Who said “It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority”?

1. Karl Marx
2. Ayn Rand
3. Nelson Mandela
4. Benjamin Franklin

It’s important to participate in our democratic process and question the process, procedures, methodologies and results of our national, state and local leaders. Are the processes fair? Are the procedures correctly followed? Are the methodologies sound? Are the results reasonable and equitable? Were the Constitutional Rights of the few vigorously defended?

This creates a lot of work and effort for citizens. After all, who wants to spend their time monitoring the actions of a local town council, zoning board or planning board? Yet many local citizens have been doing just that, and finding they must do so to ensure that the processes mandated – are followed. A recent example is the “sitewalk” for the Mathworks Expansion Project. It’s mandated this occurs the first Monday in April, and involved citizens…

Most life forms on our planet cannot survive without water. Our civilisations have depended on water ever since humans walked the earth over 3 million years ago. Major cities including Rotterdam, London, Montreal, Paris, New York City, Buenos Aires, Shanghai, Tokyo, Chicago, and Hong Kong  have become what they are today thanks to the easy accessibility of water which  boosted their trade. Water is essential in agriculture as irrigation is a key component to produce enough food. Moreover, the use of water for transportation of materials through rivers and canals as well as the international shipping lanes is an important part of the world economy. (Wiki; 2014)  Finally water is indispensable in our homes for our heating, showers, washing, toilets and drinking.

Although we know that water essential is to our everyday lives, most of us take it for granted…