Know them by their fruits

Many religions (including my own) claim domain for their deity over all the Earth – not just over their believers.  The irony is that—since none of the foundational mythologies of any of these belief systems can be proven—the only legitimate basis on which we can demand respect for our beliefs is the respect we demonstrate to the others.    

The only legitimate basis for any judgment of another's belief system is by the actions of its followers ('Ye shall know them by their fruits' - Matthew 7:16).  And to evaluate others on this basis is to accept this same criterion in the evaluation of your own faith. 

The New Sword of Damocles

In Greek legend there is the story of Damocles, who learned the lesson of the hazards of high office - demonstrated by a sword dangling above him as he sat upon the throne, suspended by a single hair from a horse's tail.  The moral, 'Uneasy rests the head that wears the crown' is a cautionary lesson about aspiring to great power. 

Ironically, in our society, the safest place to be is at the top.  There are so many safeguard; stock options, retention clauses, golden handshakes, etc., that a fall from grace generally involves a soft landing.  With us, it is the hoi poloi who face the greatest threat.  Though their station is not lofty, it is poised above an abyss.  The loss of a job or a serious illness, can mean social isolation, financial ruin, homelessness, and even untimely death. 

Rush Limbaugh

Rush Limbaugh - the irritable bowel of the American body politic. 

Peace Dividend

For many of the most powerful, influential players in our economy and body politic, a lowering of global tensions is not a thing devoutly to be desired, but a terrifying contingency.  There is no 'peace dividend' for the giants of the military industrial complex - there is only ruin; with loss of markets, and increased competition for whatever outlets remain for their weapons. 
So far as possible, they will not allow this to occur. 

The Costs of Empire

If the human and financial burden of empire were borne in proportion to the benefits, the extravagant costs would become clear; the very concept of empire would be considered quaint, and be relegated to the dustbin of history.

Climate Change Arguments

The good news is that there's no need to keep arguing about Global Climate Change.

Unfortunately, this is because there will be no reduction in world-wide emissions. There's no need to argue about what will not be changed.

Diamonds in a Dung Heap - Revisited

Jefferson famously characterized the quest for truth as the search for ‘diamonds in a dung heap’.  

Today—in the quest to validate misanthropic perspectives—some spend their lives sifting through diamonds looking for dung nuggets.

Market Concentration and Efficiency

The self-correcting property of the competitive marketplace, which drives efficiency (via the so-called ‘invisible hand’), depends—among other factors—upon large numbers of both buyers and sellers, acting independently; none with enough power to individually affect the equilibrium price.

This is not advanced theory, and it's not in dispute; it’s Econ 101.

These conditions clearly don’t exist in many of our major industries; Insurance, Pharmaceuticals, Banking and Finance, Energy, Communications, among many others. It’s naïve, at best, to accept free market efficiency arguments to justify not regulating these highly-concentrated sectors, where no true free market exists. 

Not surprisingly, those who reap huge rewards from these market distortions disagree. A mere slipstream of their surplus profits—diverted to a lobbying and disinformation campaign—is often enough to prevent or overwhelm any drive toward meaningful reform.