In a democracy, every citizen, regardless of his interest in politics, “holds office;” every one of us is in a position of responsibility; and, in the final analysis, the kind of government we get depends upon how we fulfill those responsibilities.  We, the people, are the boss, and we will get the kind of political leadership, be it good or bad, that we demand and deserve. 

– John F. Kennedy, Profiles in Courage

           The result of the 2016 primaries and general election confirms that we, the collective citizens of the United States, have failed in our responsibility. Never before, in the 226 years of electoral politics, has the voting public so grossly disregarded its responsibility and elected someone to the Office of the President so unfit for the position. Our 45^th President lacks the intellectual, emotional, physical or analytical ability necessary for the task. Historians will have to reassess how they rank presidents in the future because, if the past is a measure of the man, Donald Trump will stand apart from everyone who came before him and, singlehandedly, he will lift up the much maligned administrations of Tyler, Buchanan and Harding.

            We possess the right, responsibility and obligation to demand a government filled with the most capable and competent individuals dedicated to the defense and improvement of the nation. Regrettably, both in Washington, D.C. and in most state governments across the nation, the government we receive is far below what we should receive. In part, the collection of dimwits writing laws is consistent with the low level of interest and the even lower demands that the electorate makes.

            This blog, presuming I can sustain it, seeks to provide a clarion call warning of the actions occurring within the nation. Sometimes, it will provide personal views and thoughts. At other times, I will offer reading that I find relevant and informative with small notes or commentary accompanying the link. My general focus shall be to highlight considerations, undertakings, or errors (or, when seen, successes) of government in the hope that the more light we bring to these actions or events, the greater the chance we will improve our Republic. Posts will offer information that should help anyone reading the post gain some further insight or understanding of an issue. Always, the opinions shall be my own.

            One final note, I anticipate that more than a few of these pieces will defend the news media with a strong emphasis on the print media. I remain a strong proponent of our leading newspapers. The current administration’s false denouncements of “fake news” constitute a significant and serious threat to our society (indeed, I cringe every time someone near me uses the term). The individuals working daily for The New York Times, Washington Post or Wall Street Journal are the best at their profession. In baseball terms, these are this nation’s All Stars, the future Hall of Famers in a field poorly understood and barely appreciated. In the current era of empty television personalities, from Rachel Maddow to Sean Hannity, the writers at the Times, Post and Journal (as well as NPR or services like Reuters) provide the most reliable, sound and confirmed sources of information.

 Knowledge is the parent of knowledge. He who possesses most of the information of his age will not quietly submit to neglect its current acquisitions, but will go on improving as long as means and opportunities offer; while he who finds himself ignorant of most things, is only too apt to shrink from a labour which becomes Herculean.

– James Fenimore Cooper