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Socialism Is More Intense Liberalism

There was a time when both major political parties had a substantial number of liberals and conservatives. But over the course of the lifetime of everyone reading this column today, liberals have shifted to the Democrats, while conservatives have shifted to the Republicans. That has led—within the GOP—to a philosophical shift that has been, on balance, good for the GOP and good for the country. ♦♦♦ The shift within the GOP isn’t the only shift. Yet the shift within the Democrat party has been, on balance, bad for the party and the country. How many Democrat ...

I Still Pine For Pinecones

Preparing for this weekend’s garage sale, I came across a canvas bag I hadn’t seen in years. It was filled with pinecones. Giant Sequoia pinecones. Some of these babies are almost a foot long, and my memory of first seeing them goes back to 1949. 1949? Yes, I was alive then – and out of diapers. In fact, I was out of third grade. But the huge pinecones that my mother brought home from California fascinated me for their pure size. I studied redwood trees and the giant Sequoias, and I knew I had to see them for myself someday. My mother’s first trip to California in 1944 ...

Everything You Didn’t Want To Know About Salt

Given the tremendous change and angst we are seeing in the world today, you might wonder why I’ve chosen to write about such an insignificant topic as salt. But that’s precisely why I’m writing about it. Now is not the time to lose our wonder about the world, or to lose our curiosity. In fact, if ever we needed to learn about the mesmerizing topic of salt, today is that day. Let’s face it, it’s the only rock we eat. That common household item has a long and intriguing history. And without sounding too bombastic, I will go as far as to say that salt has shaped civilization ...

Am I Waking Up Late Night Or Early Morning?

“These days I’m up about the time I used to go to bed Living large was once the deal, now I watch the stars instead They’re timeless and predictable, unlike most things that I do But I’d tell the wind and my old friend, I’m headed home to you.” These are the lyrics of Verse Three of a Jimmy Buffett song titled Coast of Carolina. It is Track 4 from his album, License to Chill, which was released in 2004 and produced by Mac McAnally and Robert Utley. The song was written for his wife Jane, as a follow up to his hit song Come Monday, also written to Jane, as a hugely ...

The New Era Of Big Government

It has been an articulated principle over the years that the Republican Party stood for smaller government. And, so it appeared in the early days of the Trump administration. There was Elon Musk jumping around onstage with his chainsaw empowered with the ability to cut and slash government spending through a new mechanism called DOGE—Department of Government Efficiency. The first agency to go was the United States Agency for International Development (USAID.) Supported in the past by both Republican and Democratic administrations, it was deemed to be unworthy of any more government ...

Think Globally, Vote Locally

“Think globally, act locally.” That aphorism is familiar to most. Its origins are unclear, but its gravity is more important now than ever. Globally, are you concerned about the erosion of the rule of law and the undermining of democracy? Then vote for Democrats locally who inherently believe in the democratic process (it’s right there in the name of the party). Globally, are you concerned about DOGE and Russell Vought’s Project 2025 gutting the agencies and services that so many right here in Chautauqua County rely on? Then vote for Democrats locally who will fight to find ...