The term “American Dream” was coined by Pulitzer Prize-winning author James Truslow Adams in 1931. His dream was simple: “Life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” For many Americans, a piece of that dream includes home ownership. So,
Read More →Christmas is a good time to catch up on your pumpkin pie eating. Pecan pie seems readily available, so this, too, is a good option. Try to drink one glass of eggnog during the season of joy. Eggnog does have some calories and fat grams, but one glass won’t hurt
Read More →Last September in an essay I wrote for The Des Moines Register, I advocated the legalization of recreational marijuana (“It’s time to legalize recreational marijuana in Iowa and nationally,” Sept 26). In the past week, the editorial board of USA TODAY raised similar concerns in calling for federal legalization of
Read More →Like most everyone else, I’m tired of wearing a mask. Every time I go to the grocery, a restaurant, church, or work I have to put on a mask. Not long ago, if we wore a mask into a bank or convenience store, the attendants would be alarmed and call
Read More →I hear a lot about white privilege. I grew up in Martin county, Kentucky. We were considered one of the poorest counties in the United States. In April, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson and his entourage of staff, secret service, media and other politicians swarmed into the county seat of
Read More →Give all Americans the option to buy into Medicare. I’ve paid into Social Security and Medicare my entire life. I’m still paying to be on plan B and supplemental coverage. I also pay for prescription insurance. I often feel like a coffee coupon from McDonald’s would pay for about as much medicine as
Read More →John F. Kennedy was 43 years old when he was elected to serve as President of the United States in 1960. His age did not hurt him on election day. Barack Obama was 47 years old when he became President of the United States in 2008. His age, skin color
Read More →Some of America’s problems can be fixed. Voting in the November election should not be a problem for Americans. Open the polls for at least two days. Every state should open their polls from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. Some states already have later evening hours like Californians who may
Read More →Americans hope they will never be bullied by a police officer. A man or woman with a badge and a gun can be an intimidating figure. If a cop pulls you over and bullies you, what can you do? Americans are at the mercy of bad cops. Who hasn’t been
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Remembering Sharon Malheiro
Sharon Malheiro died in her sleep the other day, apparently of a heart attack. She was 67 years old. She was a civil-rights lawyer who fought bravely and brilliantly against discrimination of all kinds. She was particularly vigilant and vigorous in her fight for gay rights. She was a co-founder
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