Archive
Three Felonies a Day
We’re supposed to be the "land of the free." But believe it or not, the United States is actually the most incarcerated country on the planet. It's true: While the United States has just 5 percent of the world’s population, it houses 25 percent of the world’s prison...
A Green-Energy Founding Father
When historians get around to identifying who greened the national grid, Scott Sklar belongs on their list. The energy consultant and former solar lobbyist with a wild white beard has spent more than 40 years bolstering industries that tread more lightly than fossil...
Not About Us Without Us
A few of my African friends have adopted a slogan: "not about us without us." They use it to protest international decisions about their continent that are developed without any input from African people. It's a wonderful phrase. I think it applies to a few recent...
Odd Bedfellows for Liberty
Let's now praise a threesome of odd bedfellows: a Democratic ex-senator, an exiled American citizen, and a current Republican senator. I don't think they've ever met, yet their separate efforts over 14 years have now guided our ship of state away from some perilous...
Tip of the Hastert
Not-So-Special Delivery
When a big-name retailer finds its sales in a slow downward spiral, the geniuses in the executive suite often try to keep their profits up by cheapening their product and delivering less to customers. To see how well this strategy works, look no further than the...
In OtherWords: June 3, 2015
This week in OtherWords, Donald Kaul helps you keep track of the GOP presidential aspirants and Marjorie E. Wood explains why no one angling for the White House is uttering the words "middle class." Do you want to make sure you don’t miss the latest from OtherWords?...
The TPP Gang That Can’t Shoot Straight
As Congress gets ready to vote on whether to "fast-track" the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), its proponents are making weaker and more far-fetched arguments for the deal. And they keep getting their facts wrong and their logic twisted. This hit parade of failed...
Diversity Sells
From the television sets in our living rooms to our local movie theaters, diversity appears to be the new black. Fresh off the success of small-screen hits like Fox's musical drama Empire, CW's telenovela-inspired Jane the Virgin, and ABC's family-centric Black-ish,...
No Taxpayer Dollars for the ‘Bank of Boeing’
Have you heard of the Export-Import Bank? It’s little-known yet high on the list of special-interest priorities these days. Created in 1934, this government agency loans money to foreign buyers of American products and gives U.S. exporters loan guarantees. It also...
