The Pursuit of Happiness

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Our perpetual political wrangling about who’s right or wrong doesn’t seem to get us anywhere. Partisan sides are stuck up to the knees in muck and woe; and it’s always the other guy’s fault. Sometimes it helps to step back from a problem and take it apart. Let’s do that.

Following are topics worth discussion. Invite your neighbors over for it. (There are no right or wrong answers.) On your marks, get set…

Should the private and or contractual sexual activity of politicians be kept private? In the way, for example, everyone – including the press – looked the other way when President John F. Kennedy engaged in serial infidelities.

The Trump administration is thinking about contracting our war in Afghanistan to Defense Department subcontractors. Is it okay for the government to subcontract public responsibilities like schools, prisons, and national defense, to private businesses? If it’s okay, are there any public responsibilities that shouldn’t be subcontracted out?

Almost 200 years ago Alexis de Tocqueville published a still highly regarded book titled Democracy in America. One of his conclusions was that Americans will do anything for money. Is that true?

Should landlords continue to have the right to discriminate against potential tenants who smoke because smokers will dirty up or otherwise degrade the apartment’s environment?

When Harry and Bess Truman moved back to Missouri after his Presidency they had to borrow money to pay for the move. Things have changed. Is this good, bad, or inevitable? Can we – should we – do anything about politicians cashing in on public service?

Is it important for leaders to meet higher standards than followers? For example, should priests or parsons behave better than parishioners? Teachers better than students? Politicians…?

The United States has been in a freefall among developed nations on almost all measures. Our students are performing less well, longevity and overall health have declined while our healthcare costs skyrocket, and more families are less economically secure now than at any time in the last 40 years. The freefall has occurred under the leadership of both Republicans and Democrats.

Is it time to follow Mr. Dooley’s advice and vote all the rascals out?