From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.D. With all the political fighting in our nation, I feel Willie and Waylon need to rerelease their hit song about Luckenbach, Texas, with a new chorus that says we are feuding like the Democratsand Republicans. In fact, it seems as though political affiliation or left or right … Continue reading A History of American Political Parties, Part I: Classical Liberalism, Conservatism →

From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.D. As I prepare to hit the half-century mark next year, certain things are starting to change. Doctor appointments are much longer than they used to be, and I now take many more pills. Trying to guard undergraduates on the basketball court is proving impossible.The other day I … Continue reading An Annotated History of Pensions →

Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.D. New songs stirring the pot and getting people worked up is nothing new, but every so often a song comes out that stirs the pot in the opposite direction. Most times when musical artists get in trouble over their lyrics it is because they are pushing the boundaries of … Continue reading Aldean might be proud to be an Okie from Muskogee →

Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.D. In 1968, the incumbent president Lyndon B. Johnson seemed a shoo-in as the Democratic candidate for president. Even with falling approval ratings, he was strong enough to keep a tight grip on his party -- or so he thought. As formidable as Johnson was, there was one name he … Continue reading With Robert Kennedy Jr., it’s ‘like father, like son’ →

Southwest Ledger By News Staff on Monday, August 14, 2023 By James Finck, Ph. D. Once again news coverage is swamped with allegations of Trump’s criminal activities.  This time he is accused of trying to overthrow the last election and retain power. If true, then it is a serious attack on the very fabric of our democracy. … Continue reading Box 13 and Fraudulent Elections →