Since the administration of Dwight D. Eisenhower, both Republicans and Democrats have accepted the basic model of the New Deal Welfare State. Many Republicans under Eisenhower sought to unravel the welfare state programs begun during the New Deal, especially Social Security, but Eisenhower made the decision to keep the basic model of a moderate welfare state. Under President George W. Bush, the Republicans continued to basically support the moderate welfare state, especially with his addition of the prescription drug program to Medicare as a benefit.

?Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king?s horses and all the king?s men
Could not put Humpty Dumpty together again.?

Although the origin of this nursery rhyme is much disputed?the point for us is well taken: Once something is broken, it is most difficult/nearly impossible to fix or restore.

Once again, the pernicious issue of gambling is raising its ugly head in the state of Nebraska, the state in which I live. It is important to refresh our collective memories on the nature of gambling and its indisputable effects on culture and society.

The mixing of political and religious ideas is central to understanding Judaism and the modern state of Israel. Thomas Friedman, in his book From Beirut to Jerusalem, argues that there are four distinct groups of Jews within modern Israel (and the world).

Every 3 years, the OECD conducts exams as part of the Program for International Student Assessment, which tests 15-year olds in the world?s leading industrialized nations on their reading comprehension and ability to use what they have learned in math and science.

With the death of Apple founder and CEO, Steve Jobs, and the subsequent release of the biography of Jobs by Walter Isaacson, we have gained a new insight into the mind and heart of this remarkable man.

Nearly two weeks ago, I read a book by sociologist Christian Smith while returning to Omaha on a plane. It was an astounding account of the cultural phenomenon called emerging adulthood.

Recently, I read a remarkable magazine on medicine and health care throughout history. What was most striking was the article on healthcare in the Roman Empire. In my opinion, nothing better illustrates the power of worldview in explaining social change than this article.

In the new book by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, there is a startling account of an offer Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, made secretly to Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority in the summer of 2008.

If one is intellectually honest about what is occurring in western civilization, especially in the United States, one would conclude anecdotally that traditional marriage with one man and one woman, married and having children?is non-existent in major parts of the culture.