Mr. Trump is Wrong - America is Great Now

Donald Trump says "The American Dream is dead."  His campaign slogan is "Make America Great Again." The Republican front-runner is only one of a chorus of GOP leaders who talk of the current situation in America as terrible and getting even worse.

This is wrong on just about every objective measure.  And even the things that are bad are much better than they were seven years ago. The trend for climbing out of the ditch we were in then is very good.  And the improvements that we have made - most notably in health insurance - are positive goods.

David Brooks notes that the current pessimism of Republican leaders is at odds with the normal optimism about the future that the American conservative tradition has held.  He wrote "the pessimism grows from a sour, overgeneralized and intellectually sloppy sense of alienation."

A Decent Person Turns Evil to Good

Dianne Hoffmeyer was in line at a Tim Horton's to buy donuts for her child and coffee for herself.  Two women behind her made ugly comments about her appearance.

Hoffmeyer responded by buying the coffee for the mean girls.

Why?  “My 2-year-old daughter is a mini-me and she mimics everything I do. I wanted to do the right thing so when she’s old enough she’ll know the right thing to do.”

Thus is civilization advanced.  And, perhaps, the wicked shamed.

17.6 Million Now Have Health Insurance Due to Obamacare

This excellent news was reported by Health and Human Service Secretary Sylvia Burwell.

When the Affordable Care Act was adopted, it was estimated that there were 30 to 35 million Americans without health insurance.

We are making huge progress, and ahead estimates.

Advice To Men Who Want a Girlfriend: Act Like a Good Husband

Men tend to distinguish between short-term mates and long-term mates.  Women don't.  What women want in a boyfriend is pretty much what they want in a husband.  The point of dating, in most cases, is to see if a man could be a good husband.

So, if you do want a girlfriend, act like a good husband.  You don't have to make the permanent commitment yet - that is the difference between a boyfriend and an actual husband.  But for all the time that you are the boyfriend of that girlfriend, do what a good husband would do.

And it you don't want that level of exclusivity, you don't really want a girlfriend.

If You Don't Vote for A Major Party Nominee, You Help the Other Party

Some of my leftist friends have declared that if Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee (and if their favorite, Bernie Sanders, isn't) they will not support Clinton in the election.

I noted that the Republic Party thanks them for their support.

This has brought the expected charge that there is no difference between the two parties, and that if leftists do not support the Democratic Party that will, somehow, teach the party a lesson.  

American politics is structured to be a two-party system.  Third parties almost always spoil the chances of the party they are closest to.  Not voting for one party helps the other.

Sen. Sanders has said he will not run as a third party candidate.  He reads the structure of our system better than some of his socialist followers.  I am sure he will support the Democratic nominee.

Mozambique Cleared of Landmines by Bi-Partisan Effort

Mozambique had more than 200, 000 landmines left at the end of the civil war in 1992.

The Halo Trust, a landmine-clearance non-profit, has declared the country cleared of landmines.  This is the most landmines every cleared from one country by the trust.

Halo was founded in Britain.  The effort in Mozambique was largely funded by the U.S. affiliate.

Halo Trust USA is chaired by Cindy McCain, wife of Republican Senator John McCain.  The board also includes former Democratic Senator Mark Udall.

Removing landmines is a noble effort that people can join in across party lines, even in this highly partisan moment.

I commend the Halo Trust and the government of Mozambique for a great achievement.