Owatonna, MN Correspondent- Since 1980, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average college tuition increases have more than doubled the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The strange accompanying fact is that enrollments in post-secondary schools have also increased significantly, nearly doubling in that time. Continue reading
A judge in Texas recently ordered a school to restore a Charlie Brown Christmas decorative display that had been ordered taken down by the school principal and local school district. Should schools be allowed to incorporate Christmas-related displays during the holidays?
Gastonia, NC Correspondent-The continual hand-wringing over Christmas in the schools is getting quite tiresome. It’s not as if there are any punishments handed out for failing to participate in the rituals, and no one’s forcing a non-observant child to dress in swaddling clothes and lay in a manger. I have one child in elementary school and another in middle school, both in quite “liberal” schools, and both have a variety of seasonal observances throughout December. Continue reading
Is the War on Terrorism the New Normal?
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
With the recent death of Fidel Castro, is it time for the United States to seriously rethink its Cuba foreign policy and the status of Cuban exiles here in America?
Prescott Valley, AZ Correspondent-Fidel Castro was a ruthless and oppressive dictator for nearly 60 years and the Cuban people deserve a reprieve from the unimaginable suffering, poverty and denial of fundamental human rights that they have endured for over half a century. With his passing, hope has been reignited with many Cubans exiled in America for a return to a free, democratic and prosperous Cuba. With Fidel’s brother, Raul, still living and still in charge, Cubans and Americans are skeptical about reconciliation in spite of Barack Obama’s attempts in 2015 to normalize diplomatic relations. Continue reading
Do denial of service attacks have other implications for US national and economic security?
From our Prescott, Valley, AZ Correspondent
Denial of service attacks (DoS) have implications for US national and economic security as any one of these attacks can be launched with ease form the comfort of a computer keyboard or other device, making it hard to detect who is perpetrating the action. Continue reading
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.
In the last seven years, the American military has been significantly downgraded. With the end of the draft in 1973 and the development of the all volunteer military and a now dwindling military force, should the draft be reinstated to fill the gaps and attract a wider variety of individuals?
Owatonna, MN Correspondent-There is a correlating reason the American military has been downgraded (assuming downgraded means reduced in size). We are no longer fully engaged in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which was the primary reason for the buildup in the early 2000s. The number of troops and weapons available should ebb and flow based on the defense needs of the US. To arbitrarily decide we need X thousands of troops, or a certain number of planes, warships, or missiles, implies those resources will be used and not sit idle in bases or hangers or navy ports. Continue reading
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
Statistics released from the Labor Department report that over 94 million Americans are either out of work or underemployed. How can this crisis be solved and out-of-work Americans returned to the job force?
Owatonna, MN Correspondent-In the long run, the unemployment/underemployment crisis will resolve itself because Baby Boomers, the largest demographic group in the country, are retiring at an increasing rate. Their positions will be filled by younger workers as all generations after the Boomers move up a notch in the workforce.
The real crisis is in the short term—the next five years or so. Training is the big issue. New jobs are being created due to new technology, but schools can’t possibly be at the forefront of training because they are slow-moving dinosaurs with regard to responding to what employers and the marketplace want and need for job skills. 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
Thinking Outside The Boxe 