Climbing out on limbs.

Doesn't bother me to climb out on limbs. To take chances. By getting personal. Taking issue with people. Friends. Aquaintances. Strangers. Feeling people out. Mostly because I'm curious. Wasn't always that way. Thought it was right and proper to mind my own business. To ignore people. But then I became a writer. For newspapers. Interviewed strangers. For stories. That was fascinating. And so, even though I'm technically retired, and no longer gainfully employed, I'm still a writer. I write more now than when I was employed. Because I love to write. About people. About ideas. About personal stuff. Furthermore, I'm in love. With my Italian true love. And with life. Life is personal. And meaningful. To be savored. In the process, I take calculated risks. By climbing out on limbs. --Jim Broede

No tension. No heartbreak.

No doubt about it, there's an advantage to being a Chicago Cubs fan. Especially late in the season. No reason to get uptight. About losing a baseball game that might keep the Cubs out of the playoffs. Because the Cubs are a bad team. Pathetic. The Cubs were eliminated from playoff contention months ago. Almost from the start of the season. Therefore, Cubs fans don't have to worry about heartbreak. Such as missing the playoffs by a single game. That's real heartbreak. It's gonna probably be endured by the Cubs' crosstown rivals, the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox will have choked away the season in the final days. The Cubs, meanwhile, have nothing to worry about. Other than maybe losing over 100 games. And that's no big deal. Not a very big difference between 99 losses, or 103 losses. Cubs fans can always take solace. In assuming that things can't get worse next season. But don't bet on it. The Cubs traded away some of their veteran, half-decent players. For young prospects. With the intent of 'rebuilding' the team. Which could mean futility for a while. Maybe a very long while. But hey, there's nothing to worry about. Cubs fans don't have to worry about heartbreaking losses in the playoffs. Because the team ain't in the playoffs. I'm looking at all this in a very positive way. Cubs fans have it made. No tension. No heartbreak. --Jim Broede

The ancient Greeks had it right.

One thing about my friends. They are naturally attracted to 'good' people. Virtually all of their true friends are 'good' people. They only open up to people that they fully trust. In that sense, they compliment me. I'm honored and flattered in that they've cultivated our friendship. They've pretty much opened up to me. But still, there's a little something that even my closest friends hold back. Not with just me. But with everyone. I recognize that's part of them. Their way. I have a tendency to open up more than they. But that's just me. The natural me. It's easier for me to open up. I'm more practiced at it. They aren't as likely to bare their souls. To go naked, so to speak. I have to literally pull things out of them. And that's sometimes a little painful. For them. They aren't always gonna volunteer the full and complete truth about what it is that motivates their dislike of certain people. They are a bit too vague. But I know that certain people rub them the wrong way. And I'm not always sure that they are giving everyone a fair shake. But that's me, too. I don't give everyone a fair shake. But I'm more aware of it than they/my friends. And I can be less malicious than they. More fair-minded. Maybe because I've learned to treat my 'enemies' with levity. I'm laughing. I don't lose sleep in coping with the people I dislike. I'm capable of finding redeeming features. Even in Adolph Hitler, I suppose. They can't. They see certain people as totally evil/lost causes. I'm not certain that god does. God really has an open mind. Therefore, my god and their Christian and monotheistic god may not be the same god. Maybe there are multiple gods. Maybe the ancient Greeks had it right. --Jim Broede

Make life memorable.

I have advice for my friends. Don't worry. Be happy. Make that your motto. No need to worry. About your finances, or anything. Just let life evolve. In a natural way. Have faith. In your god. Set a fine example for humanity. You'll survive. By hook or by crook. With the help of your dear friends. Or your god. Meanwhile, enjoy being alive and conscious and intelligent and beautiful/handsome. Today is today. You are living in a grand and glorious moment. No need to project ahead to next week or next month or next year. You'll deal with the future in the future. One day at a time. Remind yourself that you are relatively young. And that I'm 77. And that in many ways, it's better to be younger than 77. You most likely have a good slug of years left. With plenty of earning power. Most of you are employed. You have a steady income. You have friends. You are in a better position than you were earlier in life. You have a manageable life situation. You can deal with life in a variety of ways. And you will. You've dealt with life in a nice manner so far. Your life has been a success. It adds up to a wonderful story. Savor it. Damn it. Don't worry. Be happy. On Saturday. Sept. 29. Make it a memorable day. And a memorable night, too. --Jim Broede

Laugh it up. To feel better.

I'm thinking. About how it is that I make some people nervous. They tell me I do.  Don't know whether I should laugh or cry about it. Makes me sad, in a way. All I know is that other people don't make me nervous. In fact, just the opposite. They often make me relaxed. And that's what I hope I do for others. Make them relaxed. At least most of the time. But if I'm the cause of making them nervous, maybe I have to clean up my act. Anyway, I like to be funny. And maybe I'm funny in the wrong way, occasionally. Thereby, making them nervous. Because I'm not being serious enough. But it goes against my grain to suppress the funny nature of what's going on. Especially when they are getting overly serious. In an over-reacting way. Sometimes, they claim I don't understand. And that makes them nervous. Actually, I understand quite well. Maybe 98 percent of the time. But I acknowledge that 2 percent of the time, I don't understand. Shows that I'm not perfect. But I don't see that as a valid reason for them to become a Nervous Nellie or a Nervous Ned. In fact, I see humor in Nellie and Ned. Over becoming nervous over something relatively trivial. Makes me laugh. And laughter is good. Replenishes the soul. Sure beats crying. Please take my laughter as a compliment, I say. Rather than an insult. They are darn funny. When they get into a snit. They'd be better off as a Funny Bunny. Not a Nervous Nellie. Laugh it up. To feel better. --Jim Broede 

Living proof.

Had a dream last night. Leaving letters in my desk drawer. Letters to be discovered. Personal letters. Not sure exactly what the letters contained. Other than sensing it was personal stuff. Maybe it had something to do with the nature of the written word. As a depository of thought. Proof that I exist. As a thinking being. --Jim Broede

Seeing behind the facades.

Getting personal. That's my aim. When I write. When I live. Maybe that scares some people. But not me. It's a way to stir conversation. Often with spirits. Especially my inner spirit. Baring my soul. Going naked into the world. That's my common theme. My goal. Going naked. Making observations. That make some friends and acquaintances nervous. But that's the price one must pay. To enter my world. People don't have to be nervous. It's their choice. Some choose to be afraid. Others don't. I like to strip away the facades. To see people as they really are. --Jim Broede

The resiliency of people.

I have a neighbor. A friend. Rick. He's gone to Denver. To be with his father. On his deathbed. In a hospice. From what I know, Rick and his father weren't ever particularly close. Yes, maybe even distant. The father was a military man. Rick doesn't strike me as the military sort. More the opposite. Maybe Rick is trying to connect with his father. In a spiritual way. The father is in and out of a coma. And in pain. He's being treated with morphine. His father can't eat. Can't swallow. And he's not being tube fed. It's just a matter of days.  Anyway, I'm wondering what's on Rick's mind. Missed opportunities? Maybe not. Because I suspect that Rick has learned to live one day at a time. Making the most of now. Today. Milking the day for all it's worth. Grasping and savoring moments. In that sense, it's never too late. To live fully. Rick could have stayed home. In Minnesota. Where he also has assumed an amazing responsibillty. His elderly father-in-law and mother-in-law are living with Rick. Because they need round-the-clock care-giving. They have dementia. Alzheimer's. Rick and wife Julie are the primary care-givers. For four years, and counting. Like I say. Amazing. The resiliency of people. --Jim Broede 

All I need.

I cultivate a handful of people. Maybe only four or five at a time. Mostly, my Italian true love. But also a friend or two. And maybe a new acquaintance. That's about all I can and care to handle. Don't like to spread myself thin. Maybe that's the biggest mistake of life. Trying to be everything to everybody. Not being selective. Politicians do it all the time. Trying to please everyone. If for no other reason than to raise money. To attain and stay in power. One must cultivate the money grubbers. To become monetarily rich. Or to have ready access to money. I know better. So much more to life. I value my true love. And several others. That's all I need. --Jim Broede

Amazing, isn't it?

Early morning. Before sunrise. That's often when I like to get up. To sit down at my computer. And begin to write. Anything. Whatever comes to mind. Because I love being conscious. Able to think. A thought. Any thought. Maybe that's the biggest blessing of life. Life would be worthless. Without consciousness. Merely existing without awareness. Just before I went to bed last night, I wrote a love letter. To my Italian true love. Something she could read upon awakening. You are gonna be full of joyous life today, I reminded  her. Even if the day doesn't go perfectly. Because you'll feel in love. With life. Which means you'll find plenty to savor. You'll have an extraordinary number of opportunities to savor consciousness. The ability to think. To feel blessed. Being you. That there's nobody you'd rather be than you. And then you'll connect with me. On Skype. To tell me that you feel wonderful. Amazing, isn't it? --Jim Broede                        

One hopes it never happens.

A neighbor. She's a good-hearted soul. Kind. Became a part-time care-giver. For a couple's elderly parents. Both with Alzheimer's. The parents are living with their daughter and son-in-law. A few doors down from me. I pitch in. And try to help, too. With some degree of care-giving. To provide the main care-givers some relief. Because I know their dilemma. From experience. Having cared for my dear sweet wife Jeanne. For 13 years. Wonder how I did it. But I did. I wasn't very good at it initially. But I got better and better at it. From on-the-job training. And became a darn good and loving care-giver, if I may say so. Didn't think I had it in me. But Alzheimer's puts one's love to the test. Believe me. Anyway, the good-hearted neighbor. She upped and quit the other day. Couldn't handle it any more. Emotionally. Doesn't surprise me. But I respect her. A whole lot. For giving it a try. At least now she understands what Alzheimer care-givers go through. Something far worse than her own experience. Because she was able to get away. Daily. For some amount of respite. But even that wasn't enough. Best to recognize it. And maybe leave care-giving up to others. Really, that's no shame, I tell her. You tried. That's far more than some do. Perhaps many. At least she understands the emotional toll. Even though it's from a relative distance. It's not her parents. Or her spouse. But imagine if it were. Yes, it's a scary thought. One hopes it never happens. But all too often, it does. --Jim Broede 

My fantastic, dream-like reality.

My reality is fantastic. Which makes me think I'm living in a dream. And that some day, I'll awaken. Into a new reality. Everything I experience is imagined. It ain't real. It's all a very vivid dream. Probably with more dreams to come. In unending sequence. If that's true. Could be that I have lived forever. Maybe that's true for all of us. All the people that inhabit my reality. Though it could be that I've created them. And they aren't any more real than the characters in a dream. I had a dream last night. Which I interpret as a dream within a dream. A double dream. I was in an elevator. Going down. And when the door opened, I was in a new reality. I felt lost. And I was looking for my Italian true love. And I didn't know how to find her. So I walked back and forth. Aimlessly. In a fairy-tale existence of massive and beautiful buildings. And the next thing I knew, I was dining with my true love. At a cafe. And I asked, how did you find me? And she said that I had gotten my head stuck between the elevator doors. And that she saw the scene on television. And she recognized me. And that's how she found me. I didn't remember any of it. And I thought, maybe my head would be sore. But it didn't hurt. Anyway, I'm awake now. Out of that dream. And living in my fantastic, dream-like reality. --Jim Broede

The unfamiliar word.

I want proportional representation in the U.S. Congress. In other words, if socialists get 10 percent of the vote in a national election, then the socialists should have 10 percent of the seats in Congress. If the Tea Party gets 2 percent, let 'em have 2 percent of the say. Give everybody a voice. And a vote. I like the idea of nobody having a distinct majority. That's the way it is in most European parliaments. Multiple parties have to work together. Forming a concensus. Coalition governments. Where there has to be give and take. Compromise. Yes, compromise. A very unfamiliar/foreign word in American politics. --Jim Broede

Enough of old-fashioned ways.

I'm for moving America to the left. Far to the left. Yes, all the way to socialism. To taxing the rich. To a far greater extent than now. Major change is necessary. Greedy forms of capitalism must go. Of course, such a move will be resisted. By the entrenched politicians. Both Republicans and Democrats. America needs a new breed of politician. To bring us into a modern age. With new thinking. New ways. I want America to throw off the shackles of conservatism. For a progressive government. New political, economic and social systems. Enough. Enough. Enough of old-fashioned ways. --Jim Broede

He has something to teach us.

I'm talking daily to an 84-year-old guy with dementia. Maybe it's Alzheimer's. I take him for walks. Daily. Three on Saturday. Three more walks on Sunday. And often when we take off for a walk, he's confused. Distraught. Over lord knows what. And I tell him the same thing. Over and over. Focus on what we are doing now. Walking. Pretend you are a horse. Wearing blinders. Look ahead. Observe. Focus on the moment. Quit worrying. Be happy. Think a happy thought. And it works. Because I'm saying something that makes sense. To him. He's allowed me into his world. For the moment, we're both living in the same world. He's my captive. I'm his captive. We like each other. We're exuding good vibes. Towards each other. That makes for good, effective communication. I've got him talking to me. Making sense. He's exercising. Physically. Walking. But exercising mentally, too. He's still able to read signs. That amazes his daughter. She didn't know that. She didn't think he could read any more. So I suggest she have him start reading. Aloud. See if he understands the words. Even if he doesn't, it's still good mental exercise. Keep him doing whatever he can do. Keep him active. Every which way. Make him focus on the immediate task. The activity at hand. Maybe it's eating supper. Focus on supper. On the taste of food. Make him enjoy the experience. A momentary pleasure. He's fully capable of living in the moment. He has something to teach us. --Jim Broede

Time for the rich to lose the war.

I have a neighbor living in a $4.5 million mansion. Wouldn't bother me if he was taxed to the hilt. For the sake of the common good. So that maybe he'd have to settle for a $1 million abode. But hey, even if he lost his mansion, he still has other homes. Spotted around the country. He's in no danger of becoming homeless. Even if he's taxed at a rate of 60 or 70 percent. The same goes for others of his ilk. In America, we have politicians talking of austerity programs that eliminate or cutback entitlement programs such as health care and social security and education. Really, in hard economic times, we need the expansion of the social safety net. By taking from the rich and channeling more to the poor and middle class. Personally, I ain't gonna shed any tears if my neighbor has to settle for less than a $4.5 million mansion. He's long been the winner in American class warfare. Wouldn't hurt if he lost a little bit. --Jim Broede

The morally correct path.

I see nothing morally wrong with soaking the rich. Yes, that's exactly what the world needs. Revamped economic and political systems that put the onus on the monetarily rich to bail societies out of economic recessions and depressions. Nations have the wealth/wherewithal to solve their economic problems. And what they need most is the gumption to do it. In the morally correct way. By narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor. I'm encouraged. Because that's happening in such countries as Greece and France. Leftists political parties are emerging. Becoming the majority. They are working for reform of greedy styles of capitalism. Preferring instead to impose tax rates as high as 70 percent on millionaires and billionaires. Yes, on their most affluent citizens. That's beginning to scare the hell out of rich people. But so be it. It's time for majority rule. To not allow the richest people in the land to rule the roost. The rich often advocate severe austerity programs that take from the poor and the middle class to bail out greedy capitalists that have milked the political and economic systems. Especially in the last 30 years in America. The gap between the rich and the poor has never been wider. That's why we are in an economic mess. World-wide. To get out of our dilemma, we need an expanding social safety net. And more jobs. And that may mean more and more public sector jobs. Paid for, in large part, by higher taxes on the rich. For the sake of the common good. Of course, the rich will cry bloody murder. That it ain't right to take away big chunks of their 'hard-earned' moola. In reality, the rich have far too much money. They don't need it. We need the emergence of equalitarian societies that recognize the morally correct path. --Jim Broede

A price for one's own mind.

Don't always want things to go my way. For good reason. Helps me learn to cope with the ups and downs of life. If everything went right, life would be too easy. Maybe too boring. I once assumed that god was a lucky fella. Because he'd have the power to make everything go his way. But then I thought, a truly good god would just let things happen. Even shit. God would rather shirk responsibility for everything. And leave outcomes up to the rest of us. To individuals. Sort of takes god off the hook. And assigns responsibility to the likes of me. Imagine that. God gave me a freehand. To make my own decisions. Means I make my share of mistakes. Some costly and derelict. But hey, that gives me a sense of freedom. Of being an alive and conscious being. I make judgments. About my life. And even about other people's lives. I'd have it no other way. If I merely followed the dictates of a commanding and dictatorial god, I'd be a programmed robot. Guess one has to pay a price for having a mind of one's own. --Jim Broede  

Goes to show...

Could be that my Chicago Cubs will lose 100 games this season. Which signifies being a really bad baseball team. But still, as a diehard Cubs fan, I find things to savor. Like an occasional dramatic victory. Which the Cubs pulled off yesterday. Against the rival St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs were losing 4-2 with two outs and nobody on in the ninth inning. Lo and behold, the Cubs get a bloop single. Followed by a homerun by second baseman Darwin Barney. On a two-strike count. That ties the game. And forces extra innings. The Cubs finally win. In the 11th inning. Creating a genuine feel good moment for me. A moment that I'm still savoring a day later. Goes to show that even in the worst of baesball times, there's something to be savored. By being a loyal and dedicated Cubs fan. --Jim Broede

The insincere side of Romney.

Maybe it's that Mitt Romney seems insincere. At least that's the way I take him. And maybe others do, too. That could account for his low likeability ratings in national polls. I don't trust the guy. Instinctively. Maybe it's because Romney is a Republican. More than being insincere. I don't like Republicans. Because of what they stand for. But I don't necessarily think of most Republicans as insincere. It's different with Romney. Difficult to know what he really believes. For all I know, Romney could be a closet liberal. Nothing really surprises me about Romney. I have him sized up. As a liar. Maybe even a pathological liar. Could be he's fully capable of lying to himself. Without really knowing it. Lying has become second nature to him. So that he can even fool himself. Romney would make an interesting psychological study. As to what really motivates him. Anyway, I suspect that many, many politicians are insincere. And natural born liars. Could be that liars are drawn to politics. Because politics allow them to practice the craft of lying. The ones that succeed and reach high national office have made lying an art form. The best of 'em can even mask insincerity. And come across as very sincere. But not Romney. He doesn't hide his insincerity very well. Though he'd like to. --Jim Broede

So much to savor.

I'm trying to make sense of life. Maybe that's what it's all about. Making sense. Giving life a true meaning. That makes me content. And reasonably happy. I've learned to like life enough to have a desire, of sorts, to live forever. Of course, it's possible that ultimately I'll get tired of life. But if that's the case, I have the solution. Go to sleep for a while. Get rest. Respite. Take a break. I really don't want to surrender life. I have it. And it'd be a shame to reject life. My father did that. He committed suicide. At age 38. I've lived a little more than double that long. And so far I have absolutely no desire to take my own life. But I imagine one could become so very miserable. That death might seem like an escape. But I've discovered that even in the worst of times, there's still much to savor. --Jim Broede

To be set free.

Some of my neighbors have 'invisible fences.' For their dogs. They work effectively. In keeping dogs in their own yards. But I know a dog that's gone crazy. Maybe because of the invisible fence. The dog seems frustrated. Every time another dog walks by, he runs in circles. Endless small circles. Knowing that if he runs out of the yard, he'll get zapped. By the invisible fence. That's cruel. This dog needs to be walked. To be set free. --Jim Broede

No more celebration.

I wake up. And my most immediate thought comes. I'm getting old. Because I've just counted my chronological age. It's considered old. By lots of people. Especially by young people. And I let that influence me. If others think 77 is old, then I must be old. But then, I know people who are in their 80s and 90s. Even 100. And that makes me young. Relatively speaking. I joke with my women friends. Telling 'em that there's such a thing as woman years. That women age faster than men. That a woman in her 50s can be in her 80s. By counting in woman years. That doesn't go over very big. Unless the woman has a sense of humor. Anyway, the older I get, the more I decide to stop counting. I no longer celebrate my birthdays. --Jim Broede

If I become a good listener.

I love to be opinionated. To have an opinion about virtually any and everything. It's a way of testing the waters. Voicing an opinion. And getting a reaction. Amazing. The power of opinions. Some opinions arouse people. Other opinions put 'em to sleep. Think of the power I have. I can bombard people with opinions, and put the worst insomniac to sleep. Or I can awaken 'em and bring them to rage. Merely by citing an opinion. That's something I discovered early in life. Maybe that's why I became opinionated. My true opinions keep changing. Because I try to keep an open mind. Opinions can be a learning tool. That is, if I become a good listener. --Jim Broede

Better cold-blooded or stupid?

Maybe I'm being too judgmental. But can't help it. Some people are cold-blooded. Sort of emotionless. I know 'em. Up-close. And from a distance. Maybe it's that they are wrapped up too much in themselves. And don't care enough about others. They lack empathy. Especially for people unlike them. For instance, a monetarily rich guy may have no empathy for the poor. In a cold-blooded way. I suspect that's the case with Mitt Romney. I make a comparison. With Barack Obama. He tends to have more empathy for his fellow human beings. I'd not class Obama as cold-blooded. But rather warm-hearted. In my judgment, Obama is a significantly better human being than Romney. Yes, I acknowledge that doesn't necessarily make it so. It's my perception. My judgment. I'd judging people all the time. Could be one of my shortcomings. But I find it necessary. Some people I trust. Others I don't. But still, I try to be reasonably nice to the cold-blooded. Recognizing that I may be wrong. Could be that Romney is merely downright stupid. And not cold-blooded. Makes me wonder, is it better to be cold-blooded or stupid? --Jim Broede

An attitude adjustment.

One thing I've learned. It's far easier to affect my attitude. Than to affect the attitudes of others. For instance, I can compel myself to rarely, if ever, become angry. Because it's a personal choice. Yes, a choice. I can't choose for others. They have to do it themselves. Maybe I can help sway them. But ultimately, it ain't my choice. It's their choice. I've learned to allow people to annoy me. But not to anger me. Years and years ago, when I was an Alzheimer's care-giver, I became distraught. Upset. Almost on a daily basis. But gradually, I learned acceptance. And instead of being a crummy care-giver, I became a darn good one. I learned to take care of myself. I got respite. I conditioned myself to take on the responsibility of caring for and truly loving my dear sweet wife Jeanne. I had an attitude adjustment. --Jim Broede

By tolerating this obscenity.

I am an American citizen. Being subjected to another presidential election campaign. And I object. It's prolonged. And it's horrid and all too usual form of punishment. It's the worst creation of the American political system. Nobody deserves this. It's gawdawful. Especially the foul, smelly bull shit spewing out of the mouth of Mitt Romney and his surrogates. I can't take it anymore. It seems as though it's been going on forever. It's punishment far worse than living in Hell. Give me Hell rather than a presidential election campaign. Hell will be welcome relief. A respite. The campaign is costing billions of dollars to run. Just in advertising. In commercials. Designed by idiots. And people that belong in insane asylums. We Americans deserve better. Or, come to think of it, maybe we are getting exactly what we deserve. By tolerating this obscenity. --Jim Broede

Does Romney have a soul?

Mitt Romney is a robot. An automaton. A puppet. A facade. Take your choice. They all apply. Not what I'd want in a president. Especially of my country. I want a real human being. One that can think on his feet. Without any prompting from behind the scenes. Romney can be manipulated. Any which way. Just depends on what his handlers want. Romney has no real solid opinions of his own. He can be bent. Into a liberal. Or a conservative. Into almost anything. So pliable. Makes me wonder if Romney is a truly alive and conscious being. Does he have a soul? Maybe he sold it. Long ago. --Jim Broede

I'm not buying Romney's BS.

Mitt Romney is a rich, pompous ass. The kind of guy that lives in a swank home. With an elevator in his garage. To lift his automobiles. And with bank accounts in Switzerland and the Caymen Islands. But I gotta give him credit. At least in bygone days. When he traveled with his family on vacation -- in a car. All the way to Canada. Instead of taking a personal jet aircraft. Yes, he used to live sort of like the rest of us. Though he didn't allow his dog inside. Instead, the dog had to stay in a kennel strapped to the top of the vehicle. Anyway, now he's running for president. Telling us he's a rich businessman. Capable of running the country far better than Barack Obama. Because Obama never learned how to become monetarily rich. To the same degree as Romney. That makes Obama a failure. With little practical business acumen. Therefore, if we Americans want a super rich and successful country, we'd better cast our lot with Romney. But you know what? I'm not buying Romney's bull shit. --Jim Broede

In service of the rich, ruling elite.

I'm beginning to understand why the rich, ruling elite founders of the American nation were in favor of slavery. They believed in a society with sharp division of classes. A society in which there's a ruling elite. Namely, rich and well-off people. To them, it made economic and political and social sense to have slaves. To have a strata of classes. It wasn't really a democracy they had in mind. They wanted everyone to know their role. Their place in a well-structured society. It was a time when many nations had monarchs. A ruling class. Not everyone was perceived as suited to be an elite. Instead, it was only a relative handful that had the knowledge and wherwithal to run the show. Even today, that concept holds true. Particularly in the Republican Party. Where 18th century thinking still prevails. Evidenced by the Republicans' nominee for president. Mitt Romney. Seems to me that if Romney had his druthers, slavery would become legal again. No need to pay the minimum wage to slaves. After all, slaves are meant only to serve the rich, ruling elite. The Mitt Romneys of the world. --Jim Broede

A philosophical and political divide.

I see nothing morally wrong with government coming to the aid of the retired, the poor and low-income families with children. It's the right and decent thing to do. An appropriate role for government. A way to serve the common good. If I'm reading Mitt Romney correctly, he would take the opposite track. In opposition to so-called 'entitlements.' He'd prefer a society in which the poor become poorer and the rich become richer. But maybe I've got Romney wrong. Maybe he believes that if the government refuses to help the poor, the poor might choose to change their ways. And find ways to dig themselves out of deep holes. Guess what I'm saying is that the poor need help. Assistance. I prefer a society in which we all try to help each other. In which the fortunate amongst else come to the aid of the less fortunate. With a better distribution of the wealth. A narrowing of the gap between the rich and the poor. Maybe that's what the upcoming presidential election is all about. A sharply contrasting philosophical and political divide. Makes me far more comfortable with Barack Obama than with Romney. --Jim Broede

A decent and honorable reason.

Mitt Romney looks with disdain on poor people. Seems to blame them for being poor. That if they had any gumption, they'd not be poor. It's all their fault. And it seems to annoy Romney that poor people will vote for Barack Obama. Because Obama would rally government to come to the aid of poor people. With so-called 'entitlements' such as social security and health care and public education and food stamps. Yes, basic sustenance. Romney says that's not the role of government. Yes, it all adds up. To still another decent and honorable reason to vote for Obama. --Jim Broede

Savoring the moment.

I don't wanna be defeated by life. No matter what happens, I wanna turn it into a victory. Sort of like the mythical Sisyphus. The guy required to push a huge boulder up a steep hill, only to see it topple back down again after nearly reaching the peak. So close. Yet so far. Sisyphus had to trek back down, fetch his boulder, and start all over again. But hey, I'm assuming Sisyphus was able to find enjoyment. Especially on the walk back down. Especially if it was a nice weather day. He had a break. Time for respite. Rejuvenation. He could forget about the rock for a while. And savor the moment. For that matter, even hard labor can be comforting. Keeps one in tip-top physical condition. --Jim Broede

Another reason to vote for Obama.

Becoming monetarily rich ain't my thing. I have other aims in life. Such as being happy. And in love. I suspect there are many other Americans who find it unnecessary to be as rich as Mitt Romney. And I don't look at them with disdain, as Romney does. Romney seems to think they are looking for government hand-outs. And that ain't right. In other words, they are supposed to become active in the private free enterprise system and earn enough bucks to totally support themselves. Unlike Romney, I'm for the government providing for the basic needs of citizens who have no desire to be so wealthy that they have absolutely no need for government assistance. I want government to make the basics, such as health care and social security and education available to everyone. Rich or poor. And if that means taxing the rich in order to serve the common good, so be it. Another reason for me to vote for Barack Obama. --Jim Broede

The love letter.

I can spend a day just thinking. Or walking. And be perfectly happy. Yes, exercising. Mentally. Physically. Maybe that's what I was born to do. Think. And move about. I wonder when I started thinking. Really thinking. I don't remember my first conscious thought. Must have been a year or more after I emerged from the womb. Maybe shallow thoughts came first. Wasn't until I learned words. A language. And the real breakthrough came when I started to read and write. To communicate. With meaningful words. Maybe words were my first love. In books. Then my own written words. What a marvel. The ability to create my own words. On paper. In writing. Gave me a sense of being a creator. Publishing my own neighborhood newspaper. In the sixth grade. When I was 12. And I haven't ever stopped writing. Made my living. Writing for newspapers. Now I write my blog. And emails. Thoughts are elusive. But I capture 'em. In writing. Makes me feel alive. And conscious. Interesting how my writing has evolved. Into my favorite form of expression. The love letter. --Jim Broede

I've never really had it bad.

It's a horrid thought. For me. If I have to live under a Republican administration headed by Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan. But it's gotta be an even more horrid thought for black people and poor people. But then, maybe I would have been more distraught living in Nazi Germany or Stalinist Russia. Thing is, I have to learn to adjust. No matter where I reside. And usually, I'm better off than most Americans. Because I'm a white male. We get preferential treatment. Better than being black or a woman. They've put up with hostility and discrimination over the generations. That especially goes for black people. They've never been totally free in America. Even after they were supposely set free after the Civil War. The Jim Crow South was almost as bad as slavery. And living conditions weren't all that much better for blacks in the North. Lucky for me that I've been a member of the white privileged class. Meanwhile, it's scary imagining what it's like being black in America. Or a Jew in Nazi Germany. In comparison, I've never really had it bad. --Jim Broede

Love: The essence of one's being.

Can't change the world. But I can change the way I look at life. Maybe it's best to accept the world, and to make the best of it. By falling in love. Primarily, with life. Even when things go bad. By learning from the experience. That happened when my dear wife Jeanne had a 13-year siege with Alzheimer's and up and died after 38 years of a loving marriage. Took me a while to adjust to being a care-giver. But eventually, I learned the craft. And in the process learned to truly love Jeanne. Which turned into love of life. Discovering that it's possible to fall in love again. In more meaningful ways. There's no limit to the depths of true love. Love is a priceless commodity. In that love lives/resides in the soul. It becomes the essence of one's being. --Jim Broede

The belittling nature of politics.

I belittle those who belittle. Namely, politicians that belittle each other. That's the nature of politics. To belittle one's opponent. I wonder if it's possible for two American politicians from different political parties to praise each other. Imagine that. If it ever happens, it should be the news of the day. Maybe equivalent to the sun rising in the west and setting in the east. Or the world turning upsidedown. Once upon as time, there were moderate Republicans capable of negotiating win-win legislation with Democrats. Where both sides got something they wanted. Yes, a deal that served the common good. A compromise. Because that was best for America. And best for camaraderie. Every day I try to be accommodating to my friends and associates. Even to strangers. Because that seems the right and decent thing to do. But politicians -- well, they'd rather be wrong and indecent and play politics. --Jim Broede

Looking for a mermaid.

I like people that like solitude and the seaside. They escape to the sea. All by themselves. Because they need to be replenished. But in a real sense, they aren't alone. They commune with the spirits. My Italian true love went to the Mediterranean seaside today. Alone. No doubt, she took to the crystal clear water, too. She's a darn good swimmer. Swims like a mermaid. Though she modestly denies it. But still, there are multiple reports of mermaid sightings. I know a mermaid when I see one. Believe me. She's a mermaid. Meanwhile, I have difficulty floating on my back. She's trying to teach me. To relax in the water. But I'm like a rock. I sink to the bottom. Holding my breath. So I don't drown. I can hold my breath. For over a minute. Even longer than a mermaid. Though I suspect that a mermaid can breathe in the water. Sort of like a fish. Wish I could do that. So when I want solitude, I often find myself on a mountain top or in a primeval forest. Still, I like the seaside. Especially at sunset. When I walk along the beach. Looking for a mermaid. --Jim Broede

About as good as life gets.

Maybe it's my imagination. But I see people over-reacting. All over the world. To criticism. To snubs. Seems to me it's all so unnecessary. Personally, I've learned to take insults in stride. To not over-react. To get on with life. Without becoming angry. Oh, I get annoyed. But I stop short of over-reacting. Of becoming hostile. Or violent. Maybe it's that my skin has become as thick and solid as shining armor. I put it all in perspective. And I'm able to withdraw to my cocoon. Where I'm allowed to be in love. With my Italian true love. And with life, in general. I can do that. Even when I don't like everything going on in the world. But I recognize that I ain't god. That I have no control over many, many events. Therefore, I have to accept the world as it is. And try to make the best of it. Ain't always easy. But I believe in the impossible. That one can even walk on water. If one puts his mind to it. But better yet, one can fall in love. That's about as good as life gets. --Jim Broede

My favorite time of year.

September and October in Minnesota gives me the opportunity to savor the last days of summer-like weather. Those days may be few and far between. But when they occur, I appreciate them more than ever. We could get freezing temperatures. Even snow. So when a day is balmy and sunny, I fully savor it. Knowing full well that tomorrow may be dreadful. Relatively speaking. I have to take advantage of the moment. And not put things off until tomorrow. Maybe it's a little bit like growing old. Recognizing that one's days are numbered. There may not even be a next week or next year. But I also can take consolation on autumn's bad weather days. I remind myself that the worst day of fall won't be as bad as the worst day of winter. No. No. Come to think of it, I won't be in Minnesota this winter. I'm gonna be in Sardinia. With my Italian true love. Therefore, winter has become my best/favorite time of year. --Jim Broede

I'm gonna apologize for Mitt.

I see nothing wrong with apologizing for my country. And for some of my fellow Americans. Such as Mitt Romney. He's a cad, of sorts. Bad for my country. So it's right for me to apologize for him. Because he ain't ever gonna apologize for himself. He's not that kind of guy. He's an egocentric American. Harmful to America's image abroad. But hey, America is a place that tolerates free speech. One is allowed to act and talk like an idiot. And Mitt is merely exercising his right. --Jim Broede

On becoming true friends.

I like living abroad. For months at a time. Which I do. With my Italian true love. In Sardinia. But I wouldn't mind living in a Muslim country. Though it might be dangerous. I'd find a way to adapt. For the sake of learning about another culture. Another way of life. I'd try to be a nice and courteous guest. Maybe I'd be uncomfortable. But that's all right. Knowing that eventually I would return to my own culture. But with a better understanding of Islam. And I'd invite Muslims to live with me. For a while. In Minnesota. To learn more about my culture. Maybe we could become true friends. --Jim Broede

Not an easy choice.

I'm conflicted. About free speech. Because that allows for hate speech. Makes me wonder if hate is a crime. Even if it's limited to speech. I'm able to accept hate speech. If it's aimed at me. I'm able to scoff. And even laugh about it. But I see how hate speech affects others. It can ignite a mob. To kill. And then it becomes a crime. But maybe the crime should be headed off. Before it occurs. And how does one do that? Other than by taking away the right to free speech. I'm for individual freedom. But also for the common good. Where does one draw the line? Occasionally I have to surrender my freedom in order to serve the common good. Not an easy choice. --Jim Broede

The warp-minded truth.

Freedom of speech gives all of us another freedom. To tell bold-faced lies. Yes, to make up preposterous stories. And that leads to still another freedom. To believe anything one wants to believe. Including the lies. Anyway, that's what Mitt Romney and his Republican cohorts are relying on in the presidential election. Which is only 54 days away. We'll soon discover if the American electorate is a gullible lot. And buys into the daily lies. Polls show that nearly one-third of Republicans believe that Barack Obama isn't an American citizen. Goes to show that a lie, repeated often enough, becomes the truth. Especially in warped minds of some Republicans. --Jim Broede

A nasty bunch.

So very many Republican politicians hate Barack Obama. They pledged four years ago to oppose him every step of the way. On every issue. Their singular goal is to see that Obama doesn't get a second term. They never gave him a fairshake. Never. If Obama proposed legislation that Republicans previously supported, they'd oppose it. Just to spite Obama. If leaders of foreign countries were watching, they must have concluded that it would be miserable trying to negotiate with Republicans. On foreign policy, or anything. Because of the way they treated Obama. Despite he being an American. If a fellow American can't get respect and a fairshake from the Republicans, foreigners might be wise in assuming that foreigners also don't stand a chance. Yes, watch out. Republicans are a nasty, mean-spirited bunch when it comes to politics. --Jim Broede

Maybe it ain't worth the effort.

Maybe god is unconscious. That's my latest thought. That god created the world. And then fell into unconsciousness. Maybe he's merely sleeping. Anyway, if that's so, he doesn't know what's happening in his world. Could be he went to sleep because he doesn't want to know. He'd rather just let it be. Let us humans work things out on our own. Without interference. Or maybe god tends to be lazy. He laid down to take a nap. And it's been a long one. Setting a world record. I'm wondering if god will wake up some day. And see the mess we are in. Makes me wonder if he'll do anything about it. I suppose he could just end the world. All of creation. And start all over. Or maybe he'll decide it ain't worth the effort. --Jim Broede

Maybe god isn't conscious.

Life. I like to think about life. The forms that life may take. In dimensions that I can imagine. Or some even beyond my imagination. For instance, if I had a sixth, seventh or eighth sense, maybe I'd have a new form of awareness. Maybe I could propel myself to a farflung outpost of the cosmos. In an instant. To another planet. Another solar system. Could be that the entire cosmos becomes habitable. In a new reality. In another dimension. Could be there's all sorts of life around me now. That I can't see or grasp. Because my physical being has limits. I can't fully embrace god. Other than in a very limited and abstract way. Maybe that's my outer limit. My imagination. I can't go beyond that. Unless I had other senses. A higher intelligence. A more profound consciousness. Anyway, my sense is that I always existed. Like god. In one form or another. Maybe not consciously. And maybe I'll always exist. But not always be aware of it. Unless I'm plunked into a dimension. Where consciousness becomes possible. In imagined reality. Come to think of it. Maybe god isn't  conscious. --Jim Broede

Such wonderful girlfriends.

My Italian true love has wonderful girlfriends. They buoy her spirits. Often on the telephone. While I'm watching on Skype, an audio/video connection. My true love may be distraught. Because of a bad day. And I try to console her from her sad-faced mood. I'm not fully succeeding. But then comes the call from a girlfriend. And suddenly, she's upbeat again. Smiling. Laughing. She's forgotten her troubles. Makes me delighted -- that my true love has such wonderful girlfriends. --Jim Broede

Knowing that life is good.

Maybe I won't flee to Italy/Sardinia until November. After the election. Because living in Minnesota ain't so bad in September and October. Often, the two nicest months of the year. What with the autumn colors. And the nifty weather. Often a long spell of Indian summer. Besides, I wanna be sure that I vote for Barack Obama -- and against everyone of the Republicans on the ballot. Sure, I could do it by absentee ballot. But I like the idea of going directly to the polls on election day. Of course, my vote won't count in the grand scheme of things. But still, I like to go through the motions. Reminding myself that I did my infinitismal part. And if Obama wins, I'll be able to lean back in my airline seat. Knowing that life is reasonably good. Back home. Even on the American political scene. --Jim Broede

Just being one's self.

Seems to me that some people worry too much about their image. Too concerned about what other people think of 'em. Therefore, they go out of their way to build/create an image. Really, an image that often is false. Celebrities do it. But I also have friends and acquaintances that do it. More ordinary people. They aren't famous by any means. I acknowledge that maybe all of us are guilty of image-building. To some degree. As for me, I couldn't care less about my image. But that, in itself, is a form of image-building. Yes, a 'couldn't-care-less' image. I'm caught in a trap. But one thing: I don't worry about it. Never lose sleep if someone doesn't think well of me. That's what I urge my friends to do. Just be themselves. Without worrying about their image. But then, maybe that's what they are. Chronic worriers. And I should let everyone just be one's self. --Jim Broede

A political party of racists.

When I look at the Republican Party, I see white. That makes some people see red. Angry, I suppose. But as for me, I'm more amused than anything. Just goes to show that Republicans are racists. If you are a minority, you'd probably need your head examined to become a Republican. Because Republicans cater to white people. To be a Republican ain't as bad as being a Nazi. Not yet, at least. Maybe some day. Seems to me that Republicans are becoming more radical. All the time. Because it won't be long before white people become the minority in America. That scares the hell out of Republicans. Because many of 'em sort of detest anybody who isn't white. They think of white people as superior. God's gift to the world. And therefore, they wanna protect the interests of white people. Especially the rich white people. Millionaires and billionaires. Republicans think that white people were created to horde the wealth. And to be the ruling class. That's why Republicans hate Barack Obama. And virtually any black man and black woman. Republicans think of blacks as inferior. Only blacks that act like white people are welcome. They have to buy into the party line. And in some sense, renounce their blackness. Sad, isn't it? That there are racists amongst us. Even a political party composed mostly of racists. --Jim Broede

My well-reasoned vote.

I'm often caught betwixt and between. Especially when it comes to deciding what's best for me, or what's best for the common good. Seems I'm living in a society that puts the indivdiual ahead of the common good. In America, we put the individual above all else. We advocate individual freedom. To do pretty much as one pleases. For instance, it's deemed wise and proper to accumulate as much money as one can. Millions and billions of dollars. To become excessively wealthy. Even if that puts other people in peril. Even if it harms the common good. Interesting, isn't it? The wealthy aren't always satisfied. They want more and more. An insatiable desire for limitless wealth. As if they are entitled to it. Even at the expense of poor and destitute people. When really, wealth should be shared. With the purpose of serving the common good. Which happens to be basic tenet of socialists and many religious faiths. Jesus, for instance, sounds like a socialist. Didn't he advocate the sharing of wealth? He urged a rich man to give away his money if he really wanted entry into the kingdom of heaven. That's why I'm gonna vote for Obama and the liberal Democrats. Advocates of the common good. Sure beats supporting Romney and the conservative Republicans. Advocates of the good of the few -- the rich elite. --Jim Broede

Ron teaches me about his world.

Took my 84-year-old friend Ron for a walk this morning. He's the one with dementia. Probably Alzheimer's. Ron's caregivers told me he was 'out of it.' That he wasn't making sense. But he made lots of sense on the walk. Because just before we left, they put in his hearing aids. That made the difference. Ron was exceptionally alert. Very much with it. On the entire walk. He answered most of my questions. Sensibly. Logically. Maybe it was because I caught Ron in the morning. When he was still rested. Rather than late in the day. When he's tired. But one thing's for certain. Ron should be wearing his hearing aids. Throughout the day. Anyway, Ron heard the birds singing. I know. Because he commented about the sweet sounds. And he became fascinated with his shadow. Chasing it. And waving to himself. And he read a sign aloud. 'One man, one woman.' I didn't know that Ron could still read. He's literate. Maybe doesn't fully understand everything he reads. But he understood the warmth of the sunshine. Told me so. And Ron has sense to watch where he walks. Skirts around the manhole covers. I like to take Ron for walks. Because he always teaches me so much. About his world. --Jim Broede

I know my priorities

I'm stuck. In a world where I have no say over the political, economic and social structures. I'm compelled to fit in. Or to retreat to my cocoon. Yes, and to make the best of my own little created haven. Living life reasonably happy and content -- and in love. I find that acceptable, especially the love part. I put love first and foremost. Helps me ignore some of the other irritating stuff. Over which I have no control. Anyway, I'm focused on what I love most. The moment. Now. And my Italian true love. That makes goings-on in the rest of the world relatively unimportant. I know my priorities. --Jim Broede

Getting a thrill out of life.

A tiny red squirrel is trying to drive my cat nuts. By climbing the screen on my sliding glass door. Loverboy sees the squirrel. And tries to get at him. Through the glass door. The squirrel seems to know he's protected. And merely wants to taunt Loverboy. It's become quite a game. I'm letting it all play out. Because both of the participants are getting good exercise. And a thrill out of life. --Jim Broede

Without a profit motive.

Got a call this morning. From someone trying to raise funds to supplement the local fire fighting budget. That turned me off. Because it's the responsibility/role of government -- local, state and federal -- to see that fire fighting services are adeqately funded. Through taxes, or whatever. That's why I'm for government. For the serving of the common good. Because the private sector ain't gonna do it. Especially under the capitalist system. Which is out to serve the individual good. Which is usually selfish. The aim often is to get rich, monetarily speaking. Even if that means exploiting the consumer. I'm sure that the private fund-raiser for the fire fighters was setting aside a nifty profit -- for himself. I want government to provide essential services. Without a profit motive. --Jim Broede

Just joking, folks.

Republicans think they can get away with almost anything. Such as denying non-Republicans the right to vote. With voter suppression laws. Making it difficult for poor people and old people and minorities to vote. By requiring everyone to have a government-issued picture ID when they go to the polls. Of course, Republicans declare they are doing this to curb voter fraud. But that's bogus. The Republicans can't cite any cases of voter fraud. Instead, the aim is to make it more difficult for Democrats and non-Republican citizens to vote. I'm for a law to make it illegal for scum-bags to vote. That would disqualify many Republicans. Just joking, folks. --Jim Broede

The best way of all.

In some ways, it's just as well that I don't speak Italian. Because I'd cultivate contacts and relationships that might make my Italian true love nervous. Such as extensive chit-chats with total strangers. I'd find that fascinating. And I'd cultivate contact with complete strangers on my daily walks. I would diversify. As it is, I am focused heavily on my true love. Which is satisfying and fascinating. I'm making the best of my limited knowledge of the Italian language. And taking advantage of Italians that speak English. But imagine what I'd be doing if I spoke fluent Italian. Instead, I narrow my focus when in Italy. Which is all right. Because I become more an observer. I see so much. And I think about what I see. And the significance of it all. And I see so much of Italy through my true love's heart and soul. Which may be the best way of all.--Jim Broede

With a lack of sensitivity

I engage my Republican neighbors in political talk. And only hope they know I'm half joshing 'em. Like the other day, I sort of taunted a neighbor about her lawn sign, which declared opposition to same sex marriage. She favors a law that allows for marriage only between a man and a woman. I quipped, 'Give me a law that prohibits marriage between two Republicans.' Wouldn't that be wonderful? Treating Republicans the same way they treat others. With a lack of sensitivity. -Jim Broede

Societies get it right -- eventually.

Hard for me to believe that the Romney/Ryan ticket could win the presidential election. But then, societies do some mighty peculiar things. South Africa had apartheid for a long, long time. And the Germans had the Third Reich. So I suppose there's nothing stopping America from having Romney/Ryan. But I'm an optimist. South Africa rid itself of apartheid. And the modern-day Germans look at Hitler with disdain. Goes to show that when things go wrong, societies eventually get it right. --Jim Broede

We are shameful Americans.

America has always had something rotten at it's core. Right from the beginning. Ever since the founding of the USA in the 18th century. Slavery, for instance. Inequality. We Americans had a civil war, and we theoretically eliminated slavery. But we have never rid ourselves of inequality. We are still denying people their basic civil and human rights. Of course, America has always taken a holier-than-thou attitude. Patting ourselves on the back. Claiming to be good. Claiming to be the best and greatest nation on Mother Earth. If we are the best, god help us all. Because in some ways, we are pitiful. Just look at our state of politic. It's gawdawful. Our politicians cater to the rich. We've created a privileged elite. A plutocracy. A dictatorship of the monetarily rich. Of millionaires and billionaires and bankers. Money manipulators. Greed permeates our economic system. That's the way I see it. At our core, we are an evil nation. Always have been. That doesn't mean America is totally bad. There are strains of well-intentioned goodness. Reasons to be braggarts. Which causes us to overlook and ignore our badness. Our basic immorality. Our corruptness. Thing is, there's always something wrong with America. Always will be. Maybe that's the nature of the human condition. Our inability to recognize how bad we really are. Therefore, we'll always be bad at the core. Deep down. We Americans will continue to utter our high-minded platitudes. Pretending. Pretending. Pretending to be something we aren't. Unfortunately, we'll remain hypocrites. Not practicing what we preach. We'll be proud Americans. When really, we are shameful. --Jim Broede

Wanna live to see it happen.

I'm accepting the notion that my Chicago Cubs have to get really bad before getting good. That everybody remotely responsible for the Cubs losing baseball ways must be purged. Gotten rid of. The Cubs have to start with a clean slate. Rebuilding at every level of the organization. A clean sweep. That appears what the Cubs are up to. I've been warned by the new management to expect losing teams for a few more years. Really bad teams. As if the teams of the past weren't bad enough. These will be even worse. I'm expecting seasons of over 100 losses. I'm expecting totally pathetic, incompetent teams. The worst of the worst. So that the Cubs can some day emerge as winners. I'm age 76. Waiting patiently. Hope I live long enough to see it happen. --Jim Broede

My abiding faith.

Yes, Americans are better off today than they were four years ago. No doubt about it. Another reason why Barack Obama deserves a second term. Obama inherited a horrendous economic mess when he was elected in 2008. And the mess was caused primarily by eight years of George Bush and Republicans. Especially conservative Republicans. Come to think of it, that's all there is in the Republican Party. Conservative and ultra-conservative Republicans. No such thing as a moderate Republican anymore. For Americans to turn over the White House and the reins of government to Republicans would be insanity. A return to the debacle of the past. Most Americans have to be smarter than that. That's my abiding faith. Makes me an optimist. That when push comes to shove, Americans will do the right thing. --Jim Broede

How to stimulate the economy.

Alcoa is an international conglomerate. In the process of closing a smelting plant in Sardinia/Italy. Because it's gonna be cheaper to operate in Iceland. Where immigrant workers can be brought in and paid $6.50 an hour. It's a sign of a heartless and mean-spirited business operation. Alcoa has annual profits hovering around $20 billion. It could easily pay workers a more decent living wage. But chooses not to. For the sake of padding its profit. That's the way capitalism operates. And to hell with the common good. If workers were paid more, it'd be a big boost to the economy. Because workers would have more to spend. Yes, folks, workers and the middle class are being exploited. By big business. By big corporations. We need to get more of the wealth into the hands of the middle class. Instead of into the pockets of the rich and super rich. --Jim Broede

A newspaper's weakest link.

I subscribe to the print edition of the New York Times. I'm supposed to get home delivery. Even if the delivery man misses me. I'm told all I need do is call, and they'll deliver the missed paper later in the day, or the next day at the very latest. But that's an empty promise. It's bull shit. Maybe in the last 4 years, I've missed delivery about 25 or 30 times. Only once did the Times come through with a replacement copy. I tell that to the Times representatives. On the telephone. They keep promising the delivery. A replacement copy. I tell 'em it's an empty promise. That they are telling me a lie. A fib. I know they won't fulfill the promise. But still, they keep promising. Maybe some day I'll get pissed. And cancel my subscription. But I don't. Because I like to read the New York Times. The print edition. I used to write for newspapers. Spent 29 years writing for the daily St. Paul Pioneer Press. In St. Paul. Minnesota. And I always had the impression that the Pioneer Press' weakest link was the circulation department. That must go for the New York Times, too. I trust the Times' writers. And the editorial department. But I don't trust the circulation people. They're incompetent. --Jim Broede

Reasonably free. And happy, too.

The world isn't gonna be the place I want it to be. So I've got two choices, essentially. Adapt and cope. Or live a frustrated life. But the nice thing is that the world ain't all bad. One can salvage many, many nice times. Endearing times. Loving times. Still, one has to put up with some crap. Things that one can't change. As for me, I learn acceptance. Or I fight for change. Even when it's a losing cause. At least I get some satisfaction from trying. Occasionally, I come out the winner. I get great satisfaction when I win a battle with the political bureaucracy. Especially at work. Shows that I have some power. I'm still able to control my fate to some meaningful degree. Sometimes, I merely outlast the opposition. I out-live 'em. I have lived long enough to retire. Which gives me more independence than I had before. Gives me more flexibility. Gives me more options to do what I really want to do. More of a sense of freedom. But even before I retired, I tried to position myself so that I could be free. So that I could be my own being. Without having to submit to the dictates of others. Seems to me that freedom and happiness go hand in hand. I'm never totally free. But I have convinced myself that I am reasonably free. And happy, too. --Jim Broede

Inside a man's mind.

I'm going for daily walks with an 84-year-old man. With dementia. Maybe Alzheimer's. Always seems to be happy. Maybe it's that he's not aware of his dementia. If he was, he probably wouldn't be so happy. His wife has dementia, too. And she's aware of it. To some degree. She doesn't always come across as happy. Maybe because she has some knowledge of her condition. Probably makes her insecure. Not wanting to make a fool of herself. Anyway, I tell the man to focus on one thing. Our walk. To, in a sense, wear blinders. Savor the moment. The walk. To observe nature. The environs. To forget everything else. I try to get him to listen to what I have to say. Just as I listen to him. It's mostly his world that I enter. Makes me better understand what is inside his mind. --Jim Broede

Given time. To reach our primes.

I have friends younger than me. Maybe by as much as 20 or 30 years. And they've reached their primes. They may not know it. That they are at a great age. Not too young. Not too old. A nice age to reach their primes. Many of us us reach our prime without knowing it. But I tell them. That they are in their primes. It's a good feeling. Know it. Appreciate it. My guess is that people reach their primes at different ages. Could be that I'm in my prime now. At 76. Because I sense I'm a late, late bloomer. Took me a long time to mature. And I may not yet be mature. When I was in my 50s and 60s, I was still in my immature, idiot stage. People with short lives reach their primes early. People like the composers Schubert and Mozart. But those of us who live long lives tend to reach our primes late in life. That's why we live long. We are blessed. Given time. To reach our primes. --Jim Broede

What the GOP doesn't tell us.

I like to put matters in perspective. For instance, idiot Republicans blame Barack Obama for an unemployment rate of just over 8 percent. They say that's bad. And ample reason to replace the Obama administration in the upcoming presidential election. The Republicans neglect to tell us that when Obama took office four years ago, America was losing jobs at the rate of 750,000 a month. Yes, under George Bush. Under a Republican administration. That's the situation that Obama inherited. A near economic collapse of America. The worst economic times since the Great Depression. Compare that with today. No longer are we losing jobs. America is gaining jobs. Every month. Sure, it'd be nice if we had even more jobs. But it sure beats the hell out of losing 750,000 jobs a month. Fact is, Obama and his administration have performed near miracles. Pulling the nation back from the brink. Of course, there's still a long way to go. But to put the Republicans back in charge -- well, that's pure insanity. Absolutely ridiculous. It'd be handing back the power to the same idiots that got us into this mess in the first place. --Jim Broede