Life in the time of COVID
“May you live in interesting times.” Today seems the epitome of this Chinese curse. Ours is the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. The world we live in is partially like the old days and… Read More
Tagged: economics
We need an alternative approach to regional economic development
Regardless of the name (Tri-Cities, Upper East Tennessee or Appalachian Highlands), we live or die as one region. However, we have been unable to formulate a coherent story that incorporates and mutually benefits the… Read More
What happened to the “Big Tent?”
I grew of age (politically speaking) in the Reagan era. I watched the economic and social malaise of the 1970s recede before a message of hope and optimism. A renewed American spirit took hold.… Read More
Will our Electoral System withstand the assault?
America is unique in many ways. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of our country is the fact that for over 230 years we have had a peaceful transition of power and leadership. Even during… Read More
We Need a Balanced Approach to the Pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic is a tragedy in two parts. It has affected our health and our economy. Policy seems to be driven by the former and the government shutdown of business and unprecedented stimulus… Read More
What will our post-Apocalyptic World look like?
What will our post-Apocalyptic World look like? The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions in the entire fabric of modern life. We avoid contact with people (even friends and family) and sequester in our… Read More
Who should get the Bailout?
During the financial crisis of 2008, Wall Street banks received massive taxpayer subsidies to stay afloat. They were “too big to fail,” a policy based on the belief that these companies, if they folded,… Read More
The Bright Side of Bernie Sanders or Why Socialism will Fail
It now looks like the neo-socialists, in particular Bernie Sanders, are making a strong showing in the early Democratic Party primaries. The “moderate” candidate, Joe Biden, has slipped from the clear front-runner to a… Read More
Will Regionalism Succeed this Time?
Here we go again. There is yet another attempt to pull the Tri-Cities region together. At last there is movement towards the consolidation of the external industrial recruiting programs. We have even re-named ourselves… Read More
What do we do with the Homeless
Several weeks ago, while sitting outside at a local downtown restaurant, we observed a man stumbling down the street. His course veered off towards the benches in the median and with a blood-curdling “thump”… Read More
