Opinion

Dear Annie: Seventeen years ago, my husband had an emotional affair with his co-worker. I confronted her when it started (she texted him after finding out we were having marital problems) and told her to please stay out of my personal life. However, the texts and happy hours between them continued for another month or two. I eventually confronted both of them when they were at her house. After that, they stopped communicating. To this day, he still says nothing happened.

Newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson has posted on his congressional website what he calls “The 7 Core Principles of Conservatism.” “In 2018,” the website explains, “Speaker Johnson drafted this summary of the central beliefs of American conservatives to help anchor the work of the House Republican Conference in the timeless principles that made our nation the freest, strongest, and most prosperous in human history.” One of the principles on Johnson’s list is: “Fiscal Responsibility.” “Because government has refused to live within its means, America is facing an unprecedented debt and spending crisis,” Johnson says in his explanation of this principle. “Federal debt now exceeds $33.5 trillion, and our current fiscal path is unsustainable and dangerous, jeopardizing our nation’s economic growth, stability and the security of future generations.

I asked ChatGPT, “What is meant by ‘farm to table’?” The artificial intelligence site answered: “’Farm to table’ refers to a food production and consumption model that emphasizes the direct connection between farmers and consumers. ...

Stunning singers and songwriters, they’re top pop divas of their generations. Don’t get me wrong.

One way you know that most journalists are Democrats is their energetic work presenting about 37 ways the Republican Party may collapse into rubble in the near future, versus their cautious beating around bushes about problems the Democratic Party may have -- but maybe they’ll all vanish.

Keeping Things Frugal Definitely Pays Off As the cost of basic consumer goods continues to be much higher than a year ago, frugality is fast becoming its own art form. I hope the following encouraging tips from your fellow readers on how to be a frugal rockstar will inspire all of us to pay attention and embrace ways we can immediately begin to see more money left in our wallets.

Social Security Rules: Same Ol’, Same Ol’ Several times every week, someone makes a comment similar to this one that I found in my inbox today: “It’s so hard to stay current with Social Security because the rules are changing constantly!” I guess I can understand why someone who is not familiar with Social Security (but suddenly takes an interest because he or she is approaching retirement age) might think that. But in fact, with one exception, there have not been any major changes to Social Security since 1983.

Dear Annie: I have a giftgiving dilemma. In recent years, we had a falling out with our child’s spouse, and it’s come down to the in-law’s way or no way. As a result, the relationships with our child and grandchildren have also been impacted. Though I love them all dearly, I won’t let the in-law dictate how I live my life.

A little more than six weeks before the Iowa caucuses, the race for the Republican presidential nomination looks like it’s over before it’s begun. But one question critical to the GOP’s chances next year is still open, and the primaries will help answer it: Can Republicans get out the vote? Polls testify to Donald Trump’s popularity with the base.