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Steve Hochstadt

Steve Hochstadt is a writer and an emeritus professor of history at Illinois College.

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Apr 17, 2018 10:49 am

The Extremism of NRA Politics

by Steve Hochstadt

Below the surface of public statements about gun legislation, the NRA sells its members a disturbing critique of our society. Under the title “Standing Guard | Colleges Spread Anti-Gun Sentiment” on the NRA website, LaPierre says this about American higher education. “American freedom faces no greater threat than from our academic institutions, where the most basic fundamental principles upon which our nation was founded are aggressively attacked by extreme socialists posing as honest professors,” etc.

Apr 10, 2018 12:45 pm

Science Isn’t Always Scientific

by Steve Hochstadt

The name Asperger is widely known as a syndrome related to autism. But Asperger played a despicable role in a despicable system, participating in murdering children whom he deemed unworthy of life. He deserves no international honor. His name should not be used without an understanding of his deeds.

Mar 27, 2018 9:23 am

We Are Killing Ourselves

by Steve Hochstadt

Since Europeans arrived in America, about one-third of plant and animal species in the Western hemisphere have become extinct. Another quarter are at risk of extinction.

Mar 20, 2018 6:04 am

Who Are The People?

by Steve Hochstadt

Under the guise of “populism”, conservatives seem to attack “elites” from below, but actually focus on attacking social groups regarded as different from above. In Trump’s America and in many European countries, right-wing political formations of white Christians attack immigrants, those with darker skin, Muslims and sometimes Jews as not belonging to “the people”.

Mar 13, 2018 10:42 am

Promise and Flaw in Organized Religion

by Steve Hochstadt

Last year was the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 1517 proclamation of objections to Catholic Church practices. Luther masterfully used the new technology of printing to spread his ideas. But the religious community he wished to create was welcoming only for those who followed his lead. Luther condemned in the strongest terms anyone who refused to give up their religion for his.

Mar 6, 2018 2:53 am

Off With Their Heads! The Danger Extremists Pose.

by Steve Hochstadt

A German film about the Hungarian revolt of 1956 has lessons for us today about the importance of defending democracy from a small far right minority who only see black and white.

Feb 27, 2018 3:23 am

Kids Versus Guns

by Steve Hochstadt

Right now, the political engagement of young Americans for gun control is very high. Can the kids accomplish politically what generations of adults have not be able to do – prevent further school massacres?

Feb 20, 2018 3:36 am

President Trump Versus Trump Voters

by Steve Hochstadt

Will Trump’s so-called “base” ever wake up? Does he have to shoot someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue before his supporters recognize who he is? Or was he right that even that won’t hurt him?

Feb 2, 2018 1:02 pm

Justice: Late, But Not Too Late

by Steve Hochstadt

Some Americans apparently feel that men are under attack. I disagree – men who abuse women are under attack and it’s about time

Jan 23, 2018 5:38 am

The Greatest Show on Earth

by Steve Hochstadt

I didn’t expect much more than a bit of diversion from the new film about P.T. Barnum, “The Greatest Showman”. A musical biopic from Hollywood is rarely a source of thoughtful history or powerful emotion. But “Greatest Showman” delivered something unexpected: a morality tale appropriate to 21st-century America.

Jan 16, 2018 12:54 am

Dangerous Words in the White House

by Steve Hochstadt

It is difficult to find a clearer expression of white supremacy than Trump’s words to a gathering of Senators in the Oval Office.

Jan 9, 2018 2:51 pm

The Biggest Personality of the Year

by Steve Hochstadt

Trump is blowing up our relationships with all our most important foreign friends. He is not the biggest peacemaker, as we have long hoped our Presidents could be. He is not the biggest promoter of democracy, which we have long claimed is our national interest. He is not the best advertisement for America, not the face we wish to show the world. His work is a world-wide disaster.

Dec 30, 2017 1:43 pm

Arcing Toward Equality in 2017

by Steve Hochstadt

American liberals have been thrown into despair in 2017 by the new nastiness of American politics. But behind the headlines, our country has been evolving in directions that liberals could find encouraging.

Dec 12, 2017 1:00 pm

Keeping the Blacks Far Away

by Steve Hochstadt

American cities used zoning laws to direct new construction and to control where people lived. Black people were harmed in the process.

Dec 6, 2017 6:09 pm

Santa’s On His Way

by Steve Hochstadt

The Republicans say that the best way to help the rest of us is to give billions now to the wealthy and to corporations. They will be so happy that they’ll raise everybody’s wages and create new jobs.

Nov 28, 2017 5:36 pm

Political Humor, Then and Now

by Steve Hochstadt

Tom Lehrer poked fun at serious subjects, such as racism, fascism, pollution and nuclear war. Listening to him skewer racist hypocrites, imagine World War III, and exaggerate the effects of poisons in our air and water certainly contributed to the development of my political views.

Nov 22, 2017 9:54 am

This Tax Cut Is Not For You

by Steve Hochstadt

The Republican tax cut is not about economic policy and is certainly not for the middle class. It is political legislation about economic issues: cut corporate taxes to satisfy Republican donors and try again to kill Obamacare.

Nov 14, 2017 10:49 am

Election 2017: Repudiation of Republicans

by Steve Hochstadt

The Washington Post wondered whether “the Trump era will one day be remembered as the last gasp of white male privilege.” That will only happen if Trump continues his descent into national disapproval and the energy of liberal voters can be sustained through more election cycles.

Sep 26, 2017 4:42 pm

The Health of the Senate

by Steve Hochstadt

Republican politicians are worried about money they could raise for the 2018 elections, not about depriving millions of their health care. Their donors want to slash Medicaid, so that’s what they’ll vote for. Republican senators apparently don’t even know in detail what their bill contains.

Sep 5, 2017 7:08 pm

Payng for Big Storms

by Steve Hochstadt

Only an ideologically immovable force like the current Republican Party could ignore the mounting crises caused by our changing weather systems. In their refusal to acknowledge the basic facts of climate change, Republicans in Congress and the White House put Americans at risk of losing everything.

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