Nowadays are there only winners or losers. Compromise is a seldom an option in politics. That is not how our government did work. Does the government shutdown legislation passed by the US Senate provide for compromise or simply winners and losers? When the government is closed for most of the people’s business, there are only … More Winners or Losers
The princes are prancing but diplomacy must be more than a Deal. If the dying and suffering end that is a victory. The negotiators knew an agreement focused on the narrower issues of a cease-fire, hostage and prisoner exchange may be achievable. However, dealing with the tougher questions around Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza and … More Diplomacy vs Cutting A Deal
The age of Trump if there is such a time has passed him and his followers by. He is all over the media reports doing this and that with this executive order or another. Any President issuing an executive order draws attention and calls for a response. Better orders result from discussing proposals with Congress, … More The Age of Trump
The age of Trump if there is such a time has passed him and his followers by. He is in all the media reports doing this and that with this executive order or another. Any President issuing an executive order draws attention and calls for a response. Better orders result from discussing proposals with Congress, … More The Age of Trump
Is running our government agencies like a business a smart idea? We hear some elected and not elected leaders describing how much better that would be. I honestly have to ask why? What makes anyone believe that? If we consider what corporations have done over the years it may give us some pause. At the … More The Environment of Public Administration
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
Is Public Education “Woke”? Improving education is the claim of elected types across America. They’ll have a fight on their hands by extremists who see public education as a dragon to be slain, which is sad because it’s actually a knight in shining armor. (CDA Press). What do the extremists across our country hope to … More Is Public Education “Woke”?
Grumbling about federal control of local lands is nothing new. Understanding how the federal government came into possession of land does matter. The US government owns about half of western lands. This is partly due to the fact that much of the territory in the western United States is either mountainous or dry and infertile … More Public Lands for Profit or Public?
Many small cities are growing in response to the movement from larger urban areas due to people seeking a less congested life style or perhaps remote workers seeking more affordable housing. Current residents often view this as problematic. Blaming and complaining about growth without accepting the responsibility of providing a solution is not acceptable. Saying you … More Growing Better
Years ago in college I needed three science credits to graduate. After pushing it off for a couple of years my judgement day was rapidly closing in. Biology, chemistry and the like were not an area where I had excelled in high school. Excelled, hell I barely got through. After studying the college course listings … More Geography 101 to Covid-19
Phil's Personal Perspectives 