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A Parable About a Pig and a Dog
I used to own a potbellied pig. She was fat. Her bloated belly sagged nearly to the ground. She had black bristly hair and a pug nose. Her name was Rosebud, and she looked nothing like a dog. The reason I mention this will become evident later.
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Why Do We Have Just 2 Main Parties?
originally published 9/29/2021 Do you ever think to yourself, “Why doesn’t everyone think like me?” Or, at least, “Why can’t we all get along?” Why are we fractured into opposing, antagonistic parties? It seems like we have forgotten what our parents and teachers told us–we were supposed to share, get along and respect others.…
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Taxes
Originally published 9/29/21 (Note that this is pre-pandemic. The Corona Virus has seriously disrupted our economy and altered government spending and taxation in a way that we hope is temporary. Consequently, I am using pre-pandemic figures.) All of us pay too much taxes. At least, that is what we are told. Taxes are perhaps the…
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The Size and Purpose of Government
originally published 9/29/21 How much is too much? If someone were to ask you, “How big is the US government?,” how would you answer? Would you respond in terms of the budget ($6.6 trillion in outlays for 2020) (Congressional Budget Office, 2021), or the number of employees? (over 2 million federal civilian workers) (Congressional…
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Government Spending
originally published 9/30/2021 Government spending—The $5 Trillion Pie We Conservatives and Liberals fight like cats and dogs over government spending. Much of it has to do with each side’s beliefs in what is the appropriate role of government. Part of it comes from who has to pay for it. Conservatives, who tend to be…
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“Conservatives” and “Liberals” are Not the Same as “Republicans” and “Democrats”
originally published 9/30/2021 What’s in a name? Sometimes we are given labels that don’t accurately describe us. Sometimes those labels carry stereotypes and prejudices that can interfere with understanding and cooperation. Likewise, we sometimes allow labels to cloud our own vision when we are seeking the truth about other people. The term Conservative…