Home of Today's Common Sense

Published Brownsville Herald Decamber 30, 2007

2007 has come and is on its way out and will usher in what could be one of the most pivotal years in our history. Our nation is more deeply divided than it has been since the Civil War by some of the same things that were in dispute then. 

The issue of whether the people should have some control over their own lives or whether the government should decide the future for them is still very much alive. Both of the major political parties want to decide what folks make and how much income they can take home from their work. The government wants to dictate the social norms as well by advancing the “Religion of the State”. They have dictated that no Religious icons should be seen in “the public square” during festive times of the year, the concept of a “Higher Power” should not be discussed in educational institutions and on and on. Only the “Religion of the State” is to be discussed publically.  More »

 Published Brownsville Herald December 9, 2007

A year ago, on December 17, 2006 , my Christmas article, hoping for a “Miracle” of the Season was published in the Brownsville Herald. The Christmas party I described, impressed me with opportunities for a number of our community leaders and new County Judge Cascos, to break the gridlock of personal power obsessions, and long standing political animosities. I hoped would get some of the reforms needed by “the folks”, accomplished. I had a genuine possibility that the spirit of the season would actually encourage  “Good Will” toward our neighbors that might support the real changes at PUB and  the “Unity” that would be needed to accomplish the peoples’ work in the city and county.  “The folks” did their job by voting in higher than normal numbers and effected the political change that was advertised as the solution for the city. The actual result has been anything but unifying; the Utility Connection Fees, one of the most touted issues during the election still have not been dealt with and any change seems to be getting more distant; the PUB itself is becoming less and less stable in staff and operation. My PUB bill has a different monthly pay schedule with each billing. I appreciate the lower rates but cannot get away from the feeling that it will all come crashing down. I wonder where the money came from when we were supposedly losing thousands in debt costs and lost connection fee opportunities. While all of this is “not going on” our city leaders seem to be lost in jousting for personal advantage and one-upmanship. The personal priorities have taken precedence over the good of the community.  More »