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The Democratic Party is dead, long live the Jacobins!

Editorials and columns

For the past century, the agendas of the Democratic Party were predictable. They professed concern for working Americans and supported blue-collar unions. Unemployment insurance, a 40-hour work week, disability insurance, and Social Security were their trademarks -- often rapidly achieved by growing government bureaucracies and continually raising taxes. Still, many Democrats were socially conservative. By the 1970s, Democrats still deplored antisemitism. Party officials had rejected their own segregationists to champion civil rights. Presidents like Franklin Roosevelt, Harry ...

Trump's corruption could be his undoing

Editorials and columns

Did you catch the story about Trump trying to raid the Treasury to the tune of $10 billion? It's the latest in a string of grasping, grubby assaults on public integrity that have marked the Trump regime. This is not just the most corrupt presidency in American history; it is among the most ...

Trump's Churchillian foreign policy

Editorials and columns

Knowingly or not, President Donald Trump, in his decision to attack Iran, has embarked on a foreign policy that has been, on and off, both persistent and controversial in the great English-speaking nations. You can trace it back at least to the Glorious Revolution of 1688-89: the ouster of ...

Through the roof

Editorials and columns

I was enjoying a fine, though cool, spring day thinking deeply about a familiar episode I was re-reading. I decided to get to know the characters a little better. It went something like this: “Hey, be careful, please. Not that I can feel it when you bang my legs like that. But what does it ...

The school board member with the attendance problem

Letters to the Editor

A couple months ago, a community member speaking to the school board during Community Comment time, referred to Sarah Costain as the school board member with the “attendance problem.” The community member never said Costain’s name, but everyone knew exactly who he was referencing. In Costain’s first year on the school board she missed over 30% of all school board meetings. If this was Costain’s employment she wouldn’t have a job by now. If she were a student she would be in a truancy program. It’s impossible to do any job when you simply do not show up. School board ...

Gratitude for APS

Letters to the Editor

Attending APS has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my education. The teachers and staff created an environment where I felt supported, challenged, and encouraged to grow both academically and personally. They consistently believed in my potential and pushed me to work harder while also making learning engaging and relevant. My most valuable experience has been being a part of the Early College program. Without this amazing opportunity presented by APS and ACC, I wouldn’t be graduating from ACC with an Associates Degree just one year after graduating from Alpena High ...