Fighting 'Alternative Facts' with Reason
A disturbing global trend away from liberal democracy and towards authoritarianism has taken hold in recent years. Just last week, we learned that Chinese President Xi Jinping consolidated power and potentially extended his tenure as China’s leader for life. Behind closed doors at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Donald Trump praised Xi’s giant Continue …
Much of white America, especially white male America, is suffering from delusion (Disclosure: I’m a white American man). Too many in my demographic have debased themselves through thoughtless xenophobia, callous sexism, knee-jerk bigotry, and angry cynicism. During the 2016 election, 62% of white males and 52% of white females knowingly Continue …
Since the Parkland School Shooting I have heard several arguments in regards to gun rights and forced solutions. Most defenders of gun ownership do so through logical fallacious and dubious claims. I thought I would capture many and write appropriate responses. Just for disclosure, I am a gun owner. “The Continue …
In 1950, Senator Joseph McCarthy from Wisconsin rose from relative obscurity when he shocked the country with the claim that many State Department workers were colluding and aiding the Communist Party. McCarthy’s communist accusations continued to gain momentum until the nationally televised Army–McCarthy hearings in early 1954. During that hearing, Continue …
In 1986, as a part of the Budget Reconciliation Act, President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act. This legislation guaranteed any hospital emergency room that accepted Medicare are required to provide treatment to all others regardless of legal status, citizenship, or payment ability. Continue …
An all-out attack on Planned Parenthood has just been announced by the GOP. Today Speaker Ryan announced that defunding of Planned Parenthood would be part of the Obamacare reconciliation bill. Using the reconciliation process skates around a potential Democratic filibuster and allows a straight up vote. Not only are Republicans Continue …
Recently I had a conversation with a conservative friend and Donald Trump supporter. I asked a simple question that generated strong emotion and defense. “How would you feel if President Trump agreed to provide financial support for any country that implemented socialized medicine and government-funded abortions?” Assuming this was just Continue …
Early on in the night of Election 2012, after it became clear that President Obama had won the Electoral College, Mitt Romney was significantly ahead in the popular vote (while West Coast votes were still being tallied). Several of my conservative friends and relatives complained that it was not fair Continue …
Just when we think the presidential campaign can’t get any uglier, Donald Trump begins undermining the integrity of the American electoral system. Make no mistake, his claim that the election is rigged and suggestion that he may not recognize the result are an affront to our Constitution. Since George Washington, Continue …
If you voted for Governor Romney for president and believe Hillary’s emails disqualify her, you are a hypocrite. End of story. Read no further. And if you think Hillary should be locked up for her email abuse then you should also demand that President George W. Bush get life in Continue …
Some of Hillary Clinton’s liberal or Democratic opponents worry that she is too polarizing and her favorability ratings too low for her to be a good general election candidate. I felt the same way in 2008 when I cast my primary vote for Barack Obama. I wanted someone who would help Continue …
On Sunday Chris Wallace called out Ted Cruz for his blatant distortions of fact. Cruz continued with his Obamacare-doomsday rhetoric, which has no foundation in fact or basic logic. Even Fox News was uncomfortable with Cruz’s distortions, and Chris Wallace finally called them out. Here is the transcript: WALLACE: I want Continue …
Conservatism in America is dying, thankfully. I am not referring to the iconic conservative beliefs of Ronald Reagan and Bob Dole, who found success in compromise and concession. Compassionate conservatism will always be ingrained in our political system. I am talking about the mangled attempt to push the electorate to Continue …
At a recent family gathering, one of my ultra conservative relatives lamented how Washington is broken and does not do the people’s will. She added that she could not stand Republican Senator Orrin Hatch, citing his friendship with the late Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy. She was flabbergasted that a Utah conservative like Continue …
Watching the Republican debate the other night provided quite a spectacle for viewers. Donald Trump calling into question Ted Cruz’s birthright might be the greatest moment of debate theater this election cycle. Even more amusing was Ted Cruz’s response, twisting Constitutional interpretation to include parents of “natural born” citizens, calling Continue …
One of my nieces is 16 years old and attends a local high school in Utah. Her world is centered on books and boys and her free time revolves around extracurricular activities driven by a care-free attitude every kid should enjoy. I have a nephew who is enrolled in college Continue …
As a Democrat, it’s hard not to watch the current GOP primary debacle and smile with a certain sense of optimism. Democrats are poised for a strong election cycle, gaining back territory that was lost as a result of low voter turnout in 2014. With the unemployment hovering around 5%, Continue …
I am not a Republican. I believe in marriage between a man and a woman. I am a gun owner. I am a senior manager in the middle of corporate America. I did not support Occupy Wall Street. I believe unions can stifle business growth and drive productivity out of Continue …