It's been a busy month, both personally, and in US policy. Health Care reform looks like a real possibility (although in what form still remains to be seen). Afghanistan is on the top of the President's mind. I've made my opinion clear on this (get out now). But it's time to start getting real about the elephant in the room (all references to the GOP aside). We're on the road to financial ruin. And reality is beginning to box us in. "But Pundit..." you ask, "...weren't you FOR the Eco... Read Full Story

So our President has now won the NOBEL PEACE PRIZE. This is amazing. I wasn't aware he was even up for the award. I keep thinking this is a joke, and I'll have to pull this post down. But this is an interesting achievement, and one that will get some play for the man from Chicago/Hawaii/Kansas/Indonesia/Kenya...well, let's just say from all over. For starters, it really shows me how a simple move back to diplomacy, something most of our past Presidents have employed as part of their typi... Read Full Story

For a long time, I've been a supporter of the efforts in Afghanistan, to support a "fledgling democracy", to root out the Taliban, and to hunt for Osama bin Laden. But I think an "about-face" is not only preferable, it's needed. I keep watching the news reports about General Stanley McChrystal's push for a renewed "surge" of sorts, in Afghanistan. But there's no good reason to be in Afghanistan. Let's look at the reasons to stay, and the reasons to go. Reasons to stay:1. Fighting al-Qaed... Read Full Story

On November 4, 2008, almost 70 Million Americans cast their ballots for the Democratic candidate, Senator Barack Obama, to become the next President of the United States. Many of these people chose Obama's messages of change and put in this new President, their hopes and dreams of a better day in America. And we got the man we wanted. The problem, however, has been this. In his attempts to "build consensus", Obama has proven to be not the Presidential leader, but rather the 101st Senator... Read Full Story

It's been an interesting time to watch politics. Not for the hot races (although there are a couple). But for the action in the protests, and the town halls. I've been scratching my head trying to understand the appeal of people like Sarah Palin, Glen Beck, Mike Huckabee, and even a Rush Limbaugh. I'm not sure I'll ever get the appeal of their ideology, but I think I'm starting to understand why they are the face of the Republican Party these days. There is no current Republican Politician... Read Full Story

When did America turn into Crazyland? Somehow, growing up, I don't recall the fact that Ronald Reagan talking to kids about his jelly bean jonzes, or Nancy Reagan asking drug addicts to "just say no" were causes for such moral and ethical outrage. Perhaps a few good-natured jabs at the notion that a message from Nancy Reagan would really lead a crack-head to give up the pipe just because the first lady said so, were about the most an indignant left wing could muster. So now, a sitting Pres... Read Full Story

Here we are, about 8 months into the new Obama administration, and much is different in the Obama approach to American values, our world relations, and economic strategy. The Obama team has tried a number of things to work on everything from health care, to the economy, to the environment, and foreign affairs. I think the best we can say about most of these efforts is that they have not yielded immediate success. None are abject failures at this point either, but one program did seem to yi... Read Full Story

I had a chance to watch Bill Maher's show on HBO this past week. Maher, who would never be confused for a small-town, Conservative values voter, had a discussion with his panel, made up of Chuck Todd, Jay Leno, and Democratic Congresswoman Jean Schakowsky. Schakowsky is one of the most prominent Democratic Congress persons in the House today, and has continued to be rumored as someone who may try to run for Barack Obama's former Senate seat in Illinois. To say the least, it was embarrassi... Read Full Story

For those of you watching the Health Care debate, I know this is getting a little confusing. So here's a simple flow chart to explain how things have gone, and even a preview into next steps for the debate, and impacts on the political landscape. I hope this helps... Read Full Story

Okay, Politics fans, let's see how many parallels we can draw between 1993-1994 and 2009-2010. Ready, set, go!1. A popular, young President is elected on the back of a message of change and hope. 2. His message resonates during a time of economic recession, against an aging veteran/war hero who just can't believe that the country would elect someone like his opponent. 3. With a mandate of voters in hand, the new President pushes for sweeping changes in government spending, with no bi-partisan... Read Full Story