Prescott Valley, AZ Correspondent-It appears that the War on Terrorism is here to stay, at least until ISIS and other related terrorist organizations, cells, lone wolf operatives and fanatics involved in domestic and international terrorism are put out of commission. Continue reading
Society
Will the Middle Class Become a Thing of the Past in the United States?
Owatonna, MN Correspondent-Much hand wringing has been done over the fact that the middle class in America seems to be shrinking. The richest one percent widens its income gap over the rest of us. A few lucky or hard-working or entrepreneurial souls claw their way toward the top from poverty or the depths of the middle class. But most people who grew up in middle-class homes in the 80s, 90s, and 00s seem to be struggling with wage stagnation, excessive student debt, housing prices that put a serious strain on incomes, and a diminishing number of higher-paying jobs blamed more or less equally on automation and global competition.
Have Professional Sports Become Too Big an Influence in Our Society?
Gastonia, NC Correspondent-It seems that we are forever debating whether this thing or that thing has “too much influence” on our lives or the lives of our children. This is a passive-aggressive way of life that leaves us limp noodles, ready to be blown whatever way pop culture and prevailing wisdom blows us.
Here’s a nifty idea: Evaluate the influences on your life. If there is one you don’t like, then GET RID OF IT. Yes, it’s possible! If someone you know or something you read or some other thing is a drag on your psyche, make it gone posthaste. You’ll be healthier for it. Continue reading
Should Wal-Mart, Amazon.com, Fed-Ex/UPS or another large US-based company acquire the United States Postal Service?
Gastonia, NC Correspondent-Efficiency experts, business mavens, delivery brain trusts and thousands of others have for years been kicking around the idea of privatizing the United States Postal Service (USPS). Proponents point to things like charter schools, which in some instances have far outstripped the performance of their traditional public school counterparts. Continue reading
A recent Time magazine article indicated a growing number of people using satirical websites, blogs, etc. as their news source. What, if anything, is wrong with this? How should this be addressed?
Gastonia, NC Correspondent-An article in last week’s Time magazine examining the way that the fringe elements of both parties get their fake news, conspiracy theories and outright parody thinly disguised as news was a sobering read.
A number of protests across the country in the wake of recent elections have impacted communities and interstate commerce. At what point do your rights to peaceful protest end and enforcement of anti-rioting laws come in effect? Should peaceful protest be allowed to disrupt use of public roads and thereby impede commerce?
Owatonna, MN Correspondent-Peace is the absence of conflict. Not necessarily the absence of violent conflict, just conflict in general. If someone attempting to operate their business by selling goods from a storefront or transporting those goods to consumers via public roads is prevented from doing so by protestors blocking sidewalks or roads, then a conflict exists. Public safety issues also come into play if roadways are blocked or if too many people attempt to occupy a too small space.
Do police body cameras help or hurt law enforcement efforts?
Owatonna, MN Correspondent– Proponents of transparency in government rightly cheer the widening use of police body cameras to document police interactions with citizens. Anything that encourages open and honest government is a positive development. Unfortunately, it seems that law enforcement officials are uncomfortable with complete honesty. Many resist this new tool for community policing by throwing up roadblocks and restrictions such as withholding controversial video from the public if they feel the video might incite protests or worse by disgruntled citizens. Continue reading
Anti-bullying legislation has been passed in a number or states and has been instituted in schools to prevent bullying of students. Should these laws be extended outside of school premises and provide protection from bullying through the internet and social media?
Prescott Valley, AZ Correspondent-Protection from bullying should not only be instituted in schools but it should extend beyond school grounds as well as into internet and social media occurrences (cyberbullying). Far too many young people and others have been repeatedly bullied in and outside of school and through the internet, which has caused family tragedies and other repercussions. Many students have committed suicide to escape the taunts of bullies. Continue reading
In 2013, over 17 million American households were confronted with hunger and lack of nutritionally affordable food. The high cost of fruit and vegetables has put lower income Americans out of the market for these foods. Much of it is simply discarded by grocery stores for cosmetic reasons. Should grocery stores be allowed to continue this practice?
Prescott Valley, AZ Correspondent-Current prohibitively high costs of produce have canceled out access to its consumption by millions of low to moderate income Americans. Many simply cannot afford to purchase fruit or vegetables and have to rely on less nutritious and lower cost produce type products through canned goods and other sources. Continue reading
Election 2016 Round Table Discussion: Chaos and disruptions throughout America have reached fever pitch and continue to raise concerns as to what can be done to maintain the law and appropriately deal with law breakers at all levels. What kind of policies should be implemented under a Clinton or Trump administration to solve the challenges in law enforcement?
Gastonia, NC Correspondent-We have got to make a bold and decisive statement of faith in law enforcement at the national level. Our president must support the police rather than calling their integrity into question at every turn. Obama’s conduct in this matter sickens me. There is always massive media coverage when a police shooting occurs, but the presses fall silent when the shooting turns out to have been completely justified. The public picture that the police are to be hated, feared and spat upon is abhorrent and a complete work of fiction. Continue reading
Thinking Outside The Boxe 