We elect politicians for a few years, but the laws they pass can change America for generations. By the time we fully understand the consequences, the politicians are often retired, dead, or comfortably collecting their pensions. And reversing those decisions can be nearly impossible.
Ted Kennedy died in 2009. We're still living with immigration laws he helped shape more than sixty years ago.
So here's my question: How do we hold politicians accountable for decisions whose consequences may not become obvious until decades after they're gone?
I find it hard to believe that nobody in government at those times knew what the consequences would be of their legislation. Rather, I think those consequences were the intent.
I agree. Proving intent is difficult, but when the same political decisions keep producing the same consequences, you have to wonder how much of it was accidental.
You'd think that after all these decades, liberals would accidentally do something beneficial for America. Just once. LOL.
Hey CHRIS..you physically busted uP, broke (me too) but scrappy and determined writer!! 👋
Another super duper off-the-wall subject and another genius way of presenting it including the humorous title which had me.
Wanted to say couple of things.
1. To make this comment I had to go to my inbox to wait for the needed 6 digit code which never came but finally did after 3 attempts over 30+ minutes of waiting thus I hope others are not having this delay problem since it would deprive you of deserved comments.
2. Having a Son as a defense Attorney, I'm versed a little and wondering if you were injured by the other driver, and if so I know you have to see a Doctor or Chiropractor up front so they can sign on to your injuries that your or their insurance firms will need..
and do not take any quick or at least a "final" insurance payment for a full year since your head, neck and/or back injuries could flair up later and then not be covered.
I admire your fortitude, resolve and continued desire to write even though it is apparent to others that it is harming you & your family's economic wellbeing, stability & mental health.
Bill, first of all, thanks for going through all that nonsense just to leave me a comment. LOL. Sorry about the hassle. I've had the same problem trying to comment on other authors' posts, although my codes usually arrive within a few minutes. Sounds like a Substack issue, and I'll look into it. Thirty minutes and three attempts is ridiculous.
And thanks for the kind words about the essay. I really do try to approach things from a different perspective, particularly by connecting the past to the present. I've always been fascinated by the long-term consequences of decisions, tracing something back to where it started and following it to where we are today. I don't think most of us naturally think that far ahead or consider how one seemingly small decision can change everything.
I'm actually a little superstitious about that in my own life. Once I'm home for the day, I hate going back out. If I realize I forgot something at the store, I'll usually just do without it. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I'm thinking, what if I go back out, get T-boned, and die, all because I forgot salt? LOL. I know, sounds nuts, but that's how my mind works.
As for the accident, I've been to the hospital and have an attorney working on contingency, so there's no attorney fee upfront. I'm documenting everything and taking the possibility of longer-term injuries seriously. I'm still hurting quite a bit, especially my neck, back, knee, and hand. Some days are worse than others, and it's frustrating because even sitting at the computer and writing isn't as easy as it used to be. I appreciate the advice, especially with your son being a defense attorney.
And yes, financially it's been one hell of a year. Just when I thought things couldn't get much worse, somebody decided to turn left into me.
The irony, right? I spend my days trying to turn people "right" with facts and data, and then somebody literally turns "left" and almost takes me out. LOL. What's the conservative equivalent of TDS? Because I think I just got hit with a serious case of Left Turn Derangement Syndrome!
I know writing isn't exactly paying the bills right now, and people are probably getting tired of me asking them to support this endeavor. But I genuinely believe this publication is important. I'd challenge anyone to find another writer who researches these subjects, connects the dots between past and present, and presents them quite the way I do. I'm proud of what I've built, and I'm trying to figure out how to keep doing what I love while getting us back on solid ground.
Thanks for looking out for me, Bill. I really do appreciate it. And thanks for sticking around through all this craziness.
P.S. One quick question. When you tried to comment, were you reading my essay through the email Substack sent you, or were you on the Substack website or app? I've had the same verification-code crap happen when commenting on other Substacks, and I'm trying to figure out what triggers it.
Chris, I was on the Substack article you sent out. I hope my effort wasn't flawed but I did hang around like 30 minutes (while shaving) and even went to my junk mail and finally, boom, there sat 2 or 3 code numbers.
We elect politicians for a few years, but the laws they pass can change America for generations. By the time we fully understand the consequences, the politicians are often retired, dead, or comfortably collecting their pensions. And reversing those decisions can be nearly impossible.
Ted Kennedy died in 2009. We're still living with immigration laws he helped shape more than sixty years ago.
So here's my question: How do we hold politicians accountable for decisions whose consequences may not become obvious until decades after they're gone?
I find it hard to believe that nobody in government at those times knew what the consequences would be of their legislation. Rather, I think those consequences were the intent.
I agree. Proving intent is difficult, but when the same political decisions keep producing the same consequences, you have to wonder how much of it was accidental.
You'd think that after all these decades, liberals would accidentally do something beneficial for America. Just once. LOL.
Hey CHRIS..you physically busted uP, broke (me too) but scrappy and determined writer!! 👋
Another super duper off-the-wall subject and another genius way of presenting it including the humorous title which had me.
Wanted to say couple of things.
1. To make this comment I had to go to my inbox to wait for the needed 6 digit code which never came but finally did after 3 attempts over 30+ minutes of waiting thus I hope others are not having this delay problem since it would deprive you of deserved comments.
2. Having a Son as a defense Attorney, I'm versed a little and wondering if you were injured by the other driver, and if so I know you have to see a Doctor or Chiropractor up front so they can sign on to your injuries that your or their insurance firms will need..
and do not take any quick or at least a "final" insurance payment for a full year since your head, neck and/or back injuries could flair up later and then not be covered.
I admire your fortitude, resolve and continued desire to write even though it is apparent to others that it is harming you & your family's economic wellbeing, stability & mental health.
Bright Wishes to your health & prosperity!
"Lightbulb" BILL in SAV (now 85 yo)~
Bill, first of all, thanks for going through all that nonsense just to leave me a comment. LOL. Sorry about the hassle. I've had the same problem trying to comment on other authors' posts, although my codes usually arrive within a few minutes. Sounds like a Substack issue, and I'll look into it. Thirty minutes and three attempts is ridiculous.
And thanks for the kind words about the essay. I really do try to approach things from a different perspective, particularly by connecting the past to the present. I've always been fascinated by the long-term consequences of decisions, tracing something back to where it started and following it to where we are today. I don't think most of us naturally think that far ahead or consider how one seemingly small decision can change everything.
I'm actually a little superstitious about that in my own life. Once I'm home for the day, I hate going back out. If I realize I forgot something at the store, I'll usually just do without it. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I'm thinking, what if I go back out, get T-boned, and die, all because I forgot salt? LOL. I know, sounds nuts, but that's how my mind works.
As for the accident, I've been to the hospital and have an attorney working on contingency, so there's no attorney fee upfront. I'm documenting everything and taking the possibility of longer-term injuries seriously. I'm still hurting quite a bit, especially my neck, back, knee, and hand. Some days are worse than others, and it's frustrating because even sitting at the computer and writing isn't as easy as it used to be. I appreciate the advice, especially with your son being a defense attorney.
And yes, financially it's been one hell of a year. Just when I thought things couldn't get much worse, somebody decided to turn left into me.
The irony, right? I spend my days trying to turn people "right" with facts and data, and then somebody literally turns "left" and almost takes me out. LOL. What's the conservative equivalent of TDS? Because I think I just got hit with a serious case of Left Turn Derangement Syndrome!
I know writing isn't exactly paying the bills right now, and people are probably getting tired of me asking them to support this endeavor. But I genuinely believe this publication is important. I'd challenge anyone to find another writer who researches these subjects, connects the dots between past and present, and presents them quite the way I do. I'm proud of what I've built, and I'm trying to figure out how to keep doing what I love while getting us back on solid ground.
Thanks for looking out for me, Bill. I really do appreciate it. And thanks for sticking around through all this craziness.
P.S. One quick question. When you tried to comment, were you reading my essay through the email Substack sent you, or were you on the Substack website or app? I've had the same verification-code crap happen when commenting on other Substacks, and I'm trying to figure out what triggers it.
Chris, I was on the Substack article you sent out. I hope my effort wasn't flawed but I did hang around like 30 minutes (while shaving) and even went to my junk mail and finally, boom, there sat 2 or 3 code numbers.
I meant..the 2 or 3 code numbers were in my regular inbox (and Not in my junk mail)!!
Got it. I meant, are you looking at the article in the email or in the app?