Mark McDonald, M.D.

06/11/2026

I arrived in Los Angeles after a month in Poland and was immediately struck by the jarring contrast in civic reality.
I witnessed the election process unfold like a staged spectacle, where a disheveled, mask-wearing poll worker epitomized a system in decay.
I saw firsthand how mail-in ballots systematically reversed initial results, erasing any hope for genuine opposition and transforming our vote into predetermined theater.
Comparing this to the professionalism and rapid, clear outcomes of Polish elections only deepened my dismay.
I now see Los Angeles not merely declining but crumbling under an incompetent, ideologically driven political machine that leaves its citizens abandoned.

The death spiral is nearly complete

06/08/2026

05/21/2026

I recently spoke with a Polish politician who identified as left-wing, and his ideas focused on nuclear energy, workers' rights, public investment, and government transparency rather than the radical, Marxist-inspired proposals we see in America.
In Poland, the left carries the traditional liberal meaning, supporting sensible reforms without straying into extreme ideologies.
In contrast, the American left now champions causes that blur the line between normality and delusion—from redefining gender in ways that disrupt longstanding norms to undermining established institutions like law enforcement and healthcare.
I find it alarming that what was once tolerated as individual eccentricity has been normalized and codified into law, demonstrating a disconnect from the values that once unified society.
Ultimately, these differences reveal a stark divergence in governance, where rational policy in Poland stands in sharp opposition to the dangerous, all-encompassing ideology promoted by America’s current left.

Outside the United States, political definitions mean something quite different

05/15/2026

I've been reflecting on how the legacy of the Polish matka archetype continues to shape mother-daughter relationships in ways that intertwine love with control.
I’ve heard stories of daughters burdened with relentless guilt—a subtle, yet piercing reminder that independence is a crime in their mothers’ eyes.
I recognize that these patterns, forged in the crucible of communist-era hardship and strict gender roles, leave women torn between filial duty and their own desires.
I’m deeply concerned that this dynamic may soon find its parallel here in the United States, where roles are shifting and the balance of power in household relationships is beginning to tilt.
I see in both cultures a troubling transformation of strengths built for survival, evolving into a compulsion to control that stifles personal freedom and fosters silent resentment.

There is inter-generational cost to being a strong woman

05/07/2026

I've been reflecting on the significance of a small plaque in Wrocław that serves as a reminder of our past approach toward mental health and the separation of dangerous individuals from society.
I see this as a stance that, unlike modern America, posits safety comes from isolating those who can’t operate within civilized standards rather than bending compassion towards destructive behavior.
I believe that when the U.S. dismantled its state psychiatric systems in favor of a flawed community care model, the result was a society where law-abiding citizens end up paying for the chaos left in the wake of unchecked criminality.
I find it striking that while countries like Poland, Hungary, and Japan continue to uphold the rule that those who cannot adhere to societal norms must be managed for the greater good, America’s neglect of this principle now leaves us bearing the costs.

Protecting communities means excluding those who cannot participate in them

05/01/2026

I've been reflecting on how Budapest’s natural hot springs and Japan’s onsen traditions show us the deep bond between nature, the body, and community.
I find it remarkable that centuries-old practices in Hungary and Japan honor the natural healing power of water as a daily ritual and social equalizer.
I see how these communal baths offer genuine wellness through affordability, physical proximity, and routine care—reminding me that true healing arises from shared experience rather than isolated luxury.
I believe that while American spas often prioritize individual pampering and consumption, Hungary and Japan teach a timeless lesson: our bodies and our communities heal best when they come together in natural, unhurried spaces.

Where are they in America?

04/17/2026

I've been reflecting on how the ancient mandate of lead, provide, protect has lost its balance in today’s dating culture.
I see that while many men embrace the call to lead, the reciprocal duties of follow, nurture, and respect are being ignored, turning what should be a partnership into an unfair demand.
I've observed that in America, unlike in Central Europe, this imbalance leaves men feeling dismissed and unvalued as they are pushed to act against their true nature.
I believe that returning to a model of mutual responsibility—where masculine and feminine virtues support one another—is essential for restoring genuine, fulfilling relationships.

The dating recession isn't caused by men who refuse to lead. It's caused by women who refuse to follow.

04/10/2026

I've been reflecting on how a city's real value lies in its ability to foster spontaneous encounters rather than in its skyline or tax rate.
I believe that walkable streets and genuine "third places" are what create community, turning everyday journeys into opportunities for human connection.
I've seen that cities built for cars often lead to isolation and planned interactions, while those designed with pedestrians in mind nurture a vibrant social fabric.
I know that choosing walkability over car dependence isn't just an urban planning preference—it's a crucial choice that supports small businesses and combats loneliness.
I remain convinced that putting people first in our cities is essential for fostering a life rich in accidental connections and shared community.

Streets need people, not cars

04/05/2026

I've been reflecting on how America has reduced Easter to a pastel-colored afterthought, a time for brunch and fleeting church visits rather than a deep, structural tradition.
In contrast, I've witnessed in Hungary a celebration that embraces Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday as true public holidays where every moment is infused with familial and communal connection.
I find it striking that while Americans opt for convenience and digital interactions, Hungarians affirm their heritage through long, solemn church services, multi-generational meals, and playful, yet meaningful rituals like locsolás on Easter Monday.
I wonder if we might ever reclaim that lost sense of genuine proximity and shared tradition in our own celebrations.

The importance of maintaining traditions

03/26/2026

I've been reflecting on how artificial intelligence is not coming for everyone’s job, but rather for roles that were never as essential as we believed they were.
For decades, I've observed an explosion of credentialed professionals mediating, administering, and processing, roles that added layers of bureaucratic overhead rather than real human contribution.
When I look at fields like therapy and human resources, I see AI unravel a long-standing industry built on insurance reimbursements and credentials rather than genuine outcomes.
I’ve noticed that as these administrative roles are automated, skilled tradespeople—especially men who build, fix, and maintain the infrastructure of our society—are finally being recognized for their indispensable work.
This shift challenges longstanding gender imbalances and the false validation of bureaucratic qualifications over practical expertise, paving the way for a future where work is harder, more honest, and truly human.

What the automation wave actually does to women (and men)