Category: Society

Let the Contest Continue!

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Next Contestant: Socialism

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

 

Ah, Socialism. The One People Love or Hate – And Seldom Understand

We started this little review and exploration of systems with capitalism. This time around let’s take a quick look at socialism. No one has any strong feelings about this one, do they? Oh, well, OK– maybe we do.

Remember our analogy for evaluating these systems- this is a bit like buying an automobile. Socio-economic systems carry a lot of the same characteristics we look for in automobiles.

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Let the Contest Begin!

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First Contestant: Capitalism

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

 

Ah, Yes. This One is Familiar

We start this little review and exploration of systems with capitalism in large part because it is the incumbent in America, and the one most of us know best. Well, at least we know a version of it. More on that later.

We begin or review of these systems on Friday the 13th. What could possibly go wrong?!

Remember our analogy we set up to evaluate these systems?

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Capitalism? Socialism? Something Else?

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Our Choice of a Socio-Economic System Determines About Everything

 

Something New for Agents of Reason – A Four Part Series

Well, We Do Pick Easy, Simple Topics Here, Don’t We?

 It’s summertime, so I thought, “What the heck! Let’s pick something easy to deal with. How about choosing a socio-economic system for the US going forward? That shouldn’t take more than a couple of weeks.”

 Kidding aside, this is a conversation going on in fits and starts around the country, and its one we need to have.

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America Does the Inoculation Dance

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What an Interesting Intersection We Find Ourselves Occupying

 

Covid, Round IV is Upon Us – and We Are Not Happy About it

What an emotional roller coaster we have been on. Several months ago, our national situation was looking like a rerun of the Black Plague. The virus was spreading like crazy, everywhere. Hospitals were overflowing. Thousands were dying every day. We saw a glimmer of hope in the Fall as vaccines arrived, but an incompetent and mean-spirited national government wasted the opportunity to move quickly and comprehensively on vaccinations.

A new team took control in Washington.

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Odds and Ends

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A Few Things Caught My Eye in Recent Days. Yours, too, I Bet

 

The Spirit of Andy

Those of a certain age will remember, fondly for the most part, the role of Andy Rooney for many years on the CBS News show 60 Minutes. Andy was the self-designated Curmudgeon at Large. He offered information and commentary on a remarkably wide-ranging set of topics. Today’s blog is not too curmudgeonly but in the spirit of Andy, here are a few interesting things that have popped up for our consideration.

The January 6 Investigation

So far,

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Are All Republican Politicians Alike? Nope – There are 3 Types. OK, 3.5 Types

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Two of the Three Merit Disgust and Disdain; One Owes Us Answers; 0.5 are Lonely

 

Beware the Temptation to Stereotype

In a time of national division, it is easy – tempting – to think of those with whom we disagree as all being alike. It will not be a shock to readers of this blog that I am not a fan of what now passes for the Republican party. But that does not mean that I see all Republican officials and office holders as the same. In my mind, they fall into 3,

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Looking at the Capitol Insurrection with Clarity – and Anger

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Two Excellent Illustrations of What Happened and What It Means

 

January 6, 2021 – A Day That Shall Live in Infamy

With apologies to FDR for borrowing his phrase in describing the Pearl Harbor attack, this is what comes to mind for me in thinking about the assault on our democracy that took place earlier this year. Make no mistake about it – this was a direct, violent assault on the very foundations of our republic.

The intent was crystal clear – to stop the count and certification of a valid national election and to install by coup an illegal government.

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Profiles in Courage

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Let’s Acknowledge Political and Physical Courage When We See It

 

Who Rises to the Challenge?

Fate, history if you will, has a way of calling on people at inconvenient times. One day, you are just minding your own business, the next you are thinking about risking everything. Funny how that happens. It is endlessly fascinating to watch how this plays out, as it does, every day, all around the world, in large and small venues. For me, the quote from Dr. King at the start of this blog post says it all.

What separates those who rise from those who fall short is most often the failure to ask the final question in the quote.

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Why are Republicans Few in Number but Large in Power?

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Three Factors Tell the Tale- And They are Not the Ones You Think

 

Wait! Wait! I Know the Answer to This One!

Ask how it is that the Republican party is shrinking at a crisp pace, yet they have a remarkable level of power, and most people will say something along the following:

“Three reasons. They care only about maintaining power, they are ready and eager to do anything to keep it, and they don’t care how this impacts democracy.”

I am sad to say all three statements are largely true,

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About the Olympics

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Few Human Endeavors Carry Such Contrasts

 

 A Reminder as to How All This Began

The Olympic games were an invention of ancient Greece, one of the wonderful things that civilization left us. The idea was to foster peaceful competition and to celebrate youthful excellence, dedication, and skill. It was a noble and inspiring idea that was restarted in the modern era, for all the right reasons.

The Power and Beauty of Youthful Athletes

It would be difficult to not admire the skill and remarkable dedication of Olympic athletes. For most of them,

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