GOP Must Call Democrats' Bluff On Medicare Cuts
There's good reasons to think a Democrat offer to cut Medicare is insincere. But if the GOP is serious, they need to call Democrats’ bluff and propose even deeper cuts. Eric Cantor’s withdrawal from the debt talks with Joe Biden may be dominating the headlines for now but, in the long run, it …Infrastructure Money Should Buy Us Things Worth Having
Future generations will look back in amazement at the 2009 stimulus and wonder: what exactly did America buy with all that money? Where are all the equivalents of the amazing things done in the 1930s? Larry Summers this weekend argued in favor of another round of stimulus, including: …GOP Energy Bills Won't Save You at the Pump
Republicans have applauded the passage of energy bills to address skyrocketing gas prices but conservative economists say they will have minimal impact. Even as Republican Congressmen applauded the passage of three energy bills they said would address skyrocketing gas prices, conservative …What Congress Really Thinks of Canada
A new study looked at the Congressional record to find out what representatives and senators really think about our neighbor to the north. What do American members of Congress really think of Canada? Well, it depends on the issue. Indeed, a Fraser Institute study examining 1,830 mentions of …Michele Bachmann: Bad Constitutionalist
Michele Bachmann’s recent statements on the budget fight show she still has a lot to learn about the U.S. Constitution. Michele Bachmann’s recent statements on the budget fight show she still has a lot to learn about the U.S. Constitution. In her criticism of the compromises being made, she …Congress Gets Ready for the Next Budget Battle
Congress may have averted a shutdown, but their handling of budget negotiations left bond markets with more questions than answers. The 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week coverage of the fiscally trivial work of the past 3 months is over. The Continuing Resolution for Appropriations for FY11, …Budget Fight May Freak Out Markets
Global financial institutions are keeping a close eye on Washington. And even if there is a budget deal, the damage may already be done. Whether the federal government “closes down” for this weekend remains unknown at this time. But for the sake of discussion, let’s assume that Congress …Why the Balanced Budget Amendment is No Good
The proposed Balanced Budget Amendment is an awful idea that would fundamentally change American politics for the worst if it passed. The latest Balanced Budget Amendment (BBA) proposal is not only an unworkable fiscal monstrosity but also the most fundamental change to our system of government …The Beltway's Libya Flip-Out
Like many, I find myself frustrated by Obama’s handling of the crisis in Libya, but even more upset with the critics -- from both right and left. I just can’t seem to help myself. I may be stubborn, stupid, or congenitally contrarian--or some combination of all three. I find myself having been …Why Did Obama Bypass Congress on Libya?
It's very strange and odd that Obama didn't seek congressional authorization before launching strikes on Libya. Will Congress make him regret the decision? It's very strange and odd that President Obama did not seek congressional authorization before launching strikes on Libya. In his mind, he …Senate Dems Rebel on Spending Cuts
The real surprise in Wednesday's Senate spending bill votes was the total failure of Harry Reid to keep his own caucus in line. The failure of both Democratic and Republican spending cut proposals in the Senate wasn't much of a surprise. The Republican proposal--a huge exercise in chutzpa that …Hold Off on the Budget Back-Slapping
While Washington congratulates itself over the two-week budget deal, one fact's been forgotten: this budget showdown should never have happened. Legislation appropriating funds to keep the federal government open for business for the next two weeks has passed the House and Senate and been signed …Chu's Energy Research Hijack
Energy Secretary Steven Chu's budget would transform his department into a huge government-run research and development firm. Nobel Laureate and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu seems to have taken a page from early 20 th century labor leader Samuel Gompers: at every turn he screams for “more.” …Your Congress at Work
In the GOP congress, government funding for NASCAR is not the same as government funding for NPR. Government funding for NASCAR: Liberty Government funding for NPR: TyrannyThe Dems' Afghan War Hypocrisy
It is laughable for the Democrats to criticize President Bush for being cautious about supporting a massive commitment of men and material to Afghanistan in 2001, when so many in their party feel that same way today. Rep. Maurice Hinchey’s claim that President Bush intentionally let Osama Bin …The Lockerbie Bomber Story Continues to Unravel
The release of the Lockerbie bomber looks increasingly like a deceitful connivance between the British, the Scots and the Libyans. Meanwhile on this side of the Atlantic, an uncurious American press has accepted the Obama administration's account at face value. But given the level of lying in …GOP Must Make School Vouchers a Civil Rights Issue
Students in Prince George's County in the D.C. area arrived on the first day of school to find that administrators still had not scheduled classes for them. This failure will certainly have an adverse impact on black students in the county with the largest black middle class in the country. …Obama Losing Bipartisan Support for Afghanistan
That the doves on the left are growing tired of the costly war in Afghanistan should not surprise anyone. But now, George Will’s change of heart on Afghanistan indicates that support on the right, particularly amongst realists like Mr. Will, may not be as reliable as the administration may …What a Difference a Year Makes
One year ago, Obama was telling us Iraq was unwinnable and that it was distracting us from Afghanistan. Now President Obama is packing up in Iraq and telling us Afghanistan isn't winnable. President Obama A year ago, this man was telling us the surge wouldn't work, that Iraq was …