Rights and Democracy
Donald Trump Distinguishes Himself
We live in a time of stunning transformations. In recent weeks we’ve seen Bruce Jenner transition from a male Olympic medalist to Caitlyn Jenner, a self-assured woman gracing the cover of Vanity Fair. Then there’s Rachel Dolezal, the ex-president of the Spokane,...
The Wheels Come off Jeb’s Victory Wagon
A funny thing happened to Jeb Bush on his way to the White House. He was rolling assuredly toward his coronation as the next GOP presidential nominee. He was sacking up millions of dollars in campaign cash from his dynastic family's extensive coterie of reliable...
Snake Oil Won’t Cure Inequality
At last, America's political leaders now feel the pain of the poor and empathize with the millions of working families slipping out of the middle class. For years, politicians paid no attention to the ever-widening chasm between the rich and the rest of us. But it's...
The Year of the Internet Voter
In the 1996 election it was the soccer mom. In 2004 it was the NASCAR dad. Could 2016 be the year of the Internet voter? The Internet has grown from a fad to an essential tool to a platform that’s catalyzed a growing political constituency. Pollsters have identified a...
Robin Hood in Reverse
One of the biggest questions of the day is: Why do the rich keep getting richer and the middle class keep getting poorer? This also ranks as the dumbest question of the day, week, month, or year. To anyone who's been paying attention, it's obvious why economic...
Pope in a China Shop
Government by Bagmen
When Dennis Hastert was indicted for trying to cover up some $3.5 million in hush money payments to a man he’d allegedly sexually abused decades ago, Washington was shocked. I wasn't. I was shocked that Hastert, who’d spent the better part of his life in public...
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...
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...
Tip of the Hastert
