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…
Politics
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…
Libertarians, Politics
Senator Feingold’s Re-Election Prospects
by JOHN ADAMS •
Tom Bevan of Real Clear Politics asks, Will Feingold Get Swept Away by GOP Wave? I don’t know if Senator Feingold will be re-elected; I do know that his possible defeat should leave libertarians with mixed feelings. For although we oppose campaign finance restrictions and a big (spending) government, in many other ways Senator Feingold…
Elkhorn, Politics
Walworth County Board Wisely Rejects Expansion Proposal
by JOHN ADAMS •
One sees that the Walworth County Board voted, 8-3, to recommend against an expansion of the board’s size. (The 8-3 vote included all eleven current board numbers.) See, Walworth County Board Opposes Member Increase. This was the right decision — expanding the board because of politicians’ complaints of overwork at a time when too few…
Politics
“Barrett calls on union to drop Viagra lawsuit” — GazetteXtra
by JOHN ADAMS •
Great line: “Barrett says that, if elected governor, he would work to invest more money on education but [instead of money for Viagra] ‘dollars should be devoted to enhance performance in the classroom.’ Emphasis added. That’s just too funny, but it’s good to see that Barrett has (I think) a sense of humor. See, “Barrett…
Politics
Newt Gingrich: The Indispensable Republican – Esquire (Really?)
by JOHN ADAMS •
Republicans can surely do better than Gingrich. At least, one would assume that all the money a major party commands could conjure something better. If he’s truly indispensable, then the GOP’s defining indispensability sharply downward. See, Print – Newt Gingrich: The Indispensable Republican – Esquire.
Economy, Politics
Peggy Noonan: America Is at Risk of Boiling Over – WSJ.com
by JOHN ADAMS •
When the adults of a great nation feel long-term pessimism, it only makes matters worse when those in authority take actions that reveal their detachment from the concerns—even from the essential nature—of their fellow citizens. And it makes those citizens feel powerless. Inner pessimism and powerlessness: That is a dangerous combination. I see Noonan’s point,…
City, Politics
The Grass, Weeds, and Natural Lawn Menace in Whitewater, Wisconsin
by JOHN ADAMS •
Link: http://cityofwhitewater.blip.tv/file/3910060/ Whitewater, Wisconsin held its last Common Council meeting on July 20th. There’s another session tonight, but a part of the last session deserves notice as an example of a dodgy discussion. On the agenda of the last meeting, one finds this item, C-7, nestled in the middle: C-7. Review of and possible direction…
Politics
North Korean football team shamed in six-hour public inquiry over World Cup – Telegraph
by JOHN ADAMS •
The entire squad was forced onto a stage at the People’s Palace of Culture and subjected to criticism from Pak Myong-chol, the sports minister, as 400 government officials, students and journalists watched. The players were subjected to a “grand debate” on July 2 because they failed in their “ideological struggle” to succeed in South Africa,…