An Opinion

Cheating in High Schools and Colleges

We hear a lot about corporate and government ethical challenges. But, seldom do we get facts about the ethical lapses in our high schools and institutions of higher learning. The facts are not good at all – in fact they are stunning!

The Law Is the Law???

Several weeks ago, you may recall, my column dealt with illegal immigrants. At the heart of the story was my Uncle Robert McMillan, a Canadian citizen. Some 70 years ago, he was thrown out of the United States because he was working here illegally. After writing this piece, I received emails thanking me for supporting the law – even though the enforcement directly impacted on my family. One person, however, took issue with my support for law enforcement.

Where Is Al Gore?

Again, let me state that I am not a scientist. But, when I do these columns each week, I try to be as factual as possible. As we have faced the coldest winter, for an extended period of time, in Florida, I could not help think about the issue of “Global Warming.”

The Solutions Will Exit the Closet Again

With the price for a gallon of gasoline going to $3 a gallon or even higher, the politicians will bring solutions out of the closet for debate. Nothing is ever done, but the debate will take place until prices go down.

Communications Have Come a Long Way

The first way people communicated, over any distance, was yelling as loud as possible. That meant people could keep in touch even a half mile or so away. At about the same time, drums were used to send signals a little further than yelling. Since those days, several thousand years ago, we have come a long way. For some reason communicating has always been important to me.

The Future for Healthcare Reform

For over one year, the president, his staff, and the Congress have had a focus on healthcare and the uninsured – not the escalating unemployment statistics. Why? I have not been able to understand the president’s priorities. And beyond understanding priorities, the public was dazed and confused by the healthcare efforts.

State Budget in New York

First, the good news – New York is not in as bad shape as California. From there, it is all downhill. Take a look at some of the facts as the Legislature and Governor Paterson try to work out the details.

A Discussion Over Lunch

A few weeks ago while in Florida, I played a round of golf with three others. While I will not reveal my score, our luncheon, after the golf, was very interesting. While the discussion centered on current issues, it was not a political meeting nor was it partisan. It was all about where we are as a nation with nothing about who controls the Presidency or the Congress.

Increasing Email Volume

In the United States, first-class mail volume has dropped over 12 percent since 2001. And the drop in volume has nothing to do with the economy. It is all about emails.

Actually the lesser volume goes beyond the greater dependence on emails. Now, the paying of bills, the receipt of bills, and even bank financial statements can all be done through electronics. We are fast becoming “paperless.”

Frustration Over Today’s Issues

Over the last two and one half years, I have often said to myself, “Thank God I have this column to write.”