Remember the “Grandfather’s Clock” song? How the clock kept accurate time for the old man’s entire life? “Ninety years without slumbering, tick, tock, tick, tock?” …

A list of President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees for Cabinet positions suggests strongly that he envisions the U.S. Cabinet playing a very different role from those that key appointees have …

I played a role in a movie three weeks ago, without even so much as a screen test. Well, technically speaking, I suppose, I didn’t actually debut on the big screen. It was more of an …

What effect will the 2024 election have on the immigration situation? I’m writing this column on Sunday before the Tuesday election, so I don’t know its outcome. But the outlines of …

Last Sunday, at a concert Kathy and I attended, one of the introducers referenced countries where political campaigning lasts only a few months. The audience erupted in applause. By all …

Pundits are fond of saying that elections are about the economy, and people’s relationship to it. “It’s the economy, stupid” and all that. It may be true - but there’s …

Monday, Oct. 14, the state of Iowa observed Indigenous Peoples Day (traditionally   called Columbus Day), in recognition of the roles native tribes have played in the state’s history and …

Last Monday, October 14, the state of Iowa observed Indigenous Peoples’ Day (traditionally   called Columbus Day), in recognition of the roles native tribes have played in the …

Where are today’s Menachem Begins and Anwar Sadats? Or Yitzhak Rabins and Yasser Arafats? Without leaders of their stature and their willingness to compromise for the good of their people, …

Most Americans believe in democracy - or say they do. The United States operates as a representative democracy. That means we elect leaders to do the work of governing, and we get to vote for those …

This is a nostalgia column. When you’re 83, you’re allowed some nostalgia, provided you can remember what you’re nostalgic about. And that it has some relevance to the current …

I’ve been muddling through some thoughts about national politics after the November 5 election. I will no doubt have more, but this week I have one for each party.   FOR …

The fatal school shootings in Perry in early January took place eight months ago. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has concluded its investigation of the tragic incident and turned …

The United States is often described as exceptional — an “exceptional nation.” It’s a favorite expression for officeholders and those who strive to become so. Is the …

Republicans, who control the Iowa House, the Iowa Senate, and the Iowa governorship, make no secret of their intent to entirely eliminate the state’s income tax. It probably won’t happen …

Did the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Trump v. United States hold that American presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for all actions they take while in office? No. …

During the “Progressive Period” in American history — two decades or so, from roughly 1896 until 1917 — a number of states adopted the “initiative” and …

During the “Progressive Period” in American history—two decades or so, from roughly 1896 until 1917—a number of states adopted the “initiative” and …

American government officials and political players regularly declare something to be “unacceptable.”   Russia’s attack on Ukraine is unacceptable. Hamas’ attack on …

For the past 3½ years, Donald Trump has claimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him. At last count, at least 70% of the nation’s Republicans say the same thing. The …