In early September, Congressman Jim Himes sent an email to constituents who have elected to be on his mailing list.  A member of the House Intelligence Committee, Jim was conducting a survey of his constituents’ views on President Obama’s proposed “limited military strike” against the Assad regime in Syria.  The strike was intended to send a message […]

Shortly before Congress adjourned for its August recess, House Republican leaders disclosed that they plan to move a bill in early September that doubles — to $40 billion over ten years—their proposed cuts to SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps) and immediately cuts 2-4 million more low-income individuals from the program. The new cuts come

“Community.” It’s a common word with warm, positive connotations, but one for which the standard dictionary definitions seem sterile and superficial. However difficult it may be for dictionary writers to explain it, the living, breathing reality of “community” is dramatically visible in our town. On practically any day of the year, large numbers of volunteers

Happy Independence Day!  It is a day to remember our Founders’ tribulations and ideals, and to rescue their legacy from modern misappropriation. Between 1765 and 1774, British Parliament passed several laws applying exclusively to America, triggering colonial displeasure with British rule. Colonial citizens, having no representation in Parliament, believed these laws illegitimate. Successive acts of government

The notion of a “Golden Mean” or “Middle Way” dates to ancient times and was postulated as a foundation of morality and wisdom by Greek philosophers, Gautama Buddha, Confucius and St. Thomas Aquinas, among many others.  Aristotle identified “virtue” as the optimal alternative to the two extremes of “deficiency” and “excess”; for example, Aristotle considered “bravery”

As we approach the truly spectacular national remembrance of our fight for independence, appreciation for the sheer audacity of democracy and the vision of our founders runs high. They took enormous risks, fashioned a rebellion, found success, and commenced to create a system of rights, laws, and governance unparalleled in their time, as well as

This weekend marks the unofficial start of summer — a three-day holiday filled with shopping, picnicking, outdoor sports, arts and leisure activities. Parades will feature children marching behind various and sundry banners, showcasing the wide range of activities and organizations available to contemporary youth. Outdoor swimming facilities will open for the first time in nearly

Along with our excellent public schools, superb parks and recreation system, and vibrant arts culture, Ridgefield is advantaged by a local business community, the diversity and creativity of which is the envy of many towns our size. Ridgefield is widely recognized for its great restaurants, fine spirits shops and delightful specialty food stores. Frequently overlooked,

Following recent discussions with the First Selectman and other town officials, each of the three major rating agencies, Moody’s, S&P and Fitch, rated Ridgefield’s bonds as AAA for the 14th year in a row owing to our town’s, in Fitch’s words, “sound financial management”. On April 9, the Board of Finance (BOF), whose principal duty is

Staying on top of what is happening on the ground, in the community, is an imperative for good representation.  Listening and hands-on connection with local residents keeps our needs top of mind in Washington, Hartford, or Town Hall.   Gathering input from constituents is critical to good decision-making.  Of course, everyone has a voice and an opinion. Taking them

It has been just 104 days since that dread day in Newtown, but some in our state legislature seem forgetful.   In the interim, California, Colorado and New York enacted ambitious yet reasonable and Constitutionally compliant gun safety laws. Legislators in each state deliberated thoughtfully and carefully, but also with urgency commensurate to the dangers that

… “And this last enactment, not a single vote in the Senate against it. And the House is pretty much the same…. I think it is attributable, very likely attributable, to a phenomenon that is called perpetuation of racial entitlement.” Justice Antonin Scalia, February 27, 2013, during oral argument on Section 5 of the Voting

In the long catalog of human sins, rape and domestic violence are among the most despised and feared; also among the oldest, most common and most frequently committed with complete impunity. Throughout history, perpetrators of these abhorrent acts have degraded and denied their victims’ inalienable rights to life, liberty, security and dignity, but aggressive efforts

The author is one of the founders of the Ridgefield chapter of the nonpartisan March for Change. Today, on Valentine’s Day, thousands of Connecticut residents are marching in Hartford to urge legislators to enact reasonable gun safety laws.  This is not a partisan issue, but a human issue.  We all need to come together for the safety

Newtown. Forevermore that word will be shorthand for deep, abiding sorrow. Words wholly fail to convey the magnitude of pain and loss. Ours is an era of daily horrors, but Newtown shook the world. We feel this loss so deeply because those taken were our most vulnerable and praiseworthy. Twenty little children, whose world should

Recently, a friend bitterly complained: “Obama’s raising my taxes $12k next year.” He was referring to President Obama’s proposal to allow Bush-era tax rates on income over $250k to expire on 1/1/2013, raising the top marginal tax rate from 35% currently, to 39.6%.  My friend has a comfortable income, but not remotely large enough to incur anything close