Social media does strange things to us. While it promotes communication, it can stifle meaningful conversation. Folks like to post brief shallow thoughts to virtue signal or leave quick messages of agreement or disagreement in the comments, but seldom is there meaningful conversation that develops understanding or empathy. Recently on Facebook, I read a lengthy … Continue reading
We’re in about our fourth week of social distancing to slow the spread and “flatten the curve” of this pandemic. We’re all hoping it ends when the calendar turns to May or shortly thereafter, but we don’t really know. So far, 20,000 Americans have lost their lives and over 16 million have lost their jobs. … Continue reading
Incumbent: Kay Hagan (D) Context: Kay Hagan was first elected in 2008 when anti-Republican sentiment swayed North Carolina to vote for Barack Obama. Since being elected, she has voted for Obamacare, which has led to 473,000 North Carolinians having their plans canceled. North Carolina has also experienced higher rate hikes than any other state. She is more … Continue reading
Follow @Ryan_Kantor Thursday, December 5th, fast food workers at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. walked off the job to protest for a higher minimum wage. They are pushing politicians to more than double the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15.00. Democratic lawmakers are in turn pushing President Obama to sign an executive order to … Continue reading
Follow @Ryan_Kantor When popular political commentator, Bill O’Rielly, published Killing Kennedy and Killing Lincoln, I didn’t rush out to get my copy. However, when the former history teacher and Harvard graduate published Killing Jesus: A History, I bit and I’m glad I did. Bill O’Rielly and Martin Dugard begin the book with a swift punch to the gut as … Continue reading
After President Barack Obama won re-election, Republicans were left soul searching. Although their strongest candidates chose not to run in 2012, the economy, deficit, and exorbitant gas prices still positioned them for success. They averted complete failure by holding onto a majority in the house, but nonetheless are left to figure out their missteps and … Continue reading
This morning while doing my breakfast news scan I saw an article about a new Sunday morning congregation coming to New York City. They call themselves a “church” for atheists, although “place of assembly” may be a more appropriate and respectful term. I say that because for Christians, the Church is metaphorically the “body of Christ,” … Continue reading
It was a long read, but well worth it. Coolidge by Amity Shlaes chronicles the life of the 30th President of the United States. He served in the time between World War I and the Great Depression (1923-1929) and thus is often forgotten in the annals of history. Nevertheless, he accomplished a great deal during the … Continue reading
Imagine the ugly line on your paycheck that says “NC Income Tax” not showing up next month. Well it could happen. “The proposal would eliminate personal and corporate income taxes in exchange for higher state sales taxes levied against groceries, medical expenses and other currently tax-free services.” With a Republican majority in the North Carolina … Continue reading
I ran into an article on Yahoo.com with some interesting statistics on the group of Americans that will decide the fate of our nation–“undecided likely voters.” While 69 percent of likely voters report they’re paying a great deal of attention to the race, the figure drops to 59 percent for persuadable likely voters. Among the … Continue reading
Sports, Politics, and Music by Ryan Kantor 