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When Did “Representation” Become Extinct in Representative Government?

When did the elected representatives of this nation stop being servants and become our overseers? When did the thrust toward consensus building end and continuous confrontation become the obligatory norm in our public life -- dominated by most extreme voices at both ends of the political spectrum?

2023-05-19T21:54:35+00:00May 19th, 2023|Comments Off on When Did “Representation” Become Extinct in Representative Government?

GOP House Caucus Should Fire George Santos

George Santos sitting in the House of Representatives is a national crisis. Generic “Congress” enjoyed a measly 21% approval rating in January 2023 public opinion polls -- after a 15 ballot whooping of the new Speaker of the House. Who -- in their right mind -- believes the House of Representatives, specifically the GOP House

2023-02-10T23:54:07+00:00February 9th, 2023|Comments Off on GOP House Caucus Should Fire George Santos

Roar of the Gun Followed by Moments of Silence

Ten years ago – in December 2012 – a mentally unstable 19 year old shot and killed 26 souls at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut – where 20 of those 26 were 6 and 7 year old kindergarteners and first graders. A week and half ago, 10 Americans were shot to death by a

2022-06-26T03:46:46+00:00May 26th, 2022|Comments Off on Roar of the Gun Followed by Moments of Silence

No Teenager Next Door Should Own a Gun

The children of Florida are demanding #NeverAgain. Never may not be possible in a society awash with guns -- but America can do much more to prevent school children from being murdered in their classrooms. The students of Marjory Stoneham Douglas High School are showing us the way. Through articulate arguments and determination, they (and

2021-02-01T14:21:38+00:00February 26th, 2018|Comments Off on No Teenager Next Door Should Own a Gun

Perverting the Purpose of Congressional Oversight

Early in my son's elementary school career I routinely got notes from his teachers asking me to stop by the following morning. "What happened," I would ask him? I'd listen to his story. The next morning I would talk with the teacher. Only after I'd heard both sides, I'd make up my own mind about

2021-02-01T14:22:59+00:00February 20th, 2018|Comments Off on Perverting the Purpose of Congressional Oversight

FISA PRIMER

The media frequently mentions the "FISA Courts" while reporting on National Security Agency (NSA), FBI and other intelligence activities that may involve US citizens. Below is a brief description of the court's purpose and how it works.

2021-02-01T13:46:02+00:00February 20th, 2018|Comments Off on FISA PRIMER

The Real Truth Behind the Health Care Battle

Contrast the national median income for a family of four -- $55,775 -- against the average bureaucrat or congressional or presidential staffer, who earns twice what the average American family does (members of Congress earn 3.2 times their average constituent), and the picture becomes clear. They can't possibly understand the daily life of the average American. In this context, the GOP proposal to "repeal and replace Obamacare" makes perfect sense. From their cushy perch -- $16000 a year for health insurance is not such a big number.

2021-02-01T14:29:52+00:00July 8th, 2017|Comments Off on The Real Truth Behind the Health Care Battle

Biggest Hurdle Standing in the Way of Obamacare Reform

The people who are coming to town halls have a point. Their justifiable anxiety (some of it sparked by politicians and the news media) stands in the way of a down-payment on reforming Obamacare in short run and reforming our health care delivery system in the medium to long term. These vocal town hall participants are part of the 1 percent of the USA population that incur 23 percent of the cost of health care in the United States. Here's how we can help these people without raising insurance premiums for the other 95 percent!

2021-02-01T12:20:31+00:00May 29th, 2017|Comments Off on Biggest Hurdle Standing in the Way of Obamacare Reform