Articles written by Rick Fontes - Page 4

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About me - Rick Fontes

A photographer by trade, specializing in child portraiture. A curmudgeon by inclination and, I suppose, a frustrated philosopher of sorts.

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Politics, News & Issues > Political Issues Public agenda vs. True agenda: 1 of 2
It is widely believed that governments, at all levels, are prone to bend the truth in order to further their agendas. I question whether any governing body can be totally candid when dealing with its constituency and, at the same time, be effective in reaching its goals. Every organization has a stated agenda; a reason to ex... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political & Economic Theory Socialism: A paradigm shift for America: 1 of 2
The path that a nation travels throughout its history cannot be described as a smooth, even line. It is more like the movement of the earth's tectonic plates. Long periods of seeming rest while pressures for change build up, followed by momentous events that alter the course of the nation in one direction or another. This na... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Terrorism The upcoming terrorist trial in New York: 1 of 2
The next 'Trial of the Century' is standing in the wings. President Obama, acting through his attorney-general, Eric Holder, has decided to extend American civil justice into areas in which it has never before appeared. By trying Khalid Sheikh Mohhamed, et al, as common criminals, in civil court, Mr. Obama will be charting n... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political & Economic Theory The negative effects of sales tax: 1 of 2
The negative effects of sales tax and, indeed, the negative effect of any sort of taxation is more emotional than it is pecuniary. Taxes are a necessary evil in any civil society. No thinking person would want government to be funded by having it compete in the market place producing and selling goods and services. In order ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Government & Policies How should the government spend your tax dollars: What is "pork" and what is not?: 1 of 1
Assuming the "government" referred to is the Federal government, the answer is a no-brainer. The only way the Federal Government should spend tax dollars, or for that matter any dollars accruing to it, is in pursuit of activities approved by by the Legislative branch which fall within the constricts of article one, section e... More..
Health & Fitness > Nutrition (Other) Is it time for a new approach for the MSG industry?: 1 of 1
The MSG controversy wages hot and heavy on both sides. Do an on-line search for monosodium glutamate and you will find countless references both pro and con. The industry claims that all the reports of deleterious effects are merely anecdotal. It is their position that there are no credible test results proving a link betwee... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political Issues Are we [Americans] collectively dumb as a nation?: 26 of 51
Collectively dumb? No. Complacent,Yes. To a great degree morally lazy and spiritually lacking but not stupid. The emperors dictum in ancient Rome was "give the people bread and circuses and we can rule them as we please". So long as we are willing to be distracted by the latest gadget or the hottest entertainment venue our s... More..
Politics, News & Issues > War in Iraq Analyzing the war on Iraq: Justified or not: 85 of 162
Enough already. Words mean things. Or at least they are supposed to. War on terror. War on drugs. War on poverty. The word "war" used to have a specific meaning. A war used to be a conflict between two or more opposing sides having approximately equal strength and resources. The Vikings, the Huns, the Golden Horde didn't wag... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Economy Should we replace our tax law with a flat tax or a national sales tax?: 9 of 16
The question has three parts: should we have a national sales tax, a flat tax or keep the system currently in place? I believe the national sales tax approach would be, as the title of HR 25 implies, a fair way to collect the revenue needed to fund government. I have, as have many of you, read arguments for and against each ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Elections Archives Does Ron Paul have a chance in the Republican primaries?: 8 of 14
That Ron Paul is unelectable is almost a given. No one wants a person of his ideology occupying the highest office in the land. No one, that is, except a large and growing segment of the American people who are fed up with being systematically excluded from the process of governance. Ron Paul's greatest failing is that he re... More..