Category: Politics and Government

The Passing of Colin Powell Merits Reflection by All of Us

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He would be the first to say Life is Complicated- And Its All Connected

An Extraordinary American Has Left Us

Colin Powell’s passing has led to a steady flow of 1:1 stories and reflections on his life that remind us all of some important things. You could have zero background or interest in military or diplomatic affairs, and yet learn much from Powell’s life. I certainly have done so.

The Many Roles of Colin Powell

 Powell saw himself first and foremost as an American. To him, that title carried with it special advantages and specific obligations.

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A Few Things in our “System” That Make Zero Sense

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Hmmm – Half of These are Rooted in the US Senate

 

It’s a Good Time to Take Stock of Some of Our Old Standbys

The news over the last year or so has given us some vivid reminders of some elements of our national governance system really seem out of whack. Some have always been so; others have risen to the top of this list  recently.

Although we look at such things through partisan lenses, at least to some degree, a case can be made that no matter your political persuasion,

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Revisiting An Old American Curse/Blessing

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Getting Individual vs Community Balance Has Always Been Tough – Now We Seem Lost

 

Schools of American Thought

America has an interesting, to put it mildly, mix of philosophies about how we relate to each other, the country, and to ourselves as individuals. As we cruise deeply into the 21st Century the two main approaches to such relationships seem in sharp contrast, contributing to much of the current social and political tension.

Terms like Rugged Individualism, Natural Law, and Community Responsibility are wielded like shields – or as swords. Let’s take a relook at our approach to each other as a nation.

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Go Big or Go Home

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Many Key Decisions are Coming due NOW at the Same Time.
The Results Will Shape America Beyond Our Imagination

 

What a Calendar We Have Over the Next Few Weeks

We all know of periods in history wherein big decisions came due, and consequences followed. But I personally cannot remember a time when so many were coming up in so short a time. This is not the complete list, but the big items at least. They come in three categories:

Legally and Legislatively Mandated for the Next Few Weeks

  • Funding Government Operations
  • Extending the National Debt Ceiling
  • The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill
  • The Advanced Infrastructure Bill

Immeasurably important to the Kind of Country We Would Be

  • Voting Access and Rights Legislation
  • National Police Reform (likely already dead,

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California Dreaming

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The Badly Failed Gubernatorial Recall Brings Wider – But Not Too Wide-Lessons

 

Ah, California

Like my earlier post on Texas, California is not unknown to me. I have lived there twice, have relatives that have lived there and have done business there. It really is a place apart in so many ways. It often is a trendsetter; what happens there eventually spreads around the country. It is big enough, in population, culture, and economics, to carry real weight. So, we pay attention to California as something of a harbinger of our future.

Not to mention that all sourdough bread I have had since leaving California is a pale imitation of the good stuff.

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Texas- Something in the Drinking Water?

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The Lone Star State Has Driven Off the Edge of Rationality

 

Texas is Not Unfamiliar Territory to Me

I wanted to note at the outset of this post that Texas is not unfamiliar territory to me. I lived there for about a year some time ago, in a pretty rural area in the central part of the state. In the years since, I have had business dealings and travel through the state on several occasions. I have had friends who live there, including some more recent transplants and long time, native residents. So,

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If I Were King for a Day

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A Short List of Things to Make the World a Better Place- In My Humble Opinion

Ever Play “King for a Day?”

We all did this as kids. Let’s do a grown-up version. If I were granted the power to do anything, including some fanciful things, this is my short To-Do list of a dozen items as it stands today. Enjoy!

Physiology

  1. An Engine Check Light for People– We are far enough along in science and medicine now that we should have one of those all-purpose trouble lights just like in our cars.

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A Few Words About Afghanistan

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Events Like This are Big on the Human and the Historical Scale. Here, A Few Personal Notes

Everyone Is an Expert – NOT

It did not take long for the chorus of “I knew this was coming” to sing in full voice. In fact, a lot of what transpired certainly was predictable, but not all of it. I am, shall we say, a bit doubtful about all the Monday morning wisdom now in print and on the airways.

Similarly, I am less than impressed with all the “wisdom” of those who get the dynamics of history but are not actually burdened with decision making,

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Last Round in the Contest for an American Socio-Economic System

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Time to Make a Choice! And the Winner Is….

Part Four of a Four-Part Series on Choosing a Socio-Economic System for America

A Short Review of What We Have Noted Across the Various Options

In doing a very large-scale, low-resolution examination of the three primary socio-economic systems on offer, we noted the following:

  • Terminology counts. We must be clear about terms if our decisions are to have meaning.
  • Every system has its strengths and weaknesses; none are anywhere close to perfect.
  • Every system will fail at some point,

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Next Round in the Contest!

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Up for Today: Social Democracy/Democratic Socialism

Part Three of a Four-Part Series on Choosing a Socio-Economic System for America

First, A Note on Afghanistan

 Several people have asked me if this space will address what has happened in Afghanistan. The answer is yes, but not just yet. This one has a couple of personal connections for me, and I am going to take a little time sorting them out.

In addition, there is a lot of information coming in – some of it dubious. Some of it important – that also needs to settle out.

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