New York City is a prime example of what could go wrong during a pandemic. Political leaders were late in recognizing the problem and years of neglect and misdirection of funds left many hospitals ill-equipped to deal with the multiple problems. The doctors and nurses often worked under difficult and contradictory conditions and guidelines. While some errors can be excused, several decisions led to higher than necessary deaths and the question is whether the politicians, administrators, bureaucrats and medical profession will learn from the crisis and be better prepared the next time. https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-new-yorks-coronavirus-response-made-the-pandemic-worse-11591908426?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=1

It is dangerous to draw parallels in history, but there are certain trends and facts that seem to run through history. In this excellent interview from the Wall Street Journal of Gary Saul Morson, a professor of Russian history at Northwestern University, he points out the role of the “intelligentsia” during the Russian Revolution and in today’s protests. The concept of “the right side of history” or “an idea whose time has come” is believed by the highly educated who see themselves as the movers of history, the only ones able to lead the lower classes. They believe they are the movers because they are the “intellectuals” and “know” what is best. For over 50 years we have been governed, since the Kennedy Administration by the “best and the brightest” and we have gotten to a point where Freedom of Speech has become passe on the liberal left. https://www.wsj.com/articles/violent-protest-and-the-intelligentsia-11591400422?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=1

Hopefully, we have turned the corner on the current pandemic in the sense that we are beginning to deal with it on a realistic basis; one which will allow us to get back to a greater or lesser extent of “normality”.  But what have we learned from this latest challenge in our lives?  Let us look at some lessons which hopefully, shall help us have a better life in the future.

During the past decade we have seen a deterioration not only in our political discourse, but also in our sense of the validity of our election process. Demands for recounts, legal action in response to an election, claims of voter suppression, international conspiracies, changes in the Electoral College and more have made many Americans tired and disillusioned with the election process. The politicians seem to look for ways to get around election results which reject them and their programs. It was suggested to Richard Nixon after his loss to JFK that he demand legal action due to the late results from Illinois which all but cost him the Presidency, but Nixon refused because of the harm he believed such action would cause the country. Today’s politicians do not seem to have such qualms or concerns about the moral fiber of the country. The attached article, while pointing out the actions of one political party should make us think of the cost to all of us when politicians of any party seem to lack faith and confidence in our Constitution and our political process. We need to demand that politicians of either party put the welfare of our nation above their own personal quest for power. The first step in such a movement though is for each of us to accept that our side may not always win, that we may not always agree with the political agenda of the winner or agree with the winner’s policies or personality and get on with life. Fortunately there is another election in just a few months! If you do not agree with the outcome of an election, don’t pout and stamp your foot, but work with a sense of purpose and dignity to insure that your candidate and agenda will be viewed as better for the nation as a whole. As you read the article, forget the party being cited and instead think of the impact of actions like those cited have on our sense of national identity and unity. They should make you cringe. No one likes to lose, but we need to restore a sense of dignity and belief in our electoral process.

John Locke in his Second Treatise of Civil Government wrote: “The Legislative cannot transfer the Power of Making Laws to any other hands. For ti being but a delegated Power from the People, they, who have it, cannot pass it over to others..” Yet today, Congress routinely passes laws giving wide discretionary powers to numerous Federal agencies with little or no oversight. As a result, the Federal Courts often end up providing oversight of the agencies as law suits are filed by those negatively impacted by the rules and enforcement of same rules by quasi-independent agencies.

This excellent review of Judicial Fortitude: The Last Chance to Rule in the Administrative State by Peter J. Wallison should make you wonder why Congress has given up it’s power to unnamed bureaucrats. Is it because actually doing their job might be a bit too difficult? Are they that lazy? And, why do we as a people in our Republic allow it to continue? https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/full-court-press/

Mark Twain one said, “Rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated”. From this excellent article by Craig S. Lerner in the Claremont Review of Books, it would appear that the rumor of the the death of the death penalty are also greatly exaggerated. Is there a role for the death penalty in the 21st century? Is it revenge or barbaric or a statement of the ultimately belief in the value of human life and an orderly society?

This article is important not only because of what he has found about Coronavirus, but also because it points out that he has found over 200 scientific biases that are common in “scientific” studies. An article that may impact how you view major scientific announcements in the future. https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-bearer-of-good-coronavirus-news-11587746176?mod=opinion_lead_pos5

The question is real and can have a dramatic impact on our Constitutional Rights, on how our tax dollars are being spent and on how we will confront the next virus or disease. Critical thinking is required for a successful life and if you fail to listen to this short video (less than 18 minutes), you will be seriously short changing your future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5wn1qs_bBk&fbclid=IwAR0NYzCf9EVwkyOmuc4k-E6o2Br3siWo7cylc08VcXtqkjhB86UhQvpIX3w

What is beauty and how would you define it? Is it subjective or does it have an objective element? Is it something you can easily forget or can it represent something higher within us? What motivates an individual or society to create something of beauty? This excellent video discusses the role of beauty in our life and examines the cost of downgrading the definition of beauty and art. I hope you enjoy it and that it will make a small bit of difference in your life.

There is an old saying that every cloud has a silver lining and this article from The Federalist is an example of that truism. Many parents are seeing for the first time what exactly is being taught to their children and they are often shocked. Instead of teaching an eleven year old the old “3Rs” (none of which seem to be taught all that successfully) this example of schooling covers diversity, equality, critical race theory, cultural appropriation, and more. Parents may begin to take a second look and take more interest in their children’s education. The growth of charter schools is fueled by concerned parents looking for viable educational options for their children. The virus may provide consequence that could not have been imagined just a few weeks ago. If you have children, or grandchildren, this article is worth a quick read. https://tinyurl.com/v2zdjdu