Regarding the letter by John Wright, “Radicalizing from the left,” published in the Tribune on May 16, I have a few comments. He uses the phrase, “In my opinion,” a couple of times. That’s a good thing to say, because his accusations about the Democratic Party are pretty offbeat, and many of his statements are simply not true. I’m not going to repeat them here. The Democratic Party has been described as a big tent, and the people who describe themselves as Democrats have a wi

As we approach our nation’s 250th birthday, it’s worth reviewing the evolution of our revolution. Let’s review the current adaptive status of America’s original peoples: Indians. Many tribes have acquired casinos to combat the poverty forced on them by the greed of American policies and practices. Unfortunately, too many casino-owning Indian tribes continue the ugly, federal policy of assimilation against their own people. Assimilation was a 100-plus year American government

I approach writing this column with trepidation. Social class is a complex and little-understood term. About 75 years ago, a sociologist name Lloyd Warner described six social classes along a continuum: Upper-upper class, Lower-upper, Upper-middle, Lower-middle, Upper-lower, and Lower-lower. This configuration has been used as a matter of convenience over the years although any respectable sociologist understands that nobody knows how many social classes really exist because

Our nation was founded by men and women who traveled the world to study what made governments succeed — and why many failed. They looked at empires and republics, at tyranny and liberty, and they brought to America the best of “Western culture” — respect for individual rights, rule of law, free enterprise, and self-determination. This rich heritage made the United States not just a country, but a beacon of freedom — a nation designed to be “independent, resilient, and strong.

Did you know one can get a loan for auto repair through this program? No wonder we have fraud all over the place. Requirements are income, not citizenship. USDA is in the housing loan business also. For migrants! If a home owner, are you migrant? When they open the can for benefits, they also open the bottom for fraud. As Gomer Pyle would say, “Surprise, surprise.” Got a phone message. Could not understand who was calling, but they said they could help me to vote. Went to the

Having trouble making ends meet? Finding it impossible to purchase that starter house that is so important in building wealth for your retirement? Here’s the solution that many of your neighbors have found: Leave California. According to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), “Over the past 25 years California has had its slowest rates of population growth ever recorded.” Why? Residents are moving to other states, a “trend that remains near record levels, despite h

The picture that paints a thousand words doesn’t do California justice. California’s majesty requires a 3D mural that stretches between El Kapitan and Half Dome. Its geographic diversity is a metaphor for the diversity of its people. California’s Dream is one of opportunity while refusing to give suckers an even break. The freeway to success is off ramped with numerous, unforgiving wrecks. Hard work and hard luck go hand in hand. Success, once achieved, demands continued inno

Back in my early 20s, I became aware of something that has served me well ever since. What I discovered was, that most people believe the first thing they hear and cannot be swayed from it. Therefore, arguments are pointless and often counter-productive. Children learn from their parents, and with few exceptions (such as hormonal rebellion), they will cling to that for life. After all, mom and dad are the smartest people they know, so why shouldn’t they believe them? This exp