The Pew Center reports that Americans’ views of these conflicting economic arrangements haven’t changed much since 2010. That’s from an overall survey, however; some Americans’ views and political participation have surely changed. Which matters more: that the views of most are unchanged, or that some are of changed opinions (and perhaps increased motivation)? I’m not…
Politics
City, Laws/Regulations, Politics
How to Keep Roma or Bedouin from Dominating Whitewater, Wisconsin’s Politics
by JOHN ADAMS •
Here in our exceptional city of 14,622, we can’t be too careful about outside influences, nefarious plots, and the reputed scheming of Madisonians to force every man, woman, and child in the city to wear tie-dye clothing. And yet, and yet, there’s something even worse than these unsettling threats: at any moment, hordes of Roma…
Libertarians, Politics, Presidential race 2012, Uncategorized
Who is a Ron Paul supporter?
by JOHN ADAMS •
There’s a story at the Washington Post website describing GOP candidate Ron Paul’s supporters. They’re younger, more secular, and more dedicated than other Republicans. That they’re disproportionately younger suggests to me that they’re not from movement families (that is, they’re not from old and longstanding libertarian households). Paul, to his credit, has attracted an energetic,…
Libertarians, Politics
John Stossel wonders: Will 2012 be a Libertarian Year?
by JOHN ADAMS •
I don’t know, really, but I’m inclined to answer paradoxically that it’s never a libertarian year, and yet it’s always one. If one means by libertarian year the election of lots of libertarians, then the answer’s surely no. There are lots of Republicans and Democrats, not lots of Libertarians. Yet, if one means that libertarian…
Libertarians, Politics, Presidential race 2012
Update: Ron Paul Storms Out Walks Away During CNN Interview Over Newsletter Questions
by JOHN ADAMS •
City, Libertarians, Politics
Offices, Debates, Local Politics
by JOHN ADAMS •
Politics, Recall
Sen. Majority Leader Fitzgerald’s 12.19.11 Open Office
by JOHN ADAMS •
One should expect a few things of a politician, and among them one would hope to find honesty, commitment to principle, hard work, and a comfort and ease around his or her constituents. There’s a video of a recall organizer and potential candidate, Lori Compas, at a town hall meeting of the state senator she…
Politics, Recall
The WISGOP Ad: Your Money
by JOHN ADAMS •
In the prior post, The WisDems’ New Ad: I recall, one sees the Democrats’ recall approach. In the ad below, from the Walker campaign, one sees Lt. Gov. Kleefisch answering those who wonder whether the Walker Admin has achieved what it promised. Here’s Your Money: Watching the two ads, there’s a different presentation of the…
Freedom of Speech, Law, Liberty, Politics
Teenage mayoral candidate to ignore cease and desist demand from Sheboygan’s Mayor Ryan
by JOHN ADAMS •
Good for him: Sheboygan teenager and potential recall mayoral candidate Asher Heimermann said he intends to ignore a cease and desist letter from Sheboygan Mayor Bob Ryan to take down a fake Twitter account claiming to be Ryan, saying the account complies with the social media websites rules for parody and does not rise to…
Freedom of Speech, Liberty, Politics
Time names ‘The Protester’ Person of the Year
by JOHN ADAMS •
A solid choice: ….In short, 2011 was unlike any year since 1989 — but more extraordinary, more global, more democratic, since in ’89 the regime disintegrations were all the results of a single disintegration at headquarters, one big switch pulled in Moscow that cut off the power throughout the system. So 2011 was unlike any…
Business, Federal Government, Politics
In U.S., Fear of Big Government at Near-Record Level
by JOHN ADAMS •
Americans’ concerns about the threat of big government continue to dwarf those about big business and big labor, and by an even larger margin now than in March 2009. The 64% of Americans who say big government will be the biggest threat to the country is just one percentage point shy of the record high,…
Free Markets, Libertarians, Politics
GOP Message-Massager Frank Luntz, in the Wake of Occupy Wall Street
by JOHN ADAMS •
Matt Welch writes about the GOP’s needless fear, and silly response, to the Occupy movement: Did you need a little Monday morning reminder of why GOP politics and libertarian ideals so rarely mix when Republicans hold power? Well check out this piece from last week by Yahoo News Chris Moody, who went inside a recent…
Libertarians, Politics
Libertarian-leaning Ron Paul Clocks Newt Gingrich
by JOHN ADAMS •
Too, too funny — libertarian Ron Paul hits Newt Gingrich from the right, using conservatives (many of whom Paul himself rejects!), to disparage Gingrich as a money-grubbing, shifty, business-as-usual politician. Gingrich’s problem is that Paul’s right: Gingrich really is a money-grubbing, shifty, business-as-usual politician. Via Newt Gingrich: Serial Hypocrisy – YouTube.
Freedom of Speech, Liberty, Police, Politics
The Misuse of Law Enforcement Against Peaceful Protesters
by JOHN ADAMS •
I may have my doubts about the Occupy movement’s platform (such as it is), but I’ve none about the aggressive use of law enforcement against peaceful protesters: that use is wrong, being both offensive and contrary to America’s political tradition. The Huffington Post offers up a video of excessive use of force against seated protesters…