Tag Archive for politics

Why We Vote on That Day of the Week

October 2, 2020 Comments Off on Why We Vote on That Day of the Week

I’ve often wondered why the day for federal elections is set on Tuesday. In the midst of a busy week, with school, work, family responsibilities, and the like.  Why not, say, on Saturday?  Now I know.

It seems that Tuesday was chosen for the convenience of voters, which, in those days (1845), were the more prosperous white men. Those guys were mostly rural Christian farmers. That meant that they couldn’t vote on Sunday, the Lord’s day, and Wednesday was Market day.  Besides, they had to travel by horse one or two days to get to the polling place. Tuesday worked around all that for most of them

But why November? Because by early November the crops have been harvested, yet harsh winter weather hadn’t set in yet.  It was a handy time for them to travel to vote.

Who votes has changed, and we’re less of an agrarian economy than in those days.  But the Tuesday after the first Monday in November remains the same.

Who says politics is behind the times?

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A Slogan for All Candidates

February 7, 2020 Comments Off on A Slogan for All Candidates

If you’re a regular reader, you know I don’t get into politics. This isn’t meant to be political It’s just that I’m heartsick at how people in high positions are treating others verbally. Name-calling, belittling them as people, criticizing their viewpoints as stupid or anti-American, saying negative things opposite to what the person said about them until that person did/said something that went against their wishes.

None of this serves us as human beings or as Americans.  In fact, it demeans all of us as we repeat lies, half-truths, and nasty verbiage.

I have a campaign slogan I want ALL political candidates to adhere to: MAKE AMERICA CIVIL, DECENT, AND RESPECTFUL AGAIN!

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A Twain Look at Family Trees

December 9, 2019 Comments Off on A Twain Look at Family Trees

Good old Mark Twain. His humor has the bite of truth to it. This one struck my funny bone, considering all the political mud-slinging:

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Winning an Argument with a Loved One

September 27, 2019 Comments Off on Winning an Argument with a Loved One

The more politics invades our lives, the more conflicting news and half-truths bombard us, the harder it is to avoid “discussions” that turn into arguments. And–darn it!–we’re right, so we deserve to win! This is especially hard with older adults, who feel they’ve lived long enough to have a very good perspective on life and how things should be.

The best way to win an argument with a friend or loved one is to avoid letting it come between you and, if nothing else, finally agree to disagree. Getting there is the problem, though.

How to Avoid Arguments When Discussing Politics with a Loved One was written with our seniors in mind but offers good advice for such discussions with any of our loved ones–or others, for that matter. It explains the dynamics of those situations and offers six concrete ways we can, in fact, have an animated discussion and still share a hug afterwards.

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A Book Worth Reading

July 26, 2019 Comments Off on A Book Worth Reading

An intriguing  book to make you think:The Confession, by John Grisham. I admit that the death penalty has always made me queasy, and this book tells me why. It’s the story of a group of people trying to save an innocent man on Death Row in the final hours of his life. Among those groups is the admitted killer, who can take the authorities to where he buried the body, if they’ll let him. But Texas (and other states) are tough on crime, and they had their man. His confession, hand-fed to him by the detectives interrogating him over a prolonged period of time, proves his guilt. What’s a governor and DA with promising careers to do, give in to bleeding heart defense attorneys and biased family members? And what should a minister do when the admittedly guilty man shows up on his doorstep and confesses? 

Grisham puts his characters into difficult positions, making them choose between what’s right and what’s comfortable or even legal. They are forced to make moral and practical decisions.  And we, the readers, are pulled into those decisions, agonizing with the characters. Whichever side of the capital punishment issue you’re on, this book is a worthwhile read.

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Unforced WHAT?…Error???

July 29, 2016 Comments Off on Unforced WHAT?…Error???

A new buzzword this political season is “unforced error.”  I had to look it up.  It’s from tennis and means a dumb mistake (e.g., a missed point) your competitor makes in a non-pressure situation.

The more I thought about it, the better it fit.  Politicians square off, Republicans on one side of the “net” (Congressional floor or debate podium or news channel) and Democrats on the other.  They hit the ball (bills, promises, deals) back and forth and jump around a lot.  Often they get distracted (by a perceived “gotcha” or trying to guess an opponent’s next move) and, during an easy volley of words,  make a mistake by, say, missing the ball (not listening carefully enough or being too self-absorbed).

Proof positive that politics–much to the chagrin of voters–is a game.

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You’ve Come a Long Way, Lady….

March 8, 2016 Comments Off on You’ve Come a Long Way, Lady….

[Although this was sent out, at least in part, as a self-promotion for a group called “Credo” (I’ve left off the parts that do that), it offer some interesting end encouraging facts about progress women are making…some things to celebrate on this International Women’s Day, and some things to continue working toward.]

Recognizing Progress, Working for True Equality

Women are getting an education. Worldwide, girls now enroll in primary school at almost the same rate as boys. And national constitutions adopted since 1995 are more likely to ensure equality in education for girls than those adopted before—86% vs. 50%. However, educational opportunities for girls lag far behind in parts of the world, and women make up two-thirds of the world’s illiterate.

Women are a boost for business. Women are receiving recognition for their contributions to the places they work. Research shows companies with three or more women in senior management do better in all facets of organizational effectiveness.  Yes, the pay gap continues.

Women are a critical force for peace. Research shows that when women are involved in the peacemaking process, the chance of lasting peace dramatically increases. However, they are often left out of the process.

Women are safer in pregnancy. Maternal mortality has dropped by at least 40% in 76 countries, thanks to better access to prenatal care, fewer unsafe abortions and better family planning. Yet many women around the world still lack reproductive healthcare.

Women are leaders. Almost twice as many women hold political office today than did 20 years ago, but the total numbers are still far too low.

[You’ve come a long way, Lady, but still have far to go.]

 

 

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Politics and Pits–American Slang

January 4, 2016 4 comments

As we begin a new year of political mud-slinging, personal attacks, prejudicial statements against groups of people, half-truths, false accusations, and the like, I am reminded of an American slang term: it’s the pits, meaning a situation that’s really terrible.

It actually came from where you’d expect.  In the 1950s, we began using “pits” as shorthand to refer to armpits.  And, of course, people don’t exactly associate perfume and pleasant smells with armpits. It didn’t take long for the phrase “it’s the pits” to make it into everyday American speech.

That’s why I think the term is appropriate for our current Presidential race.  Simply, it’s the pits!

 

 

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Olympics, Brazilian Style

November 13, 2015 Comments Off on Olympics, Brazilian Style

Watch this video about the first-ever indigenous games.  Different sports, different costumes, different purpose.  What is the same, though, is that people let politics get in the way.

https://www.facebook.com/CNNconnect/videos/10154358431361562/

 

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New Political Party Worth Considering

September 29, 2014 Comments Off on New Political Party Worth Considering

Tired of the Democrats, Republicans, and other political parties, including the semi-Republican Tea Party?  About a year ago I proposed an alternative, and today–National Coffee Day–is the perfect time to propose it again.

Join our Coffee Party.  We’ll offer alert, robust candidates who have never bean influenced by special-interest drips, intelligent men and women who let an idea percolate before making a decision.  In fact, Juan Valdez, an excellent example, heads our Board.

We’ll energize American politics and fill all American’s empty cups with hope.  We’ll stop trouble before it begins to brew.

So, wake up, Dear Reader, and join our grande Coffee Party today.  You know you won’t be able to sleep until you do.

 

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