From Southwest Ledger There are many like me who may be a bit confused about tariffs. In theory, tariffs, taxes on imported goods, seem like something I would support. After all, if nothing else, I am pro-America. And anything that gives Americans a leg up, I support. Now, if we can send aid to others, … Continue reading Tariffs May Support America, But At What Cost?
Category: Historically Speaking
To What Degree Should Judicial Review Extend to the Executive Branch?
From Southwest Ledger So far in President Trump’s short second term his greatest adversary has been the judicial branch. Some of his programs have been blocked by federal judges while others already have been overturned. This is nothing new. No matter which party the president has been there always seems to be a judge somewhere … Continue reading To What Degree Should Judicial Review Extend to the Executive Branch?
Constitution 101: Senate Impeachment Clause
From Southwest Ledger A primary goal of the Founders was to protect the people from a strong federal government. They accomplished this with a series of checks and balances where all three branches received relatively equal strength and gave each branch the ability to check each other’s powers. As an additional check on the power … Continue reading Constitution 101: Senate Impeachment Clause
Alien Enemies Act
Every day in my American Civ class I begin the morning asking if anyone has any questions, not just about what we studied the day before, but about what is going on in the world. I believe the purpose of this class is to study the past to explain the present. Some classes are better … Continue reading Alien Enemies Act
Reviewing Tony Horwitz’s ‘Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid That Sparked the Civil War’
From Southwest Ledger Possibly the most misunderstood and controversial character of the Civil War is John Brown. As a child growing up in Virginia, I was taught that Brown was the enemy; a religious fanatic who was bent on violence to stop Virginia’s way of life by any means necessary. It was almost the same … Continue reading Reviewing Tony Horwitz’s ‘Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid That Sparked the Civil War’
Will America’s Foreign Policy Remain Cyclical Under Trump 2.0?
From Southwest Ledger Possibly the biggest story of the past week is our involvement with Ukraine. Most Americans’ opinion of President Trump’s handling of the situation probably has as much to do with their opinion of foreign assistance as it does with the way Trump handled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In weighing in on this … Continue reading Will America’s Foreign Policy Remain Cyclical Under Trump 2.0?
Remembering Gene Hackman
With the sad and tragic story emerging of how Gene Hackman died, it is worth taking a moment to remember the joy he brought the world. To make one or two really good movies is rare, but to make as many as Hackman did is special especially when one of them is so iconic. Of … Continue reading Remembering Gene Hackman
Constitution 101: Senate Leadership Clauses
From Southwest Ledger Have you ever considered what the vice president does all day? My guess is probably not, but the framers of Constitution did. When they got to the point where they considered a vice president, his only role was as a backup president — a spare, so to speak.Originally, he had no actual … Continue reading Constitution 101: Senate Leadership Clauses
DOGE Underscores Gradual Power Shift Between Legislative, Executive Branches
From Southwest Ledger This may be the most difficult column I have ever written. When it comes to the Department of Government Efficiency, I really have no idea what’s going on. How is that for an opener? What makes me feel better is I don’t think anyone else really has an idea of what is … Continue reading DOGE Underscores Gradual Power Shift Between Legislative, Executive Branches
Controversy over Cabinet Secretary Choices is Nothing New in American History
From Southwest Ledger Amongst the many perceived controversies of Donald Trump’s second term as U.S. president are some of his choices for cabinet secretaries. Of the 15 secretary positions, so far 11 have been confirmed by the Senate including controversial nominees like Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense and Robert Kennedy Jr. for Health and … Continue reading Controversy over Cabinet Secretary Choices is Nothing New in American History
Historically Speaking 