A Freedom Worth Fighting For? – On World Class Retail Businesses, Leading Democratic Governments, & The Price of Free Coffee

What makes a retailer world class? Great products and services at an affordable price?! Everything in one place?! FREE COFFEE?! There may be more to this than meets the eye…

Thank You for Your Service: The Fine Line Between Patriots & Parrots

What does the end of the HBO series Band of Brothers have to do with parrots, organizational psychology, and the current cultural zeitgeist? Click the link to find out… (8 minute read – if you’re faster than the average)

Did Trump Just Save Your Life?

The claim that Trump saved two-thirds of the U.S. population from opioid overdose deaths is misleading. While thousands may have been helped, current overdose death rates suggest the stated figure would take 5,000 years not 100 days. Reducing opioid access, carrying naloxone, education, and early intervention help address addiction effectively.

President Trump’s Terrific Tariffs, Oversimplified

President Trump’s April 2, 2025 tariff announcement imposes a 10% tax on imported goods, leading to increased prices for U.S. consumers and potential losses of $3,800 per household. While tariffs raise federal revenue, they may also encourage domestic production if U.S. goods can compete with cheaper foreign options. Protests against tariffs are expected as consumers react to rising costs.

A Letter to My Representative, Senators, and President Petitioning for the Removal of Elon Musk from Unauthorized Government Work

The author expresses frustration with the U.S. Executive Branch’s actions, including the suspension of vital foreign aid and funding, and concerns about billionaires like Elon Musk influencing government. He calls for the Legislative and Judicial Branches to act against these issues if the Executive Branch fails to correct them. The author suggests people should petition for impeachment if conflicts of interest and corruption persist.

What Can DOGE Do For You? – career civil servant types, anti-humanitarian budget cuts, & why wasteful government spending is likely to continue

Government needs transparency and people who do the right thing. Resilient and rational government employees represent the best of our government’s civil servants. But three other types of government workers are more common: riders, risers, and rescuers or wannabe humanitarians. The current executive branch appears to be targeting left-leaning humanitarian or rescuer types in order to (1) consolidate power and (2) cut spending. But, would mandatory annual itemized financial reports do the job for them?

Beware of those who speak for God(s): On Trump’s Inauguration Statement & Those Who Claim Divine Revelations

What do you do when individuals claim to speak for God? Is the statement manipulative, dogmatic, honest, or something else? Why not question the validity of personal revelations? This post highlights the tension between individual beliefs, urging for authenticity and active listening instead of control and dogmatism in discussions about spirituality and truth.

Naming, Blaming, & Claiming or Litigating: Jay Feinman’s Antidote to Delay, Deny, Defend, & Depose

In “Delay, Deny, Defend,” Jay M. Feinman analyzes how insurance companies prioritize profits by postponing or denying claims, often using strategies to minimize payouts. He advocates for consumer awareness and legal action against unfair practices, emphasizing the importance of fair claim handling to uphold insurance’s role in economic security.

the neti neti project 01: voting 2024

The neti, neti project encourages a healthier, wealthier lifestyle through silent action. Emphasizing the concept of “neti, neti” (“not that, not that”) encourages acceptance of life’s uncertainties and imperfections. The video series aims for iterative improvements over unattainable perfection. This video reflects on old democratic principles from Alexis de Tocqueville.