Tag: Opinion

Opinion

Republican Patriots?

After watching politics fairly closely for decades I have noticed that the Conservative party seems to get away with more offensive behavior than the progressive one. I understand that some of the ideas on the left are frightening to the moneyed class, and anyone who has experienced success in America. Why would anyone want to bail out someone for mistakes that they have made? Taking out too much in college loans is a personal decision. Too much consumer debt on your part should not mean extra taxes for your neighbors. But what about medical debt due to a broken health care system that is at times predatory? What about payday loans that target hard working people with low incomes? When will Republicans engage in open debate about the issues that make people who work hard for a better life into victims? America has always been about creating a better future for those willing to work for it. Republicans need to focus less on Trump, and more on citizens who work hard and play by the rules.

Opinion

The Future is Here

The devastation in the Bahamas is a picture of our future, and is a model of how we can respond to the challenges that are now here. Our neighbors have been devastated and need our help. The climate crisis will make more demands on every facet of our lives, and our government. The current administration shows no vision or effort to prepare or respond to the climate crisis except to build a wall to keep refugees and immigrants out. I am planning to give money for Bahamas relief after researching the organizations offering help there. As you follow what is happening on our planet these days consider doing what you can to help. Our brothers and sisters who are the first impacted by the climate crisis will not be the last, and we must develop the capacity to respond. We may not be able to control the weather events that are coming, but we can control what we do, and how we act in response. We cannot allow the future to be a nightmare.

Opinion

What is the happy medium for gun laws?

Mass shootings in American cities targeting random people with assault rifles is becoming a routine news event. Every few weeks we have another horrific slaughter whose victims could literally be any of us. Politicians don’t seem to know what to do. I believe in the right to bear arms, but I don’t think civilians need assault rifles with high capacity magazines any more than we need hand grenades. Most Americans don’t believe that military weapons systems designed to kill people quickly and in high numbers should be on the streets. Some new policies need to be enacted into law, and we don’t need to wait for more slaughters to start doing it. Hunt and defend your home – yes; kill the whole block – no.

Opinion, Self improvement

Deport Isabel?

Maria Isabel Bueso is a young lady who has helped American doctors develop a treatment for a rare disease. Isabel came to America in response to a request from American doctors to study a treatment for a rare disease that affects American citizens. The current administration sent a letter to Isabel saying that she had to leave within the next few weeks which is a death sentence for her because she receives weekly treatments. Will this young lady receive a death sentence because the current administration wants to demonize immigrants? What happens to Isabel will be a judgement on America as we know it. I hope all citizens will rise to defend decency and the golden rule that so many of us live by, and believe in.

Opinion, Review, Self improvement

Great podcasts that I recommend

There is a lot of growth in the podcast business and I want to share three essential programs that promote living well and enjoying liberty: 1. The Jocko Podcast is a great listen that reviews books and stories of military veterans and relates them to leadership and living well. Sound difficult? Host Jocko Willink with producer Echo Charles weave career, fitness, and lifestyle with military history and strategy for an entertaining, insightful, and funny show. To quote Jocko – “Discipline = Freedom”. 2. Revisionist History with Malcolm Gladwell is entertaining while teaching you a truth you did not know existed, but should. This is an excellent podcast. 3. The Dave Ramsey Show is great while being straight to the point about money and life – get out of debt, stay out of debt, and enjoy financial freedom. The stories are all different, but the road to better living is the same; get discipline, and lose debt.

Opinion

Football season is back

Football is a great American pastime that in the past has provided a sense of unity for many people. Football was an example of young men coming together to prepare and fight hard for a cause – in this case winning. This great sport has become just another example of our divided society in the past few years. I am hopeful that the sport will go back to being a fun event for fans to root for their favorite high school, college, or pro team without creating division. Standing out of respect for our great country, or taking a knee to pray for a better day should be acceptable to all citizens as the choice of our fellow countrymen.

Opinion

Tax cuts and Tariffs – no strategy

The United States economy is the most powerful in the world, and we currently seem to have no strategy to make life better for citizens. We have had tax cuts that mostly went to the wealthy and corporations who did not need them. We have a tariff war going on with several countries that does not appear to have a theme or focus. Many experts are saying that we need to confront China about copyright issues, currency manipulation, etc., but that is not our focus. We have not put together previous allies to help us deal with China; Trump has alienated allies and attempted an attack on China without any help. The United States has many power multipliers including what is called soft power (our image, culture, technology, etc.), and allies. Trump is not using American power with great effect, but is acting as a solo amateur. America can do better.

Opinion

Climate Change = Unfriendly Planet

We need to talk differently about what we have been calling climate change. Maybe we should call it hostile climate, or human reducing climate, or civilization threatening climate. I am sure that there is someone who can coin the term that creates focus on reducing carbon in our atmosphere. Every poll indicates that more people see the threat of our changing climate, but are we ready to invest in solutions? The time for talk and marginal action is over. The United States should lead the world in creating the best future possible (from our current reality) with the best science and technology we can obtain.

Opinion

Recession is not the big problem

There is a lot of talk these days about the White House being worried about a recession. The big problem for the United States revolves around honesty and good governance. A majority of people inside the United States and outside the United States no longer believe our nation is an honest broker. Many see the administration as being corrupt and unbound by alliances, human rights, democracy, or free markets. Deals are made behind closed doors and the true details are kept under wraps. What the administration says is important changes from day to day depending on the news cycle. America’s larger problem is that no one knows which way we are heading, or if we will stay the course on important issues at home and around the world.

Opinion

NRA leader has extravagant taste

Wayne LaPierre the chief of the National Rifle Association, has a great job if you can get it. Spending other people’s donations to an organization (designed to uphold the 2nd amendment rights of citizens) on your own homes, clothes, and vacations is amazing if you can get away with it. I hope we have not become kind of country where you can take money for the protection of citizen’s rights, and then spend it on luxuries for an individual, but maybe we have. Citizens must seek the truth about our government, and organizations to hold leaders accountable for their behavior. Once the truth comes out we must make sure that no one is above the law to remain the free citizens of a republic.