Donald Trump is often called a “bully.” There is a sound reason for that: He is. Not of physical strength, but often the most formidable ones rely on neither muscle or even wit, but dismantle logic. It’s a ploy where you win every time because there is no requirement in the fight beyond the rhetorical…
Month: January 2017
Our Beloved Plutocracy
I won’t lie. I like money. I would like to have more and if I did I could make investments to make even more. I’d love that. I like my bank too. They are very nice and I think that if I had more money to put into my bank they would guide me wisely to protect and…
Give the Guy a Chance!
Several times in the past few days people have said to me: “Give the guy a chance.” They are annoyed that I jumped out of the box to criticize President Trump only one day after his inauguration. They have pointed out that I am usually more open-minded, and that I did, in fact, say I…
The Price of Freedom
There are several signs around town that read: “Freedom isn’t free.” Often that is followed by: “Thank a Veteran.” I agree wholeheartedly with that entire statement, but when I use the phrase I might be using it in a slightly different context. Service men and women are part of the equation to keep America free, but, as…
Tom or Ted? You Decide
What does it mean to be free in America? I believe it means that in the United States of America, no citizen will be denied services, opportunities, benefits, goods, transactions, acquisitions, access or mobility on the basis of their race, creed (religion), color, gender, or sexual orientation. In fact, if there were distinctions to determine…
Intercourse With Foreign Nations
We need to create a Foreign Policy Constitution. A document we hold up to the light to reveal how we should approach every foreign engagement. We can refer to this document so that America can consistently carry the moral authority expected of this free and powerful nation without compromise. Am I being facetious? Not really. …
The Heritage of ObamaCare
Who knew that the concept of an individual mandate to purchase healthcare was initially proposed by the conservative Heritage Foundation? During the George HW Bush administration the conservative think tank devised an alternative to the single-payer health care being proposed by Democrats. It followed the reasoning that was proposed by President Richard Nixon in 1974 (and…
The Tail Wags the Dog
I had an interesting experience speaking to a first year government class. I began the hour by asking the students this question: “What form of government do we have in America?” No response. “I mean is this an oligarchy, a monarchy, a theocracy…?” Finally, a young man in front, probably no more than 18 and clearly…
Power to the People (Right On!)
The ascension of a corporate-welfare bleeding, amoral, overrated host of a reality show to the Presidency of the United States was not the result of a populist movement alone, but was supported by a reaction to that populist movement. How else can we explain the contradiction that saw voters, terrified of oligarchic takeover of government,…
“Stand By Your Manor”
With Republicans taking the majority in both the Iowa Senate and House there are going to be several Republican-based initiatives that have been waiting (im)patiently in the wings for several years, that will become front and center as the legislature reconvenes. One such issue is going to be Castle Doctrine. Castle Doctrine has been around…