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Jean Kennelly's avatar

Once again, Mary nails it but sadly this column has left me with such a sense of hopelessness for our world. Keep informing us maybe someone in power will hear you.

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Johnny Canuck's avatar

The Great Myth of trickle down economics is that people who got rich by hoarding money are suddenly going to pass it on to those that are in need because they now have even more money. It doesn't happen and never will.

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Greg Anderson's avatar

"They want 1939 Germany, let's give them 1789 France" 🤠

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XHM's avatar

Thank you, again, for your erudite opinion pieces. In time, May they truly make the difference and change that’s desperately needed.

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L Maristatter's avatar

I have to ask how you know of Macomb. I grew up there.

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Mary Geddry's avatar

The WSJ featured Macomb in its story

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L Maristatter's avatar

I'm astonished! It's true, though--Macomb is home to Western Illinois University. I haven't been back in awhile, but I've heard they're struggling. And if WIU is struggling, so is Macomb.

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Mary Geddry's avatar

Yes, that was the gist of the story. Once busy little college towns are feeling the squeeze pretty hard.

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Anne Bailey's avatar

Treace peaty, Mary! I can't keep reading you if I feel a need to commit suicide afterwards. Could you mix in something good in the midst of such despondence?

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Mary Geddry's avatar

I feel you. Definitely was hard to find any glimmers of hope this morning

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Jamie Brown's avatar

The essence of liberty and freedom in the United States is at risk, and to some degree Canada as well. The apathy of many voters in the U S is coming home to roost, and there better be real concentrated resistance, or the USA will have lost its democracy. As a Canadian, I am relieved we have a real statesman at the helm, and that so many of us “polite” Canadians have shaken manners off for “elbows up”! Perhaps a ground swell of really angry Americans taking to the streets before the administration declares martial law might be a good start. Trump is counting on both apathy and fear to herd most Americans into “holding pens”. Open resistance with a good dose of compassion would be a good beginning.

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Patricia Davis's avatar

Having discussed DISCIPLINE and PUNISHMENT - endless applications or lack of -wreak havoc. The tax breaks are significantly pointed to as the major problem, and yes trickle down myths are touted by guess who? Those who lie or still believe it . “Economic growth ‘could suffer’ is suggested if taxes on the wealthy were rendered”. ( Wikipedia)

The economist generally concurs. But who ‘concurs’ loudest are the lowest end ..none of the top 5% who run-the-show .

The greatest lift to the whole, all the countries, all the people is equality across the board and protest culminates with death and destruction just to have ‘more’ . More money, more land, more power.

Every statistic that creates dependency (money having to be spent to meet disaster needs) would be cut by commensurate margins by DISCIPLINE. Watch dog supervision adequate to see: ethical practice maintained, crime accountability, food & water safety, health-especially mental health -and the medications costs for maintenance affordable. Little is accomplished with PUNISHMENT evidenced throughout history.

Not a lot of people give any of this much thought .

A basic education is proven to be THE most significant contributors to all of the above issues causing a problem. The top priority of the people who represent , are elected to …the care of our societies , should know why declines happen, what isn’t working, and how to best change that.

It sure is time to acknowledge this.

It assuredly is going to be a disaster of epic proportions if it isn’t acknowledged.

I’ve read that white collar crime costs our vast populations far more than the petty thief and their incarceration, not any mention to recidivism btw.

The main culprit are needs not being met for the latter (the petty thief).

The fact that societies whose populations are happiest have the lowest crime …ISN’T A COINCIDENT..they applied DISCIPLINE , educate their people, monitor the ethical applications , and need the least incarceration to PUNISH because their people have adequate basic needs and are happiest.

It ain’t rocket science

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Greg Anderson's avatar

Huh? WTF?

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Patricia Davis's avatar

Sorry , Gary ..I am so disappointed with what could be and what isn’t with all this political BS going on. I tend to jump around in thought, not good writing skills. I know. I have lent great time , energy, and corrective help to people too unable to fend for themselves or victims of masterminds in using them. And see this happening to our country , one I felt would never allow it to happen.

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Greg Anderson's avatar

Yes Patricia, you don't have to apologize for being confused - fear, confusion, and chaos are who they are.

Truth, justice, and clarity is what the sane folks are looking for, and we’re finding it totally lacking from these god-awful misanthropes.

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David Aimone's avatar

Wetiko. Look it up.

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Carol Pladsen-Bloom's avatar

I pulled: "The bill will cost anywhere from $3.3 to $5.2 trillion over ten years, much of it added directly to the deficit Trump once decried. But its real legacy is who it punishes and who it protects. Poor families? Cut. Public services? Starved. Undocumented workers? Targeted. Hedge funds and real estate developers? Showered with tax breaks and loopholes."

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