Memorial Day is widely heralded as the unofficial start of summer.  Here on the Emerald Coast it signals the beginning of our busy tourist season, with condos booked, hotel rooms rented, beach supplies at the ready, and the mouth-watering aroma of food being cooked on a grill.  This time of year is unmistakable and really puts us in the celebratory mood.  But before you celebrate, and there will be time for that on this Memorial Day, before the cookouts, beach parties and other events you have planned, take a moment to reflect on the many lives that have been sacrificed so willingly by our selfless men and women in uniform.  This day is about remembrance and honor for those who have died.  It certainly doesn’t mean you can’t have fun on Memorial Day or enjoy your three- or four-day weekend.   Just take a moment to pause and remember the reason for the occasion.

Has our education system failed us? How can a Socialist acquire such a youthful following as Sen. Bernie Sanders?  Could it be explained as revulsion to a candidate that is unaccomplished and deceitful? I am afraid the blame is with the education system. A system that does not teach civics, economics, world history and the U.S. Constitution are the blame. The Founders studied all prior types of governments and developed a governmental system of checks and balances which protected the system from emotional responses to problems. Historically, all democracies have failed when the citizenry discovers they can receive an unending list of benefits.