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…
ON CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS
A long overdue reckoning is now occurring concerning the appropriateness of having monuments to individuals who fought on the side of the Confederacy and naming military bases after them. Supporters…
The Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The economic impact of COVID-19 will be felt for many years. The disparity of the impact of the pandemic on different segments of the population are already apparent. The Federal…
FEDERAL AID TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
In a previous post, I argued that there needs to be a change in the focus of community policing from Law Enforcement to a SALE approach; Safety, Assistance, and Law…
POLICING AND ECONOMIC INEQUALITY
In a previous post, I discussed the necessity of the existence of a solid societal and economic infrastructure to provide the foundation for personal economic success. An important component of…
THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIETAL INFRASTRUCTURE
In Capitalism, Socialism, and the Promise of Democracy I wrote: "There can be no champion surfer without the wave. As talented and gifted as the surfer may be, if there…