Putting Politics Before the Common Good

Senators who voted for and against gun control

Four Democrats helped kill the gun reform legislation supported by nearly 90% of the American public yesterday in a 54-46 vote. Those Democratic Senators who voted against the Toomey-Manchin bill were: Mark Begich of Alaska, Mark Pryor of Arkansas, Max Baucus of Montana and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota. Senator Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader, voted against the bill but that was for ‘procedural reasons’ in that in order to re-introduce the bill at a later date, as leader of the House he is required by rule to vote against it.… [Read more]

Weekly Review: Downgrading our reputation – Thanks, John McCain!

Crazy Ol' John McCain

A look back on this past week reveals another historical first – and we’re in only the second month of the year. By now most are aware that for the first time ever, a presidential cabinet nominee was filibustered. Republicans succeeded in blocking a man who happens to be a fellow Republican. What did that man, defense secretary nominee Chuck Hagel, do to deserve use of this filibuster procedure that should be reserved for critical legislative actions?… [Read more]

The Immortal Filibuster

Harry Reid

Amid all the Progressive wailing and conservative faux victory laps, last week’s “filibuster reform” came out pretty much as I had expected it.

Our Federal legislative bodies on Capitol Hill continue to stick pretty close to what the Eighteenth Century powdered wig framers had intended.  As a moderating influence to that rabble called the House of Representatives, the Senate is, by design, the “adult in the room.”  Some rabble-rousers, such as Sen.… [Read more]

Holiday Cheer for Boehner, Jeers for Us

Air Force One

Air Force One has landed; President Obama cut short his family vacation. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid  addressed the nation and legislators…of one party. Yes, it’s still holiday time in the nation’s capital as it is elsewhere so celebrations and relaxation are expected. But when you have a nation to run, and the taxpayers business to manage, it behooves you to drag your tired arse back to work to do the job the citizens elected you to do.… [Read more]

Mitt, this tax return s**t is about to get real

Mitt Romney's Tax Returns

Listen, Mitt, I gotta tell you how things work in the real world – you know, the world you don’t inhabit, but the world that 98% of the country lives in (that would be the world where there are no car elevators or offshore accounts and we wear cheap rain slickers to Nascar races, if you’re wondering).… [Read more]

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