Could America become socialist? That’s where some conservatives believe the country would be headed under the Democrats. Sen. Bernie Sanders has been leading a progressive movement that has gained widespread support. Conservatives, like columnist George F. Will, warn of government displacing free market corporate decision-makers in setting industrial policy. Will’s concern does not match what […]
This week we celebrated Independence Day, renewing our pride in being Americans. At the same time, the hotly debated immigration issue leads us to consider what it takes to achieve the much prized status of citizen. If you are born here, the Constitution says you’re a citizen. Some people think that’s too easy, because it […]
Maine was fleetingly in the national political spotlight this year, because it held the first statewide election using ranked choice voting (RCV), the system allowing people to vote for several candidates in rank order. After using the process in party primaries, Maine provided other states with a model to study. An accompanying referendum suggested that […]
When European countries were ruled by kings, the monarchs often called one another by the name of their country. For example, “Russia” might meet with “England,” in a session involving only the two rulers. Kings were the same as their countries because they alone were sovereigns. The people were their “subjects,” not “citizens.” That practice […]
President Trump asserts he has an “absolute right to pardon himself.” No president has ever pardoned himself, though the right of the president to issue pardons for federal crimes is found in the Constitution. The Constitution is a broad statement of principles about the federal government and the separation of powers among the three branches […]
Americans are beginning to pay more for what we buy, the result of high tariffs levied under a policy meant to protect jobs by making foreign goods more expensive. Even without this policy, unemployment is historically low. The U.S. already enjoys a favorable balance in services and receives hundreds of billions of dollars in investment […]
Government is too complicated. People dislike government that is remote, bureaucratic and burdensome. Some conservatives believe we live under “the administrative state,” many regulations are written by anonymous agency staff. Is government under the control of bureaucrats who cannot be held politically accountable and probably have a liberal agenda? An easier and more obvious explanation […]
I support the Second Amendment. Despite what you may hear, almost everyone does. That’s because it is part of the Constitution, and it would be hard to find any American who does not support the Constitution. It contains seven original articles and 27 amendments, and virtually every American supports all still in effect – including […]
When leading conservatives and liberals agree on what’s wrong in the country, it’s worth paying attention. The American Enterprise Institute, which produces conservative policy proposals, and the Center for American Progress, which plays the same role for liberals, announce they “disagree vigorously” on policy, but have agreed on a jointly published report on American society. […]
When you’re called “the Oracle of Omaha,” ranked as one of the wealthiest people in the world, and speak with a kind of folksy directness, people listen. That’s Warren Buffett, the head of Berkshire Hathaway, the huge investment company that seems to operate as a personal extension of the man. Last week, the firm held […]
