The Fourth Option (A Centrist Perspective) Blog

Rick Santorum is the perfect example of everything that is wrong with the Tea Party/Republican, Christian conservative leaders. Rick, like most of the other leaders in his party, seems to be unaware that he is not permitted to treat the teachings of God and His Son, Christ Jesus, like elective classes at a college or university. He seems to be unaware that he doesn’t have the authority to accept only those teaching that can further his political career, while rejecting the remaining teachings that Tea Party/Republican members might find unfavorable. God and His Son, Christ Jesus, expect Their followers to accept Their teachings in its entirety: They expect us to obey all Their laws, and to live our lives by practicing and promoting all Their policies. Santorum is either sinfully selective in accepting/rejecting Christian teachings, or he is unfortunately unaware of this Christian requirement. (Many experts think it’s the former.) Additionally, however, there are two supplementary issue...

Almost six year ago I wrote this article on my blog. Since that time it has become one of the top ten favorite articles I have written. Most of the comments I received about it are positive. However, every once in awhile, I receive a  specific type of negative comment whose content is noteworthy because it represents a specific way of think that is so prevalent in this nation that it should not be ignored. I included it here in red ink follow my article. Friday, April 22, 2011 Social Studies – more important than Math and Science!      If I had a magic wand that would allow me to prioritize the courses taught in our schools, I would make Social Studies the second most important content area in every school's curriculum throughout the United States. I would place it right behind Reading (number 1), but definitely ahead of Math (number 3) and Science (number 4).      Most of this nation's problems are due to the fact that many of...

          I have returned in the nick of time, or so it seems. I have returned at the very moment that the political debates at the state and national levels are beginning to heat up. I have returned at this time when Republican’s gross untruths, false promises, and historical revisions are the centerpieces of our national policies and the increasing perspective form which social and economic issues are reported.          During my sabbatical I completed two books, while continuing to teach writing literacy, science, and math to middle school students. One was a book of poetry ― my favorite genre; the second book was a book on the philosophy of God ―my favorite inventor.      In the upcoming days I will write about politics, social issues, poetry and God, and the important ideas concerning them that are not being discussed. However, it is Sunday. The sun is shinning on the path where the critters c...