Articles written by Tom Koecke

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About me - Tom Koecke

With thirty years experience in consumer finance, having raised two daughters as a single father, and trying desperately to get through my second childhood, I bring two things to the table when I write: an overload of experience, and a sense of humor!

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Religion & Spirituality > Self-Healing The key ingredients for grasping a second chance in life: 1 of 199

Everyone has some sort of plan for his or her life. Some people follow childhood dreams they never abandon, other people seek opportunities as they arise, and still others will retain jobs with little career opportunity. Even those who have nothing, do not work, and do not seek work, have the plan in life to do the least nee...
Politics, News & Issues > Political & Economic Theory Minimum wage: Is it fair?: 1 of 37

The concept of minimum wage is to protect unskilled employees from employers who might not otherwise pay that amount. It was established so that workers would be paid enough to have a chance to survive. The federal minimum wage is $5.85 per hour. Many states have minimum wage laws that require employers to pay more than the ...
Society & Lifestyle > Personal Morals & Values Honesty is the best policy: 1 of 27

It is a shame that words change so much in meaning over time that we do not recognize that which we recite from rote, and which has such a nice marketing ring to it, without knowing what we are saying. In a world in which 'hot' means 'cool,' and both really mean 'popular,' there is probably not much thought given to the corr...
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Inner struggles: 25 of 498

Principled guards fidget again. Conscience beckoned from deep within. Natures coming into sight. Is right best? Is best right? Guards stay fast hiding fright, No match they know for nature's might. Conscience strength is what they need, Or upon the guards, the beasts will feed. Natures howl, growl, snarl and roar. Guards une...
Politics, News & Issues > Political & Economic Theory The concept of justice: 2 of 39

"Nothing is to be preferred before justice." - Socrates Justice is a concept that is difficult to consider objectively, and far more difficult to apply objectively. We are hindered by our perceptions and prejudices to consider justice applying to those we hate, disregard, or consider unworthy. It is because of our subjective...
Politics, News & Issues > Economic News How bad is the world's economy in 2008?: 1 of 19

The world's economy is really the compilation of many economies. As such, there is no trade deficit or surplus because one country's deficit is offset by its trading partner's surplus. Trade, however, is still important to consider in that it represents depletion of resources from a country or region. Both the depletion and ...
Sciences > Sciences (Other) Visualizing infinity: 1 of 18

"This is some kind of joke," I thought to myself as I approached the check-in counter at the Infinity Hotel because it seemed that was the only part of it that existed. If it weren't real, though, surely I would have seen disgruntled people leaving, but the seemingly endless line had just kept moving. I approached the man be...
Arts & Humanities > 20th & 21st Century US History The assassination of J. F. Kennedy: 1 of 17

The weather was warmer than expected in Dallas on Friday, November 22, 1963. It would likely have been comfortable for most people from Northern states to put the convertible top down. John F. Kennedy might even have mentioned it during his luncheon speech, if he had made it. However, shortly after turning onto Elm Street in...
Politics, News & Issues > Economic News 2008 economic stimulus package: The hype and the truth: 1 of 15

On February 13, 2008, President Bush signed into law the $168 billion bi-partisan economic stimulus package sent to him by Congress. One part of the three-part package will give tax rebate checks ranging from $300 to $600 per taxpayer, plus $300 for each dependent child in the household. The rebates are limited to individual...
Society & Lifestyle > African-American Issues Was Martin Luther King, Jr. or Malcolm X a better leader for civil rights for blacks?: 1 of 14

When we think of the injustices Dr. King suffered for the cause of equality, it does not compare with the injustices Malcolm X endured simply because he was black. Both Dr. King and Malcolm X spent time in jail. Dr. King was jailed for organizing civil rights protests. He was fairly well known, which lent his face to injusti...