Archive
Deconstructing a Paul Ryan Sound Bite
Rep. Paul Ryan from Wisconsin revels in his reputation as America’s ultimate conservative policy “wonk.” He plays the part well. At the drop of a hat, the Republican lawmaker can rattle off a stream of stats that make his rich-people-friendly budget nostrums seem almost reasonable.
Mitt Romney’s Mexican Roots
As a Latino, family heritage is important to me. I believe we can all learn from the journeys of our ancestors. For some, these may have involved crossing the border without papers, seeking freedom from persecution, or fleeing the violence of revolution. These struggles and sacrifices have made our country great.
Stand up to Big Plastic
What will our grandchildren think of the disposable plastic bag?
State Budget Battles are about More than Cutting Deficits
Earlier this year, people across the country were riveted to the politics of Wisconsin. Claiming to address the state’s budget crisis, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker proposed eliminating the right of public workers to unionize. Wisconsin’s citizens immediately took to the streets in massive protests — only to see the union-busting legislation pushed through by the state senate in a late-night surprise vote.
Debt Ceiling Kabuki
The Kabuki tradition in Congress over raising the federal government’s debt ceiling is in full flower. It’s a more reliable Washington ritual than the Cherry Blossom Festival.
Tea Party Rebels Quickly Tamed
They came, they saw, they were conquered. That sums up the fate of many tea-partying freshmen in the House of Representatives.
Tea Partiers March to Lobbyists’ Tune
War Gets Easier All the Time
It used to be that war was a really big deal. Conflicts such as Vietnam could tear the country apart. Times have changed, with decisions on war quickly becoming back-page stuff. Our wars were scarcely discussed during the last congressional election campaign. How come?
Crossing the Lexicon
Osama bin Laden’s demise raises many moral, legal, political, and historical questions. As I’ve edited and posted a steady stream of commentary about this post-9/11 milestone, one persistent editorial question has touched on all these issues.
The Lineup: Week of May 9-15, 2011
This week’s OtherWords editorial package features a Jim Hightower column about a company that’s trying to override Vermont’s decision to shutter a nuclear reactor and an op-ed by Peter Weiss on why torture doesn’t “work.”
