Author Archive
Socialism or democracy – we choose
Who should pay taxes and how much of their income should they pay in taxes? What is fair? Should everyone pay the same percentage of their income in taxes, or should the percentage increase as their income increases? If everyone paid the same percentage of their income in taxes, the more you earned the more […]
Who should pay to rebuild following natural disasters?
Did our Founding Fathers intend for the government to take care of us when a disaster strikes? Is the federal government the correct resource for disasters? Is managing the aftermath of disasters a Constitutional responsibility of the federal government? Do individuals or local communities have any responsibility? Is the government the most efficient and cost […]
Neonaticide
Neonaticide is murdering your baby within 24 hours of birth. Can you imagine anything more horrible? How could a mother simply murder her child, sometimes throwing “it” in a dumpster? Why do these mothers not avail themselves of the safe and legal option of leaving the baby at a safe haven location? All 50 states […]
Concealed carry permits – right or privilege?
This summer the Supreme Court issued its ruling on the meaning of the Second Amendment. I believe they correctly understood the Founding Fathers intentions; affirming that the “right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” But, they did not settle all issues surrounding gun ownership; including if the government can require […]
Capital punishment – reprehensible or responsible?
Society continues debating the morality and sensibility of capital punishment, both sides of the issue persuasively arguing their position. What is the goal of capital punishment; punishment, deterrence, or both? Are there crimes that deserve the death penalty? Is life in prison without parole a reasonable alternative? What do we owe the victims and their […]
Edward Bushell and the power of juries
Can a citizen exert power over the government? Can a citizen be protected from government enacting bad law? Can a citizen do anything about bad law? Does the jury represent the citizen, the government, the court, or do they represent the Constitution of the United States of America? Does the jury answer to the court […]
Sarah Palin and the feminist movement?
The feminist movement must be rejoicing. After four decades of advocating equality for women, we are witnessing the real possibility of a female Vice-President of the United States. The National Organization for Women (NOW) should be congratulated for the doors they opened for women, the doors opened to equality. Their advocacy for women’s rights started […]
Has marriage outlived its usefulness?
A few weeks ago, I discussed cohabitation and the problems associated with it. Is marriage necessarily better? What if the problems associated with marriages are as bad as, or worse than, the problems associated with cohabitation? Maybe cohabitation is the lesser of two evils. Is marriage just an archaic carryover from a time gone by, […]
When is abortion not murder?
The last time I wrote on abortion I learned a great deal about myself; individuals graciously reminding me of flaws in my character, lapses in my education, and deficiencies in my intellect. Acknowledging my incompetence; let us again talk about abortion. Those advocating abortion believe it is not murder up to a certain point in […]
Is military desertion courageous?
Jeremy Hinzman is the most recent military deserter losing his legal battle to stay in Canada. I read his story while visiting our son and daughter-in-law at Ft. Bragg in Fayetteville, NC; home of the Army Special Forces, the Green Beret. There I met men and women who have clarity of thought, a code of […]
The United States – the world’s provider and protector
We consider ourselves a giving, caring country. But how do we compare to other “rich” nations in our willingness to provide foreign aid? The Paris-based Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is a thirty-nation organization that works with countries to develop “open market economies, democratic pluralism, and respect for human rights.” In 2003, OECD […]
Cohabitation – still just shacking up
It’s called cohabitation, the progressive, enlightened, and politically correct term for old-fashioned shacking up. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development reports that “cohabitation, once rare, is now the norm.” Roughly 10% of couples living together are not married. It used to be wrong, discussed in whispers. Our mothers would point to those […]
We need to return to a citizen government
Our Founding Fathers believed serving as President or in Congress was a duty to country, a sacrifice for country, a calling. They did not anticipate Congress becoming a career choice with members subservient to the power of the incumbency and the money it attracts. Rather, the Founding Fathers intended a weak federal government, subservient to much […]
The power of advertising prescription medications
Traditionally, pharmaceutical advertising has focused on advertisements in medical journals and sending representatives to meet with individual physicians. During the last ten years, their advertising has increased over four-fold and they have also added direct to consumer advertising (DTCA). According to Emergency Medical Abstracts, only the United States and New Zealand allow DTCA. Is there […]
Remembering Pfc. Joseph Dwyer
Our country has a large group of people who hope we never go to war. No, they are not the people disparaging our military; rather, they are our military personnel. Our military is full of reluctant warriors who understand better than anyone the travesty of war. They know the price to be paid; but, unlike […]
“The right of the people to keep and bear arms”
The Second Amendment reads, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” As most of us now know, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, ruled that the Second Amendment right of an individual to “keep […]
“We hold these truths to be self-evident” – July 4th
The birth of a nation, the realization of a dream, an eloquently simple statement: “We hold these truths to be self-evident.” During June and July 1776, the Continental Congress was debating the future of the Colonies. King George III continued his abuse of the Colonies with over a year of armed conflicts between the British […]
Civility in presidential politics
Will civility ever return to presidential campaigns? Is it reasonable to hope for respectful debating? Or, are we obliged to accept the mudslinging as a given in politics? What would our founding fathers think if they were to witness one of today’s presidential campaigns? Would they be impressed or would they be embarrassed? Can we […]
Use as intended and die
Imagine selling a product that kills the consumer if they use it as intended. Then imagine convincing our government to allow it to remain legal. It is a one of a kind product, legal and if used appropriately, lethal. It is cigarettes. We have other products available to us that would kill us if we […]
Of elephants, prisons, and fathers – FATHER’S DAY
Several years ago, our pastor told a story about a men’s prison that provided free Mother’s Day cards to inmates who wanted to send cards to their moms. Nearly all the inmates asked for a card and sent to someone they identified as “mom.” It may have been their mom, someone else’s mom, their grandmother, […]