Columns

Charles M. Schulz created a comic strip that captured the hearts of millions in the nearly 50 years that Peanuts ran in thousands of newspapers around the world.

Congress is Back and Open for Business

It's Christmas. I don't want to regal you with stuff that will cause you more frustration and stress. This time of year should be one of hope and joy to the world. You shouldn't have to worry about the high prices at the grocery store because of the lack of supply. And, don't worry at all about the high energy costs making our utility bills go up or the cold weather approaching causing delays in travel just in time for the holidays. These are not things you should be thinking about this time of year. The pipelines that were shut down early in the current government administration should not be considered a cause or effect of high fuel prices. The pause on any drilling for oil should not be considered a factor. And, the border is not open. Don't think about the millions of who are entering the United States illegally. And certainly don't even worry about the drugs coming across the border everyday, especially this stuff called fentanyl. It is not a good idea to dwell on the fact that the federal government is not doing a whole lot to stop this flow or that they have stopped building a wall to keep it from happening, just because someone else started it. Oh, and if states decide to build they tell them to stop and tear it down. Those things are nothing to fret over compared to the war in Ukraine. With winter approaching and much of the infrastructure for shelter and warmth destroyed, the Ukrainians on the other side of the world should not be on your mind. It could be over if they just let Russia have some land. We can worry about more aggression when it comes, after the Christmas season is over. It will soon be a new year anyway, don't worry about it. The Christmas holidays should not be a time to think about sad, evil or depressing things. We should not be reminded of all the things that are making our country worse. So, don't think about it or tweet about the influence the government has on social media and all the information we don't have because it was deemed dangerous or a threat to the security of democracy. This time of year should be a time of remembering when a mother (who wasn't married) had a baby (in a barn since the motel was full) who would be welcomed by shepherds (fresh out of the field) and wise sages bearing gifts of gold and some other stuff. Joy to the world and peace on earth, goodwill to all!