Technology, the work-saving redeemer of previous centuries, seems to be backfiring. As workers become more dependent on the modern equivalent of the steam engine, the smartphone, one should presumably find more time for recreation, rest and family interaction. After all, machines were meant to make work easier and free up time. Nevertheless, a tool can … Read more
With literally trillions of dollars in personal debt now hanging over the American consumer, the question might be asked as to where all this debt came from. It has a long history. Buying on credit started at the turn of the twentieth century. Buying dreams on credit was an American invention that served to create … Read more
Historically, gold was in very short supply in Europe and was hardly the basis for money. Thus, the role of precious metals in money was very limited as can be seen by the affirmation of David Hackett Fischer: “The supply of these precious metals was relatively small in the medieval West. Scholars have estimated that … Read more
Tennessee earned the nickname the “Volunteer State” during the War of 1812 because of the prominent role played by her sons, especially during the Battle of New Orleans. When Andrew Jackson asked the state for 2,000 troops, they sent 30,000. It was therefore with good reason that the Congressional Medal of Honor Society chose Knoxville … Read more
Anyone who has the illusion that the Chinese Communist Party has adopted capitalism would do well to look at exactly how the Chinese economy is run. While it is true that the Chinese state no longer runs everything directly, it does use the West and its economic mechanisms to perpetuate itself and pursue its goals. … Read more
In the continuing debate on inequality, there are many who continue to point to Thomas Piketty as a kind of secular prophet who can offer words of wisdom. The French economist certainly has plenty of words that can be found in his worldwide bestseller, a weighty 700-page work called Capital in the Twenty-First Century. Whether … Read more
We find the concern and passion for justice reflected in a conversation between Saint John Bosco and a simple blacksmith who supported the saint’s works and began the following conversation: –“Do you know what my biggest worry is?” –“Surely it must be to live and die in the grace of God.” –“No, I’m not worried … Read more
Written by Dennis Best. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, a change in society’s perception of value began to take place. The almighty dollar became the de facto measure of worth, and factors that could not be quantified monetarily began to get phased out of the equation. Elements such as beauty, craftsmanship, uniqueness and … Read more
CHANDLER, AZ (July 24, 2014) – Family, honor, faith and positive role models are the most powerful tools Americans have to reclaim their great country from the throes of social and economic chaos, according to the two distinguished presenters of “Return to Family: Getting Your Family Fired Up About Honor, Role Models and the Faith.” … Read more
It is interesting to note the different perceptions of how people perceive what they do for a living. Finance professor Bernard Lietaer makes the distinction by noting the original meanings of the words ‘job’ and ‘work.’ He writes: The word ‘Job’ is recent; it dates from the Industrial Revolution. It was initially defined as a … Read more
