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Is Our Economy Really Driven By Capitalism? To The Reader’s Forum: If Adam Smith, the “father” of capitalism, were alive today, he would agree that our economy should work for our mutual self-interest, not for some of us but for all of us. There has been a growing trend in our politics, however, that replaces Smith’s philosophy of capitalism — self-interest guided by the “invisible hand” of “moral sentiments” — with exclusionary selfishness. For decades, our politicians, especially so-called “conservative” politicians, have embraced socioeconomic ...

It Was Better Than Broadway

Local Commentaries

Recently, we attended a musical put on at the high school where our grandkids attend—in this case, Maple Grove. During the spring, musicals are being conducted at many of our local schools. As usual, I was “blown away” by the level of skill and professionalism displayed in the performance. It is hard to believe that kids ranging from 9th to 12th grade could put on such a performance. At intermission, I went up to the teacher and producer of the production and said: “This is better than Broadway,” and it was. There was a moving stage, a skilled ensemble playing the music...and ...

Do We Serve God, Or Does God Serve Us?

Local Commentaries

Are we a Christian nation that serves God or one where God serves us? I have struggled over the years when it comes to religion and politics. They are not supposed to be aligned with each other. The first amendment to the Constitution says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” So, we have the right to exercise our religion. But does that mean we get to enforce our religious opinions and beliefs on others? I find it very sad that, for over 45 years, abortion has been a co-opted moral value of the ...

It’s Not Just Inflation. It’s A Way Of Life

Local Commentaries

One topic of conversation among all my friends and acquaintances is the shock of today’s prices – for everything. When I was a kid, I remember vividly that Saturday movies cost 12 cents. Granted, that was 70 years ago, but it was for three cartoons, the Movietone news of the day, two movies, with the continuing serial at the end. Looking back at it now, that was an afternoon’s entertainment for 3 cents an hour. Today it costs me 3 cents every time I sneeze – just for the Kleenex. I bought ginormous Milky Ways whenever I could scrounge up a nickel. Today’s movies cost $8. ...

Are We Using The Wrong Tools?

Local Commentaries

In our rapidly evolving world, we are constantly building and reconstructing. This perpetual growth is vital—for without vision, the people perish—yet a nation never truly “arrives” at a final destination. As we build, we must exercise caution, ensuring our moral compass leads us to build upon a solid rock foundation rather than unstable ground. Furthermore, the effectiveness of our “building” depends on our choice of tools; while Maslow noted that to a hammer, everything looks like a nail, true craftsmanship requires a measured and calculated approach, even though a ...

Doubling Down On Two-Sided Messages

Local Commentaries

At an anti-ICE rally recently in Minnesota, a burly bully belligerently shoved a petite Hispanic woman from her blindside to the blacktop. This was after the woman was assaulted by an onslaught of screams, curse words and obscenities as unhinged protesters blew whistles and horns in her ears. The tactics the anti-ICEers do to ICE were despicably deployed on the traumatized female reporter merely observing, not engaging or even interviewing. For simply showing up, Savannah Hernandez of TPUSA suffered a concussion, after being body slammed by an angry man in a mean-spirited fascist-like ...