Articles written by Jeff Brooks

Where Knowledge Rules

What is Helium

About me - Jeff Brooks

I am a homeschooling father of four. After 15 years of military and defense contract work, I have moved my focus to what's most important - my family.

I read - everything. I love history, philosophy and politics. I love to debate (my wife calls it argue).

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Society & Lifestyle > Family Values Manners and morals of today's children and teens: 2 of 74
I was born and raised in a military environment by a very Edwardian father and Victorian mother. Manners and etiquette were the order of the day, particularly regarding the relationships between children and adults. I spent most of my summers with my father's parents. They had come to Texas, as children, from Virginia. Thoug... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Comparative Religion Do Muslims, Christians and Jews worship the same God?: 2 of 24
There is no doubt that Jews, Muslims and Christians all worship the same God - the God of Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac and Jacob. The major differences in the faiths is their understand of the nature of God and their general perceptions of Him. Without an actual, physical and regular interaction with God Himself, most of us under... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Economic Values Minimum wage: Is it fair?: 11 of 54
The very existence of the minimum wage is not fair. It is not fair to wage-earners. It is not fair to consumers. It is not fair to small business. The federally legislated minimum wage has given wage-earners a false sense of value for labor. Many have settled for much less than they deserve; some have gotten more than they w... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics, News & Issues (Other) Are immigration and the loss of American jobs connected: 11 of 45
Illegal immigration and the loss of American jobs are directly connected by strangle hold that the federal government has on agriculture and industry through employment regulation. Too many Americans are under the mistaken assumption that we operate under a free market and that any company the makes a profit is "greedy". The... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Party Politics & Ideology Choosing a political party: 10 of 38
Voting based solely on political party affiliation is devastating to our system. Before you start comparing party rhetoric, understand our founding documents, current laws and issues and determine your own point of view. We need competent voters who will hold elected official's feet to the fire regardless of what party they ... More..
Education > Homeschooling Best homeschooling practices: 5 of 18
There can be no proper schooling without home schooling. Education must not only begin at home, but it must be rooted there. Parents are ultimately responsible for the education of their children. Many of the breakdowns in our public system of education are a result of that responsibility being transferred to the school. The... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics, News & Issues (Other) Can democracy survive in a politically correct world?: 8 of 27
Democracy cannot survive in an environment in which people do not engage in honest dialog about the issues facing them. To the extent that political correctness impedes open communication, it damages the continued execution of public policy through democratic means. We must be able to discuss our differences as well as our s... More..
Autos > Motorcycles & Scooters How to tell if riding a motorcycle is for you: 6 of 19
Motorcycling is growing in popularity in many circles for a variety of reasons. People of all ages are being attracted to motorcycles. Some just for the sport of it, others for the economics. If it sounds like something you would be interested in there are a few things to consider before laying out the cash for a brand new $... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political & Economic Theory Understanding democracy: 24 of 72
While the United States has never been a 'pure' democracy, it's republican form of government was certainly founded on democratic principles. The Declaration of Independence lays out some of the guiding ideals that make democracy work. Anyone who has studied it will know that "we hold these truths to be self evident, that al... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political & Economic Theory The tyranny of democracy: 5 of 12
Tyranny, in any form, is always the number one enemy of liberty. The tyranny of a majority is in many ways worse than the that of a single ruler. The great experiment of American democracy framed in its Constitution some key factors aimed at preventing abuses of mob rule. It was not perfect, nor was it thought to be even by ... More..