The band of robbers: A cautionary tale

The following story, recorded in the Book of Mormon, took place in America about 29 to 23 B.C. It’s events are amazingly similar to recent history. And it came to pass that the Lamanites did hunt the band of robbers of Gadianton; and they did preach the word of God among the more wicked part … Read more

Fractured Reality

America is badly divided. Trust in our basic institutions — government, business, the schools, the media, even religion — has seriously eroded. The Founders of our country wanted the various colonies to be united (hence the name, United States). They adopted the motto “E Pluribus Unum” (Out of Many, One) for the new country. After … Read more

Predatory Capitalism

In his 1962 book, Capitalism and Freedom, Nobel Prize-winning (1976) economist Milton Friedman (1912-2006) expressed an optimistic vision of commercial exchange that emphasized the idea that both sides could win and that such exchanges were essentially civil. The possibility of co-ordination through voluntary co-operation, rests on the elementary—yet frequently denied—proposition that both parties to an … Read more

The corporate takeover of America

America today is characterized by outrageously high income inequality, a crumbling social safety net, financially struggling public schools, expensive or unavailable health care, the loss of employer retirement plans, and the privatizing of government services. What many don’t know is that this sad state of affairs is the result of a deliberate plan created 50 … Read more

Stolen election? It doesn’t add up

2020 Presidential ElectionCertified Electoral College VoteJoseph R. Biden – 306Donald J. Trump – 232 Five States flipped from red to blue.Pennsylvania – 20 Electoral VotesMichigan – 16 Electoral VotesGeorgia – 16 Electoral VotesArizona – 11 Electoral VotesWisconsin – 10 Electoral VotesBiden also picked up one Electoral Vote out of Nebraska’s five.All other states voted the … Read more

Does Trump deserve justice or mercy?

Now that the Biden/Harris transition has begun, there is talk about what will or should happen to Donald Trump after his presidency. The conversation ranges from those who want Trump, his family, his supporters, (and half of Congress!) in prison as soon as possible, to those who advocate “reaching out,” to his supporters and “moving … Read more

14 Signs of Fascism

If American democracy ceases to move forward as a living force, seeking day and night by peaceful means to better the lot of our citizens, fascism will grow in strength in our land. Franklin Roosevelt Umberto Eco (1932 – 2016) was an Italian philosopher, cultural critic, novelist, and political and social commentator. He grew up … Read more

The Bondage of Debt

One of the worst forms of human bondage is financial debt. Indeed, throughout most of history, debt could literally land one in prison. During the 1700’s and 1800’s in England, ten thousand people were imprisoned for debt each year. However, the prison term did not count as paying the debt. Instead, an inmate was typically … Read more