Opinion

Ecclesiastes 12: 1 “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.” In our morning “over the coffee” conversations, a variety of subjects mostly always involve a reflection to some very old and precious memories. Recently I asked Margie if she realized women on average speak 21,000 words per day and men speak 7,000.

Part VI: “Greatest Threats to Democracy Are At Home!” Greetings, dear readers, and Happy Spring! While we wait for warmer weather and worry about the possibility of flooding and late crop plantings, that is nothing compared to the nation- wide destruction winter has already bestowed. Yet, as tragic as all that is, it really pales in the face of the political and financial issues that threaten our democracy.

As you may know, President Biden has released his Fiscal Year 2024 proposal. This announcement is typically seen as a wish-list for what the administration wants to focus on for the next year. Given the fact that inflation is still making life harder for every American, one would like to believe his proposed budget would include strategies to draw down inflation and start putting money back in the pockets of Americans. Unfortunately, we instead saw a proposal that contains the highest sustained levels of taxes, spending, and deficits in American history, according to the House Budget Committee. What’s worse, this budget increases the death tax and imposes another burden on small businesses and farmers trying to pass their life’s work down to the next generation. These policies will come at the expense of Minnesota family farms and the next generations of Americans. Just after the Biden budget was released, the Executive Branch’s top economist, Treasury Department Secretary Janet Yellen testified at a hearing for the Ways & Means Committee, and I was able to raise my concerns with her about the burden this budget will put on family farms and businesses.

Acts 10: 34-35 NKJV “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” February was recognized as National Career and Technical Education month.

Part V: “When Religion Becomes Damnation Not Salvation” Well, dear readers, once again the “times they are a-changing”, and we are going to have to change our discussion to stay in step. One issue we have not explored—though lying in the midst of both discussions of Maecas and Wilkerson—lies at the base and heart of American de- mocracy.