Promoting the Liberal Myth

There seems to be a mythology of the liberal cause. The term ‘Liberal’ is used as a noun to describe a secret sect of devil worshipers. The implication is something like this: Liberals meet in secret places, conduct secret rituals, and are the root of the new world order meant to destroy freedom and prosperity. Liberals prefer socialism to capitalism. Liberals prefer dictators to democracy. Liberals want to reward terrorists. Liberals think Labor Unions should run businesses. They are like the Freemasons, except they are more organized and more evil.

Mortgage Conundrum – Who Deserves Help?

Last week 60 Minutes did a segment on an elderly woman who seems to be the victim of predatory lending. The bias of the program was clearly designed to support the case of the woman and to discredit the lending agency. This problem is not so simple.

Non Combat Troops – An Oxy Moron

We should take all ‘non-combat troops’ out of Iraq. That is one of the compromises proposed as a resolution to the conflict in Iraq. The suggestion is that American troops will not be dying in Iraq. That sounds pretty good to most of us. But is there such a thing as ‘non-combat troops?”

Identity Confusion

Who am I? Sounds like something Descartes might have asked – but I am not nearly so complex a creature as Descartes. There are a few things that are certain. I know I am a father and a grandfather. But those are mere biological truths (I defer here to Descartes). But the ideal of world politics, of a world community, of being an active participant in my world – leaves me a bit confused. I am just trying to figure out if I am liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican. It seems to me that the question is most often defined in terms of economics – and sometimes in terms of culture.

Delusional Politicians, Pelosi, Boehner, Blago

These folks are really off the rail, sidetracked, stumbling over old rhetoric. I am talking about politicians who somehow think that worn out political tactics can continue to fool the public.

The most obvious is the Illinois Governor. The Illinois Senate is holding impeachment hearings for unethical practices by the Governor. The Governor, known now simply as Blago, is tooting his horn in any parade that will have him. Blago made the rounds of the New York based talking head shows – he claims he is a martyr, being nailed to the cross of injustice by local politicians who want to rape the Illinois treasury. It is only Blago who stands between the corruption of the Illinois Congress and the safety of America. Just about everyone is entertained – and not convinced.

Economic Illiteracy

Illiteracy. Generally we think of this word in terms of simple reading and writing. Some have changed the phraseology to ‘functional illiteracy.’ I suppose this means that a person knows the alphabet, can discern some words, and can perhaps sign their name. People are ‘functionally illiterate’ when their comprehension of reading impairs their ability to function in a complex society. If we apply this axiom to our economy, we might easily conclude that most of us are economically functionally illiterate.

Detainee Hypocrisy of Politicians

Sam Brownback (an appropriate name for this man) is busy covering his tracks. He is a Republican Senator from the great state of Kansas. Senator Brownback ran for President and brought the morque of the Republican candidates down about 20 points. (Morque is the scale of combined morals and IQ). Senator Brownback is in a big toot about potentially having the detainees at GITMO being moved to the Federal Prison at Leavenworth, Kansas.

Risk Adverse Politicians

The art of politics is often seen as the art of compromise, the art of the deal.  Politicians ask themselves, “How might I explain decisions made, and please 51% of the people?”  The job of the politician is viewed through two lenses – what is best for the country, and what is best for the […]

Bread or Circus Journalism

Bread sustains our lives, while circus entertains.  We stand at the precipice of change in journalism – debating the choices of bread or circus.  There have not yet been any Pulitzer Prices awarded for blogging – and this writer does not see this happening in the near future.  Pulitizer Prizes in journalism are reserved for […]

Medicine and Money: Traveling for Health Care

When the debate over providing health care for all citizens arises people often look to other countries, less wealthy, that manage to take care of their citizens. Sometimes the point to Canada or England; and the favorite of the opposition to taking care of children is France. The French are a convenient target for all things not good for America.

Health Insurance Corruption: Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics

The devil is in the details! The Fireside Post reports and comments on a broad range of material, including debt, spending, health care, and social justice – usually at a global or macro, level. But the devil really is in the details. Allow me to attempt to crystallize some details into something manageable for most […]

The Christian Message and Economic Prosperity…

We have mentioned Dave Ramsey and Joel Osteen on this magazine, and I thought it might be a good idea to spend some time on the difference between a minister and a motivational speaker. I think that the line can get pretty blurry. In order to do the subject justice, we have to mention the […]

Palin – Everything That Is Wrong With America

Sarah Palin is on the airways.  Most notably defending herself against accusations of incompetence by ‘anonymous’ members of the John McCain Campaign staff.  With tags like diva and whack job, Palin took some personal hits.  If Palin is the future of the Republican Party – then the future of the Republican Party is in deep […]

A Pragmatic Pair Chosen to Confront Terrorism Threat

By Carrie Johnson and Spencer S. Hsu Washington Post Staff Writers In nominating former federal prosecutors to lead the departments of Justice and Homeland Security, President-elect Barack Obama yesterday selected two Democrats with sterling law-and-order credentials but less experience in detecting threats and gathering intelligence in the age of international terrorism. Eric H. Holder Jr., […]

The Poverty Inoculation – Gratitude

This economy was beginning to make me sick.  My stock portfolio has lost half of the value.  Dividends are now 5% of $10 instead of 5% of $20 – so my income is shredded.  The identification thieves skip my trash can – there is nothing left to steal.  The illness was creeping into my neurological […]

Detroit Bailout – an Ethical Conundrum

This writer has often defined self as being an economic conservative and a social liberal.  Normally there is not much conflict in that ideology.  I will help my neighbor as long as I don’t have to borrow money in the endeavor.  I will not enable my neighbor to continue poor behavior by bailing him out […]

Hillary Clinton ‘outstanding:’ Kissinger

by Mark Silva They don’t call Henry Kissinger a seasoned diplomat for nothing. The former secretary of state and veteran of Republican administrations said today that Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, under consideration for secretary of state in the administration of Democratic President-elect Barack Obama, would make “an outstanding appointment” and display “great courage” […]

The Job of the Corporate Accountant

The game is afoot.  A high stakes game.  A game in the neighborhood of 1,000 billion dollars.  Government dollars.  Taxpayer dollars.  The bail out of Wall Street – or call it a rescue package – is the new game in town.  And Corporate Accountants are scurrying around looking for the best possible outcome for their […]

Obama’s Election Night Speech

“. . . But, in a larger sense, we can not improve, we can not consecrate – we can not hallow – this ground. This brave man, who struggled here, has consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. . . . It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated […]

Palin didn’t know Africa’s a continent

President-Elect Obama is busy putting together a smooth transition.  John McCain reports he is ready to get back to work in the Senate.  And Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has gone home to Alaska – some say to prepare for 2012.  Like everyone else, this writer was shocked at Palin’s seeming lack of knowledge and lack […]

McCain’s Concession Speech

Here is John McCain’s concession speech.  He is and always will be one of the most influential people in America. MCCAIN: Thank you. Thank you, my friends. Thank you for coming here on this beautiful Arizona evening. My friends, we have — we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people […]

Tragic Leaps of Emotional Logic

There is something terribly wrong in our country.  Leaps of logic are flying in random patterns of chaos.  The other day there was a letter to the editor in our local paper that stated emphatically that Barack Obama is a Muslim – the evidence, Obama’s middle name and his father was from Africa.  What is […]

Barack Obama – The Color of Water

These are troubling times of war and of economic despair. Yet there is a sense of hope. 50 million people in this country lack health care. Yet there is a sense of hope. We speak of immigration as if we are talking about cattle. Yet there is a sense of hope. Hope transcends troubles. Hope […]

Republicans, Intellectual or Joe Six-Pack

Is there something wrong with being intellectual?  There was a time when Republicans were proud of their position on advancing education, proud of elite education, proud that America offered educational opportunities to all.  But something has gone wrong.  The Republicans of the past thirty years have discredited thier greatest strength – the opportunity of America. […]

False Attack Latest In McCain Camp Disgust

This story is just disgusting.  Even more so because it was promoted and encouraged by the McCain Camp.  This disturbance is a direct result of McCain’s use of the Dark Arts of Rovian Politics. McCain and Palin and their Republican cronies have stooped to hate speech, lies, threats, and now fake stories to try to […]