There’s some talk about whether Republican U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, defeated in her party’s Alaska primary, should run as a Libertarian. To support this effort, a few dumb-as-a-doornail libertarians are trying to talk up Murkowski as a candidate on the LP line. She’s not a libertarian, and so she doesn’t belong on a ballot as…
Politics
Police, Politics
Small-town Bureaucratic Persistence in Edgerton, Wisconsin
by JOHN ADAMS •
Over in Edgerton, Wisconsin, a place even smaller than my town of Whitewater, there’s been a sensible decision to “hold off on discussions over buying a new police dog until fall 2011, when the city plans for its 2012 budget.” See, Edgerton Delays Dog Decision. Edgerton’s former police dog bit a police officer from another…
Comment Forum, Politics
Friday Comment Forum — The Wisconsin September Primary
by JOHN ADAMS •
Here’s the Friday open comments post. Today’s suggested topic is your candidates for the upcoming September 14th Wisconsin primary election for governor, lieutenant governor, and U.S. Senator. Here are my picks, depending on party preferences. (I’m a libertarian and Libertarian, rather than a Democrat or Republican.) If voting among Democratic choices, I’d pick: GOVERNOR –…
City, Government Spending, Politics, Poverty, Taxes/Taxation
Dockside Inspections, a Lost Decade, and Municipal Obstructionism
by JOHN ADAMS •
Years ago, in the 80s, when trade with Japan was controversial, Americans leveled legitimate criticisms about how Japan used dockside inspections of cargo as a way to prevent importation of foreign goods. The regulations were often small, and although rational individually, they were collectively irrational and counter-productive. By inhibiting free trade, Japan’s insidious protectionism actually…
Politics
La Crosse Tribune: Primaries to Test Anti-Incumbent Mood
by JOHN ADAMS •
The primaries will whittle them [candidates] down and set the stage for the Nov. 2 general election, which will determine who controls the Assembly and Senate and, ultimately, the direction of Wisconsin politics for years to come. The next Legislature must redraw district boundaries, setting up Democratic and Republican strongholds that will define the Legislature’s…
Economy, Government Spending, Politics
Reason.tv: Give Us Liberty? Q&A with Dick Armey & Matt Kibbe of Freedom Works
by JOHN ADAMS •
Here’s a post with two Tea Party supporters, one of whom was once Republican majority leader in Congress. There are differences between the Tea Party movement and libertarianism, but simarities, too. Here’s a description from Reason accompanying the video: Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK7j4bBqhtY Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is the latest victim of the Tea Party insurgency that’s…
Politics
GazetteXtra.com: High Primary Turnout Predicted
by JOHN ADAMS •
Politics
Senate Upsets Threaten Chamber’s Comity – WSJ.com
by JOHN ADAMS •
Mr. Lee, the Utah Republican outsider who defeated incumbent GOP Sen. Robert Bennett, said collegiality for collegiality’s sake has contributed to the nations problems. Earmarks, or special-interest provisions attached to spending bills, have traditionally passed because senators haven’t wanted to offend their colleagues. Yes, that’s true, and comity for those ends shouldn’t be missed. There’s…
City, Politics, Public Meetings
Municipal Openness and Transparency, and Their Alternatives
by JOHN ADAMS •
Whitewater, Wisconsin’s last Common Council meeting was held on August 17th. Part of that meeting concerned a proposal for transparency in government, with improved standards for posting meeting notices and agendas online, recording those meetings, and making the records conveniently available online for residents of Whitewater. I’ve written on this topic before. (See, for example,…
Libertarians, Politics
Murkowski As Libertarian Polls 34% | Independent Political Report
by JOHN ADAMS •
Update: The right decision – Libertarians: No Ballot Switch. (This was a unanimous decision.) In Alaska, there’s a United States Senate primary, with a close vote yet to be decided between incumbent Republican Lisa Murkowski and challenger Jeff Miller. If Murkowski should lose the primary, there’s speculation that she might run on the Libertarian ticket…
Liberty, Politics
Nat Hentoff on a Ground Zero Mosque
by JOHN ADAMS •
Nat Hentoff writes about the New York City mosque controversy in Pols Clueless on Ground Zero Mosque: The angry national debate over Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf’s intention to build a mosque two blocks north of the horror of 9/11 at Ground Zero has been further fueled by supporter Nancy Pelosi declaring, “I join those who…
Economy, Politics
Those Who Paved the Way
by JOHN ADAMS •
Over at Economics21, James Capretta assessed the American economy through a Mid-Year Update. Capretta’s assessment relied on Office of Management and Budget projections: The numbers are eye-popping. The budget deficit in 2010 is expected to set a record at $1.471 trillion – or 10% of GDP. In 2011, the administration projects the deficit will again…
Politics
NOAA Claims Scientists Reviewed Controversial Report; The Scientists Say Otherwise
by JOHN ADAMS •
The politicization of science through government lies — In responding to the growing furor over the public release of a scientifically dubious and overly rosy federal report about the fate of the oil that BP spilled in the Gulf of Mexico, NOAA director Jane Lubchenco has repeatedly fallen back on one particular line of defense…
Economy, Politics
Voter Volatility Hits Fever Pitch – WSJ.com
by JOHN ADAMS •
Gerald Seib writes that It’s becoming increasingly clear that Americans arent simply in the midst of hard times. They are in the midst of one of the most volatile political environments since World War II.The immediate cause of this volatility is clear enough to see. Just a few months ago, there was a chance that…