Every time I see TV pundits discussing politics and lamenting how one of the parties is obstructing the other’s “progress,” I have to wonder whether they are shills for the blocked party or merely naive children. Our system was designed purposely to be slow in making change, with one side blocking the other when government is divided among divergent views. Read More»

One of the key provisions of the Obama administration’s healthcare law has been struck down as unconstitutional by Federal District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson. The decision is the culmination of a lawsuit brought by the Commonwealth of Virginia against Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Read More»

The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson that the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as “Obamacare,” unconstitutionally imposes a requirement that everyone carry health insurance or be taxed for not doing so, has placed the law on legal life support. Ultimately it will be up to the U.S. Supreme Court to either pull the plug on this unaffordable monstrosity, or uphold it and put taxpayers in the equivalent of a persistent vegetative economic state. Read More»

His name was Ricky and though I remember the gift he gave me that Christmas 30 years ago, I don’t recall his last name. I wish I did.

Boy, was he cute. He had red hair, blue eyes that sat amidst a lake of freckles and a smile that few people ever saw though he shyly shared it with me on occasion.

I always saw him as I sauntered toward my fourth period home economics class that was directly across from his. He was a few years younger and was one of a handful of students in the Special Ed class. Read More»

I recently heard a newscast that reported Americans are spending about $20 less per person this year than last year on Christmas gifts. Our average this year is about $680.

Then the newscaster said that 31 percent of Americans feel they are worse off economically this year than last. That same day, a news article found its way to my inbox with the headline, “Study Says Recession Catching Up to Churches.” Read More»

The older I get and the more I understand about human behavior, the more certain I am that we are social creatures. The most serious psychological conditions in human children involve neglect and abuse – situations where the child either has minimal or no social interaction or where that interaction is painful. Read More»

When people ask if it’s hard to come up with column ideas week after week, I snort derisively. You’ve gotta be kidding, I gloat. Can’t beat the ideas off with a stick.

Except when a holiday looms.

I suppose it’s a problem to those from whom regular offerings are expected – we need to produce something patriotic for the 4th of July, or romantic for Valentine’s, or thankful for Thanksgiving.

Or Christmas-y.

The preacher certainly faces this challenge, and so do the choirmaster, the storekeeper, the stand-up comic, even the cook. Read More»

As far back as I can remember, there has been an elf who has visited our house right around the holiday. Now I know most people believe Santa is the boss and does all the heavy lifting, but he’s just the figurehead. As with any multinational corporation, it’s the people behind the big guy that actually do all the work. And when you’re talking about Santa, there’s a lot of behind.

Growing up at 110 Flamingo Street, we really only saw Santa once. That’s when I was 5; it was the night he fell off our roof and Mom had to call the fire department. Read More»

“Are you Santa?”

The question came from a little boy about 4 years old. I was sitting in a low beach chair enjoying the sand and sun of Florida a few years ago. I heard the shy voice and looked up from my book. The little tyke was staring intently and waiting for the answer to his question.

Looking around, as if to see if anyone were listening, I motioned him, to take a step or two closer, put my finger to my lips, and said, “Shhhhh!” Then I added, “Even Santa needs a vacation.”

His eyes lit up and he exclaimed, “I won’t tell anyone. I promise!” Read More»

Even Rosetta Stone, the language-learning software that promises individuals they’ll soon “dream in French,” would be hard-pressed to translate the language of Washington. The etymology surrounding the tax debate would stymie someone with a Ph.D. in linguistics.

Just following the numbers, not to mention the assertions, is enough to produce blank stares of incomprehension. There is a debate about whether the estate tax should jump from zero to 35 percent, or 55 percent. Some liberal congressional Democrats claim they won’t consider voting for the “compromise” unless it is 55 percent. Read More»