Author Archives: bfiaralphscharnau

Prisoners And Voting

Posted on July 7, 2014 by bfiaralphscharnau

With just five percent of the world’s population, the U.S. has 25 percent of its prisoners. We have the highest incarceration rate of any country in the world. Since 1972, America’s prison population has increased sevenfold. Most of the commentary … Continue reading →

Posted in Progressive Community, voting rights | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Wage Theft: A Widespread Problem

Posted on June 9, 2014 by bfiaralphscharnau

DUBUQUE– Americans like to think that a fair day’s work brings a fair day’s pay. In today’s labor market, however, wage theft annually amounts to billions of dollars and affects millions of wage earners. Victims include U.S. citizens and immigrants; … Continue reading →

Posted in Labor | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Wage Theft: A Widespread Problem

The Importance Of Economic And Social Factors

Posted on April 17, 2014 by bfiaralphscharnau

News reports often separate economic and social issues. Yet the term, socio-economic, dating back to the 1880s, indicates a linkage. And a strong political connection exists between economic and social issues. Recent public opinion polling shows that the economy, followed … Continue reading →

Posted in economic inequality, Economy | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Importance Of Economic And Social Factors

The Pope And The President

Posted on February 5, 2014 by bfiaralphscharnau

Both Pope Francis and President Obama assumed their globally powerful positions with high popular approval.  Now we learn that the two leaders will meet at the Vatican in late March as part of the President’s European trip. The pope has … Continue reading →

Posted in President Obama | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Pope And The President

2013: A Miserable Year For Wage Earning Americans

Posted on January 7, 2014 by bfiaralphscharnau

The year 2013 witnessed no major national legislative achievements.  Partisan gridlock prevented congressional action on a number of important issues, such as immigration reform, a farm bill, and government spying. Meanwhile, the mainstream media breathlessly covers recent signs of economic … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog for Iowa | Comments Off on 2013: A Miserable Year For Wage Earning Americans

Making Government Viable Rather Than Wrecking It

Posted on November 7, 2013 by bfiaralphscharnau

Most people today refer to Congress as dysfunctional and give it low ratings on trust.  The disruption in government operations last month showed just how far a minority of elected representatives would go to get their way. Nothing has aroused … Continue reading →

Posted in GOP, Obamacare, Republicn Policy, tea party | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Making Government Viable Rather Than Wrecking It

The Republican Obsession: The Affordable Care Act

Posted on October 8, 2013 by bfiaralphscharnau

The Obama administration’s signature legislation, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), passed in 2010 and launched a massive, multiyear phase in process of policies and plans.  This is the biggest change in the nation’s health insurance system since the establishment of … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care & Medicare, Obamacare | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Secrets, News Leaks, and the Surveillance State

Posted on August 1, 2013 by bfiaralphscharnau

It was a frightening few weeks in May for journalists concerned with  protecting their sources and for Americans concerned with protecting  their privacy.  Thanks to intelligence whistleblowers like Edward  Snowden, journalists made the public aware of massive secret surveillance  by … Continue reading →

Posted in Big Government, Civil Liberties | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Secrets, News Leaks, and the Surveillance State

Drone Strikes: U.S. Targeted Killings

Posted on July 19, 2013 by bfiaralphscharnau

Airpower enthusiasts claim that drones, or “unmanned aerial vehicles” (UAVs), offer the possibility of quick, clean, and decisive victory in the war on terror. They are easy to deploy, save pilots’ lives, and avoid American casualties. Drones qualify as the … Continue reading →

Posted in Foreign Affairs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Drone Strikes: U.S. Targeted Killings

Thinking About the IRS Scandal

Posted on July 16, 2013 by bfiaralphscharnau

During the past month, a slew of news stories have covered the scandal at the Internal Revenue Service.  Let’s begin with a primer on the IRS. The Internal Revenue Service operates as an independent agency under the Treasury Department.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Progressive Community | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Thinking About the IRS Scandal