Democrats and the GOP truly have two different visions for our country --- one based in theory and ideology, the other in pragmatism and evidence. Republicans have imbedded their theories deep in their souls, as almost a religion. This explains why they get so angry if they are questioned or challenged about their political positions, and why they refuse to compromise. If you have a religious ...
In a bizarre twist, the GOP is hanging the debt and deficit around Obama's neck. "The President should have endorsed the Simpson Bowles Commission," the GOP screams --- without bothering to mention that the Republican Party does not endorse it because it calls for increasing taxes to help address the deficit. They bemoan the lack of presidential leadership on the deficit without mentioning tha ...
We need to be skeptical when Mitt Romney tells us that HE has the answers to turning our economy around. For starters, there are forces from outside our nation --- primarily in Europe, including Greece, Spain and Portugal ... and also China --- that are impacting our ability to bounce back quickly from this Great Recession. For better or for worse, America is a part of the global economy. Bu ...
There's a new definition of bi-partisanship in governance. Richard Mourdock, a two-term state treasurer who had the backing of the Tea Party and national anti-tax groups, just defeated 36-year GOP Senator in the Republican primary in Indiana. Mr. Mourdock recently said, "To achieve bi-artisanship in D.C. the Democrats have to come OUR way." I'm sorry, Mr. Mourdock, but Dems tried it your wa ...
By Diane and David Sikes Our visit to New Orleans kicked off with all our traditional touristy stops --- great food and music --- but, we were also interested on this trip to know just how our beloved New Orleans was faring since Hurricane Katrina. The French Quarter looks just the same: charming! And downtown is beautiful. You’d never know there’d been a hurricane and flooding. ...
Mitt Romney’s purported qualification for the presidency is that he is a job creator and knows how to jump start the economy. So, we’ll take a look at those claims. Job Creator? During Romney’s governorship his state of Massachusetts was the 47th state in job creation. Maybe that’s why he chose not to run for reelection for governor after serving just one four year term --- he was unpopular ...
One of the primary causes of upwardly spiraling college tuition costs is pretty simple: Supply and Demand. With the availability of college loans and scholarships from the government there are more and more young people seeking a higher education, so the demand for a college education is rising. With the demand for college admission rising, the supply of slots open for them is diminished, ...
You saw the news: Mitt Romney is almost certainly the Republican nominee in this presidential election. That means voters are going to have a very clear choice this November. The President is rebuilding an economy meant to last and restoring economic security for the middle class by reclaiming the values that made America great: the simple idea that America prospers when we're all in it together ...
Eventually all of us will need the services of the healthcare system --- how this gets paid for is the issue of the day. If this Supreme Court strikes down the Affordable Care Act, the next logical step is to repeal the existing law that mandates that hospitals must provide care to anyone presenting themselves at the emergency room and in need of health services. And this mandate gets paid for ...
Okay, I'll say it: Republicans are wrong when they claim that our Constitution is forbidden to force any religion to go against their own teachings in order to abide by US law. Does the word POLYGAMY (a religiously held belief by the Morman church of old) ring a bell? That's a historical example. But, surely we could imagine other instances when we as a people would deny a religious organi ...