[SeMissourian.com] Fog/Mist ~ 34°F  
River stage: 14.35 ft. Falling
Saturday, Mar. 8, 2014
'Obama defenders' (03/05/14)
You have to give credit to the liberals -- which I hesitate to do. The liberals know that if you put a derogatory name or slur on your opposition, you demean their value to some. And that's why we have "birthers" or "teabaggers" or "climate deniers."...
Lines in the sand (02/26/14)
The problem with drawing a line in the sand is that sometimes, the other guy ignores your line. So then what do you do? This administration is increasingly tumbling in international standing and has become a toothless tiger with ample roar and limited punch...
The folly of global warming (or climate change) (02/19/14)
Secretary of State John Kerry was in Indonesia last week to promote the ongoing charade of global warming. He picked the perfect time to discuss global warming as he fled the Northeast and the record ice and snowfall and bitter temperatures. Kerry must not have gotten the memo that it's no longer global warming -- since that has become a highly popular punch line -- and it has now become climate change...
Media 'shock' value in gay football player story (02/12/14)
Michael Sam, an All-American defensive lineman for the University of Missouri, announced this weekend that he was gay. What makes this story a headliner is that Sam will soon enter the NFL draft and with his skills on the field, he may well become the first openly gay member of the National Football League...
The ‘overhyped' income inequality talking point (02/05/14)
The president's theme of "income inequality" is not gaining the traction the administration had hoped. Anxious to move the narrative away from the widely unpopular Obamacare fiasco, the drumbeat of "income inequality" seemed a popular notion. The president had even called this new theme the "defining challenge of our times" with the appropriate bravado and accompanying applause...
Clinton's 2016 push (01/29/14)
It's a foregone conclusion that Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic nominee for president in 2016. The sole obstacle in her path would be a health issue because, rest assured, any potential missteps on her part would never make their way into the mainstream media...
'Low information voters' (01/22/14)
Rush Limbaugh calls them "low information voters." I have used much less flattering terms in the past. But regardless of the label, there is a large and unfortunately growing number of voters who are absolutely clueless on issues or a candidate's position, background, experience, etc...
The failed economic inequality policies (01/15/14)
If you pay attention to the administration's talking points for 2014, you now know our national obsession is ending economic inequality. That lofty yet ill-defined goal will be a major talking point when the president makes his annual State of the Union address. In fact, many of the political talking heads were rehearsing the issue this past Sunday...
Regulation overload (01/08/14)
Well, the president has returned from his family golfing vacation in Hawaii and aides say his focus is on extending unemployment benefits, immigration reform and an increase in the minimum wage. That seems like an ambitious agenda for a national leader who has had more than his share of problems as of late. Remember Obamacare, Benghazi, NSA spying and IRS snooping?...
President alienates allies (12/18/13)
While the Obama administration continues its focus on growing the federal government, someone needs to keep an eye on the rest of the world. Take a brief look at China and North Korea, for example. These two longtime enemies have been anything but quiet of late...
More laws do not equal a better Congress (12/04/13)
The current Congress is rated as one of the least productive in history because of a lack of new legislation. According to the rating service, this session of Congress has approved just 60 new laws and thus, the low rating. But why is this rating based on legislation passed?...
President's questions for Thanksgiving table (11/27/13)
In a somewhat bizarre effort to promote the troubled Affordable Care Act, the Obama administration has a handy and helpful video with suggestions on how to start a health-care conversation during the Thanksgiving dinner. I could not make this up, believe me...
Obama, Baldwin share similar mistakes (11/20/13)
Let's face it -- the past week was less than kind to our president. And the same can be said about the embattled, but still arrogant, Alec Baldwin. But these two kindred spirits of the far political left have similar problems because they made similar mistakes...
A disinterested president (10/30/13)
As much as I tried to stay focused on the World Series, some other news tidbits managed to slip through the cracks this past week. In the excitement of the annual Fall Classic, I may have missed something. But here's what I thought I heard. Surely I am missing something here but my focus is clearly distracted by the Cardinals and Red Sox...
The Obamacare website fiasco (10/23/13)
The massively flawed rollout of the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, should come as no surprise given the unanswered questions that have plagued the federal monstrosity from the very beginning. But equally as predictable is the reaction of the Obama lemmings, who continue to insist all is well in Obamaland and the "glitches" are little more than technical issues caused by massive interest in the new law...
The coffee crowd and social media (10/16/13)
As I made my way to the office Tuesday morning in the all-too-dark early hours, I passed a familiar coffee shop packed with the usual suspects. And then I passed another early morning watering hole and then another and another. The morning coffee shop is an important ingredient in the lives of many -- mostly men -- farmers, bankers, lawyers, small businessmen and such...
Rooting out disability fraud should be nonpartisan issue (10/09/13)
Since there appears to be little agreement in our federal government these days, let's find one -- just one -- issue that is nonpartisan, out of control and in need of a major overhaul. Let's start with what has been called the "secret welfare system" -- the Federal Disability Insurance Program...
Dancing around issues (10/02/13)
Government shutdown. Obamacare. Debt ceiling. Iran. Syria. Amnesty. Let's count the ways our elected officials can find disagreement and continue to disregard the American people. But as we all know, the list is growing daily. As the great modern-day philosopher Rodney King once said, "Can't we all get along?"...
Right battle, wrong time (09/25/13)
Success in politics is often about picking the right battles. But success also depends on timing. The GOP may well be picking the right battle at the wrong time. And although I fully support and understand the wide range of disagreement on the miserable Obamacare mandates, from a political standpoint I see nothing but setbacks...
Caffeine withdrawal the latest disorder (09/18/13)
In a somewhat futile attempt to clear a long-neglected desk drawer, I came across an article I shelved in June that piqued my interest. It's no coincidence that I have a cup of coffee nearby since the article says that caffeine withdrawal is now officially a mental disorder...
Politics vs. security (09/11/13)
According to discussions over the weekend, a number of congressmen are poised today to vote in favor of military action in Syria not because of the use of chemical weapons but rather to support the president. Members of the Black Congressional Caucus were warned in a letter last week from their chairman not to discuss any opposition to the military action because of the damage it could do to the president...
Pray our elected officials make the right decision on Syria (09/04/13)
If you Google the phrase "Indecision is the hallmark of mediocrity," you'll likely come up empty. That's because it was a conclusion on the business world I concocted many years ago. As I watched businessmen run their operations, it was those who were willing to make tough decisions -- some unpopular -- who succeeded...
Obama's obsession (08/28/13)
No one could address the issue of race in this country as well as our president. And yet, he remains largely silent. The president was quick to respond to the Cambridge police officer controversy and even quicker to respond to the Trayvon Martin episode in Florida...
Newborn granddaughter the big highlight of two-week vacation (08/21/13)
I've been AWOL for the past two weeks. Put my quill pen aside and coordinated my absence with the Obama vacation. Hey, if he's not working, neither am I! I did return to the office with a new granddaughter, which was my original reason for fleeing the office...
Giving taxpayers a greater voice (07/31/13)
With all due respect, I don't think Congress or especially this administration fully understands the tax debate. Though it's far from my favorite expenditure, I don't mind paying my fair share of the tax burden. What I often resent is the way my tax dollars are spent...
Losing trust (07/24/13)
Our federal government can continue to function even with highly unpopular positions. Our federal government can continue to function even with partisan bickering, major social divisions and slow erosions of personal freedoms. But a federal government cannot continue to function when it loses the trust of the American public...
Race took center stage in Florida case (07/17/13)
The issue inside the courtroom of the George Zimmerman trial was Florida's "stand your ground" law and the question of self-defense. The issue outside the courtroom was race. Is this the "post racial" promise that was sold to this country on the campaign trail?...
The newspaper business 50 years later (07/10/13)
Though it's a milestone that will appropriately go unnoticed, I started my first "real" job at this newspaper 50 years ago this week. I was a 15-year-old kid with absolutely no experience yet somehow survived through the sweltering heat and the "brotherhood" of a newspaper family...
Celebrating freedom (07/03/13)
It's easy today to focus on fireworks, food, friends and family. But take just a moment to focus on the freedoms that form the basis for this special time in our great nation. Despite political winds that blow our ship of state off course from time to time, we still enjoy freedoms that others only dream about...
McCaskill jumps in early with Clinton endorsement (06/26/13)
Sen. Claire McCaskill is no stranger to political drama. She was one of the first supporters of Barack Obama when he was largely unknown and taking on a powerful Hillary Clinton machine in 2008. And now McCaskill has jumped into the political waters again and offered a very early ringing endorsement of Hillary's presidential aspirations in 2016...
Administration's explanations to scandals are pure fiction (06/19/13)
Now that the IRS has publicly acknowledged that the scrutiny of tea party and other conservative groups was not an act of "rogue" agents in an Ohio office, we're starting to realize that elections do indeed have consequences. In all honesty, it should come as no surprise that we learn of the intense attention paid to those who oppose the drift of our expanding government...
Differing perspectives on Trayvon Martin case (06/12/13)
In a small Florida courtroom this week, the trial of George Zimmerman will begin to unfold. Zimmerman is accused of killing Trayvon Martin during a confrontation more than a year ago. The trial will nudge from the headlines the numerous scandals that have captured our attention in recent weeks...
Tuesday's congressional vote a warm-up for 2014 (06/05/13)
Well, the dust has settled, the votes have been counted and Missouri's 8th Congressional District at long last has a representative in the House to sound the voice of concern or support from our little region of the world. And like it or not, a campaign will begin today to retain that seat...
Despite narrative, the issues remain (05/22/13)
A White House senior adviser on Sunday said it was "irrelevant" where the president was during the raid on the Benghazi compound where four Americans were killed. Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton asked with great indignation "What difference, at this point, does it matter," when questioned about the "talking points" of the Benghazi raid...
Poverty not solved by more money (05/15/13)
Much of the national dialogue for the past 50 years has focused on the issue of poverty. Wars have come and gone. Social issues have evolved and changed the fabric of society. Technology has advanced at breakneck speed. But poverty remains largely unchanged...
Media should drop the hyperbole and focus on news (05/08/13)
As the world knows by now, Jason Collins is a much-traveled, mediocre professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards -- his sixth team. Until last week, Collins was far from a household name, to put it mildly. But Collins -- with much fanfare -- announced he is a gay athlete, which marked a "first" in men's professional sports for an active player...
The president's publicity stunts don't help the country (05/01/13)
In his weekly radio address Saturday, President Obama promised more "pain" for the American people unless Congress approved his budget. This is the same president who was offered the option by Congress to make budget cuts in the wake of the sequester that would have minimal negative impact. But he declined that offer outright...
The ‘new normal' is disturbing (04/24/13)
We are now to understand we have a "new normal." If you haven't heard the term, you will. Whether it's the uncertain economy, the cultural shift to the left, the growing dependence on government or now the resurgence of terrorism at home, we have entered an age of this new normal...
Tax burden needs to include everyone (04/17/13)
I have to be honest. When I paid my federal and state tax obligation this week, I did so with a tinge of resentment. Granted, I recognize the importance and necessity of a tax obligation. I understand -- as best I can -- that these funds are what fuel much of our economy...
Forget compromise; here are a few potential trade-offs (04/10/13)
The possibility of compromise with a "Grand Bargain" on critical national issues seems more remote with each passing day. The reason is both simple and understandable. People compromise on paint color or dinner choices, but balk when it comes to issues of principle...
Another attempt to further divide the nation (04/03/13)
The president attended Easter services Sunday. But it was the minister who captured the spotlight when he seized the high-profile opportunity to share his views on the state of politics during the sermon. The minister -- with the Obama family front and center -- said "captains of the religious right want to put blacks back to the back of the bus, women back in the kitchen and immigrants back on their side of the border."...
Much talk but little action on closing tax loopholes (03/27/13)
I can't help but chuckle when the political tongues start wagging about eliminating tax loopholes. In principle, tax advantages that favor special interests are easy to oppose. But loopholes have replaced "waste, fraud and abuse" as the popular mystery revenue source to solve our economic woes...
Redefining poverty: Helping those who truly need assistance (03/21/13)
Let's talk about the poor. Most discussions -- political or moral -- touch on the issue of assistance to the least among us. Civilized societies always have appropriately put the needs of the poor as a high priority, though we quite often differ on just how to provide the needed assistance...
What Obama recovery? (03/13/13)
Thank goodness we have arrived at the long-awaited Obama economic recovery. The seas have calmed, as Obama promised, and prosperity has returned to America. The record-breaking highs in the stock market -- fueled by a cheap money policy that is unsustainable and a trillion dollar stimulus -- must be a sign of recovery...
Memorization giving way to the iPhone (03/06/13)
Back in the day, I fancied myself a fairly decent repository of trivial facts. When in college, we would while away study time by exchanging competing questions on trivial matters. Sports, music, current events, etc., all provided sources of unimportant minutia that would be debated over adult beverages...
The left's ‘sensitivity training' (02/27/13)
When Rush Limbaugh said last week he was "ashamed" of this country for the first time, I cringed thinking of the all-too-predictable liberal backlash. But then a hidden nugget of pure lunacy crossed by my desk, and I understand Limbaugh's frustration, disappointment and anger...
The president digs in for more spending and taxes (02/20/13)
Did you notice the snafu in the president's State of the Union address last week? Even with our highly advanced technology, the president's teleprompter -- of all things -- skipped over one small paragraph in his address. After the president again repeated his desire for a new series of multibillion-dollar federal programs, he said the proposals would not add "a single dime" to the exploding federal deficit...
The left's rebranding efforts continue (02/13/13)
The political left has this uncanny knack of renaming -- rebranding is the current nom de jour -- issues they hold so dear. The latest salvo came this week during the committee debate on immigration reform. With great hubris, Democrats warned Republicans against using the term "illegal aliens."...
Raw numbers paint different picture of gun violence (02/06/13)
David Axelrod, President's Obama's former senior adviser and patriarch of the Chicago connection with the White House, this week addressed the sad crime wave that engulfs the Windy City. And Axelrod said the words that Obama will not. Axelrod said there were upward of 150,000 active gang members in Chicago, and those gangs are responsible for the 500-plus murders in the city last year...
White House has its own ‘irresponsible behavior' (01/30/13)
You can imagine my delight when I read that this week's presidential radio address would focus on "irresponsible behavior." Hallelujah. I have long believed that irresponsible behavior is the under-spoken issue that politicians largely ignore. At long last, this administration would finally address irresponsible behaviors like the explosion of single-parent households, the problem of school dropout rates and the high crimes in urban war zones that account for half of the murders in this country...
America's culture of violence is the problem (01/23/13)
By all means, let's ban assault weapons and reduce to a sane number the amount of bullets in a weapon's clip. Absolutely mandate and increase background checks on gun purchases. And certainly, let's monitor those with mental health issues to assure their access to guns in prohibited...
The Constitution still has meaning to most Americans (01/16/13)
The Obama administration keeps referring to the "mandate" given by voters to pursue their big-government agenda. Health care, higher taxes, more regulation, entitlement expansion and now gun control. A review of election returns shows a slim majority for this administration but far from a mandate...
How will we address our debt and deficit? (01/09/13)
Today's America has become an "instant gratification" society. That singular fact is not in dispute. Technology has driven much of that change, but greed is the overall contributing factor. We want what we want and we want it now. The political atmosphere also has adopted this short-term approach. We fix today what needs fixing and we worry about tomorrow tomorrow. Or down the road. Or never...
A little house cleaning to finish the year (01/02/13)
Though not prone to rituals, I do have an annual routine to occupy the time between Christmas and New Year. I carefully empty my office desk and discard those countless items that were ignored or postponed over the past 12 months. But I don't discard willy nilly...
Emerson resignation a reminder of no certainties in politics (12/12/12)
My first reaction upon hearing of Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's sudden resignation was to send an obscenity-laced email to the state GOP headquarters. Granted, it was a tad bit over-the-top, knee-jerk reaction to the announcement. But I felt betrayed. Like many political observers in our little corner of the world, it was the timing of the resignation that stoked my frustration...
Poverty can't be solved only through charity (12/05/12)
An Internet photo went viral last week showing a New York police officer giving a $100 pair of boots to a supposedly homeless man on the streets of New York. The photo came just in time for the holiday season and provided a classic Christmas tale of helping those less fortunate...
Powerball and the federal budget (11/28/12)
Like many this time of year, I'm balancing appropriate Christmas shopping with a realistic "new normal" budget. With one eye on the economy and the other on Santa's wish list, I doubt I will join optimistic shoppers who plan to spend more this year...
Take time to pause and give thanks this week (11/21/12)
Although this space today probably should be used to convey some thoughts on Thanksgiving, I'm in no mood to tell anyone for what they should be thankful. The truth is, giving thanks -- and I mean the sincere and heartfelt "Dear God" thanks -- is far too personal to put into some generic category...
Election results show urban dominance in sea of red (11/14/12)
In the afterglow of last week's election -- better known as deep depression -- I've tried to learn some lessons. Here's what I think I learned. We can all look at the same set of numbers and have starkly different "take-aways." It's easy enough to see the obvious racial divide in the election results. And it's equally easy to see the different political preferences in dozens of demographic breakdowns, i.e., age, religion, gender, etc...
Romney will restore the country's fiscal sanity (11/01/12)
Less than a week from now we should know. But given the closeness of this presidential election, there's a slight chance a week from now this election outcome may still remain in limbo. I feel a sense of frustration that the circulation of this small column will reach readers already a solid majority in support of Mitt Romney...
Undecided voters may not be as many as experts think (10/24/12)
Two weeks to go and we political junkies are like kids in a candy store. Everywhere you look there's a political nugget that captures your attention. Then in the blink of an eye, another hidden morsel of news surfaces and your attention shifts to a new candy counter...
Without a doubt, life will go on even after Election Day (10/17/12)
Why would people threaten to riot if Mitt Romney is elected president? Why would other people promise to leave the country if Barack Obama is re-elected president? Both attitudes reflect our nation's extreme polarization and division. And both attitudes provide an insight into the radical reactions to an outcome other than what they want...
Knowledge vs. understanding in this election year (10/03/12)
Like many on the right, I remain dumbstruck over how many voters continue to support this administration. And I'm not referencing the "impartial" polls that show skewed results to drive opinion. I recently read Mitch Albom's new book "The Time Keeper" as a diversion from politics...
Presidential campaign lacks balanced media coverage (09/26/12)
In a presidential election that should clearly be a referendum on the economy, the race this year has been anything but. Perhaps by now, we're immune to 8.3 percent unemployment. Perhaps a $16.3 trillion deficit is of no concern. So what if 47 million Americans must turn to food stamps to feed their family?...
A few thoughts while approaching column deadline (09/19/12)
But as with all things in the newspaper business, deadlines wait for no man. My first instinct is to pen something thoughtful on the violence in the Mideast and try to arrive at some rational thought on the situation. But as with most of you, I know nearly not enough to reach some logical conclusion. And quite frankly, I fear our leaders know little more than you and I...
Praying for the country and voting our conscience (09/12/12)
Having written this column for nearly 35 years, I'm reminded that my tone was not always political. No Carter bashing in those early years. No Reagan fawning. Even Bill Clinton's drama went virtually unnoticed -- at least in the world of this minor column...
Though other things change, our values should not be compromised (09/05/12)
As my 65th birthday approaches, I'm constantly reminded just how out of step I am with modern society. For example, I can't remember the exact moment that I fully abandoned today's musical offerings, but I suspect that may have been the first signal of societal withdrawal...
What a second term for Obama would mean for America (08/29/12)
While all of the national focus is squarely on Election Day, Nov. 6, the important day is Nov. 7. That day we'll know more clearly how our personal lives will be affected and how the future will likely unfold for our children and grandchildren. So let's look beyond Election Day and peek into the future...
Todd Akin and his Biden moment (08/22/12)
If you thought Joe Biden's "put them back in chains" comment was stupid, it pales by comparison to Todd Akin's "legitimate rape" comment this weekend. With one stupid slip of the tongue, Akins may have well assured that the Democrats will remain in the Senate majority...
Obama's Chicago-style politics of destruction (08/15/12)
With this week's announcement of Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney's vice presidential choice, the countdown has officially begun. We've seen the opening act and the full cast of characters is now in place. If you paid attention, the campaign began Sunday with the usual suspects on the political talkfests...
Administration taking the blame game to new heights (08/01/12)
Though I obviously have no formal training, I suspect one of the more difficult aspects of human nature is the ability to accept blame. Few among us relishes the prospect of admitting fault. Perhaps it runs against the grain of human nature. But either our society has either gone full-tilt on shunning blame or I'm just paying closer attention...
American exceptionalism ... despite President Obama (07/25/12)
Like millions of other small-business owners, I'm confused by the president's statement last week that somehow, I didn't build a business alone -- someone helped me. The clearly unscripted remarks sent shock waves through the private sector community...
The era of New Math in America (07/18/12)
Following a friendly discussion with a pro-Obama voter recently, I came to the conclusion we've entered the age of the New Economy. I was told in glowing terms just how the economy was improving. Unemployment, gasoline prices, interest rates, home foreclosures and a whole host of improving metrics were touted with great pride...
Education will not improve until parents improve (07/11/12)
With nary a whimper, the No Child Left Behind education reform law has all but slipped into history. The controversial 2002 law was a well-intentioned plan to monitor teaching and school accountability. It established learning benchmarks for all schools in critical areas of education -- reading, math and science...
Military strength: We should learn from the birds (06/27/12)
It will come as no surprise to many of you, but I have officially gone to the birds. Some who don't share my political views are surely not surprised. With a couple of bird feeders, I have a newfound hobby of feeding birds and watching their antics...
National election picture after Wisconsin (06/13/12)
Warmed by the glow of a decisive victory for fiscal sanity in Wisconsin last week, some conservatives are giddy over the prospects for November. Put that giddiness aside, my fellow conservatives. There's work to be done. The conventional wisdom says unions will be lukewarm to President Obama because of his no-show in Wisconsin...
Americans, by and large, are generous people (06/06/12)
The pope last week proposed that rich families should help poor people in other countries. His charitable message was well received. But surely he wasn't speaking to the United States. Through our foreign aid program, the United States is hands-down the most charitable country in history. Our nation provides well over $55 billion in annual foreign aid and most of that is for economic support to help feed those who cannot feed themselves...
Finding common ground in an election year (05/30/12)
To my liberal friends:As the presidential election comes ever closer, are there some areas -- any areas -- on which we can agree? Let's agree that the Bush-era Medicare drug plan, plus the cost of two military conflicts brought on by the Sept. 11 attack, put our country in a financial tailspin...
Resurrecting a political premise: My vote is precious (05/23/12)
Were it not a serious issue, I'd get a laugh out of the news from Florida this week that 53,000 deceased Floridians have been uncovered -- no pun intended -- on the current voter registration rolls in that all-important state. Let me quickly point out that I don't hail from the conspiracy school of politics. This latest revelation from Florida is not some Democratic Party scheme to steal an election in the Sunshine State...
A distraction from the major issues at stake (05/16/12)
Presidential campaigns are a contact sport. There may be a phony facade of friendly rivalry, but beneath that veneer is deep disdain and distrust. And I'm not talking about the candidates. I'm talking about the American public. Every four years, it seems, we divide ourselves along purely political lines to choose the most powerful leader in the free world...
President reframes popular election question (05/10/12)
Every four years during the presidential election cycle, we're urged to ask the question, "Are you better off today than four years ago?" The catchy line made famous by President Ronald Reagan during a 1980 debate with President Jimmy Carter has already surfaced this year. You'll likely hear it often...
The Occupy Wall Street dream for America (05/02/12)
As May arrives, we are once again greeted by the ever-popular Occupy Wall Street crowd, which is little more than a union-financed political street theater designed to deflect attention away from a stalled economy. The theory behind the Occupy Wall Street gang is to highlight the disparity of income in America. But it takes little work to see the true purpose -- which is clearly to rally some odd support for the Obama administration especially in the wake of the tea party success...
How a presidential election could shape statewide races (04/25/12)
As the coffee shop conversations turn to politics these days, lost in that discussion too often is the race for governor and senator in Missouri. That's not to say that there is absolutely no dialogue on these important Missouri races. But facts are facts, and these key races in our home state are not on the minds of most Missourians...
Lifestyle choices financed with our tax dollars (04/18/12)
Yet another tax day has come and gone. It's not the most pleasant day of the year, but not all of us view tax day with hesitation. Some in fact, recognize that tax day is their financial bonanza of the year. When the final figures are compiled, it will show that nearly 60 million Americans were nonpayers on tax day. Most of those folk -- 96 percent in the most recent calculation -- made under $50,000 annually...
Obama administration is dictating, not leading (04/11/12)
With a Supreme Court decision on ObamaCare looming large in the background, this current administration is running full speed ahead to implement as much of the controversial law as possible, despite a host of political and legal objections. Just last week, the Obama administration -- with no fanfare -- quietly funneled $300 million to the Internal Revenue Service to hire new agents to help implement the new law. ...
Why does someone choose not to vote? (04/04/12)
Why would someone not vote? I can understand someone taking a powder on an unopposed local election. But I've had recent conversations with voting age adults who proudly proclaim they never vote. Never vote?! A road district commissioner vote might determine if your road gets repaired. A presidential election can determine your children's future...
Overcoming divisions requires leadership (03/28/12)
If somehow magically we could ignore the political jabber that dominates the news, I think we might find a more troubling trend just below the surface. If you don't pay close attention and connect all of the dots, you'll miss the single greatest challenge facing this nation...
The $2 trillion question facing the Supreme Court (03/21/12)
It was just two years ago that this current administration was able to push through ObamaCare -- the proposed national health insurance that was designed to solve the financial and access problem of health insurance. The questions that circled that ambitious program involved the forced mandate that will compel millions of uninsured to enter the market. One of the larger questions was the lack of available medical providers to cover this new emerging market...
The wording of poll questions (03/14/12)
Polling has become big business in the political arena. And perhaps, never as scrutinized as this election year. Political polls are a combination of art and science. There's always a mathematic component that gauges the depth of the outcome. But there's an equal issue with the wording of the poll questions...
Indignation at only one end of spectrum (03/08/12)
We have entered into the double-standard era of politics where righteous indignation is appropriate for one end of the political spectrum but clearly not the other. There's simply no other explanation. To fully implement a double standard, first and foremost you must have a compliant media. And no one can argue we lack a liberal-media bias unprecedented in our nation's history...
Sitcom foul language is inappropriate (02/29/12)
My television-viewing habits would best be described as eclectic. Sprinkled between the never-ending news cycles and the obligatory sports menu, I find welcome escape with sitcoms. Sitcoms are like popcorn -- light, non-filling and easily consumed...
Bogus disability claims hurt those actually disabled (02/22/12)
I'm not one to generally say "I told you so," but in this case, well, I told you so! Two weeks ago I said to start paying attention to the explosion in disability claims because for far too many, this lucrative federal program has become the new cash cow to supplement or replace other taxpayer-funded programs...
The nonstop political news coverage (02/15/12)
You have to wonder if our nonstop, 24-hour political coverage is truly beneficial. Or does this political obsession breed cynicism with both the process and the players? As a self-proclaimed political junkie, I absorb the daily details of the electoral process with unbridled glee. This nonstop vetting and instant analysis is fascinating to me. But much of this fascination is akin to watching a train wreck...
President's definition of 'play by the same rules' (02/08/12)
I had to review a text of President Obama's State of the Union address to verify that I actually heard what I thought I heard. But there it was in black and white. And with those few words, I have at long last found some point of agreement with our president...
Compassion vs. government-forced charity (01/25/12)
The word "compassion" seems to be a staple in this year's presidential campaign. But more often than not, the word is used as a sword against any and all Republicans -- as in those soulless, compassionless, fat-cat Republicans who have no empathy toward the downtrodden and oppressed...
Congressional poll numbers and the Dems' election strategy (01/18/12)
Well our friends in Congress have returned to work following their extended holiday recess. And they arrived just in time to take notice of yet another poll out this week that shows that 84 percent of Americans disapprove of the job they are doing. For starters, much of the poll result is pure bunk. If you are asked how your congressman is doing, the approval rating skyrockets. If you ask how the entire Congress is functioning, the numbers plummet...
The presidential election and bluejeans (01/11/12)
It's impossible to conduct our daily lives without some discussion on the political climate during this election year. And if you think we're experiencing political overkill now, just wait until this fall. As you would expect, with this avalanche of political coverage, there is both substance and silliness. I watched in amazement earlier this week when one respected left-wing commentator (that term may be an oxymoron) took time to comment on the bluejeans worn by one Republican hopeful...
All GOP candidates are better than Obama (01/04/12)
As elections go, this year's presidential election has the promise of being a true barnburner. But that is only stating the obvious. Iowa is now history with New Hampshire and South Carolina close behind. The focus, of course, is clearly on the GOP side of the ledger since the Democratic Party's candidate is a foregone conclusion...
The economy election (12/07/11)
Let me state the obvious: This is shaping up as an election based solely on the economy. Other usual presidential topics trend toward foreign policy and social issues. Obviously they will be an important part of the presidential dialogue. But nothing will frame the election nor the outcome more than the economic mess we're in...
Election-year grandstanding (11/30/11)
With the imminent failure of the Congressional supercommittee, it should trigger the automatic spending cuts in the Department of Defense and the Medicare program. These two spending giants were targeted because that's where a huge chunk of the federal spending is aimed...
Mike Jensen