Category Archives: Domestic Issues

President Who Speaks with Forked Tongue

“Man who speaks with forked tongue” has been attributed to how the Native American Indians described the White man throughout history. It describes a person who says one thing but means the very opposite. It is an apt description of … Continue reading

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My Thoughts about President Trump

For some time now I have been trying to think of good things to say about President Trump. But the longer he has been President the fewer things I can think of. I feel that he is out of place for this century… Continue reading

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Obama’s Weakness and Failures

My favorite presidents are Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson. What these presidents had in common were a very turbulent presidency, the skills to work behind the scenes with an often hostile congress to barter for legislation important to them, and figuring how best to get very difficult things done. When President Obama was first elected he had a much less hostile congress to work with. He was able to pass the Affordable Care Act, something other presidents had failed to do. But he was not an especially skilled politician familiar with the art of negotiating. His skills were far more adept at going out to the public to ask for their support. This won him the Presidency in two elections. But this alienated him from Congress. Legislation is at the heart of making government work which Congress owned. Continue reading

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Saving the World to Death From Itself

For some reason we Americans often feel the need to save people in third world countries from their religions or cultural beliefs and traditions by imposing our Christian-Judaic values and form of government, which even fails us, upon them. We too often view their social and moral values as barbaric, morally corrupt, and inhumane. Even in our own country we likewise view religious practices that do not conform to our social standards and moral beliefs as cults, not to be tolerated. I am a strong advocate of human rights but I am opposed to changes under military threats or any forced action. Human rights must be dispensed with the same humanity, human rights practices, compassion, and respect that is being espoused. Otherwise it is hypocritically forced upon unwilling people with no consideration of the feelings and culture of the vanquished. Continue reading

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“Gettysburg Address” – a Wake-Up Call

Somehow chills always run up and down my spine every time I hear the Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln recited. This speech did not receive great attention when given to commemorate all the soldiers who had given there lives during one of the bloodiest battles of the bloodiest war this nation has ever engaged, the American Civil War. But a newspaper man had written the speech down and published it. It was one of the shortest speeches ever given by an American President, consisting of only 3 relatively short paragraphs spoken in less than 5 minutes. However its significance sunk in after its publication and is now considered one of, if not the greatest speeches ever given in this nation. Continue reading

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Immigration Myths

The President would like to see the passage of an immigration reform bill which would allow many undocumented immigrants to gain legal status.  This is strongly opposed by many conservatives and Tea Party members who claim that illegal immigrants take … Continue reading

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U.S. Public Transportation Failures

America’s love affair with their cars continues unabated as auto sales continue to increase making that industry and oil companies richer each year.  Cars are among our most expensive and cherished possessions. But there are costs associated with car ownership … Continue reading

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The Big Disconnect

There seems to be a big disconnect between formal education and real life. This is no less true than the discussion for the very low turnout of young voters in America. A possible solution to this low turnout problem is to lower the voting age to a level such that what all children lean about voting in school can be related to the actual voting process while still in high school. Continue reading

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Term Limits? Extend Term Lengths Instead!

In today’s complex wold of government two and four year terms simply doesn’t give our elected officials enough time to learn their jobs before they need to prepare for the next election.  When these terms in office were originally established … Continue reading

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Health Care in the U.S.

Most countries throughout the developed world have government run health care systems for good reason: It is far easier than having to deal with many different private insurance companies and shopping for insurance and comparing best benefits and rates. A … Continue reading

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“The American people…”

I’m getting tired of hearing the expression “The American people…” used over and over again recently by our political leaders at news conferences, speeches, etc.  To me the meaning of “The American people” is something all Americans want or agree … Continue reading

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Apathy in America

On a good national election about 60% of registered voters vote.  About 35% of American citizens aren’t even registered to vote.  Thus in reality on a good national election only about 45% of all American citizens vote and on a … Continue reading

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President Obama vs a Republican Congress

I have been critical of President Obama’s foreign policies and his failure to be transparent regarding whistle blowers as he had promised during his 2008 campaign.  I am also critical of his polities on oil and gas drilling.  So I … Continue reading

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Conservatives would like to Cut Subsidy Programs to the Poor

A few days ago the Republican House voted to cut off $40 billion from the food stamp program.  If they had it their way they would totally cut off all subsidy programs for the needy from the Federal budget. As … Continue reading

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What if there were no Federal Regulatory Agencies?

Political conservative pundits complain that the federal government is too big with all its regulatory agencies.  What if we did as the conservatives wished, reduce government by letting free enterprise regulate itself?  What if we abolished all our federal regulatory … Continue reading

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Why it’s Important the Youth of America shoud Vote

Young citizens are complacent and do not vote. They have a tenancy to be slightly more liberal than older citizens who do vote. Thus we have more conservative Republican Presidents. If young voters would vote there might be more balance in election outcomes. Continue reading

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It’s Time to Abandon Two Party Domination

Is our dysfunctional and polarized Congress what our Founding Fathers had in mind when drawing up the Constitution of the United States? Are not the two parties supposed to negotiate and enter political discussions in order to pass laws? Have our congregational members forgot what there responsibilities are or what Congress is about – the passage of laws? Continue reading

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Campaign Reform: Keep Simple + No Fundraising

Keeping campaign contributions out of the political candidate process eliminates the influence of special interest groups and forces incumbents to stand on their legislative records. This discussion reveals why current practices are corrupt and makes some recommendations for reform. Continue reading

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Are Foreign Engagements a Distraction from Domestic Woes?

Our over-engagement in foreign policies and wars is misdirecting resources and distracting both the government and public from focusing upon many critical and urgent domestic issues. There are more than enough problems at home that need our full and concerted attention to solve. Continue reading

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What if We Didn’t Engage In Any Wars?

A scenario is presented of what the country would be like if we had not engaged in all wars since WWII. The cost of war in both dollars and lives and the disruptions and consequences to veterans and society have been huge. Have the costs of wars been justified? Or would life had been better for us had we stayed out of these wars? Continue reading

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A Failing Democracy

The US Congress is inept and unable to function as a body that enacts laws. The polarization of the two parties results in nothing being accomplished. Congregational leaders are driven by ideology instead of compromise. Our country is fighting wars abroad and trying to spread democracy yet democracy at home is a dismal and embarrassing failure. Those who we are trying to become democratic must be laughing behind our backs at our non-functional government. Continue reading

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Spending on War and Destruction vs. Investing on Building a better America

What if we did not go to all the wars or meddle into the affairs of other countries since the end of the Korean War and instead focus all of that Defense money and effort into education, energy development, infrastructure … Continue reading

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The War on Drugs – Another Losing Battle

The war or prohibition on drugs has been raging since the early 1900’s but was not seriously addressed by the federal government until the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 was implemented by the Nixon administration.  During … Continue reading

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