All posts by Bob Morrison

Since retirement I've begun writing regular newspaper editorials and more recently created this blog. I'm a novice but have been a fascinated student of public policy for many years. I try to raise questions that have not yet been considered or to examine old questions from new perspectives. I have been 20+ years a Hoosier, 20+ years a Buckeye and now 20+ years a Tarheel, working as CEO of three different hospitals for 30 years, serving on numerous health care and non-profit Boards and government commissions along the way. Before working in health care I had brief experiences in manufacturing, sales, and services for the handicapped. With a BA in Psychology, an MBA, and a liberal arts background, I've become a bit of a futurist - taking the long view in considering public policy questions. I continue to enjoy discussion of alternative viewpoints and even change my mind now and then. I hope you will subscribe to the website and join the discussions!
All Posts, economy, justice, poverty, race, taxes

An Economy Divided Against Itself

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On June 16, 1858 a  little-known candidate for the Illinois Senate spoke these words, “A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become lawful in all the States, old as well as new — North as well as South.”  Abraham Lincoln was defeated in that election.

Twenty-first Century America is a house divided.  Like Lincoln, we should expect that our nation will cease to be divided, not that it will fall.  Like the America of 1858, we must choose our destiny.  We may become a commonwealth where everyone has opportunity to develop her or his full potential; benefitting financially and socially from personal efforts. Or we may become a winner-take-all nation where the wealthy grant only subsistence to those who labor. Continue reading An Economy Divided Against Itself →

All Posts, north carolina, public education

Tough Love For School Boards And Legislators

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Help wanted:  Professional position, requires bachelor’s degree, Masters preferred.  Starting salary is $33,000 – $36,300 depending on academic qualifications.  Raises are dependent on multiple complex criteria that have little to do with how hard or well you work and are subject to change without notice.   Employees are expected to bring their own supplies.  Position title:  Public School Teacher in North Carolina. Continue reading Tough Love For School Boards And Legislators →

All Posts, justice, religion

THANKSGIVING FOR A SECULAR NATION

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I am thankful to live in a  free, secular nation where there are few limitations on my right to live as I choose.  That liberty was thoughtfully created by the framers of our constitution and protected  by every generation of Americans. Continue reading THANKSGIVING FOR A SECULAR NATION →

All Posts, economy, health, medicaid, north carolina

How To Fix Obamacare

If your loved one  is seriously ill or injured and can’t pay for health care, should America provide what she/he needs? If health care costs are beyond the reach of many Americans,  should government take action? If you answer “yes”, the next steps are about how to achieve the goals; and it’s time for fact based solutions to the problems of American health care. Continue reading How To Fix Obamacare →

All Posts, economy, justice, north carolina, poverty

Legislators like Tillis betrayed military families and the poor

Thom Tillis and other red-state legislators made it easy for big banks and financial companies to prey on the poor with interest rates as high as 36%. The legislators accepted large contributions from financial industry representatives, and it appears that  Tillis got more than any other legislator in the nation.   Ignoring the advice of military leaders, these lawmakers sold out low income families trying to  climb into the middle class. Click here for specifics.  It’s wrong for elected leaders to help big companies take advantage of the poor.  Kudos to the NY Times for their research and follow-up.

All Posts, economy, environment, health

WHY WOULD RENEE ELLMERS ELIMINATE EPA?

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Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R – NC) wants to eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the  federal agency that sets and enforces standards for safe water and air.  She should justify her goal.  We need congressional representatives who think carefully and speak wisely about such important matters.  Her statement seems reckless, and if she can’t justify it then she does not belong in our Congress.  Continue reading WHY WOULD RENEE ELLMERS ELIMINATE EPA? →

All Posts, health, justice, north carolina, public education

Does Underage Drinking Fuel Campus Assaults?

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I got you in trouble in high school; but college, now that was a ball.  You had some of the best times you’ll never remember with me – Alcohol.”  (Brad Paisley)

The song masks pain and humiliation behind humor.  Many college students arrive with established alcohol habits and binge drinking is popular recreation. Some parents allow pre-college teenagers to have alcohol at parties.   Are they protecting their children by letting them learn to drink responsibly under supervision or are they increasing the chances that the children will become alcoholics?  In some states that is legal and in others parents could face both criminal and civil penalties.  Excessive drinking among teens is associated with academic failure, violence,  and financial problems. Continue reading Does Underage Drinking Fuel Campus Assaults? →

All Posts, budget, health, north carolina, taxes

FRACKING DANGERS ARE WORSE THAN WE THOUGHT

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North Carolina’s Republican Governor and a nearly unanimous majority of Republican lawmakers have recklessly dashed ahead to allow hydraulic fracking for production of natural gas. They have ignored the growing body of evidence that fracking imperils our health and the safety of our air and water. They missed the “look before you leap” lesson and took all of us along when they jumped into fracking. Continue reading FRACKING DANGERS ARE WORSE THAN WE THOUGHT →

All Posts, budget, islam, justice, religion, taxes, war

AN ALTERNATIVE ISIS STRATEGY

There must be better ways to relate to Middle Eastern Muslims than the ones we have chosen. Three fallacious assumptions have formed the basis for many mistakes: “The enemies of my enemies are my friends.” “The friends of my enemies are my enemies.” “Those who are not for us are against us.” Here are two examples of where that logic took us. Continue reading AN ALTERNATIVE ISIS STRATEGY →

All Posts, deficit, justice, taxes, war

IS NO NUKES ALWAYS GOOD NEWS?

January 11, 1994 BRUSSELS — “President Clinton on Monday announced agreement with Ukraine and Russia to dismantle Ukraine’s entire nuclear arsenal, hailing the long-sought accord as “a hopeful and historic breakthrough that enhances the security of all three participants.” – The Los Angeles Times.

From the breakup of the Soviet Union, Ukraine had inherited 176 intercontinental missiles aimed mostly at the US and over 1200 nuclear warheads about 600 of which were loaded on bombers. The US and Russia promised security to Ukraine if they would give up their nuclear weapons. The US provided assistance for turning the weapons into fuel for nuclear power plants. Russia agreed to provide fuel rods for Ukraine’s nuclear plants. The world no longer feared Ukraine’s nukes being stolen or sold to the highest black market bidder. Russia no longer had a nuclear armed neighbor. Continue reading IS NO NUKES ALWAYS GOOD NEWS? →