The Populist

Hello and welcome to The Populist.

For some time now I’ve debated and discussed various political topics with friends and family from across the United States.  I’ve had the pleasure of engaging in lively discussion with liberals, conservatives (both traditional and neo), libertarians, and progressives.  Not surprisingly, the old adage about opinions is true; everyone’s got one.  The problem is, many opinions today have little basis in fact.  We all have beliefs we carry along with us in life.  Some of these are based on faith, others on values we were taught as children.  Sadly, more than a few of us don’t allow these beliefs to grow and evolve, even in the face of new evidence.  We find it nearly impossible to look at the world differently because we keep clinging to the idea that this is how the world is supposed to be, or worse, that this is just “the way it is”.  I would like this blog to be a place where we might change that outlook.

To say we live in politically charged times is an insult to understatement.  Our courageous fighting men and women fight for freedoms abroad while we continue to lose freedoms at home.  Our hard-working families in the U.S. are losing their pensions, their health care, and struggling to keep up in a system that continues to squeeze the middle class.  The executive branch of our government has been gifted with unprecedented powers and created a personality cult bent on proving that, over time, absolute power will corrupt absolutely.   Now, more than ever, we cannot lose sight of our responsibilities as citizens of this nation and this world.  We’ve heard time and again over the past six years that “Freedom isn’t free”.  I believe this with all my mind and heart.  If we don’t get informed as individuals and stand up for what we know to be truth,  we could very easily lose that freedom and ensure tyranny for future generations.

The Populist blog was conceived with one idea in mind; to educate and inform individuals about current events and the political process.  It is designed to be a forum for discussion, debate, and learning.  Without the exchange of ideas and information we cannot grow as intelligent, thoughtful, self-examined beings.  To this end, I strongly encourage comments to anything and everything you read on this blog.  I will always put forth my opinion, but I’ll do my level best to support it with hard facts.  If you disagree, please let me know. I love to learn.  I would, however, encourage you – for your own education and enlightenment – to back up your opinions with facts as well.

Welcome, again, to The Populist.  Get Informed.