Each month, I submit an opinion column for this newspaper titled “Speaking from Experience.” These columns are outlets for my opinionated thoughts at a particular time, usually the third Thursday of the month.

Right now, we are reading articles that look back over the past year. My contribution to this annual “year in review” approach is a recap of the 10 “Speaking from Experience” columns I wrote throughout 2015.

“A guide to America’s progressive foreign policy” submitted in late January, castigated President Barack Obama’s totally incompetent foreign policy team. His foreign policy team has been wrong on just about everything. Looking back, I think I assessed the situation fairly.

“Seniors beware of MediScare tactics!” appeared in February and I wrote about Democrats in Congress spreading rumors about Medicare “modernization.” Medicare is still doing just fine, in spite of those year-old rumors.

“May 5 is all about the students.” In late April I wrote a negative assessment of the campaign against the proposed bond issues Proposal One and Proposal Two. Both proposals passed and our schools and administration began to improve almost immediately.

“Back-to-back dynamic leadership for Niles students” ran in late May and congratulated the Niles Community School board for selecting Dan Applegate as the new permanent superintendent, replacing the popular Dr. Michael Lindley, the interim superintendent.

“Fort St. Joseph and the great crossing at Pa-Wa-Ting” appeared in June right before the annual “dig” by the Western Michigan University Anthropology Department. I also tried to get people to begin properly pronouncing Pa-Wa-Ting correctly. It didn’t work.

“Niles Education Foundation deserves community support” ran in July and promoted the foundation’s annual kick-off fundraiser “A Legendary Evening.” It was a huge success!

“The Berrien County Youth Fair turns 70” was the title of my August column. The annual youth fair in Berrien Springs is a true “memory maker.” It’s a wonderful institution and I can hardly wait for the Expo Arena to be built!

“Decision 2016: Wake me when it’s over!” was a sarcastic assessment of both campaign history and the current list of presidential candidates. It ran in September and I predicted the Republicans would end up of nominating Ohio Gov. John Kasich for president and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for Vice President. Now I think it might be just the other way around.

“Cold War II: Putin vs Obama” appeared in the Dec. 4 edition of the Niles Daily Star. I urged President Obama to put radical Islamic terrorism at the top of his priority list and he sort of did two days later in an Oval Office address to the nation. Did he really read my column?

Speaking from experience, I look forward to the coming year and wish you all peace and prosperity in 2016!

 

A native of Niles, Jack Strayer moved back home in 2009 after living and working in Washington DC since 1976. Strayer has served as a congressional staffer, state legislative press secretary, federal registered lobbyist and Vice President of the National Center for Policy Analysis. He is a nationally recognized expert on federal health policy reform and led the fight for the enactment of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).