I am weary thinking about the demise of American democracy. Voting President Trump and his Republican cronies out of office is a necessary first step to correct the problem. The system is rigged, and the corruption is endemic. The swamp got murkier because Trump appointees know that there will be no opposition or ramifications to […]
democracy
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Mr. Trump's fallibilities
I have been a licensed clinical social worker for many years. I am quite aware of some of Mr. Trump’s weaknesses, negative habits, etc. His narcissistic personality has been noted and discussed by many learned people. His love of self and his needs must be met before the needs of others. He may believe that […]
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Posted inLetters, sj-web
How democracies die
A new book, “How Democracies Die,” is an interesting analysis of what is happening in this country. The authors say norms are important to a society. Two of the most important are mutual toleration and institutional forbearance. The authors write there are “Four measures on our litmus test for autocrats 1. Weak commitment to the […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
America is not immune from forces of democratic decay
NEW YORK — A few weeks ago, the Economist Intelligence Unit published the 10th edition of its Democracy Index, a comprehensive ranking of nations that looks at 60 measures in five categories, ranging from electoral process to civil liberties. For the second consecutive year, the United States failed to make the top bracket of “full […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Full investigation warranted
The United States cannot afford to have the core of its democratic principles violated, and it is important that allegations of foreign interference in our elections be freely and independently investigated without partisan interference. As citizens, we must express our concerns to all of our senators and representatives that they uphold their oaths of office […]
Posted inSports
Democracy in action will leave many hunters snickering
A sage once offered this definition of democracy: “Democracy is like a raft. It never sinks, but damn it, your feet are always in the water.” This cynical tidbit comes to mind if you sift through all of the proposed Maine legislative bills that wound up in the ONTP trash bag. (ONTP is an Augusta […]
Posted inLetters
R. Grover: Is U.S. democracy in jeopardy?
The Obama administration is making a shambles of people’s constitutional rights. The non-partisan group Judicial Watch, through a series of lawsuits citing the Freedom of Information Act, has received numerous emails and other correspondence between Lois Lerner, formerly an Internal Revenue Service official, and high level Justice Department officials. These communications, heavily redacted (censored, with […]
Posted inLetters
N. Bourgoin: Bible the foundation of America
President Barack Obama and his administration deliberately distort and often try to make the public believe that the United States is a democracy. Obama also said, “We are not a Christian nation.” Both are deceivingly untrue. Federalist James Madison once said, “Democracy is the most vile form of government. …Democracies have ever been spectacles of […]
Posted inNews, sj-web
Spain: King to abdicate; son next in line
MADRID — Spain’s King Juan Carlos, who led Spain’s transition from dictatorship to democracy but faced damaging scandals amid the nation’s financial meltdown, announced Monday he will abdicate in favor of his more popular son so that fresh royal blood can rally the nation. While the monarchy is largely symbolic, Juan Carlos’ surprise decision may […]