The urban-rural divide has become a popular catch phrase in this 21st century to describe the increasing distance politically between Democratic supporters, who reside primarily in urban areas, and Republican supporters, who reside primarily in rural areas. When it comes to the respective conditions in both of these areas today, however, there is no divide. There is a significant amount of un- or under-addressed physical and human needs in both. We focused on the needs in urban … [Read more...]
The Supreme Court’s Confirmative, Retrograde, and Disruptive Action
There are none so blind as those who will not see. On June 29, the Supreme Court (SCOTUS), in its decision on two cases (Harvard University and the University of North Carolina), ruled that using race-related affirmative action for admission to colleges and universities violated the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection. The Court’s ruling was a confirmative, retrograde, and disruptive action. The Confirmative Nature of the Court’s Action The decision confirmed that the … [Read more...]
The Need for 21st Century Citizenship
Many think that the official motto of the United States is ‘e pluribus unum” — from many one. It is not. In fact, given the national drift toward divisiveness over the past few years, that saying should probably be reversed to “e unum pluribus” — from one many. That was the opening of a chapter titled “Citizenship Dysfunction: Coming Together or Coming Apart?” in our book: Working the Pivot Points: To Make America Work Again published in 2013 (Pivot Points). We … [Read more...]
Hitting the Debt Ceiling Should Not Put the U.S. or Us through the Roof
There has been much ado about many things in the nation’s Capitol as the country moves into the second month of this new year. One of those things is the debt ceiling. Debt Ceiling Conversations President Joe Biden and the new House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) met in the White House for about hour on February 1 for a conversation to discuss the impasse that’s been created by the Republicans in the House, who are refusing to raise the ceiling. No resolution was reached. After the … [Read more...]
What Form of Artificial Intelligence is More Dangerous to Our Future?
What is more dangerous to the future of the American democracy and economy, the artificial intelligence of computers and machines that have been programmed to think like humans or the “artificial intelligence” of we human beings who have been programmed by ourselves and others to believe with confidence that our information and insights are absolutely correct? We believe it is definitely the latter rather than the former. That was our opinion, stated in a blog that we … [Read more...]
Nichelle Nichols, Michael Gerson, Mark Shields: Good Citizens
As we move into the first month of a new year in these United States, it is a good time to reflect on who the nation lost in the old year and what was gained because of them. Those who come top-of-mind for us are Nichelle Nichols, Michael Gerson, and Mark Shields. All three were good citizens. Each, in their own way, spoke to and influenced citizens of their and future generations to be good citizens as well. They led through words and example. In these still highly polarized and … [Read more...]
January 6: A Day to Remember the Four Freedoms
January 6, 2021 is a day that will be remembered in American history. This will be so because of the storming of the halls of Congress on that date by a mob of insurrectionists intent on impeding the democratic process in America. January 6, 1941 is also a day that should be remembered in American history. On that date, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt enunciated a commitment to four “essential human freedoms” in America and around the world. President Roosevelt … [Read more...]
Entrepreneurs & Edupreneurs Creating Start-Up America
2021 was a trying year in the U.S. The COVID-19 pandemic and political polarization persisted. The economic divide between the wealthy and others widened. Inflation skyrocketed. One other thing that skyrocketed in 2021, which received far less media coverage, were business start-ups. Start-ups went up so much in comparison to past years that 2021 might be called the Year of the Business Start-up. The U.S. Census Bureau’s Business Formation Statistics showed that almost 5.4 million … [Read more...]
The Cancer Cult is Destroying America’s Democracy
I am your voice. I alone can fix it. — Donald Trump, acceptance speech, at 2016 Republican National Convention Just say the election was corrupt + leave the rest to me. — Donald Trump, as quoted from notes on December 27 phone call to acting U.S. attorney general Jeffrey Rosen Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there. Will be wild. — Donald Trump, December 19 tweet We will never give up. We will never concede. It will never happen. You don’t … [Read more...]
Biden’s First 100 Days: Boldness in Play. Unity on the Sidelines.
In his inaugural address on January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy, famously said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” President Kennedy made that request at a time when the United States was prospering, and progress was benefitting many (with the notable exception of people of color.) Six decades later, in his inaugural address on January 20, 2021, with the United States being an extremely divided nation in the midst of … [Read more...]