Category: Opinion

Cultural, political, and philosophical ideas

Opinion

Looking for root causes

It is refreshing to see Vice President Kamala Harris traveling to Central America to discuss root causes of desperate immigration trying to reach the United States. We often receive emotional appeals from Republicans to appeal to our fears, but rarely hear empowering ways America can use it’s power to create win-win solutions. Our future as humans on planet Earth is in jeopardy, as is our republic. Every adult American has an opportunity to help good to triumph over evil; but we will have to think and act to do it.

Opinion

It all starts with voting rights

Where does the authority to govern come from? The people authorize the government with their vote. If American citizens are restricted from voting the government does not have the consent of the governed. The greed and corruption of power hungry Republicans threaten the country’s existence as a republic. Research the issues of our time and stand up for democratic values by using every right you currently have as a citizen.

Opinion

The Second Amendment is for all Americans

Recent reports of Matt Gaetz saying that the Second Amendment was for citizens to control the government raises an alarm for us all. We live in a time where elected members of Congress feel comfortable raising threats of deadly violence. Every citizen must be concerned with law and order while not allowing a small group to bully or threaten for power. Our weapons soaked society makes it important for responsible citizens of all political viewpoints to use their Second Amendment rights and own a gun; that way foolish people do not believe that making threats based on weaponry is an advantage. Research and act to keep our country strong, stable, peaceful, and free.

Opinion

Justice coming?

Believing in truth and justice is what keeps us hopeful. The American justice system is flawed but remains among the best on earth and makes our country possible. Dictators always attack truth and seek to control people by being the source of all hope. Trump took his best shot at becoming a dictator and so far has failed. The American justice system will soon have the opportunity to show that no one is above the law by putting Trump on trial, but it very late. Reports of corruption and criminality by Trump are legion and show that justice has not been equal for the wealthy. Let’s hope reform and awareness create a more equitable justice system.

Opinion

To fight Tribalism be decent, be honest

Tribalism seems to be on the rise in America. Threats and assaults against Jewish people, Asian people, and other identifiable groups like African Americans have increased. Many people cite the election of Trump as a marker in the rise of hate. Hopefully the election of 2020 will mark the beginning of a decline in tribalism, but hope is not a strategy. We must all act to fight the evils of racism, tribalism, selfishness, greed, and envy. To paraphrase John Lewis ‘if you see something, say something. Stand up against what is wrong.’ All of our futures and lives are at stake.

Opinion

Staying positive

Staying positive in a time of peril is hard but important. We live in interesting times that demand we pay attention, act to protect our values, and communicate to others. The threats we face will not go away soon, so we must take care of ourselves and each other to overcome them. Hope and actions to create the future we deserve will sustain and strengthen us. Even seemingly small steps add up and create change.

Opinion

Can they handle the truth?

Over 30 Republicans voted for a commission to study what happened on January 6, 2021 at the US Capitol. More than 140 voted against examining what happened. There is hope for America as long as we value the truth. Republicans have demonstrated so far that they fear the truth surrounding the insurrection at the Capitol. The country hangs in the balance as we wait to see if evil will triumph and the party of the big lie regains power in 2022. There will be many important events happening in the near future. Be prepared and act to strengthen truth,justice, and our republic.

Opinion

Right to life?

There is a constant debate in America about the right to life and the Supreme Court will be taking up the issue again. People claim that there is a right to life and it should be protected; but the same people do not support healthcare for all. An impoverished person could be forced to have children, and those same children could later die due to lack of healthcare or COVID caused by a science denying “right to lifer”. Why aren’t people who are passionate about the “right to life” not passionate about preserving the lives of the living? Do the concerns for life of the “conservative religious” end when a person is born? It seems like this is the case for the “right to life” voters. Republicans and people claiming to be conservative have trouble with ethics and details. Maybe this is why they consistently use emotional appeals to sell their ideas. The house of cards that calls itself “conservative” has gotten away with a lot in the recent past; the continued success of this unstable political movement threatens our future.

Opinion

Waiting for the criminal justice system to work

When you observe continuous criminality and corruption it is much like observing a turd in a pool. Things are not the way they should be and each time you see it is distressing. Many people feel this way as we wait for the toilet to flush and Trump (and other corrupt Republicans) to be held accountable. America will not be what it should be until it demonstrates that no one is above the law. Support leaders who are respectful of all people, but most importantly US citizens, laws, and institutions. America is still a great country, but we face immediate peril that is an existential threat.

Opinion

Liz Cheney defending democracy in America

There is a lot of talk on the subject of the Republican meltdown over Trump and his lies. Liz Cheney was removed from Republican leadership in the US House of Representatives because she would not stop telling the truth about the 2020 election. Trump lost the election. Trump has led a fundamentally flawed organization over a cliff because their core values were a lie. White supremacy was the hidden cornerstone of the Republican party that led to a takeover by a cunning conman. A conman who recognized the fundamental weakness of a group pretending to be something it was not. America needs two parties that deal in facts and solutions to real problems; we don’t have that now. I am not a fan of Liz Cheney or her father, but she is playing the long game to save the country from lies and fascism.