Don Shepard (hard sun)

Productivity and freedom are like peanut butter and pickles to me. They may not seem compatible, though they are his perfect blend. This philosophy is a driving force for my writing and living.

My wide-ranging professional and personal background helps him bring unique perspectives to a variety of topics. I enjoy reader-focused writing with a purpose in mind. This lead to copyrighting, personal finance, science articles, and political advocacy work.

I earned a Bachelor's of Science in Meteorology and Climatology and enjoy all things nature-related. Whether I'm "working" in the garden, or writing, I understand the value of efficiency and living in the moment.

In the Spotlight

Astroturf Lobbying Undermining American Democracy

Knowing what astroturf lobbying is doesn't mean we always recognize it. After all, that is the goal of astroturfers--to conceal some combination of who they are, what they represent, and their motivations. As a former astroturfing firm employee, I have some insight.

In the Spotlight

Felon Disenfranchisement Must End

Felon disenfranchisement is more than just losing voting rights. Why should you care? What can we do to change things? No matter your situation, you have selfish reasons to care about how convicts reintegrate.

In the Spotlight

The Prison Industrial Complex in the Land of the Free

All Americans are impacted by the Prison Industrial Complex system (PIC). This system is a wide-ranging an enormously tragic stain on America—the land of the free. Learn more about the PIC and how it affects you.

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  0
  soapboxie.com

  Felon Disenfranchisement Must End

  2 months ago

  Felon disenfranchisement is more than just losing voting rights. Why should you care? What can we do to change things? No matter your situation, you have selfish reasons to care about how convicts reintegrate.

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  4
  soapboxie.com

  The Prison Industrial Complex in the Land of the Free

  5 months ago

  All Americans are impacted by the Prison Industrial Complex system (PIC). This system is a wide-ranging an enormously tragic stain on America—the land of the free. Learn more about the PIC and how it affects you.

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  13
  Alternative & Natural Medicine

  The FDA's Scott Gottlieb Says Kratom Isn't Legal to Market in the US

  11 months ago

  The Kratom tree is indigenous to Southeast Asia. It has a long history of safe use. Despite this, the FDA's Scott Gottlieb attacks the leaf as though it were the second coming of heroin. On November 27, 2018 Gottleib stated Kratom is not legal to market in the US as a dietary supplement or a drug.

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  33
  soapboxie.com

  Trump's War on the Deep State Is a Stalinist Power Grab

  5 weeks ago

  It doesn't take much imagination to see the parallels between Trump's slicing and dicing of America's institutions and Stalin's Great Purge. Both seem to have the same goal: Power consolidation into a small inner circle.

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  soapboxie.com

  The Trump Presidency and American Values

  14 months ago

  If Trump cannot be a respectful person, how is he going to "Make America Great Again?" Sorry folks, he's not. American values are also not given much chance with the PC-crazed media. We need to stand proud & educate our children rather than follow a reality TV guy into the depths of moral turpitude.

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  4
  soapboxie.com

  Astroturf Lobbying Undermining American Democracy

  2 weeks ago

  Knowing what astroturf lobbying is doesn't mean we always recognize it. After all, that is the goal of astroturfers--to conceal some combination of who they are, what they represent, and their motivations. As a former astroturfing firm employee, I have some insight.

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  Mortgages & Loans

  Avoid the Income-Based Forgiveness Student Loan Tax with Insolvency

  14 months ago

  With Income-Based student loan repayment plans you can have thousands of dollars of student loan debt forgiven. Then you may find yourself with a huge forgiveness tax bill. Fortunately, that bill can also be forgiven through insolvency.