From The Desk Of…
Monthly articles written by Stan Hupfeld and published in the Journal Record.
A Hefty Price Tag
Published in The Journal Recors
April 24, 2013
I love political cartoons. The really good ones can comment on a complex subject in one simple picture. A recent cartoon in our daily paper is an example. Continue reading
“A Game of Mathematics”
Published in The Journal Record
March 27, 2013
My favorite president is John Quincy Adams, 1825 -1829. This may seem strange since he was amazingly unsuccessful in his one term as president. Continue reading
A Trick of History
Published in The Journal Record
February 27, 2013
As human beings we tend to believe the way things are is the way they’re supposed to be. Employer-based health insurance is a prime example. Continue reading
The Same Coin
Published in The Journal Record
January 30, 2013
The pro-gun and the pro-choice lobbies are the flip side of the same coin.
On the surface this statement appears very illogical, bordering on the absurd. Clearly, the supporters of both movements have different political philosophies. Continue reading
A Path that’s Unavoidable
Published in The Journal Record
January 2, 2013
If there is one thing all factions in the war over the Affordable Care Act (ACA) can agree it’s that health care costs are on an unsustainable glide path. The sad truth is the best thinkers in both parties are out of ideas. Continue reading
Individual or Societal Rights
Published in The Journal Record
December 5, 2012
“All men are created equal.” When Thomas Jefferson wrote these words as a prelude to the Declaration of Independence it signaled an extraordinary change in world political philosophy. For thousands of years prior to 1776 men were thought to clearly not be equal. Until that time in most societies, there was a noble class given their superior status by God and the accident of their birth, as equal. Continue reading
Hypocrisy and Half-Truths
Published in the Journal Record
November 7, 2012
Hypocrisy has always been the hallmark of politicians throughout the ages. The Affordable Care Act has given both parties the chance to take this art form to a new level of execution. Let me give you two examples, one by each party. Continue reading
Rich With Irony
Published in The Journal Record
October 10, 2012
There is always a certain irony when politicians take the opposite view from their traditional position just to gain a momentary political advantage. The recent controversy over Republican Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan’s strategies to save Medicare is rich with irony. Continue reading
Bide Your Time
Published in The Journal Record
September 12, 2012
In my last article in this space I had advice for the President. I’m reasonably certain he will not accept it. Undaunted by this snub, this month I now have advice for the Governor. Continue reading
A Tax by Any Other Name
Published in the Journal Record
August 15, 2012
The President originally campaigned on the premise he was different than the average political hack, that he would be a transformational president. Recent Supreme Court rulings give him the chance to do just that. During debates preceding passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act the President is on record vigorously denying the individual mandate could be considered a tax. To do otherwise would have violated his campaign promise that he would never raise taxes on anyone but the “wealthy.” Continue reading