Current Thoughts

War anywhere is always a frightening scenario, but especially in Europe.

Ukraine is no pillar among nations, but it is no threat to Russia and this war will end badly, not just for those involved, but for the entire world.

Let's hope it ends before someone does something really, really stupid and ends civilization as we know it.

Same for what's happening in Asia with China and N. Korea threatening their neighbors, and the horror of what's happening in the Middle East and the civil wars in Africa.

Justice for one must equal justice for all.

Liberty for one must equal liberty for all.

Equality for one must equal equality for all.

Otherwise they are just a lies.

This is true for racial, socio-economic and religious matters, as well as others.

Stop looking for people or peoples to blame for your problems when those same problems affect them, too.

Wealth Inequality is SHAMEFUL

Federal Reserve data indicates that as of Q4 2021, the top 1% of households in the United States held 30.9% of the country's wealth, while the bottom 50% held 2.6%

You can't fix illegal immigration without fixing legal immigration.  Families should not be kept apart by arbitrary borders,  bureaucratic red tape and/or nationalistic prejudice.

Visas should not take years to obtain in order to come here, they should take weeks.

For tourists, family, work, asylum... whatever.

It shouldn't be so difficult that people feel desperate enough to risk coming here illegally.

It should be easy.

Overstay that visa and you get sent back to where you came from with some form of time penalty before you can come back to the US - Legally.

Vote for the person, not the party.  Be idealistic but also realistic.  Vote for people with integrity, who will govern by seeking honest and fair compromise, not for people seeking power and domination.

Racism and fascism are antithetical to the ideals of democracy, just as religious intolerance and singularity is.  No religion should dominate in a democracy.

Voting should be easy and verifiable.  If you believe in the concept of a state and/or

national voter ID card, then make it readily available and free to every damn citizen.

Stop believing all the bullshit.

Can't believe it still needs to be said, but climate change is real and is here and only getting worse.  Take your head out of the sand.  Do what you can by thinking about your daily choices.

It may seem futile, but every little bit helps.

Walk, ride a bike or use public transportation whenever you can.  Recycle.  Reuse plastics/glass/containers/baggies/etc. as much as possible. Stop dumping shitloads of trash for the sake of convenience.  Do we really need single servings of butter, ketchup, salt, pepper, mayo, mustard, relish, salsa, soy sauce, etc., wrapped in individual packets?

OIL / Fossils

We will always need oil to make the things we need and use. What we don't need it for is powering those things we need and use.

It's a global economy whether you like it or not. Stop blaming the president (any president) for market changes, inflation, etc. They (presidents) may have some control due to policies (like TARIFFS, which are paid for by the consumer = you), but they do not control global markets and commodities.  Gas is a commodity. Grains are commodities. Prices fluctuate because of markets, supply and demand, etc. It's called Capitalism.

We are currently in a global upheaval spurred by war, pandemic and supply change/disruption. Inflation in the US is below the global average. You really want to help yourself and your community? Buy local, shop and eat at independents/mom & pops, etc.

Know where things come from, how they are made (child/slave labor? environmentally sustainable?) and how they got here/there.