There are two numbers I’ve been reflecting on this month: $2.1 billion and $373.3 billion. One of these is the total amount raised by the Trump and Clinton campaigns in the last election cycle. One is the amount of charitable contributions during 2015, a record-setting year. Can you guess which is which? You may be surprised to learn that the smaller amount - $2.1 billion - … [Read more...]
Sociopathology of free market capitalism
By Dr. Bryan Van Gorp The very concept of capitalism, as the word implies empowers capital. It is not interested in social issues, sustainability, or truth. It only has one value and that is increasing wealth. Wealth is generated by extraction of natural resources and extraction of labor from people without capital. Natural beauty, unused resources, individual lives, justice … [Read more...]
Devil’s advocate… An introduction
Hello, Fillmore County Journal readers. My name is Aaron Bishop. For some months, I have wanted to begin discussions on matters facing our communities, our state, our nation, and our world. It was suggested to me that I do this by writing in the newspaper. So here I am. Before delving into topics, I would like to introduce myself. I graduated high school in Harmony from … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Our community, our youth, and our Veterans
This past week, on Veterans Day, my wife and I attended the Veterans Day program at 1 p.m. at the Fillmore Central Elementary School in Preston. We both had the honor of observing something special. As the Fillmore Central students from second grade through sixth grade gathered in the large gymnasium of the school, they were blessed with the presence of the color guard … [Read more...]
Thanks-Giving unto others
So I’ve got the Thanksgiving column again, eh? Well, I’ve already gone to the well one too many times on the “what I’m thankful for” gambit, so I’m afraid you’re not going to hear any stories about my beautiful, two-year-old daughter this time around. Okay, just one: her latest thing is to walk around the house, wobbling side to side and showing us how a penguin walks, all … [Read more...]
Letter about Preston Mural…
To the Editor, What a great article by Hannah Wingert, “Fillmore Central Kids Help Paint Preston Mural,” on the front page of the Nov. 7 Fillmore County Journal. Wingert reports about Preston’s mural project including the mural vision, the design process, materials used, and the three mural painting studios held for the public and students. The article describes an art … [Read more...]
President-elect Trump
Pollsters got it wrong, political professionals got it wrong. What a shock. The people have spoken. They made clear their disgust with Washington and the status quo and voted instead for uncertainty. Social media has changed the campaign landscape. Trump, the salesman, used digital communication to his benefit. Donald Trump will be the first American president with no … [Read more...]
Letter about Greg Davids…
To the Editor, Hello Greg. You might remember me as a kid, my parents are Garry and Becky Schmidt from Wykoff. They have been supporters of you for many years and have always been loyal to you. As have I since my first time voting, I am now 34. My wife and I voted for you again in this election, though this year I had my reservations. The tire plant is old news so I won’t … [Read more...]
It’s over… the election, that is
On election eve, while typical liberal national media TV anchors abhorred the proposterous notion that Donald Trump could win the road to the White House, the U.S. map was painted with a broad brush of the color red. Pundits and pollsters didn’t see this coming. All analytics indicated Hillary would be heir to the thrown. In Minnesota, of the 4,120 precincts throughout … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project: I’m not afraid to talk about what everyone else finds too inappropriate
What if I told you that there is an epidemic spreading across our entire world? What if I said that one of the most public health issues our society is facing today is readily available in every home, but few people are educated on how bad it is? What if I told you that there is science and research proving that this problem is at the root of affecting human lives and … [Read more...]