter of free speech. It becomes an issue of hate speech, which must be addressed with the full force of the law.

Hate Speech is Not Protected Speech:

In Canada, freedom of expression is protected under Section 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but this right is not absolute. Hate speech is specifically excluded from protection when it promotes hatred against an identifiable group based on race, religion, ethnicity, or other characteristics.

Sections 318–320 of the Criminal Code make it a criminal offence to advocate genocide or incite hatred against any identifiable group, including Jews. If protestors engage in antisemitic rhetoric, advocating violence or dehumanizing members of the Jewish community, this clearly falls within the domain of hate speech, which is illegal in Canada.

Antisemitism and Racism as Criminal Offenses:

Antisemitism and other forms of racism must be dealt with harshly, not only because they target individuals based on their inherent identity but also because they can lead to violence, radicalization, and social division. The Criminal Code provides provisions for prosecuting individuals who promote such hatred.

Hate crimes are treated more severely under the law, as they are not just crimes against individuals, but also attacks on the dignity and security of entire communities. For example, under Section 718.2(a)(i) of the Criminal Code, hate-motivated crimes receive enhanced sentencing, recognizing the greater harm they cause to the victims and society.

Legal Precedent:

Canadian courts have consistently upheld the notion that hate speech laws, including those against antisemitism, are consistent with freedom of expression. In cases such as R. v. Keegstra, where a high school teacher promoted antisemitic views, the Supreme Court of Canada affirmed the constitutionality of hate speech laws. These laws are intended to protect vulnerable groups from harm, ensuring that society remains pluralistic and inclusive.

Impact of Antisemitic Speech:

Antisemitism, like all forms of racism, is not just offensive—it can foster violence, harassment, and social division. History has shown the dangerous consequences of normalizing hate, from the Holocaust to more recent acts of violence targeting Jewish communities. Therefore, even “peaceful dissent” that harbours hatred against Jews or any group must be seen as a direct threat to social cohesion and security.

Proactive Enforcement:

Law enforcement agencies must be proactive in responding to hate speech, especially when it manifests in protests, demonstrations, or online spaces. While peaceful protests are protected, as soon as they contain antisemitic or racist elements, the full force of the law should be applied, including arrests and prosecutions for those inciting or promoting hatred.

Social Responsibility and Public Safety:

Governments and civil society share a responsibility to denounce hate speech and antisemitism whenever it occurs. This means zero tolerance for individuals or groups that promote hate against Jews or any other group, and swift action to ensure such behaviour is not normalized.

Suggestions for Addressing Antisemitic Protest Behavior:

Clear Legal Thresholds:

Law enforcement and judicial bodies need to have clear thresholds for determining when dissent crosses into hate speech. Training for police and prosecutors on identifying and acting upon hate crimes in protests is key.

Public Education:

Initiating public campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of antisemitism and the legal consequences of engaging in hate speech can help prevent such rhetoric from gaining a foothold.

Monitoring and Reporting:

Governments and civil society should continue to monitor hate speech, especially in protests or online, and empower individuals to report antisemitic incidents. This will allow for quicker interventions and ensure public safety.

Targeted Legal Action:

Hate speech laws must be rigorously enforced, particularly when antisemitism appears in protests. Legal measures, including criminal prosecution, must be taken immediately to ensure that hate-filled protests are not tolerated under the guise of peaceful dissent.

Conclusion:

When protests include hatred toward specific groups, such as antisemitic rhetoric, it is no longer a matter of free speech but of illegal hate speech. Antisemitism and racism must be confronted with the full force of the law to preserve the dignity and security of all individuals and ensure a pluralistic and inclusive society. By enforcing laws, educating the public, and swiftly addressing hate speech, Canada and the USA can maintain their commitment to democratic values and human rights while ensuring the safety of their citizens.

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