A Useful Suggestion

All our problems might be solved if politicians would do more to emulate the Old Farmer's Almanac, and strive to be "useful with a pleasant degree of humor."

The Problem

The problem we have now, in 2014, is that simultaneously everything is up for debate and nothing is open for discussion.  We argue about whether the world was created in six days and whether humans are having an impact on climate ... but it is impossible to have a real discussion about how to fix clearly broken immigration and health care systems.  We will only move forward if we can agree to recognize reason and reasonable positions.  It really is pretty simple.  Until we can agree that not everything is really up for debate but something needs to be open for discussion, then we might as well save our breath.    

The Original Tea Party Was Better

The Boston Tea Party was about the struggle against taxation without representation.  Our Tea Party is about representation without taxation ... or the separation of church and state, or the freedom to practice your own religion, or kindness, or common sense, or the people.  I guess it is true that they don't make them like they used to.

Downsizing America

America is the people.  Government is by, for, and of the people.  So, doesn't that mean America is it's government?  Might be worth a thought when instead of taking on the hard work of reforming and refreshing government, we talk about downsizing it.

America is ...

America is ... an unfinished sentence, may it ever be that way and may we always view with suspicion those who try to finish it … 

Common Ground

Common ground is kind of like the top of a mountain ... you might find yourself magically transplanted there, but usually it takes desire, planning, and at least a little work to reach.

The Least of Us

The least of these

Hidden in the shadows

Awaiting death

Fearing life

In the land of just and right now

Regaled by words

Promises

Threats

Fears

and

Love of self

Rights

Us

No sir

Not the necessities of life

Not in our interest

Not in our homes

Not in our freedom

Not in our kingdom’s inheritance

Not now

Death will deliver thee

For He is better

We are selfish sinners

All of us created equally in that way

I will take what is mine

Leaving the east off it for

The least of these

The least of us