Righting Wrongs

Those who read me know I feel there are a lot of problems in our society today. Too many believe we’ve outgrown our capitalist model, even the democracy-driven republic in which it works. They say our constitution is too old, outdated and want a new form of governance offering financially-aligned equal outcomes and social justice. They crave a more equitable society where people of all colors, backgrounds and abilities can...

Naive Americans Us!

A few weeks ago I lamented in Naïve American Me! that all my life I’ve labored under a misconception about the underlying ethics, morals and cultural values that made me who I am and America what it is. These ideas engendered rugged individualism, I thought, and instilled personal accountability But today, given the seriousness of our situation, my apparent naivete now seems symptomatic of a widespread insidious disease...

Naive American Me

Growing up in the 50’s our parents warned we’d be accountable some day. We’d have to make our way, take charge of our life and be productive members of society. They didn’t add but don’t worry if you’re having a hard time, government has your back. The message was clear; no one would have our back! Pretty harsh, I know, but buddies from those days tell the same story. We didn’t expect help. In fact, we didn’t...

Stranger In The House

In my writing of late I describe what I think it means to be an American. Just my opinion of course, as a conservative who believes in traditional values, but it seems I raised the ire of my liberal friends who ask – what gives me the right to tell them or anyone what it means to be an American? I find this odd, since we all have freedom of speech, right? Whether my Americanism is correct depends on the reader; some will...

My Conservatism

I don’t ask for help if I can avoid it, and I take pride in my work, whatever it might be. I told my kids how, as a recruit in boot camp, I had to clean the latrine. The Drill Instructor came in, looked around, asked if he could drink safely from the commode .  .  Sir, Yes Sir!  Will it make me puke, private?  The DI will not puke, Sir!  Thank God he didn’t ask me to drink it, because that I wouldn’t...

Absolutes!

It’s an old debate, the idea whether we should have absolutes governing our lives, like the Ten Commandments or Constitution.  I’m one who favors a few absolutes to hang my hat on. I’m not OK with the modernism/relativism running rampant today. I believe rules, conventions and laws that hold up over time have intrinsic values that may/may not be apparent. Still, they are well-founded and inestimably important, for how...