Opinion

Everyday Cheapskate

Body
Thank-You Notes Never Out of Style Today’s column was prompted by a young man, age 10, who asked me recently, “Do I have to send a thank-you note when someone gives me a gift?” In these high-tech times, when text messaging and email are the preferred methods of written communication, my answer, in a word, was yes. It’s right; it’s proper; it’s good for you.

Dear Annie

Body
Dear Annie: It has recently come to my attention that my middle adult son has molested my adult daughter when she was 8 years old. She broke down and told me tearfully last week.

Social Security and You

Body
Spousal and Survivors Benefits for Men In the past 27 years, I bet I have written hundreds of columns explaining spousal and widows benefits that are available to women on a husband’s Social Security account. And usually if I have enough space, I try to squeeze in a line that says the same benefits are available to husbands and widowers, even though I know those benefits to men are rarely paid.

Can Biden Buy the Voters?

Body
Joe Biden’s weaknesses are obvious, but the State of the Union last Thursday and the president’s $7.3 trillion budget proposal this week are reminders of just how tough he can be. Biden isn’t simply an old politician, he’s an old-fashioned one -- the kind who believes in buying the vote.

Dear Annie

Body
Dear Annie: I come from a long history of family dysfunction. Child abuse, toxicity and abandonment are all I ever knew growing up. I developed severe complex PTSD and borderline personality disorder coming into my preteen years. I remember the blame was solely on me for my severe depression, suicide attempts and deep-seated suffering from my adoptive parents.

This Election Season, Let’s Choose Productive Public Discourse

Body
It’s time. Super Tuesday is over, and America is deep into an election season faced with two very familiar candidates. It’s time to take stock of our collective values and decide how we plan to support those beliefs in our actions. I’m not just talking about how you plan to vote;I’m talking about how you plan to live every day as a member of this community.

Dear Annie

Body
Dear Annie: Sixteen years ago, I separated from my wife, as we were headed toward a divorce. Her father, “Bob,” just lost it; he was so angry over the divorce. He swore to me that he would do everything he could and spend his last dime to take my sons away from me. He did his best to ruin my career, to no avail. However, through paying for cruises (seven to date), much money spent and careful manipulation, he has been able to take my sons away from me.