Tag: politics

The Unintended Consequences of Attacking Higher Education

From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.d. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 One of the lessons I try to teach my students through history is the idea of unintended consequences. A good example comes from the presidency of Andrew Jackson, who had a deep hatred of banks, especially the Second Bank of the United … Continue reading The Unintended Consequences of Attacking Higher Education →

1776 wasn’t just about independence

From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Mar 13, 2026 There is no argument that 1776 was a revolutionary year. The political ideas coming out of the American Revolution changed how people viewed government and inspired change around the world that continues to the present. It is easy to focus on those political changes … Continue reading 1776 wasn’t just about independence →

Iran at a crossroads: Democracy, monarchy, and the lessons of the 1950s

From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Mar 8, 2026 Watching the news unfold about the attack on Iran, I find myself both excited and confused. The excitement is easy to understand; there is the possibility of either a good, or even a very good outcome. A “good” outcome would be to damage Iran’s … Continue reading Iran at a crossroads: Democracy, monarchy, and the lessons of the 1950s →

Constitution 101: The Borrowing Clause

From the Lawton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Mar 1, 2026 When our Founders drafted the Constitution, they envisioned three branches of government with equal strength, balanced by a system of checks and balances. Yet they clearly leaned toward strengthening Congress. Article I, Section 8, which outlines the powers of Congress, is, by far, the … Continue reading Constitution 101: The Borrowing Clause →

Nationalism, Patriotism, and the Politics of Identity

From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.d. February 25, 2026 During our recent political difficulties, it has become increasingly hard to keep up with the lingo—especially the labels. For example, what’s the difference between a colonialist and an imperialist? Are they different? Does it matter? Maybe not, but it’s still nice to know what … Continue reading Nationalism, Patriotism, and the Politics of Identity →

Constitution 101: General Welfare Clause

From the Layton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Feb 10, 2026 One of the primary goals of our Founders in writing the Constitution was to limit governmental authority. While they recognized the need for a stronger federal government, they also deeply feared it. To help protect the nation, they created a system that limited the … Continue reading Constitution 101: General Welfare Clause →

The Tree of Liberty and the cost of Revolution

From the Layton Constitution “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” This famous line, attributed to Thomas Jefferson, has returned to public discourse amid protests against ICE and Donald Trump. It is not usually spoken by elected leaders, who understandably avoid revolutionary language, but … Continue reading The Tree of Liberty and the cost of Revolution →

The Long Shadow of the Monroe Doctrine

From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.d. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 When it comes to the situation in Venezuela, President Trump made an interesting comment: “If any South American country misbehaves toward any European country let the European country spank it.” While this certainly sounds like something Trump might say the quote actually … Continue reading The Long Shadow of the Monroe Doctrine →

Understanding Associated Risks in an Era of Protest

From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.d. , January 27, 2026 I remember attending a training session in college that included a presentation on sexual assault. At one point, the speaker advised women to be cautious about accepting drinks or drinking too much at parties. Some female students became upset and asked why women … Continue reading Understanding Associated Risks in an Era of Protest →