At the time I am writing this op-ed on Friday, December 20, there is still some uncertainty about our government closing, about the new relationship between President Elect Trump and his advisor, Elon Musk, and many uncertainties about who will manage the various agencies of our government. But there is so much more uncertainty in Ukraine, in the One Hundred Years War: Palestine/Israel, in Israel’s Prime Minister facing trial; not to mention so many more struggles around our globe.

The closing down of our government is not a new issue, but the most puzzling question is what role the unelected billionaire, Elon Musk, has suddenly played in disagreeing with President Elect Trump. Some are calling Musk an “emerging president.” I have lived only one-third of the life of our country founded in 1776; but have not approached a Christmas in the USA with so much confusion in our national politics, and in our world-- except in times of war.

The one certain Constitutionally protected law that I can state today is that Elon Musk cannot become our president because he was not born in the USA. Remember how then Presidential candidate the first time, Trump, told the country that Barack Obama was not born in the USA? After Trump won, reporters asked Trump if he would acknowledge that Barack Obama was a US Citizen? Trump smiled at the reporter and said: “I won, didn’t I?” and he then continued on his way.

Let us hope that most of our citizens here and around the globe have a joyful/merry Christmas and Hanukkah! What happens in 2005 is another story. 

*In 2024 Christmas and Hanukkah begin on December 25. The twelve days of Christmas end on January 6, Hanukkah ends on January 3.