Category: Penn State

Inside the Mind of a Psychiatrist –the Presidential Election, by Art Smukler, MD, author & psychiatrist

by artsmuklermd, posted in Penn State, Politics, Psychiatry, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view

Tuesday November 5, 2024, Donald Trump handily beat Kamala Harris and is officially the 47th President-elect of the United States. It wasn’t close!

I wrote numerous posts regarding Trump’s lying, narcissism, racism and on and on.

I obsessively pointed out why no one should vote for this man. How dangerous it would be, blah, blah, blah.

Then after it happened, after I got over my shock and disappointment, I put on my psychiatrist beanie (It has a Penn State Logo on the front).

What came to mind were the many years I spent as an undergraduate and medical student worrying about money. I was living on loans and never had an extra dollar. For me, every extra hour was spent studying and trying to reach my goals – get into medical school and then graduate as a physician. I did it, but paid an enormous price – constant worry and obsession about paying my rent, buying food, and gas. Everything I did was surrounded by an overwhelming fear of financial catastrophe.

I believe that is why Trump won. People overlooked his obvious character flaws to achieve one simple thing. They wanted enough money to live. To not spend almost every waking moment worrying about how they were going to pay the rent, buy food, and pay the medical bills. Kamala’s idea of giving new home buyers $25,000 was ludicrous. In California you can’t buy anything for less than $500,000. $25,000 buys you nothing.

Yes, there are bigots, racists, anti-LGBTQs, billionaires, pro-Israel people etc. who voted for Trump, but I truly think that the overwhelming majority of Americans simply want to pay the bills. They believed that Trump could help them better than Kamala. In this case “Money talks and character walks”.

Thanks, Art

#Trump, #Kamala, #presidentofUS, #moneytalks

West Coast Philly-Cheesesteaks? Huh? by Art Smukler, MD, Inside the Mind of a Psychiatrist

by artsmuklermd, posted in MY NOVELS, Penn State, Psychiatry, Self Examination, Writing

I hope diehard Geno’s Steak aficionados don’t attack me too much, but I’ve developed a taste for cheesesteaks right here in Los Angeles. For those of you who aren’t from Philly, Geno’s is a South Philly restaurant credited with inventing the cheesesteak in 1933. 

I was so enamored with the greasy cuisine, that I had Joe Belmont, my main character in Little Italy, a psychological suspense novel, enjoy one just the way I like it. Geno’s is also on the cover.

Now, after decades of living in sunny California, I’ve completely turned the page (bad pun) and won’t streak to Gino’s when I visit Philly. 

Also, I have to admit, I’m whispering this, very softly, I care more for the Rams than the Eagles. Okay. Okay. I’m still a good person. Fly Eagles Fly!

On the other hand, Penn State football is still my Saturday obsession. It’s untreatable. Even Lexapro won’t work. Hail to the Lions! Since UCLA and USC are now in the Big Ten they’ll be out here playing and I can sit in the stands, wear my Nittany lions cap, and eat my LA cheesesteak from Jersey Mike’s. 

Who cares, right?

I do. 

Sometimes it’s just the simple things that bring us joy. 

Have a great day. Art

#Pennstatefootball, #Bigten, #Nittanylions, #Littleitaly, #Phillycheesesteaks, #Gino’s, #Collegefootball