Archive
High Noon in Washington
Most Americans, riveted by reports about the manufactured crisis surrounding the debt ceiling, assumed that we “dodged the bullet” when Congress finally authorized the U.S. Treasury to pay its bills.
Thrifty, Green Homeowners May Get a Boost
While it might seem rare these days for Republicans and Democrats to work together on anything, two Republican members of the House of Representatives recently joined with one of their colleagues in the Democratic Party to introduce an important new piece of renewable energy legislation.
You Can’t Milk a Butter Cow
Less than 17,000 Republicans showed up to vote in this year’s poll, and they were charged $30 each for the privilege of casting their straw. In previous years there have been accusations that some candidates rigged the election, Chicago-style, by busing in out-of-staters and paying their poll tax.
Dim Bulbs in Congress
Our problem in Washington is this: we have too many 5-watt bulbs sitting in 100-watt sockets.
Muslims Don’t Have a Monopoly on Terrorism
Too many Americans think the term “terrorism” only applies to Muslims. Christians, Jews, atheists, agnostics, Unitarians or Quakers who commit unspeakable acts of horror often aren’t deemed to be real terrorists.
Terrorism in the Eye of the Beholder
The Lineup: Week of Aug. 15-21, 2011
Matias Ramos explains why states should allow undocumented immigrants who have graduated from their high schools to pay in-state tuition.
Diplomas vs. Deportation
When a group of undocumented young people took the stage at an immigration reform rally outside the White House in late July, they had a catchy chant: “Hey, Obama, don’t deport my mama!” High school students dominated the crowd, which included protesters wearing shirts emblazoned with the words “I am the Maryland DREAM Act.”
AT&T Takeover of T-Mobile Won’t Create New Jobs
The fury surrounding the debt ceiling deal was so boisterous and rowdy that most Americans took a while to notice that it does nothing to create jobs.
How to Make the Super Congress Open and Accountable
The hurriedly passed Budget Control Act raised the nation’s debt ceiling and made some efforts to reduce the deficit. The law also demands that Congress reduce the deficit another $1.2 trillion through spending cuts and additional revenue. The power to choose how those reductions will be made will be concentrated in the hands of the 12 members of the Joint Select Committee on Debt Reduction, nicknamed the “Super Congress.”
