Bleeding Georgia?
Between 1854 and 1861 Kansas was torn apart over the issue of slavery. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 established that the determination of whether a territory would allow slavery would…
Packing the Court? It is past time to fix the Supreme Court.
The Constitution says little about the Supreme Court. Much less is written about the Court than either the Executive Branch or the Legislative Branch, both of which are dealt with…
The Power of Delusional Thinking
In 1952 Norman Vincent Peale published his book The Power of Positive Thinking: A Practical Guide to Mastering the Problems of Everyday Living. Peale contended that the replacement of negative…
Biden, Batman, Trump, and the Joker
Isn't it ironic, curious, and amusing how often popular culture can mirror what's happening in the real world? Batman wears a mask; Biden wears a mask.Batman fights for truth, justice,…
Who is that Masked Man?
A firey spirit, with a commitment to truth, a glow of trust, and a hearty "We can do it!" Joe Biden A central issue in the Presidential campaign has been…
Liars, Hypocrites, Winning, and Honor
"I want you to use my words against me. If there's a Republican president in 2016 and a vacancy occurs in the last year of the first term, you can…
The Worst President vs. the Greatest President
"Really, to be honest with you, I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down, because I don't want to create a panic." Donald Trump "I…
The New Red Scare?
The term Red Scare refers to two periods in American History when there were fears of a communist take over of the country. The idea of a Red Scare derives…
OK Boomer: The Millennials vs. The Boomers, Part 2
In my previous post, I discussed the bad economic hand Millennials have been dealt and the tendency of many of them to place responsibility for their problems on the Baby…
OK Boomer: The Millennials vs. The Boomers, Part 1
Many in the the Millennial generation (those born between 1981 and 1996) have become increasingly dismissive and resentful towards the Baby Boom generation (those born between 1946 and 1964). Millennials…
The Plight of Black Americans
"Between January 1962 and July 1965, Los Angeles law enforcement (mostly police but also sheriff's deputies, highway patrol personnel, and others) killed at least 65 people. Of the sixty-five homicides…
To Play or Not to Play
Should professional athletes, such as those in the National Basketball Association (NBA), continue playing their seasons or should they instead boycott the rest of the season to protest and bring…
God’s Punishment?
Fundamentalist, evangelical, and conservative Christians are often quick to see God's hand in misfortunes that befall us, both natural disasters and human created tragedies. They often see such events as…
Is the Post Office a Business?
Article 1 Section 8 Clause 7 of the U. S. Constitution states: "The Congress shall have the Power To.....establish Post Offices and post Roads;..." The Post Office is the only…
The COVID-19 Pandemic, Re-Opening Schools, and Inequality: Who Pays the Cost? Part 2
In my previous post I argued that regardless of whether schools re-open or remain closed, that the cost and risk of doing either will be disproportionately borne by lower-income/lower-wealth households.…
The COVID-19 Pandemic, Re-Opening Schools, and Inequality: Who Pays the Cost? Part 1
The Trump Administration has prioritized re-opening schools this fall despite the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Administration's case for re-opening schools are based on several factors: Student learning is…
Homeland Security, Unmarked Vans, and the Arrest of Protesters: Shadows of Pinochet?
Homeland Security: exactly what does that mean? In the aftermath of the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center in New York, Americans made a Faustian bargain; accepting a reduction…
Can Joe Biden be our Roosevelt?
The economic collapse of the 1930's created the opportunity for revolutionary change in the American economic system. Sixty years of Oligarchic Capitalism had finally resulted in the Stock Market Crash…
The COVID-19 Pandemic, Unemployment, the Deficit, and Tax Policy: Part II
In my previous post I discussed the economic impact of the pandemic and the government's response to date. Increased Federal government spending, through borrowing, has so far prevented economic collapse.…
The COVID-19 Pandemic, Unemployment, the Deficit, and Tax Policy: Part I
The economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic have been severe. The unemployment rate in the United States rose to 14,7% in April, the highest level in the country since the…