The American Family Gazette Vol II, 0610 Just what do we mean, a political Independent? Most people would say they know, but do they, really? Do you? Technically, an Independent is anyone who, when registering to vote, declares him or herself as “politically independent”, or who declines to indicate a political preference. It’s that simple: a self-declaration. Just what does registering oneself as a political independent really indicate, or…
The Optimal Tax System
The American Family Gazette Vol II, 1210 The definition of an optimal tax system depends upon whether you are a tax payer or a tax collector. In the real world, both parties have to be considered. So far, I can’t recall hearing of a proposal that totally satisfies either party. What does seem apparent to someone on the outside looking in is that tax policy is primarily considered from…
When is too Much Enough?
The American Family Gazette Vol III, 0011 Few issues are national issues that aren’t first of broad local concern. Here’s one that certainly fits that description; one that affects each and every one of us: how our taxes dollars are spent. An apologetic for military might, “Peace Doesn’t Keep Itself,” appearing in Monday’s WSJ advocates continued high—even increased—US military and defense spending. This it recommends over “throwing our money…
Competitive Advantage
The American Family Gazette Vol II, 1110 At dinner last evening with friends, the subject of US employment (unemployment!) came up and the usual suspects were discussed. Among them, of course, was the now well established practice of sourcing overseas in lower labor-cost countries . One among the group said he had recently discussed this with a friend in a management position with one of the unions. His—my friend’s—suggestion…
Political Ideology: Helpful, Hateful and Inevitable
The American Family Gazette Vol. II, 1010 There is a great deal of finger pointing at what we call political ideology today. We often define it along the lines of partisanship, and it’s a term that has come to have pejorative connotations. We content that government is unable to govern in large degree because of partisanship, because of opposing ideologies. We see ideologies as incompatible views of what government…
Majority-Rule vs. Majority-Vote
The American Family Gazette Vol. II, 1010 What would you say if I told you about sixty percent (60%) of voters currently do not have a political party that adequately represents their views of society? That translates into your having just a two-in-five chance that one of our existing political parties’ agenda is compatible with your view of how American society should look. Would you say that that is…
An Independent Political Point of View, by TR Harry . . . . A What? By Who?
The American Family Gazette Vol. II 1010 F rom time to time I’m inclined to draft letters to the editor and short articles on and around the subjects I write about here—political Independents and the apparent state of frustration of the American public with the results of our politics and government. Infrequently, I actually submit such materials for publication. Invariably it’s in vain. But I anticipate this. I…
Are We Ungovernable?
The American Family Gazette Volume I, 0905 The answer to the question is, NO. But the question itself, Are we ungovernable, is the wrong one. The correct question should be, is either of our two major parties able to effectively govern on our behalf in today’s political environment? Norman alludes to this in his response to Warren on 9/25: “. . .But it seems to me that today’s political…
Choke Points in Democracy (part I of II)
The American Family Gazette Volume II, 1009 Part I of II I n an earlier post this month I commented on an article by Eric Alterman in The Nation magazine. Therein he raised the issue of “choke points” in politics that inhibit, or negatively affect, the workings of democracy. I believe he’s right; they exist, and merit more than passing comment or acknowledgement. They merit…
A Lecture on the Political Left & Right
The American Family Gazette Volume II, 1009 Eric Alterman, a champion of and advocate for a progressive, or just liberal political agenda—I’m not quite sure which— recently penned an article in the magazine The Nation (August 30/September 6) bemoaning the fact that the results of the Obama Administration after eighteen months in office are somewhat of a disappointment in his eyes (which from his presentation…
