We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
“In my three decades of teaching, I have never seen the level of fear and intimidation that we have today on our campuses,” Turley said in testimony to senators Tuesday. “Many professors are afraid to voice dissenting views of the current protests or other issues out of fear that they could be accused of racism or even physically attacked.”
When I was first sent out to cover the Donald Trump campaign years later, I assumed the editorial concept would be simple: mockery. New York’s infamous “short-fingered vulgarian” had taken over national headlines in the summer of 2015 with a foul-mouthed stream-of-consciousness rap, organized around an impossible Pharaonic wall project and scare tales about rape-happy Mexicans – the Diceman doing Pat Buchanan. If this was taking over the Republican Party, there wasn’t much to report. The enterprise was doomed, and journalism’s only mission was to make sure the silliest bits were captured before being buried under the sands of history.
Twenty minutes into my first Trump campaign event, I knew this was wrong, and was seized by a sinking feeling that really hasn’t left since. Trump in person sounded like he’d been convinced to run for president after reading What’s the Matter with Kansas? His stump act seemed tailored to take advantage of the gigantic market opportunity Democrats had created, and which Frank described. He ranted about immigrants, women, the disabled, and other groups, sure, but also about NAFTA, NATO, the TPP, big Pharma, military contracting, and a long list of other issues...
I am a small business owner, a New Yorker, an entrepreneur, a daughter, a sister, and an advocate of others who wish to pursue their dreams. I am passionate about freedom, education and innovation; I am open minded and eager to hear about other people's experiences. My personal views on political issues are deeply rooted in my own personal experiences.
I have launched two businesses over the past seven years; however for the first five years I struggled. I am an educated and intelligent woman but found myself living hand to mouth -- even briefly taking food stamps to buy basic groceries. After year three, I was able to access capital at a reasonable cost and this allowed me to grow; after year six, I am finally seeing some success and I am able to support myself; after year seven I am thriving.
My companies have created jobs for more than 250 US workers and have generated more than $10 million of economic activity. I enjoy my work and find fulfillment in creating a positive impact. I work hard day in and day out to pursue my dreams and encourage others to do the same. I help other entrepreneurs without asking for anything in return because this is the right thing to do. I am not perfect, I have made mistakes, and I am among the ranks of millions of small business owners doing the same thing.
Here are some facts about small businesses. (Before we begin, note that the SBA generally defines small businesses as firms with less than 500 employees; however you can read more details about small business criteria here.)
Small businesses account for 44% of the US economy(1). Specifically, small businesses created $5.9 trillion, or 43.5%, of the $13.6 trillion private non-farm US economy in 2014.
The entire US GDP is approximately $20.2 trillion. The entire world GDP is $80 trillion.
Please let this sink in for a minute. Here are a few other facts.
Small businesses in the US employees 58.9 million people, which makes up 47.5% of the country's total workforce.
Small businesses create 1.5 million jobs annually and account for 64% of new jobs created in the United States(3).
Before COVID, it was challenging enough. Most small businesses fail; here are some stats. The primary reasons small businesses fail are cash flow and management / business planning challenges, the latter of which I believe is due to a lack of education. The SBA has amazing resources for small business owners, but small business owners often are not aware of these resources.
Back to politics. On a personal level, I find many individuals in politics distasteful -- on both sides. I also find many role models in our leadership on both sides. But, personalities are their business and not my business. If I could not find a way to work with people I did not like, I would be out of business.
All I ask is that everyone do a personal inventory of your motives for hate speech or rallying in an unsafe way - whichever side you are on. If you are doing this to fit in, for approval, to make yourself feel better or simply because you are bored, check yourself. Don't be afraid to speak about your experiences -- or to pursue your dreams.
Please, be safe, be grateful, and support a local business today.
The New York Times is having an identity crisis. Is it a newspaper and the paper of record still, which has its own point of view but prints both some hard news and some other opinions? Or is it an “opinion journal,” a magazine like National Review or the Nation, which has one view and sticks with it while patrolling all parts of its turf?
It's an English (via French "chef" and Latin, same root as "captain" and "chieftain." "Jefe" in Spanish.
Do any readers associate the word "chief" as disparaging to Native Americans? If the CEO is question doesn't want to be a boss, ok, but a CEO has to be a boss whether you like it or not.
In the Algonquin family of languages, a "sachem" was the boss.
"Portland is leading. They’re showing what it looks like to stay in the streets despite police oppression, despite the federal forces being sent in. This kind of energy is actually what’s needed."
I beieve that there is a calculated strategy: To expose the violence inherent in the system.
Going after Federal buildings is just begging for that. The feds are obligated to protect Federal property and people. There is nothing these protesters want more than to receive some real bullets.
Nonsense. They would love another Kent State and look as if they are trying to provoke it
What, exactly, is the message when mostly white Leftists are involved with vandalism, graffiti, property damage, assault, and arson, among others? What does it have to do with black lives matter?
NASA to remove