“This country was built on American respect for education” R. Reagan. Thomas Jefferson warned that government “tyranny” would emerge unless “the people at large” were “educated at the common expense of all.” Yet more than half of Americans (51%) say our public education system is going in the wrong direction. We have been “fixing” education since … More Golden Rule Days
This article is written specifically with the State of Idaho in mind. Idaho is a state that refused to expand Medicaid after the passage of the Affordable Care Act. It was later approved using the Initiative Process and having it placed on the state ballot. Despite that approval several legislators try to repeal it or … More Medicaid Expansion Isn’t Broken
We have the criminal, now we only need the crime. This may be how government works in this time of Trump. The crime is the alleged bloated budget in the government caused by over staffed agencies and the over funded bureaucracy. Mr. Musk and Mr. Ramaswamy have decided the solution is to cut the federal … More In the Time of Trump
I never met Donald Trump. I worked on a couple of buildings that had his name at the roof line, but I wasn’t working for him. Between what I knew of him, read of him and learned about him; we would not be friends. Our worlds were so vastly different in so many ways. Him … More The Donald Trump I Never Knew
Affordable housing remains the single most significant issue facing our nation today. In prior times of high housing costs and high interest rates we created means to make affordable housing available. Providing financial assistant for a down payment helped but now the actual down payment requires a substantial amount. Various mortgage scenarios VA, FHA, Variable … More Affordable Housing Is Possible
“O say does that star spangled-banner yet wave, O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?” The American flag still waves today, but does it wave over the land of the free? Our nation, any nation, claiming Democracy must work to increase freedom for its citizens. That’s a word we all … More Defining Freedom
Are people with moderate views an endangered species? Does our entrenched two-party system block new competitors, restrict voter choice and ensure their near-total domination of our elected leaders? Does it even matter, does anyone really care? People are disgusted and concerned about the dysfunction we see our our election process. Can we change the system … More Open Primaries/Ranked Choice Voting
Is social media the achievement of our lifetime or the bane of our existence? If used properly it keeps us updated with family, friends and news events. It can be an extreme irritant. We see a post on social media and comment without knowing the source or writer. It may be completely false, half true, … More Being Informed
A couple of friends asked if I would join them to watch the movie “Boys in the Boat.” Having spent most of my life on the East Coast, this movie was not particularly significant to me. Now, residing in the Pacific Northwest its importance in this region became obvious. In 1936 in this part of … More Winning The Race, Losing The Gold
Open space is essential for any community but is the public buying land for open space a rational way to regulate development and keep growth orderly? Are there other options that work to both provide open space and distribute density? Growth equates to development, more houses, apartments, roads and traffic. Those are only some of … More Growing Separately Together
Phil's Personal Perspectives 