...Many of us are dissatisfied with politics as now practiced in the United States. We howl against the political machines, special interest, big corporations, demeaning campaign ads and dirty politics. Why do we give up on politics? Why do we accept the unacceptable? More...

California is famous for incredible extremes—from sun-drenched beaches to sparkling Sierra mornings, from general wackiness to cutting edge technology. But one topic almost always predominates when the conversation turns to the Golden State—high housing costs. California has 21 of the 25 least affordable metro areas in the nation... More...

California es famosa por extremos increíbles—desde sus playas bañadas por el sol hasta sus amaneceres resplandecientes en las sierras, desde su excentricidad general hasta su tecnología vanguardista. Pero cuando la conversación trata sobre el Estado Dorado, hay un tema que casi siempre predomina: los altos costos de la vivienda. California cuenta con 21 de las 25 áreas metropolitanas menos accesibles de la nación... More...

Whenever Washington politicians want to change the "system" it sends chills up my spine. Such was the case in 1996, when the rallying cry—"End welfare as we know it,"—was raised on Capitol Hill. What were they concocting? Whatever it was, it couldn't be good. More...

... Health care, prescription costs, long-term care, etc, are just some of the many issues seniors and those approaching that age group must confront. Social Security, housing, retirement, protection from fraud are some more... More...

The political parties are holding conventions. Buttons sprout on lapels. Ads claim to uncover the "truth" about issues. Elected officials announce new projects. And the junk mail really grows. In other words, it is an election year... More...

...Human life and dignity must be respected in a just society. All other human rights are derived from being alive in the first place. Without life, no other rights are conceivable and all are secondary. One of the challenges of political life in the United States—and a much larger topic—is just how to... More...

...there are those who say our laws are more important than the plight of the poor. That we must insist hungry people wait patiently—probably never even get a chance to be admitted—and find a different way to help their families... More...

Food or heat? Medicine or rent? These are choices the poor must make whenever they pay the bills. And this year's proposed California budget will not make those choices any easier... More...