Sharing Thoughts and Ideas - 2019 and newer

  Time to Choose Between Truth or Tribe – Freedom or Autocracy Rick Olson March 18, 2024 In this year’s elections, we will have the chance to vote for a multi-racial democracy or risk losing our democracy altogether. We cherish our rights to say what we want, see and hear what we want on whatever media we want, to believe and practice (or not) any religion we want, to go wherever and whenever we want, to love and marry whomever we want, to meet and gather with whomever, whenever and wherever we want. But these rights mean nothing unless they can be enforced – by the rule of law. I learned back in the 70’s from the JC’s that we were “A nation of laws and not of men.” This means that decisions about these rights are made based on laws, not on the whims of individual authoritarians or even growing pressure groups. I can’t stay silent. Can you? First, for democracies to survive, losers of election must respect the outcome of free and fair elections - win or lose. 65% of Re...

  New Bold Viewpoint on Our Future By Rick Olson, 320-248-9933, olson48176@gmail.com I am a former Republican who once thought of himself as a conservative. I even compiled a conservative voting record while serving in the Michigan legislature. So, what I am about to tell you may surprise you as several of the recommendations would clearly be labeled “liberal” or perhaps even “progressive”, but this is where I have ended up by following the facts. We have many serious issues/problems that need solutions. We are not hearing about them in the Biden vs. Trump discussions, as the issue is whether you are for or against Trump, not whether you are for or against policy proposals. That is why the possibility of Dean Phillips joining the Democratic primary race for President interested me. Might we see a “New Bold Viewpoint on Our Future”? Below are some of the issues that will drastically affect you, your kids’ and your grandkids’ future that might be addressed if we follow the f...