Scorched Earth Politics: The Illogical Democratic War on Elon Musk and Tesla
Scorched Earth Politics: The Illogical Democratic War on Elon Musk and Tesla
By Joe Wallace
APRIL 27, 2025
In an era of deep political polarization, few figures ignite as much controversy as Elon Musk. Once a darling of the left for his visionary leadership in electric vehicles and climate change advocacy, Musk has now become a target of disdain among many Democratic leaders and activists. The shift is not just ideological—it’s deeply personal and economically destructive.
Just last week, former Minnesota Governor and one-time Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz publicly expressed joy over Tesla’s plummeting stock price. In a moment that left many Americans stunned, Walz admitted he uses a phone app to track the losses to Elon Musk’s net worth, smiling quietly to himself each time the valuation drops. This wasn’t policy critique. This was schadenfreude—taking pleasure in someone else’s financial pain.
But here’s the irony: Musk owns only about 12.5% of Tesla. When the stock dropped from a high of $488 to a low of $217 in early 2025—a 56% decline—the market capitalization lost nearly $846 billion. That’s not just a blow to Musk. It’s a blow to millions of investors, including countless ordinary Americans, retirees, and yes, Democratic voters and institutions.
Many of the same progressives now sneering at Tesla’s pain celebrated Musk as a climate change warrior just a few short years ago. He led the electric vehicle revolution, catalyzed an entire industry toward cleaner transportation, and forced the legacy auto giants to follow suit. Tesla’s Gigafactories provided thousands of good-paying jobs and revitalized industrial zones. Yet none of that seems to matter anymore.
Why the sudden turn? The answer lies not in Tesla’s products, but in Musk’s personality—and more importantly, his politics. Since acquiring Twitter (now X), Musk has aligned more vocally with libertarian and center-right views, championing free speech, questioning woke orthodoxy, and challenging Democratic narratives. For some, this political deviation was unforgivable.
But the reaction hasn’t been limited to online criticism or Capitol Hill snubs. It’s turned into something darker—something economically irrational and ethically troubling.
In California, New York, and even Walz’s own Minnesota, public pension funds hold substantial positions in Tesla stock. CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) has long held Tesla in its top 100 investments. New York’s Common Retirement Fund and the Minnesota State Board of Investment also have positions in Tesla, directly exposing teachers, firefighters, and government employees to the consequences of these ideological attacks.
By publicly cheering Tesla’s decline, Democratic leaders like Walz are effectively celebrating the erosion of their constituents’ retirement savings. This isn’t a principled stand against corruption or abuse. This is a scorched-earth emotional campaign: “If Musk must suffer, so be it—even if we all suffer with him.”
Meanwhile, the silence from party leadership on acts of vandalism and violence targeting Tesla showrooms and charging stations is deafening. While Republican officials quickly condemn even minor protest-related damage at conservative institutions, there’s been barely a peep from leading Democrats about the increasingly aggressive targeting of Tesla. The implication is clear: if you don’t toe the party line, you’re fair game.
This attitude reeks of hypocrisy. Tesla, for all its controversy, still makes the best-selling EVs in the world. The company’s products are not political. They’re technological marvels that help reduce carbon emissions—a central plank of the Democratic platform. How can the same people who warn about climate catastrophe now gleefully undercut one of the greatest tools we have to fight it?
It’s time to step back from the brink. You don’t have to agree with Elon Musk’s tweets to recognize the value of his work. You don’t have to love the man to condemn violence against his company. And you certainly shouldn’t root for financial destruction when it means torching the very pension funds that support working families.
There is no virtue in vengeance. There is no progress in pain for its own sake. The Democratic Party—and its leaders—must remember that policy disagreements do not justify economic sabotage, especially when the collateral damage is measured in lost retirements and broken public trust.
When public officials cheer Wall Street losses and stay silent on acts of aggression, they betray the very people they claim to represent. It’s time to call this what it is: a dangerous, self-defeating game of political spite. And it needs to stop.
“LORD: Help Our Young People”!
The Word of i20 by Jerome Stewart
The world today is very challenging with the 24 hour news cycle keeping us instantly abreast of the things happening around the world. The images of war
and the impact on the innocent who are very young is hard to handle even as an adult. But think about the impact on the psyche of the very young who may
witness the dark side of humanity, that’s on display today. Sadly to say the evil influences besieging our young people is coming from many directions. Children
are being manipulated and taken advantage of by those with no conscience toward God. Our young people are in need of the directions the word of God
can provide at a young age. The greatest benefits of trusting in the wisdom of the living God, is in recognizing there is already a plan in place to assist anyone in
raising a child. Deuteronomy chapter 6 has great significance irrespective of the time period. After Moses instructed the Israelites on having love for the LORD
first, he addressed the needs of the children. In vss. 6 and 7 in relation to vs. 5 He says; “And these words, which I command you today shall be in your heart. You
shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise
up.” It matters greatly the people we listen to, as well as the words of the songs we listen to. There is an old adage that says; “garbage in garbage out.” There are
some words to the different songs that young people listen to that are vulgar, degrading and words that are motivated because of anger. Our young people can
recite the words verbatim without missing a beat. They can recite the words in the bible when there is teaching in the home. Proverbs 22 vs. 6 says; “train up a child
in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” A proverb is not an absolute but it is absolutely essential that children are exposed at a
young age, the meaning of respect for self, as well as having respect for others. The prophet Isaiah says chapter 54 v.13; “All you children shall be taught by the
LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Guess who else will have peace!
State Rep. McNamara’s bill to focus resources for at-risk youth moves to the governor
STATEHOUSE – State Rep. Wendy McNamara’s (R-Evansville) bill to improve Indiana’s juvenile justice system is now with the governor for consideration as a new law.
McNamara said through her bill, specific juvenile programs that receive grants must work together with local and regional justice reinvestment councils and stakeholders to make collaborative service plans.
“When working with at-risk youth, there is not a clear-cut answer or a one-size-fits-all solution,” said McNamara, chair of the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee. “By bringing all parties to the table, all of those working toward helping Hoosier children in need can collaborate and enhance our juvenile justice system.”
McNamara said her bill would also have the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute consider additional recommendations in adopting a funding formula for the Juvenile Diversion Grant Program, the Juvenile Community Alternatives Grant Program and Juvenile Behavioral Health Competitive Grant Program. The bill would also extend funding for certain juvenile programs to July 1, 2027 instead of July 1, 2025.
City Council Meeting
APRIL 28, 2025
5:30 P.M.
AGENDA
| I. | INTRODUCTION |
04-28-2025 Agenda Attachment:
| II. | APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDUM |
4-14-2025 Memo Attachment:
| III. | REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS |
| IV. | SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY |
| V. | CONSENT AGENDA: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
| VI. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| VII. | REGULAR AGENDA: SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE G-2025-10 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana Approving a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement for Affordable Housing Project Sponsor(s): Trockman, Heronemus Discussion Led By: ASD Chair Carothers Discussion Date: 4/28/2025 Notify: Nick Cirignano, ZSWS G-2025-10 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE F-2025-06 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Transfers of Appropriations, Additional Appropriations and Repeal and Re-Appropriation of Funds for Various City Funds Sponsor(s): Allen Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Allen Discussion Date: 4/28/2025 Notify: Robert Gunter, Controller F-2025-06 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE F-2025-07 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Repeals and Re-Appropriations of Funds within the Department of Metropolitan Development Sponsor(s): Allen Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Allen Discussion Date: 4/28/2025 Notify: Kolbi Jackson, DMD F-2025-07 Attachment:
D. ORDINANCE R-2025-06 AMENDED An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 1031 Mount Auburn Rd Owner: Shellback Realty LLC Requested Change: M2 to M1 w/ UDC Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Matt Lehman, RLehman & Son Consulting R-2025-06 Amended Attachment:
E. ORDINANCE R-2025-07 AMENDED An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 2, 4, 6, 6 1/2, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 Read St Owner: Fuzzy Dice LLC Requested Change: R5 to C4 w/UDC Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Bret A Sermersheim, Morley R-2025-07 Amended Attachment:
| VIII. | RESOLUTION DOCKET |
| IX. | MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS |
A. THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, May 12, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.
B. EVANSVILLE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION 2024 ANNUAL REPORT; Kolbi Jackson, Executive Director, DMD
C. ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
| X. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| XI. | ADJOURNMENT |
VU Baseball splits Conference doubleheader with Spoon River College
VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University baseball team returned to Jerry Blemker Field Saturday afternoon for the opening two games of their four-game weekend Mid-West Athletic Conference series with Spoon River College.
The Trailblazers got the weekend off to a great start by taking game one over the Snappers 10-4 before dropping game two 9-0 to even the series heading into the final doubleheader Sunday.
The Trailblazers started slow Saturday afternoon with Spoon River plating a run in the first three innings to take an early 3-0 lead.
VU would get on the board in the bottom of the third after loading the bases with back-to-back singles by sophomore Bradyn Douglas (Frankton, Ind.) and freshman Jevan Andrews (Hobart, Ind.) and sophomore Nate Montgomery (Lexington, Ind.) reaching on an error.
Vincennes got on the scoreboard with a bases loaded walk by Yancey Edlin (Pekin, Ind.) followed by a two-RBI single by sophomore Noble Johnson (Terre Haute, Ind.) to even the score at 3-3.
The Trailblazers grabbed their first lead of the game in the fourth on a two RBI single by sophomore Corbin Napier (Indianapolis, Ind.), with the Blazers scoring another run in the inning on a successful double steal to take a 6-3 lead over Spoon River.
Vincennes kept adding to their lead in the fifth after a two-out walk by sophomore Bryce Gross, followed by a walk by Bradyn Douglas and an RBI single by Jevan Andrews.
Spoon River would get a run back in the seventh and cut the deficit to 7-4 before the Blazers answered back in the bottom of the seventh with back-to-back walks by sophomore Brody Fessel (DePauw, Ind.) and Bryce Gross and an RBI single by Bradyn Douglas, his fourth hit of the game and fifth time reaching base safely in game one.
Jevan Andrews followed this with a two-RBI double to get the Vincennes lead to 10-4 heading into the final two innings.
The Blazers were able to hold Spoon River off the scoreboard down the stretch as Vincennes comes away with the game one victory by the final score of 10-4 over the Snappers.
Sophomore Carson Allen (Louisville, Ky.) got the start in game one of the day, settling in to throw six and one-third innings, allowing four runs, three earned on nine hits and striking out one.
Freshman Jacob Allen (Vincennes, Ind.) came in for the Blazers in relief, pitching the final two and two-thirds innings without allowing a run and only allowing one hit with two strikeouts.
The Trailblazers looked to keep this momentum going in game two of the day and once again found themselves playing from behind early after Spoon River scored four runs in the second to take the early lead.
The Snappers continued to add to their lead with a run in the fourth and another run in the sixth before adding three more insurance runs in the seventh to take a 9-0 lead.
The Trailblazers had opportunities at the plate throughout the game, getting runners in scoring position in four out of seven innings and had the bases loaded in the seventh but were unable to push a run across as Spoon River closed out the day with a 9-0 win in game two.
Freshman Eastin Whaley (Kokomo, Ind.) got the start in game two for the Trailblazers, working well around a tough second inning to throw four innings, allowing five runs on two hits and striking out one.
Freshman Jakob Hoyer (Georgetown, Ind.) was the first out of the bullpen in game two, throwing two-plus innings, allowing three runs, two earned on three hits with three strikeouts.
Bryce Gross came in from his shortstop position to close out the seventh inning, allowing one unearned run without allowing a hit and striking out one in one-inning on the mound.
The Trailblazers will look to bounce back and close out the weekend strong as the Blazers look to pick up the series win Sunday, April 27 with the final two games of this four-game series. First pitch Sunday is set for 12 p.m. eastern at Jerry Blemker Field.
Eagles 2025 season ends in Horizon League quarterfinals
ANN ARBOR, MI.– University of Southern Indiana Men’s Tennis bows out of its first Horizon League Tournament in the Quarterfinals round after a 4-0 defeat to Youngstown State University Friday afternoon in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The Screaming Eagles finish their historic season with a 5-10 (2-2 Horizon) record and a postseason appearance, the team’s first since transitioning to Division I. Head Coach Chris Crawford was named Horizon League Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year for the team’s turnaround. At the same time, freshman Jy Hibbert and junior Axel Sabourin earned the league’s doubles team of the week honors in early April.
Doubles
Southern Indiana dropped the first two doubles matches, securing the point for Youngstown. Freshman Adam Koon and junior Mathys Bove battled in the number three doubles match, but fell 6-4, while senior Quinten Gillespie and sophomore Eytan Michaeli dropped the number two doubles match 6-3.
Singles
The Eagles’ struggles continued into the singles matches. Bove lost the number one singles match 6-2, 6-0, before Michaeli lost in the number three singles 6-2, 6-4. Gillespie closed out his collegiate career in the number five singles, getting bested 6-2, 6-4.
Sabourin and Hibbert were ahead in the number two and number four singles matches before they were declared unfinished after Youngstown clinched the victory.
USI drops second game of the series, 12-3
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball lost game two of the series with Eastern Illinois University, 12-3, Saturday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. USI is 20-23 overall and 9-8 in the OVC, while EIU is 22-18, 10-6 OVC.
The Screaming Eagles fell behind 2-0 when EIU scored a tally in the second and third innings. USI got one of the runs back in the third on a base hit by sophomore rightfielder Cameron Boyd to trail 2-1 after three frames.
The Panthers would build the lead to 4-1 with a pair of runs in the fourth, while the Eagles scratched a run across in the sixth on a double by junior shortstop Clayton Slack to make the score, 4-2.
EIU would explode for eight runs in the final three frames to pull away for the 12-3 final score.
Offensively, USI, which had 14 hits as a team, was led by the three-hit performances of Boyd and junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens. Boyd finished the day three-for-four and is hitting .632 for the week (12-19).
USI junior left-hander Jake Porter started and took the loss. Porter (2-4) allowed four runs, one earned, on four hits and three walks. He also struck out three in five innings of work.