65% of U.S. adults 21 and over drink alcoholic beverages.   This Gallup poll annual percentage dipped to 55% in 1958 and rose as high as 71% in the 1970s.   However, for households annually earning $100,000 or more, this rate is 80% for 18 and over adults.  Those homes earning less than $40,000/year has a rate of 49%. While in 1992 beer was favored by 47%, with 27% for wine and 21% for spirits, in 2022 this disparity narrowed to 35% beer, 31% wine and 30% spirits. Drinks international released its annual list of the  most popular liquor ( or distilled spirits ) brands  in the world.  In this list of the top 30, only 2 gins made the cut.  Here are a few of them, and you will be surprised. #30 Aperol:  a bright orange Italian bitter, it was created in 1919 and is used in spritzes. #29 Jagermeister:  a German digestif, I noticed it was able in South Korean movie theaters. #28 Gordon's Gin:  dates back to 1769, a bottle is sold every six seconds. #24 Ballantine's Scotch Whisky. #23

   There are more Independents in the U.S. than Republicans or Democrats.   At the turn of the century, there were equal numbers of Independents, Republicans and Democrats.   Today : Independents  44% Democrats  30% Republicans  25% Independents swing their votes for a variety of reasons.  What is happening today, and will continue until November of 2022, is the slate of issues that will mostly tarnish Republican candidates: Abortion rights :  the Supreme Court decided to side with Texas Gun rights :  The current Congress will not pass any meaningful gun control law, for you need 60 votes in the Senate. With every new shooting, the public will want more controls. Voting rights :  many state legislatures have introduced and passed bill to restrict the right to vote. Democracy and the January 6 attack on the U.S. Congress.   Watch Republican Liz Cheney  discuss the Meadows resolution. Donald Trump. He remains the leader of the party. His character and all those upcoming court cases will