Posts by Emily Eisenlohr
SCOTUS: Supreme Court Decisions Are “Opinions,” Not “The Truth”
The Supreme Court’s rulings and even the behavior of some justices are highly controversial. What is a deeper issue is the debate over interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. Allegedly, there is a “originalist” way to interpret the Constitution. What the Founding Fathers intended. A quick read on what actually happened back at the founding sure…
Read MoreBooks for Defending Democracy and Constructive Debate
Aaron Burr may have sung about being “in the room where it happens” in Hamilton. The musical refers to the room where a pivotal compromise was struck over a meal at Thomas Jefferson’s. (There’s a book about that! Dinner at Mr. Jefferson’s. The wines, the food. Only three people. No servants present.) In a democracy,…
Read MoreSocial Security’s Structure and Pending Trust Fund Depletion
Essential Things to Know About the Social Security Program 1) Its official name is the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance program. Drop the “Federal” and you can see where the acronym often used comes from: OASDI. It operates under Congressional legislation that dates back to 1935. OASI is the acronym for…
Read MoreU.S. Democracy and Constitution: Essential Books
We are both blessed to enjoy and trained to defend and guard our civil rights. We applaud or condemn the actions of our Supreme Court. Or our Congress or President. Lucky us to be able to do this protest and criticism so freely and publicly without fear of arrest, imprisonment, or execution. How well do…
Read MoreU.S. Democracy Unhinged: The Fourth Turning — A “Must Read” Book
If you read one book this year, let it be The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy by William Strauss and Neil Howe. Published in 1997, it is truly a prophecy. One that gives us perspective and much to think about. Perhaps a sense of direction, if we choose to use the political, Covid, and electoral crises as…
Read More