Posts that deal broadly with the physical, mental, and intellectual health of communities.

Republican Bites DEI; Democrat Bites Republican

The Republican head of the Jefferson County Commission came out with an attack on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs. He argued that DEI programs embody racism. What he neglected to mention was the reality of racism in the country, the effect of which is to put rocks in the road for many people targeted by racism. Jim Bauman argues that DEI programs are absolutely needed to create equal representation in all aspects of society and finally get closer to the promise in the Constitution of a more perfect union.

Moving a Sofa – or a Nation

There is a long-running debate in America between those with a libertarian outlook, who believe it is every man for himself, and the rest of us. Neal Barkus cuts through the debate about individual versus collective rights at a moment’s notice by asking how important our objective really is. Is it moving a sofa or moving a nation? If our objective is hugely important – maybe existential – we know the answer. We have demonstrated time and again that the collective approach is the only way. After all, we are in this together.

What About Our Public Schools? Is HOPE the Answer?

The HOPE Scholarship program in West Virginia was created to provide parents opposed to public education a financial crutch to either home school or to send their kids to private schools. Jim Bauman argues that the high price tag of HOPE is paid out at the expense of improving our public schools. He wonders is public education a priority of our Republican dominated government or is the destruction of public education a goal?