Finally, Some Common Sense on Cannabis

Finally, Some Common Sense on Cannabis

Until recent years, marijuana prohibitionists have been able to intimidate most reform-minded politicians by simply threatening to brand them as “soft on drugs.” But finally, thanks to determined activists and broad support from the general public,...
A Flat-footed Backflip for Wall Street

A Flat-footed Backflip for Wall Street

Congress, which had been so tied up in a partisan knot by right-wing extremists that it became unable to move, suddenly sprang loose at the end of the year. Before heading home for the holidays, it put on a phenomenal show of acrobatic lawmaking. In one big,...
Ethics Training for Congress? Dream On

Ethics Training for Congress? Dream On

Do you  — or does anyone — really need a book of rules and a three-hour briefing to do your job ethically? If you’re a Congress critter, apparently so. For that’s what newly elected lawmakers have just received. Nearly all those newcomers rode to victory...
How Did We Get Here?

How Did We Get Here?

Dick Tuck, the legendary political prankster and wit, once ran for local office in San Francisco and lost. His concession speech, in its entirety: “The people have spoken — the bastards.” Now, you know me — I wouldn’t say anything like that about the...
Blocking the Vote

Blocking the Vote

When she heard that the GOP had nailed a Senate majority, Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska grabbed a chair, lifted it over her head and shouted “I’m the chair, maaaaaaan!” The presumptive next chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources...