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Viewpoints

America’s major political parties are continually shifting alliances of voters. What Democrats and Republicans have historically been isn’t what they are today. Likewise, Americans’ affinities for the major political parties are continually shifting. Please don’t take the word of today’s column, which was deliberately written and submitted before Election Day, because the election results don’t affect today’s column. As the dust settles from the 2020 election, watch for yourself to see who voted for whom and compare that to historical trends. Among the groups of ...

Thanks To Taxpayers, Greg Is Just Fine

“You are so OLD!” declared my older daughter when I ordered French onion soup just after she had ordered a salad for lunch. That is typical banter from five of my six children. The sixth child is different. Greg, sitting beside me, patted my shoulder as he chomped the first of his ...

Vulnerability As A Strength To Start The School Year

As I start each workday, I make a choice to reflect on a message or theme. I have a set up at the office where I have created a bit of an inspiration station with color, quotes, drawings, photos and charts. I say it’s a choice because it takes a split second of intention to do. This choice provides me a consistent reminder that the world is complex and full of opportunity. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced work to be more home-based, my morning prompts were different. Working from home I had more predictability in some ways but a more personal and responsive set of inspiration. I had ...

Taking Risks With Other People’s Cash

There is an old financial term called OPM, Other People’s Money. It describes the way that business owners and managers obtain funds from other people to leverage the capital that they put into a business. It is a legitimate way to help finance operations and investments. Just as physical leverage can be used to lift more weight, financial leverage can enable an organization to engage in larger investments and expansions of operations by borrowing resources from others. It lengthens the metaphorical lever of finance. When things work out right, a relatively small investment can have an ...

Gone? Not Toilet Paper, But Computer Printers

About two weeks ago, I shopped for canning supplies: Jar lids and bands and a new pressure canner. There weren’t any to be had locally. My wife told me about another shortage. A local farm selling pastured meat products is having trouble finding freezers. We are guessing that the COVID lockdown persuaded some stuck-at-home folks to start or enlarge gardens, especially if they are also out of work, as a feed-the-family necessity. That would drain the supply chain for canning supplies and freezers. I asked some friends via Facebook about shortages. Then, abruptly, I went ...

Help Available To Those In Hostile Situation

All over the world, people have been asked to stay home due to COVID-19, and everyone’s safety. The term “safety” in this case is in regards to health. Unfortunately for victims of domestic violence that request may be keeping them safe from the pandemic but is causing a dangerous situation. Where victims were able to leave if a volatile situation arises, they are not able to do so. Avoiding the residence is not possible for those who have to work from home or not go into work. A quarantine puts a victim in a situation where they are in constant contact with and control by their ...