As our economy has increasingly become globalized over the past several decades there have certainly been many winners and many losers here in America. While I would argue that increased international trade generally has been a net positive for the prosperity of our nation, it is also a fact that [...]
As I have confessed before in other columns, I have a bad habit of buying things, not because I need them, but because I have found such a good deal. Sadly, the philosophy that says “I’d be a fool not to buy it at this price” can often lead to [...]
If you are a sports fan, it is an exciting time to be living in the KC metro. Over the past decade we have experienced more than our fair share of national championship victories from our local teams including, the Royals, Sporting KC, the Jayhawks and of course the Kansas [...]
This past week I taught a seminar on effective budget making. It broke down the basics on proper ratios of spending, saving, giving and debt repayment. As I presented, I jokingly said if I could gain access to Congress, I would love to enlighten Washington on these basic principles. As [...]
If you give to any favorite charities, you must wonder by year end whether every dollar you give only buys more paper, ink, and postage for more solicitations. I think it is safe to say that the cards and letters are effective. If they were not, they would not send [...]
Thanksgiving is a time where most of us are reminded of the blessings we have been given and focus our attention on those who may be struggling. Recently I wrote that most of our societal ills today stem from our own poor choices including addictions of all kinds. While these [...]
While the stock and bond markets likely await their next downward legs and we are beset by political ads, I would like to talk about the state of citizenship in these United States. As a student of history, I remind myself regularly that our nation has suffered through presidents even [...]
It’s graduation season, probably many of you are have celebrated with friends and family, or are about to. This past Thursday I got to celebrate a friend graduating from the Independence LEAD program. The LEAD program stands for Leadership Education And Development. It is a nine-month program that the Independence [...]
There is no such thing as a free lunch! Someone pays for everything. Beginning with that truth, today I will discuss the modern world of community growth and development. It applies to all of us whether we live in a major city, its suburbs, or in a rural county in [...]
Assuming that all US schools are still teaching some American and World History, it appears that some of our young adults just did not understand it. Or perhaps it is logic and critical thinking they have missed. According to the Gallup Organization, since 2010, about 50 percent of our young [...]
