Weekly Correspondents’ Forum 2015

With the prevalence of online shopping what incentive is there to retain brick and mortar retail locations?

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Myrtle Beach, SC, Orlando, FL December 25, 2015

Prescott Valley, AZ Correspondent-The prevalence of online shopping has put a dent in the incentive to retain a brick and mortar presence in regular shopping locales.  Actual retail locations that are not associated with major giants such as Walmart, Sears, Macy’s, Kohl’s, J. C. Penney, Nordstrom’s and others, face fewer sales, business decline, and possible closings, but there are remedies and incentives to retain brick and mortar stores in spite of increases in internet transactions. Continue reading →

Does the holiday shopping frenzy do more harm than good? Are there unintended economic consequences such as health problems, missed work, lower work productivity, etc.?

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Myrtle Beach, SC, Orlando, FL December 17, 2015

Owatonna, MN-As a card-carrying Libertarian, I fully support voluntary redistribution of wealth via financial transactions between two willing parties.  Therefore, I have no intrinsic problem with the holiday shopping frenzy that takes place roughly between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Continue reading →

Statistics on inner-city violence are staggering. Should groups such as “Black Lives Matter” add more emphasis on reducing inner-city violence, rather than protesting and rioting?

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Myrtle Beach, SC, Orlando, FL December 2, 2015

Owatonna, MN-In the wake of the recent epidemic of high profile killings of black young men by white police officers, Black Lives Matters has risen to the top of the soapbox as one of the most influential citizen groups to advocate for solving the problem of white on black violence. They organize protests that get the public’s attention in the media, especially when a peaceful protest devolves into a riot. But is Black Lives Matters railing at the wrong injustice? I think so. Continue reading →

In light of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, is it time to refocus our immigration debate to those coming from countries with known terrorist ties?

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Myrtle Beach, SC, Orlando, FL November 25, 2015

Sheffield, Jamaica Correspondent-“Why do bad things happen to good people?” In light of the recent attack in Paris by terrorists, that question comes to the fore. Simply put, bad things happen to good people because of ‘unexpected occurrences.’  This attack could have been made in any other country, with the same devastating effect. Regardless of the location, 130 lives were claimed (according to Sky News), leaving relatives and friends behind to suffer. Since unforeseen occurrences befall us all, it’s our Government’s responsibility to refocus immigration debates to ensure an event, such as the attack in Paris, never re-surfaces. Continue reading →

Would greater censorship of social media and the internet be effective in combating terrorism?

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Myrtle Beach, SC, Orlando, FL December 7, 2015

Prescott Valley, AZ Correspondent-Combatting terrorism involves many strategies, particularly since the insidious and rapid advances of terrorism over the last year. With the recent San Bernardino attacks, it is obvious that the persons involved in the massacre were active in a number of social media and internet interactions. Continue reading →

Given the problems associated with an ever increasing population, do we need policies aimed at population control?

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Myrtle Beach, SC, Orlando, FL November 19, 2015

Myrtle Beach, SC Correspondent-Yes. First and foremost, this question is far deeper than it seems on the surface.

Part one is simply our natural resources. The earth only has so much land and so many resources that are renewable. Without getting too “tree-hugger” on everyone, we all need to realize the strain humans put on Mother Earth. The strain on nature can be aided with population control. Continue reading →

Given the rise of health problems associated with Americans’, should restaurants and stores have any responsibility to make “healthier choices” more affordable?

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Myrtle Beach, SC, Orlando, FL October 30, 2015

Prescott Valley, AZ Correspondent-With the rise of diet related health issues in America, restaurants and stores do have an indirect obligation to offer healthier and more affordable food choices to individuals suffering from obesity, diabetes and other related illnesses. Continue reading →

Many Small Towns Across America Are Attempting to Revitalize Blighted Or Run Down Areas. Is This A Worthwhile Endeavor, A Waste Of Money, Or Just A Reluctance To Let Go Of The Past?

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Myrtle Beach, SC, Orlando, FL October 24, 2015

Gastonia, NC Correspondent-Here in my little corner of the world in North Carolina, the near-total collapse of the textile industry in the U.S. left dozens of small towns with gutted downtowns and huge brick buildings that used to be mills sitting idle and drawing dust and transients. Continue reading →

Would Legalizing Drugs End The Violence Associated With The Drug Trade And The Drug Cartels Or Is It Time To Have A Real War On Drugs

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Myrtle Beach, SC, Orlando, FL October 16, 2015

Sheffield, Jamaica Correspondent-Would you allow your child to take condoms to school? Wouldn’t you be subtly telling little Johnny that “it’s OK to have sex, even when under aged?” Similarly, legalizing drugs would be like providing ammunition for a man to kill his neighbor, or engage him in outright combat. It is then safe to say, “legalizing drugs will never stop crime associated with drug trade and drug cartels.” The Government would only be providing these criminals with a safe passage to influence our kids and turn our society into a pack of goons! Continue reading →