Democracy and government

The annual White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) Dinner is an event I always look forward to watching. Since 1983, around the time I began watching, the entertainer for the event has been a comedian. And laughter is good medicine. We seem to have lost a bit of the ability to make fun of ourselves. We take ourselves and most situations far too seriously. And that’s a shame, because the ability to laugh at oneself is a sign both of good character and good temperament.

A thoughtful reflection on American optimism in the face of political extremism, government overreach, and global instability. Drawing from history, leadership, and culture, this blog explores how restraint, civic courage, and faith in democratic balance remain essential to preserving America’s ideals—especially when optimism feels hardest to hold.