“The debt is being cynically exploited by the far right, with collusion of the Democrat establishment, to undermine what remains of social programs, public education, unions, and, in general, remaining barriers to corporate tyranny.”

Noam Chomsky

The new Republican House majority has staked out a number of goals, a few admirable and …

Be Careful What You Wish For

“Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.”

Margaret J. Wheatley

Last week, to the dismay of Democrats, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending a women constitutional right for an abortion.  The Court’s …

“Like most rights, the right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited.”

Justice Antonin Scalia – District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

Only 21 weeks in to the year and the United States has witnessed 213 mass shootings, a staggering average of 10 per week … with 27 having taken place …

"In the first 50 years of the filibuster, it was used only 35 times.  But the last Congress alone had 112 cloture motions filed plus threats of more.  This is tyranny of the minority."

Peter Fenn

The Senate’s inflexible partisanship has paralyzed Congress’ ability to reach reasonable compromises on legislation to improve …

“Compromise is not about losing.  It is about deciding that the other person has just as much right to be happy with the end result as you do.”

Donna Martini

The flames of partisan tribalism have infected politics since the 1800 election between Federalist John Adams and his Democrat-Republican rival Thomas Jefferson.  …

“We were discussing their strategy for tomorrow, and we were sharing our thoughts, in terms of where the argument was and where to go,”

Senator Ted Cruz

At the outset of the Senate Impeachment trial of Donald Trump, each of the body’s 100 members (the trial’s jurors) declared, “I solemnly swear (or affirm) …

“Prudence means understanding your situation, seeing what good can be accomplished in it, knowing what options are both morally legitimate and likely successful—and then pursuing the wisest goal in the wisest way”

Brian C. Collins

Unquestionably, President Trump’s words and actions were the catalyst for the mob invasion of the nation’s Capital. …

“We will never give up; we will never concede”

Donald Trump (January 6, 2021)

In the wake of Wednesday’s violent demonstration and lawless assault on the Capitol building questions must be asked … and answered.

Concerns Trump can still wreak havoc on our democracy and imperil our national security has initiated calls for …

"Our Anerican republic will endure only as long as the ideas of th emen who founded it continue dominant"

James Russell Lowell

Republican politicians must stop pandering to the president and his delusional belief he won the 2020 election and begin a process of helping to heal a dangerously divided nation.

As the …

“I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.

James Madison

Attorney General Barr concluded the “Mueller Report” exonerated President Trump, his associates and campaign of collusion with Russia during the …

“There are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual consent and silent encroachment of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.”

James Madison

Given Mitch McConnell cannot prevent the Senate from voting on a House passed resolution to overturn President Trump’s declaration of a …

Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently”
Henry Ford
House Intelligence Chair Nunes’ release of a Republican-drafted factually misleading memo accusing the FBI and Justice Department of improperly using their surveillance authority against the Trump presidential campaign while suppressing a dissenting Democratic minority report is indefensible!
When Americans …

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Presidential Oath of Office
US Constitution – Article II, Section 1

The President, all members of …

“No democratic government can last long without conciliation and compromise”
The Wisdom of Benjamin Franklin
 
While the federal government remains “sort of” shut down (although Congressional and White House personnel continue to get paid while visible programs affecting average folks, children and veterans are always targeted in such situations) and our national …

“The Congress shall have the Power …  to Declare War”
Article I, Section 8, US Constitution
Not since December 8, 1941 has the United States Congress passed a Declaration of War.  Yet, since then our country has sent its men and women in “harm’s way” in no less than 27 conflicts, nearly …

“No democratic government can last long without conciliation and compromise.”
Benjamin Franklin
Partisan politics have been part of the American landscape since the bitter 1798 presidential campaign between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.  However, the endless divisiveness and unwillingness of our Beltway representatives to work across party and ideological lines has so …

“There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation.  One is by the sword.  The other is by debt.”
John Adams

In the endless debates over reducing federal deficits Republicans offer little other than spending cuts, too many of which impact the most vulnerable in our society.  They and …

“The budget should be balanced, the treasury refilled, public debt reduced the arrogance of
officialdom tempered and controlled … lest Rome become bankrupt”
Cicero
For the decades, our federal government has perpetuated a myth that, unlike individuals, it can routinely spend more than it takes in … so long as such deficits …

In their rush to "resolve" the burgeoning federal deficit crisis,members of COngress have been quick to suggest all American will have to live with "necessary" cuts and increased taxes.

Yet these same individuals who hv ebeen directly responsible for crating the budget mess have again failed to demonstrate real political courage …