Paul deLespinasse

Corvallis

Freelance Editor and Writer at Newsmax

Freelance Contributor at Freelance

Articles

Is the U.S. Becoming a "Third World" Country?

3 days ago | laprogressive.com | Paul deLespinasse |Rob Maurer

The second Trump administration has been implementing the "let's make government weaker" recommendations of the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation with a vengeance. Americans have long bragged that we are the world's most advanced nation. We certainly used to be. But those leading earlier in a race do not always end up winning it.
The Rule of Law Is Even More Important Than Democracy

6 days ago | laprogressive.com | Paul deLespinasse |Rob Maurer

All governments being oligarchical, democracy merely limits what the individuals who are ruling can get away with. Democracy is a good idea. But it is neither the only good idea nor the most important one. To protect everyone from governmental mistreatment, the rule of law is much more important than democracy. Democracy gives voters only limited and slow influence over government.
Extending 2017 Tax Cuts Will Increase National Debt

1 week ago | newsmax.com | Paul deLespinasse

The tax cuts enacted during the first Trump administration were scheduled to sunset at the end of 2025, returning us to the higher pre-2017 tax levels. Donald Trump now wants Congress to renew these tax cuts. But despite deep proposed reductions in many vital programs, extending the 2017 tax rates would guarantee a huge 10-year increase in the national debt. With only a one vote majority, House Republicans have passed a bill doing exactly this.
Selling Wireless Spectrum a Bad Idea

3 weeks ago | newsmax.com | Paul deLespinasse

Congress may be about to sell large amounts of electromagnetic spectrum β through which cellphone, radio, and TV signals are transmitted β to private corporations. This could bring in tens of billions of dollars, but selling spectrum is a terrible idea. Since selling could bring in so much money, the spectrum is obviously valuable. It is a natural resource β not produced by human effort.
Trump's Vendetta Against Wind Power May Boost Solar

1 month ago | newsmax.com | Paul deLespinasse

Ironically, Donald Trump's attacks on wind turbines could hasten the day when we stop burning coal, oil, and gas. Trump is also less than enthusiastic about solar energy, the other main green source. But his special vendetta against wind power will increase investments in solar. The economics of green energy have been rapidly changing. An older way to harness the sun was "concentrated solar power" (CSP). In the past CSP was much cheaper than PV panels.
Why Genuine Laws Cannot Prohibit Discrimination

1 month ago | laprogressive.com | Paul deLespinasse |Rob Maurer

Today's obsession with private "discrimination" is an illegitimate outgrowth of the legitimate desire to overcome racism. The Missouri attorney general has sued Starbucks for unlawful discrimination, claiming that it has too many women and minority people on its payroll. The Trump administration has used alleged antisemitism—discrimination against Jews—to make intrusive demands on universities' freedom to govern themselves.
Politics Rarely Escapes Unbound Bait and Switch

1 month ago | wlsam.com | Paul deLespinasse

Are Americans victims of political bait and switch? Immediate pain isn’t what Republicans promised voters. Donald Trump promised immediate benefits, much of it on “day one” — cheaper eggs, lower inflation, peace in Ukraine. The war rages on. Egg prices have increased. Inflation, fueled by tariffs, is on the way up. But stocks, including Americans’ 401(k) retirement accounts, are way down.
As I See It: President Donald Trump's costs of haste

1 month ago | democratherald.com | Paul deLespinasse

Donald Trump is trying to make radical changes in our society practically overnight. Even if these changes are desirable, which is debatable, it is unwise to implement them in a hurry. Steer a heavy truck around a corner at high speed and it will turn it over, destroying its cargo. The same danger exists when making abrupt changes in complex political, social and economic systems, which have immense institutional inertia. We ignore inertia at our own peril.
Paul headshot from joint picture (2).JPG

1 month ago | democratherald.com | Paul deLespinasse

Skip to main contentSkip to main content You have permission to edit this image. You don't have any notifications. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Topics News Alert Subscribe Breaking News Subscribe Secure transaction. Cancel anytime. Have an account?
Trump's Bait and Switch: Promise Immediate Gain, Then Inflict 'Temporary' Pain | Common Dreams

1 month ago | commondreams.org | Paul deLespinasse

Are Americans victims of political bait and switch? Immediate pain isn't what Republicans promised voters. President Donald Trump promisedimmediate benefits, much of it on "day one"—cheaper eggs, lower inflation, peace in Ukraine. The war rages on. Egg prices have increased. Inflation, fueled by tariffs, is on the way up. But stocks, including Americans' 401-K retirement accounts, are way down.