books – mikesteinharter.com

All the Presidents (Are) Men

I realize that it’s obvious – all of the US Presidents have been men, and all but one have been white men. (tall white men.) I’m not sure that’s served us well. I think back on the Presidents who have been in office that I can recall having an opinion about. Nixon was clearly aContinue reading “All the Presidents (Are) Men”

Are we a heartless nation?

I have never thought so. I was brought up to believe that we – the USA – are not only the most powerful nation on earth, but also the one that takes care of the world. We spent billions in Africa, we ran to the defense of a multitude of peoples who we thought wereContinue reading “Are we a heartless nation?”

I’d like my parents back, please

Last year my kids gave me a couple of Christmas gifts that will last. My son gave me a book called Dad, I want to hear your story. It was filled with questions about my life and I spent months filling it in, as stories came to me. My daughter gave to my wife andContinue reading “I’d like my parents back, please”

Elon Musk

I recently read Walter Isaacson’s biography of Elon Musk. I truly hesitated before buying this book. I think Elon Musk is deplorable – i dislike what he’s done in support of Donald Trump and I cannot even admire his business successes given what an asshole he seems to be. I found the idea of readingContinue reading “Elon Musk”

What is conservatism?

I was speaking with a friend of mine (who is still a friend) who asserted that he was planning to vote for Donald Trump “because he’s a conservative.” I decided not to explore what he meant by that but I ponder it now, assisted by Heather Cox Richardson’s book “Democracy Awakening: Notes on the StateContinue reading “What is conservatism?”