Politics, Politicians, and Accountability
The big question is, under what circumstances can we hold party leaders responsible for the actions of their agents, and how do we do so?
Jeffery Marshall Ed.D., BG(R)
Our Atavistic Fears
Even though, as Machiavelli said, change is hard, if we want to save the country, we need to put our atavistic fears behind us. To understand that those who seek to divide inspired those fears.
Taxes and Tax Collection
Most people dislike paying taxes, but they see the need to fund the government. But very few people understand how much they really pay in taxes. And that is by design. The politicians and bureaucrats do not want us to know.
Responsibility and Accountability Part 5: Voter Responsibility and Accountability
This is Part 5 of a series on accountability and responsibility. This part looks at the voters and to whom they are accountable. As the graphic from My Comic Shop shows, voters are accountable to themselves.
Responsibility and Accountability Part 4: The Judiciary and Accountability
This is Part 4 of a series on accountability and responsibility. As the graphic shows, the two should work together, but can but can get jammed. But often the two are divorced, or at least separated, in this case, by Judicial Review and life-time appointments.
Responsibility and Accountability Part 3: The Bureaucracy and Accountability
This is Part 3 of a series on accountability and responsibility. As the graphic shows, the two should work together, but can but can get jammed.
Responsibility and Accountability Part 2: Congress and Accountability
This is Part 2 of a series on accountability and responsibility. As the graphic shows, the two should work together, but can get jammed.
Responsibility and Accountability Part 1: Command, Control, and Customer Service Vignette
This is Part 1 of a series on accountability and responsibility. As the graphic shows, the two should work together. But often the two are divorced, or at least separated.
COEXIST, Part 5: Wrap-up
This is part five of the Coexist series. It wraps up the series started in Part 1. It also provides a framework for assessing these groups and their actions.
COEXIST, Part 4: Hamas case Study
This part four of the Coexist series. It explores the Hamas case study introduced in Part 1. It builds on the analysis in Part 2 and Part 3.
COEXIST, Part 3 The Exploiters and Influencers
This is part three of the Coexist series. It explores the exploiters and influencers introduced in Part 1.
COEXIST, Part 2: Believers
This is part 2 of the series on Coexist. It explores the believers group discussed in Part 1. This part will look in more detail at the believers’ group of the Coexist set and assess their impact on Domestic Tranquility and National Security.
COEXIST, Part 1: Framing the Issue
I frequently see cars with the “Coexist” bumper sticker. When I see them, I often wonder about the person who put the bumper sticker on their car. Why? Are they true believers or virtue signalers? When situations get complicated like that of Israel and Hamas, how will they act? This article, part 1 of 5, provides an introduction and frames the issues.
Truth is the First Casualty of…Unchecked Power
Three years after the US’s catastrophic run from Afghanistan, most Americans have no clue what happened. No one has stood up and taken responsibility. Five years after the killings that triggered Black Lives Matter (BLM) most Americans do not really understand what happened and the surrounding circumstances. Even more recently, most of us do not …
The D in DIE
Diversification in a society or organization is like portfolio management. Societies and organizations seek diversity to engender new ideas and approaches.
The I in DIE: Death of Meritocracy
Scene from a coaches conference two weeks before the college national championship game. Coach: You know our starters got us here, but it’s not fair they’ve played every game and we haven’t played many players in the program. I think bringing in the Freshman team for the game will give them some great experience and …
The E in DIE
Social justice groups use the figure above as a meme to show the DIE (Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity) movement to illustrate equity. If all we are discussing is these three people, then it may make some sense. But there is a broader picture than the three spectators. The stadium owners, the paying fans, and the …
Can a Free Republic be a Superpower: Part 4 Toxic Debt
Toxic Debt threatens not only the ability to be a superpower, but our entire way of life.
Republic versus Superpower Part 3: Operational Security, Transparency, and Security
When I looked at the question, Can a Free Republic be a Superpower?, the conflict between transparency and security troubled me. I set the series aside for a bit and was reminded of it when I wrote a post on LinkedIn, Truth is the First Casualty of War. This is Part 3, and it …
Can a Free Republic be a Superpower: Part 2b: Superpower or Sleeping Giant?
Japanese Admiral Yamamoto reportedly said, “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.”