The Difficulty of Overcoming Politics

There is no clearer view of the difficulties of overcoming the negative aspects of politics, than that presented in the works of primatologist Frans de Waal. Politics is just something we do, and have done for a good 5 million years. Accept it, and then think about creating rules to moderate the more harmful aspects.

"Chimpanzee Politics" (1982) is a good start, but de Waal has a couple of dozen books and Scientific American articles and so on to his credit.

The books are insightful and witty, but, if you like them, for god's sake go and hear him when he is speaking at a university near you. That way you can luxuriate in his film clips, snide comments and hilarious photographs!

Strengthening the US

Sometimes I wonder why Eliza and I dedicate our working lives to strengthening the US, its corporations, its economy, its schools, by making them healthier and more business-savvy - when the Government does such destructive things with the millions of dollars that have accrued to them as a result of our improvements and the direct taxes we pay.

When tax money is spent on schools, hospitals, infrastructure, and international aid, all of which also build the economy, that's one thing. But when it's spent on blowing up other people's schools, hospitals and infrastructure while the domestic economy and infrastructure go to hell, it's hard to live with.

Come on, Americans, just elect a Democrat, any Democrat, over those fiscally irresponsible Republicans.