he distinguished philosopher and educator, John Dewey, once defined Politics as “the shadow cast on society by big business.”   I've spent a good part of my adult life trying to understand the nature of American political institutions, and how they cast their lengthening pall over democratic life.

For this page, I've assembled a hodge-podge of essays, commentaries, and opinions. It is my hope that some of them will serve as a springboard for your own inquiries. You may be surprised or shocked by the audacity of some of these opinions, and I invite your comments and suggestions.

In the words of the great French historian Fernand Braudel: “Prove me wrong!”

The Death Penalty

The “Wasted Vote”

“Freedom of Speech” (an article by David Kairys)

Charles Fourier’s “Social Organization”

Noam Chomsky

Howard Zinn