Category: Politics and Government

Pillars for a Better America

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A Series on Priorities for the Biden Administration

 

What’s the Game Plan?


Everyone seems to have a list of what the new administration needs to prioritize. Especially so for the oft cited Day 1 or the first 100 days. This blog joins the parade of advice. For the next few weeks, this space will provide a brief listing and discussions of such recommendations. These are areas that would serve the country well in the coming months and years.

Obviously, the pandemic and the economy, with an eye on security threats,

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Two Mindsets That Might Be Helpful

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Better Starting Points as We Try to Communicate with Each Other

So Here We Are

You may recall that a few weeks ago, we held national elections.

Turns out a lot of us are really angry at each other. Not a big surprise, all in all. But the level of divide and the strength of feelings across millions of people is a something of a surprise.

For a long time, many of us thought “the people” were not so far apart. It was just a lot of divisive talk by political and social opportunists.

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Thinking About Thanksgiving Through a 2020 Filter

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The Idea of Thanksgiving is Both Challenged and Reinforced This Year

 

It is Still 2020

Boy, is this ever a year we will all be glad to close the books on. In some ways Thanksgiving is no exception. Plans and traditions are disrupted for most of us for this most American of holidays. Still, it is not too much of a stretch to reflect on how very much many of us can be grateful for, even this year. Let’s take a small inventory.

You Can Be Grateful If…

  • You don’t have and have not had COVID 19
  • No one close to you has died from the pandemic virus
  • If you are working and you still have a job (and health insurance)
  • You have access to some technology that lets you see and hear those you would like to be with in person.

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Pay No Attention to the Little Man Behind the Curtain

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Are Republicans Finally Starting to Figure This Out?

 

 The Short-Term Risk to the Country in Trump’s Intransigence

Much has been highlighted by others about the dangers of a delayed or blocked transition. The three highest risks are:

(1) Poor coordination and execution at the start of the COVID inoculations.

(2) The risk of the new Administration facing a surprise foreign crisis, that could have been forewarned.

(3) Someone deciding to launch such a crisis specifically because the seams are visible in our national leadership.

By the way,

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While We Wait for Reality to Set In for Some People, A Few Thoughts

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In an Odd Period of Transition, Trump Makes It Even Odder

About Presidential Transitions

These transitions every four or eight years are fascinating, full of potential and danger. Most of the time, they go pretty smoothly. All parties seem to see the value in a smooth and graceful transition. I remember the Clinton team speaking with appreciation and admiration of the Bush team ensuring the best possible transition.

It is, nevertheless, a time of risk for the nation. If anyone is looking for an opportunity for foreign misadventure, this would be the time to spring it on us.

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Let Us Reflect Upon Snakes and Heroes, Progress and Challenge

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In So Many Ways, This Felt Like an Election Suitable for 2020. What Next?

 

Are We Having Fun Yet? Is It Over Yet?

One may be forgiven for asking either or both of these questions about the 2020 elections. At various times in recent weeks, the answer to the first question for many of us has been “Not YET!”, followed by “Yeah! – Sort Of!” For the second question, mercifully, it seems about over. But Trump has over 70 days of potential mischief to play around with and some races are close, so don’t relax yet.

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Well, Here We Are

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Uh, just Where Are We, Again?

 

Take a Deep Breath

As this is being written Thursday evening, trends are really good in Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. It’s not even completely out of the box in North Carolina.

But we don’t know what we don’t know. By the time you read this, Biden-Harris may be at or over 270 electoral college votes. But it may take a few more days yet.

Let’s pace ourselves for now and let the votes settle in. Once that is done, we have a TON to talk about for what our future looks like,

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Welcome to the Shortest Blog You Likely Will Ever Receive from Agents of Reason

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It All Comes Down to Today

 

Today is Election Day. Millions and millions of votes have already been cast. The last of them will be done early tonight. Then begins the count, the worries, the hopes. There is not much more to say at this point. Now we see what happens. More talk is wasted breath today.

Like you, I worry a lot about the machinations of the Trumpsters and their supporters. Between intimidation and administrative power or friendly judges, there are people intent on stealing this election. By this point, I expect most of them think they cannot win a fair election.

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When It Counts, The People Show Us the Way

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Vignettes from the Current Election Give Reason to Hope

 This is a Tough Year to Vote

We all know the stories. One drop-off box per county in Texas. Slowdowns in mail delivery around the country. Not enough polling sites, especially in poor and rural areas. Intimidating demonstrators close to polling places. Changing rules, sometimes weekly, as different courts weigh in on one issue or another.

Some local and state officials clearly determined to minimize opportunities to vote. Threats of legal hurdles after the votes are in. In person voting carries a risk to health and life for many.

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Storytelling Vs Speechifying; The Difference is Important

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How Someone Chooses to Communicate Tells a Lot. We See It in This Election

 

Reflections from the Last (Thankfully) Presidential Debate

More than enough has been written about the last Biden-Trump debate (including by me). That is NOT the focus of this little posting. But there is a bit of a connection, and a larger connection to the campaigns at large.

Like most people, I felt Biden had won that debate. I felt better about what he said, and remembered more of what he said. Why was that? I support the guy,

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