" />

The Moderate Voice

An Internet hub with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, indies, centrists, moderates, and right


You are here: Home / Home

A Brief History of Reconciliation

by 41 Comments

With the presidential, bi-partisan health care summit rapidly approaching, anyone with a drop of political blood in their system has already heard the term "reconciliation" being tossed around as a way to ram the Democrats' health care bill through Congress. This seems to have led to a lot of confusion and, very likely, deliberate obfuscation among the punditry class. Some … [Read more...] about A Brief History of Reconciliation

Where to Watch the Summit

by 7 Comments

Expectations for today's health summit could hardly be lower. Details of Obamacare Plan B are here and the WSJ is saying he's got a Plan C: His leading alternate approach would provide health insurance to perhaps 15 million Americans, about half what the comprehensive bill would cover, according to two people familiar with the planning. It would do that by requiring … [Read more...] about Where to Watch the Summit

Rise of the Buyer-Beware Society

by 15 Comments

"All Toyota vehicles bear my name," the president and grandson of the founder writes. "When cars are damaged, it is as though I am as well...I, more than anyone, want Toyota's cars to be safe." A heartfelt OpEd, written by the best hired gun money can buy, and in testimony before Congress, Akio Toyoda amplifies his regret and sincerity. Yet a criminal investigation of … [Read more...] about Rise of the Buyer-Beware Society

Afghanistan Pullout Damages Dutch Reputation – and President Obama: de Volkskrant, The Netherlands

by 4 Comments

Now that the Dutch government has collapsed over the issue of its deployment of troops to Afghanistan - and hence that they will soon be withdrawn - what are the political and military consequences? This editorial from Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant warns that the biggest victim of this turn of events isn't The Netherlands - it's Barack Obama. The de Volkskrant editorial … [Read more...] about Afghanistan Pullout Damages Dutch Reputation – and President Obama: de Volkskrant, The Netherlands

Another Sign of Crazy California

by 5 Comments

We all know California is amazingly dysfunctional. But here's a new one that I heard today. A friend needs a new catalytic convertor on their car. The repair quote is around $ 700. When they mentioned this cost at work one day someone (from out of state) said they had the work done and it only cost $ 70. The reason is because we have such strict emissions laws … [Read more...] about Another Sign of Crazy California

Poll: Swing Voters Still Favor Democrats But Could Go Either Way

by 7 Comments

A new Public Policy Polling poll confirms several points we've made here on TMV over the past few months: Swing voters are not a monolithic group. Swing voters are no monolithic on the issue of health care reform. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is voting booth poison when it comes to swing voters. Swing voters are still evaluating Barack Obama. Swing voters … [Read more...] about Poll: Swing Voters Still Favor Democrats But Could Go Either Way

The Sorry State Of Our Schools

by 34 Comments

Of all the professions in America, the one I consider the most important for an inquisitive, enlightened citizenry is the role our teachers play in private and public schools. Think about it. No other person, hopefully with the help and support of parents, has such an important impact on the development of a child than a teacher. I consider myself among the fortunate to have … [Read more...] about The Sorry State Of Our Schools

Deal To Unload Hummer Collapses

by 3 Comments

Ironically, on the same day that JD Powers announced Hummer ranks highest among mass market brands. Costing up to 3,000 jobs, the deal to sell to a Chinese manufacturer fell apart after that government declined to approve the sale. China has a new emphasis on the environment and slowing oil consumption. GM will shut down production: Over the years, Hummer shifted from a brawny … [Read more...] about Deal To Unload Hummer Collapses

Latin American Unity Cannot Be Dependent on Excluding the U.S.: Folha, Brazil

by 4 Comments

At a summit in Mexico yesterday, representatives from 33 Latin American countries agreed to form an alliance, the chief characteristic of which is that it will exclude the United States and Canada. For Brazil's Folha newspaper, columnist Clovis Rossi writes of the plan's likelihood of success, and the questions Latin American leaders ought to be asking themselves as they … [Read more...] about Latin American Unity Cannot Be Dependent on Excluding the U.S.: Folha, Brazil

Can Technology Lower Health Care Costs?

by 16 Comments

Can technology lower health care costs? George Pantos, Executive Director, Healthcare Performance Management Institute, former deputy undersecretary of Commerce, and former general counsel to the Self-Insurance Institute of America, raises the issue in a must-read op-ed in The Orange County Register. Here's a small part of it: With his health care overhaul stalled, … [Read more...] about Can Technology Lower Health Care Costs?

Hamas Assassination: The Drama Continues

by 18 Comments

The drama continues over last months' spectacular assassination of senior Hamas figure Mahmoud al-Mabhouh. The newest dramatic chapters focus on the arrests -- and the reaction of an Israeli leader to the event. The arrests: Dubai said on Wednesday that it has 15 more suspects in the January assassination of senior Hamas figure Mahmoud al-Mabhouh. Authorities there have … [Read more...] about Hamas Assassination: The Drama Continues