[This blog is based upon findings from research into small business related COVID-19 assistance. For the full report presenting the findings based upon that research, visit this link.] The economic impact of Covid-19 has been devastating for most American businesses. It has been especially so for small businesses. This is an existential problem because small businesses are the heart and soul of the American economy. If many of them disappear due to the coronavirus, it will greatly … [Read more...]
Service to Country: The Enduring Call of John F. Kennedy
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Those words spoken by President John F. Kennedy nearly six decades ago at his inauguration on January 20, 1961 have inspired generations and millions of Americans to serve their country. I am among them. President Kennedy has inspired others through his deeds as well as his words. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal of Honor for his heroic actions after the sinking of his PT 109 boat during … [Read more...]
Addressing America’s Statues of Limitations: A Monumental Undertaking
The killing of George Floyd has resulted in actions of various types against historical statues in the United States that may celebrate or demonstrate bigotry or racial bias. These actions have sparked a national conversation on what to do because of those statues. In our opinion, the statues under scrutiny are America’s statues of limitations. They are part of America’s history. They communicate messages intentionally and unintentionally regarding the historical limitations of this … [Read more...]
Interdependence Day: An Idea Whose Time Must Come
In 2010, we wrote a blog titled Interdependence Day: Celebrating the “Us” in USA calling for establishing Interdependence Day as a new national holiday. That blog was precipitated by a reaction to a “the acrimonious climate and the negative tone and tenor of the national debate in the United States” at that time. In 2015, we proposed the Interdependence Day concept again. A primary reason for doing so was the tragic shooting in that year of eight African Americans … [Read more...]
America’s Systemic Racism Demands a Systemic Response
Racism in America is like dust in the air. It seems invisible — even if you’re choking on it — until you let the sun in. Then you see it’s everywhere. As long as we keep shining that light, we have a chance of cleaning it wherever it lands. But we have to stay vigilant, because it’s always still in the air. — Kareem Adbul-Jabbar On May 25, Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, with the assistance of three other officers, killed George Floyd, a black man, by holding … [Read more...]
It’s Time For A Massive & Targeted Jobs Bill
President Donald Trump and Republicans in the Senate have stated there is no need, at this point in time, for additional stimulus dollars to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. They are wrong. There is a desperate need. States and local government need financial support to maintain the essential health, education and public services they provide for their citizens. Those small businesses that will survive the cataclysmic crash that has occurred will need financial support to manage … [Read more...]
Preserving Our American Democracy in an Era of Repression and Regression
Part Three: Plans for Preserving Our Democracy [This is the third and final blog of a three-part series focused on what is happening in our democratic republic in terms of repression and regression and what should be done in response to these conditions. In the first blog, we examined the areas of repression. In the second, we examined the areas of regression. In this blog, we present and discuss plans for protecting and preserving our democracy.] Make no little plans, … [Read more...]
Preserving Our American Democracy in an Era of Repression and Regression
Part Two: The Areas of Regression [This is the second blog of a three-part series focused on what is happening in our democratic republic in terms of repression and regression and what should be done in response to these conditions. In the first, we examined the areas of repression. In this blog, we examine the areas of regression. In the third, we will present and discuss plans for protecting and preserving our democracy.] For there is nothing mysterious about the foundations of a healthy … [Read more...]
Preserving Our American Democracy in an Era of Repression and Regression: Part One: The Areas of Repression
Part One: The Areas of Repression [This is the first blog of a three-part series focused on what is happening in our democratic republic today in terms of repression and regression and what should be done in response to these conditions. In this blog, we examine the areas of repression. In the second, we will examine the areas of regression. And, in the third we will present and discuss plans for protecting and preserving our democracy.] No man is an island…. any man’s death … [Read more...]
The Answer for Renewing the American Dream and America
Not Socialism. Not Capitalism. A More Inclusive and Equitable Democracy. In this 20th year of the 21st century, the United States of America has become a land of inequality and a sanctuary for the rich and powerful. The top 1% of earners have more wealth than the bottom 80% and the top 20% have more wealth than all those in the middle class. America today is an economically divided nation. And, as we noted in our previous blog, those on the underside of that … [Read more...]