Fairytale Capitalism
Social Security: History, One Fun Fact, and Stuff You Probably Want to Know
Six 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” terms 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…
Read MoreThe Fourth Turning: Out of Crisis, a New Social Contract
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 and Covid crises as silver…
Read MoreDefining “a Democracy”: It’s Not Just The Vote
An essential read for Americans is The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad by Fareed Zakaria. Zakaria examines why institutions are so essential to real freedom, much more than voting. You won’t take freedom of speech, a strong judicial system, and other rights we enjoy here for granted after reading this.
Read MoreUnderstanding Our Civil Rights, Constitution, and Democracy
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, assassination, or execution. How well do…
Read MoreBooks to Reduce Polarization and Enhance Constructive Debate
Aaron Burr may have sung about being “in the room where it happens” in Hamilton. In the room where that pivotal event happened, a compromise 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, it’s…
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