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Yo Republicans: A Party Divided Cannot Stand
With apologies to Abraham Lincoln, that is the harsh reality facing the Republican Party as it looks into an abyss called 2012. Having learned none of the lessons from its loses in 2006 and 2008 elections and having misread the victories of 2010 as a mandate, the GOP is not only no closer to recapturing the Senate and White House than it was a year ago, it is considerably … [Read more...] about Yo Republicans: A Party Divided Cannot Stand
The Rejuvenation of John McCain
The titular head of the Republican Party, known for his short-fused temper, has exploded after two and a half years of volcanic quiescence. John McCain, who had to placate far-right opposition to keep his Senate seat last year, is finally blowing his lid over “Tea Party Hobbits” for their “foolish” and “deceiving” behavior in pushing a balanced-budget amendment. Moreover, … [Read more...] about The Rejuvenation of John McCain
Yes to Moderation, No to Centrism
WASHINGTON -- What the country yearns for is moderation. What we hear about is the political center. But centrism has become the enemy of moderation. Moderation in politics is about balance. It means believing in a vibrant and innovative private sector and a government substantial enough to do what the private sector doesn't and to enforce sensible rules for economic … [Read more...] about Yes to Moderation, No to Centrism
A Proposal for a Quick and Simple Solution to the Debt Limit Crisis
The federal fiscal year runs from October 1st through September 30th. The current fiscal year 2010-2011 was a product of congressional compromise four months ago that was passed with Tea Party support. Congress already approved federal borrowing that would exceed the current debt limit. There are only two months left before this fiscal year ends and another fiscal year begins … [Read more...] about A Proposal for a Quick and Simple Solution to the Debt Limit Crisis
Chart of the Day
So tell me again who busted the budget. Yes it was one George W. Bush! It's those bills the Republicans don't want to pay. The Bush tax cuts alone exceed the entire projected budget impact of Obama's policies and didn't contribute a single job - it's alleged purpose. Bush's stimulus spending also exceeds Obama's. And don't forget Bush inherited a balanced budget and a … [Read more...] about Chart of the Day
The Next Triangulation
In the battle of the debt crisis, one particular bit of triangulation is mostly being overlooked by the media and political pundits. Sure, we know that President Obama is trying his best to pull a Clinton (Bill, not Hillary) out of his hat to survive the 2012 reboot of the presidency. However, the more interesting balancing act to me has been of Speaker of the House John … [Read more...] about The Next Triangulation
Proof of What’s Wrong With Our Politics
Here's proof of what's wrong with the politics -- part of the stench that many Americans and particularly independent voters are smelling more and more. Here's Speaker of the House John Boehner explaining why his debt ceiling plan is a good one: But Boehner said he couldn’t understand why any Republicans would position themselves with Democrats opposing his … [Read more...] about Proof of What’s Wrong With Our Politics
Quotes of the Day: Tea Party Members of Congress and the Looming Debt Ceiling Limit Default
Our political Quotes of the Day underscore how GOPers are starting to openly show dismay at what now seems to be a clear desire on the part of some Tea Party members of Congress to hurl the United States into default for economic reasons (their view of how to for the country's financial house in order their way) and craven political reasons (believing President Barack Obama … [Read more...] about Quotes of the Day: Tea Party Members of Congress and the Looming Debt Ceiling Limit Default
Debt Argument
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Boehner’s Place in History
The Speaker, with his feat of displeasing almost everyone in the debt-ceiling mess--the White House, Tea Party, GOP Senators, even the Congressional Budget Office--is earning his place in a volume that was in the making years ago to commemorate historic feats of mismanagement, “They Must Know What They’re Doing or They Wouldn’t Be Where They Are.” It would have honored the … [Read more...] about Boehner’s Place in History
The Republicans’ Alternate Universe Is About To Collide With Reality
Much has been written in recent months about the alternate universe in which many Republicans live. It is a universe populated not by hard facts, empirical knowledge and an understanding of economics and history, but by a denial of reality. With the federal debt crisis on center stage, these realities in particular present themselves: * The crisis is a direct result … [Read more...] about The Republicans’ Alternate Universe Is About To Collide With Reality
Prioritizing Spending Cuts If Debt Ceiling Talks Fail
Everyone now understands that on August 2 or shortly thereafter, the Treasury is going to have to prioritize which bills it pays and play triage with other obligations. Here's my own list of the bills that should be the first that don't get paid: 1, The salaries of every member of Congress, the President, and all their respective staffers. Before hundreds of thousands of … [Read more...] about Prioritizing Spending Cuts If Debt Ceiling Talks Fail
Remy: Raise The Debt Ceiling Rap (Video)
The raise the debt ceiling rap. Quite good. Send a copy of this to your Congressman or Congresswoman: On the other hand, it may have no impact on politicians They're giving the American public and markets a song and dance on the debt ceiling right now. (Read this column.) … [Read more...] about Remy: Raise The Debt Ceiling Rap (Video)
Norway’s Monster
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More Evidence of Vanishing Republican Moderates
As the American political system continues to be shaken by the debt ceiling limit stalemate, one thing is evident: the lack of powerful moderates -- or even moderates -- in the Republican Party. A Boston Globe article provides further evidence and insight. Parts of it: The Republican Party has, in fact, moved away from its moderate wing in recent years, according to … [Read more...] about More Evidence of Vanishing Republican Moderates
Clear Sailing in America’s Often Rocky Relationship with India?
With the deterioration in relations between the United States and Pakistan is it clear sailing now in America's often rocky relationship with India? Not necessarily, writes Daniel Larison in The Week: As relations between the U.S. and Pakistan reach new lows, building a more stable U.S.-India relationship has obvious advantages for American interests in South Asia. The … [Read more...] about Clear Sailing in America’s Often Rocky Relationship with India?
Legal Guns Would Make Norway Safer (Guest Voice)
Legal Guns Would Make Norway Safer Making Sense, by Michael Reagan How long would the Norway gunman have lasted in Texas or any state where concealed-carry laws are on the books? I ran a survey while on a cruise: in Texas, 3 minutes; in Montana, 7 to 8 minutes; in Arizona, 2 minutes; and in Nevada, 3 to 5 minutes. Had Norway not surrendered to the anti-self-defense … [Read more...] about Legal Guns Would Make Norway Safer (Guest Voice)
‘Radical’ Republicans Threaten the United States with Ruin (Frankfurter Rundschau, Germany)
As the United States nears the August 2 deadline for raising its astronomical debt ceiling, much of the world is watching with dismay. Frankfurter Rundschau columnist Thomas Spang writes that Tea Party lawmakers are close to achieving what America's enemies 'have only dreamed of.' For Germany's Frankfurter Rundschau, Thomas Spang writes in part: Not even warnings from the … [Read more...] about ‘Radical’ Republicans Threaten the United States with Ruin (Frankfurter Rundschau, Germany)
America and the Soviet Union: From Pyramid Builders to Pyramid Raiders (Yezhednevniy Zhurnal, Russia)
Is America going the way of ancient Egypt and the Soviet Union? Columnist Avtandil Tsuladze of Russia's Yezhednevniy Zhurnal writes that America built a pyramid based on a gold-backed dollar. It then proceeded to loot it for all it was worth by making it the global currency of choice, rejecting the gold standard and exploiting its inflated value - until now. For Russian's … [Read more...] about America and the Soviet Union: From Pyramid Builders to Pyramid Raiders (Yezhednevniy Zhurnal, Russia)