Author: Kari McKim

Retired from a 30-year career in public sector quality assurance and management auditing, I now spend my time freelance writing, largely on topics related to our right to self-government. I have two main focuses: how we can protect our election results from miscounts (whether deliberate or accidental), and skills for talking politics with our fellow citizens. I am based in Minnesota.
Culture and Society

Someone is Wrong! (And Why You Don’t Need to Correct Them.)

Karen McKim — Judging by the conversations I read on social media, I’m not the only human who has an impulse, when I read a comment containing four true statements and one false, to respond only to the false one. We’ll be more successful in our political conversations if we let an occasional ignorant or illogical statement go free. Example: Suppose you support funding for … Continue reading Someone is Wrong! (And Why You Don’t Need to Correct Them.)

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Politics and Economics

Travelogue of an Unpolitician: Trying Not to Go Negative

Karen McKim — July 4, 3:00 PM – I am running as an independent candidate against an incumbent for county clerk in Dane County, Wisconsin, an office that oversees elections. I wish I had time to blog about my campaign every day. It is more interesting and fun than I’d anticipated. I think it helps that I’m running for no reason other than to promote … Continue reading Travelogue of an Unpolitician: Trying Not to Go Negative

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Politics and Economics

Travelogue of an Unpolitician Running for Office

Karen McKim — As recently as about a year ago, whenever I was asked if I had ever considered running for office, my answer was an adamant and sincere NO! I have a hard time remembering names. I don’t like being the center of attention. On personality tests, I score ten in cooperation, zero in competitiveness. I frequently neglect to wear earrings and makeup when … Continue reading Travelogue of an Unpolitician Running for Office

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Politics and Economics

Explaining Voting Machines to Space Aliens

Karen McKim — When I see nutty behavior—things like entering toddlers in beauty pageants, maintaining a national system of employer-funded health insurance, or legalizing switchblades—I practice empathy for my silly fellow humans by imagining how I would explain their conduct to space aliens. You see, I don’t want the Haggunenons to get the impression my species is irredeemably stupid, so the exercise forces me to … Continue reading Explaining Voting Machines to Space Aliens

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