COMMENTARY
Worry about trivia overload, not Fox News
It seems that Barack Obama has gotten himself into a war with Fox News. I realize that’s a little like saying that Poland got itself into a war with Germany in 1939, but there’s a difference: Barack had a choice.By Donald Kaul , November 07, 2009
GOP ducks role as ‘party of yes’ on health reform
Late in the game, Republicans are proposing alternatives to Democratic health care reform, but they’re certainly not being bold.By Morton Kondracke , November 07, 2009
Minnesota leads way in biodiesel use
As chairman of the Minnesota House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Committee, I am committed to promoting sound legislation that will energize our rural economy. I also agree with the majority of Minnesotans that we must reduce our dependence on foreign sources of oil, and am a strong advocate for the use and production of renewable fuels.By Al Juhnke , November 06, 2009
At key moment, Obama leaves post open
Medicare and Medicaid, the federal government’s health insurance programs for the elderly and poor, play a big role in the health care reform proposals being considered on Capitol Hill. President Obama and Democrats in Congress hope to cut Medicare spending by nearly a half-trillion dollars over the next decade, and reform plans call for a big expansion of Medicaid during the same period.By Byron York , November 06, 2009
Clean energy jobs bill benefits all Americans
As the Senate debates the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, it’s important to remember just how vital this legislation is to our country’s clean energy future and the economy.By Carl Pope , November 05, 2009
What a difference a year makes!
One year ago Barack Obama turned the political establishment upside down with a resounding national election that, according to so-called experts, spel-led the end of influence and legitimacy for the GOP for years, perhaps decades to come.By Mike Reagan , November 05, 2009
Obamacare: Startling new revelations
First, we learned that a $500 billion cut in Medicare will dramatically affect the quality and quantity of health care available to America’s senior citi-zens. Grand-ma’s access is being slashed to add illegal immigrants and 20-some-things into the insurance system. However, this revelation pales in rela-tion to what we heard this week.By Floyd and Mary Beth Brown , November 04, 2009
Free trade is suicide for the United States
Only mogulsBy William Collins , November 04, 2009
Control carbon emissions or be cooked
I never much liked the idea of arms control. During the Cold War, we managed our nuclear arsenals rather than reduced them. We treated our nukes like huge, dangerous animals. We restricted their movements but gave them ample care and feeding. Until recently, getting rid of the animals altogether wasn’t part of the political agenda. After all, our leaders believed that these beasts were useful. They scared away the covetous neighbors.By John Feffer , November 01, 2009
Photo ID at the polls aid accuracy, integrity
Instituting a photo ID requirement for accessing a ballot in Minnesota is an obviously needed election reform. In poll after poll, the overwhelm-ing majority of people support this measure, including 78 percent of people polled by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press in 2006 and 75 percent of people polled at the Minnesota State Fair by the state Legislature in 2001.By Kent Kaiser , November 01, 2009
Should find ‘third way’ on legal reform
There’s an important task that congressional moderates can perform on health care reform besides fighting the public insurance option and containing costs: Find a middle ground on medical malpractice.By Morton Kondracke , October 31, 2009
Saudi Arabia wants subsidy for lost oil sales
When you think “chutzpah,” rarely is Saudi Arabia the first association that comes to mind. Chutzpah is a Yiddish word for the quality embodied by the fellow who kills his parents, then asks for mercy because he’s an orphan. Saudis tend to be Muslims. Their affection for things Yiddish is virtually undetectable.By Donald Kaul , October 31, 2009
Pawlenty in the shadow of states’ rights
Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s call for states to stand behind the 10th Amendment to avoid federal health care reform is the latest political ploy from an ambitious politician. And Pawlenty’s call has been joined by state Rep. Tom Emmer, who himself hopes to succeed Pawlenty as governor.By Dan McGrath , October 30, 2009
Loose gun laws mean more kids killed
I’m deeply disturbed that after a decade of decline, the number of firearm deaths among children and youths has increased for the second year in a row. A report released in September reveals that almost nine children and teens die from gunfire every day — one child death every two hours and 45 minutes.By Marian Edelman , October 30, 2009
Voters just seem to get in the way
To win elections, At the polls; Keep those poor folks, Off the rolls.By William Collins , October 29, 2009
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