Year End, Decade End

Today marks the end of the first decade of the 21st century.  Since it is the last day of both the year and the decade, one might ask the question, what has this period taught us?  Even more important, what have we learned? I can think of three important lessons.  I am not sure, on [...]

And What Next ?

Health care is in season beginning with January 1, 2011.  It will probably prove to be a long season.  Many victories will be claimed but in the end, real politicians will treat the subject more as a tar baby and be careful to use nonspecific words. They will put in place little action. John Boehner [...]

Jobs and Housing

Today’s papers carried depressing stories about the fall off in home sales and the gross absence of jobs, especially in the inner city Camden, NJ area.  With respect to home sales, while depressing, this should not be a real surprise with the weak economy outlook and ruins of the housing bubble all around.  With respect [...]

Bankrupting Common Sense

There is a conservative movement afoot.  No surprise in its intent.  The avenue, however, is a huge surprise.  Let States declare bankruptcy. The rumor is that when the new Congress meets, Republicans in the House will introduce legislation that would make it easier for States to file for bankruptcy.  Today State obligations are backed by [...]

Negotiations or Just Brain Paralysis?

Any other description of the Palestinian and Israeli peace negotiations than purely dysfunctional could only be “intentionally insincere”.  Each side has a sugar daddy and sees no imperative to negotiate in good faith.  Therefore, hoping for a settlement fits the description of insanity. The US sends lots of money (and weapons) to Israel and asks [...]

Waiting for Snow

It is a cloudy, cold morning and the prediction are dire.  Moisture from the south will mix with cold from the west, and bingo, a lot of snow will arrive.  The streets are dry now.  There are no signs of snow but the forecasters are adamant, look out for 20 inches or more. Political forecasters [...]

Being Thankful

On Christmas Eve, there is time to reflect and assess how lucky (or unlucky) you might be.  This can be on a personal level or in a more abstract vein.  In particular, when I think in the abstract  about this blog, I see our Country “regaining the center”.  If we can stay there, this bodes [...]

Curtain Falls

Yesterday Congress adjourned for the year.  For some it was their last day as a Congress member, and for others, it was wait until next year.  All things considered, the 111th Congress was quite successful despite two uninspiring leaders and a just “say no” opposition.  It will be a tough act to follow. Next year [...]

Silence

When is silence golden?  Or, maybe more to the point, when is silence holy and in someone else’s best interest? The Vatican showed the world yesterday that when it comes to sensible and caring thinking it is stone deaf.  Pope Benedict recently found himself in a moral dilemma and surprisingly reached a sensible step forward.  [...]

Spend and No Tax?

There is a quite amazing point-counter point stand-off looming for the next Congress.  Democrats foster a number of causes, many of which can be characterized as progressive and in principle, much needed.   Democrats, unfortunately, are quite content to put the cost of their causes on the credit card.  Republicans, on the other hand, are [...]