The time is Now!
Elections have consequences. In 2010, the Republican base, fired up by the tea party, continued capitulation of the Democrats and their unadulterated hatred of President Obama, swarmed the ballot box...
View ArticleDeflating Conservative Arguments: The Myth of Individualism
My rabbi recently told a story about a bunch of people in a boat. One of them started drilling a hole in the boat under his seat and everyone screamed, "What are you doing?!?". The man drilling the...
View ArticleDeflating Conservative Arguments: Tax Increases Hurt the Economy
While listening to NPR on our drive home on Tuesday, my wife and I heard Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) say (emphasis mine): Well we, we believe that tax increases, by and large, and, and for the most part,...
View ArticleWow. Just Wow.
As part of the US Uncut movement, on April 1st I sent an email to the organizer of the local Tea Party group in a (perhaps naive) attempt to bring the two groups together around a common cause. Here's...
View ArticleOn Compromise and Capitulation
In my post last Sunday regarding the Rules for Republicans (as sited on the Oregon Tea Party website) titled "Wow. Just Wow.", this comment sparked my attention: And yet you don't have to browse (1+ /...
View ArticleDeflating Conservative Arguments: The Flat Tax
My neighbor in the apartment across the way is a good-natured centerist who is very interested in issues of taxation. He and I often get into discussions related to our tax system and he's brought up...
View ArticleMr. Obama, It's Time to Launch a New Apollo Program
I occasionally get forwarded one of those emails from some unwitting friend calling for a one day boycott of gasoline. They say something like: "Don't buy gas on May 30th to send a message to the oil...
View ArticleChanging the Conversation on the Budget: An Idea for Good Governance
As a Precinct Committee Person for the Washington County Democrats, I've taken it upon myself to meet my neighbors and update their voter registrations. As I speak with people about various topics,...
View ArticleHitting our Heads on the Debt Ceiling
Sometimes we're a bunch of idiots. As a nation I mean, not so much as individuals (though some would certainly qualify). I've seen people advocating for not raising the debt ceiling and I honestly...
View ArticleRepost: I Was Weinered
Last week I posted an essay entitled Hitting our Heads on the Debt Ceiling only to be overshadowed by the resignation of Anthony Weiner. The sensationalism involved in bringing him down was truly a...
View ArticleGreece Can Happen Here: Hitting our Heads on the Debt Ceiling
The events in Greece show what happens when the public stands up to the austerity that's being imposed on them. It is a truly frightening spectacle and the kind of choice the Republicans want to force...
View ArticleProgress, Occupy Wall St. & the Need to Keep this Leaderless and Without Demand
I just read that Geithner has proclaimed that "dramatic enforcement actions" will be taken against Wall St. wrongdoing. Although I'm in the 'believe it when I see it' camp, it is certainly progress to...
View ArticleOccupy Democrats, Occupy Republicans & Occupy PAC
The 1% has been busting our camps as they've busted our chops for years with economic warfare and "divide and distract" politics. Well, if they're not going to let us occupy the parks, we'll occupy...
View ArticleHealthcare is a Human Right
Although disputed, Gandhi has been widely quoted as saying "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." Whether Gandhi actually said this or not, the...
View ArticleThe New Two Party State: Corporatists & Progressive-Populists
Cross Posted at Progressive IdeasThere are only two real parties in American politics, but perhaps not the ones you think. Our system promotes a two party state because of the mechanics of our...
View ArticleThis is What Terrifies Progressives
Corporatism. "Fascism should more appropriately be called Corporatism because it is the merger of corporate and state power." ~ Benito Mussolini There are only two real parties in American politics,...
View ArticleMy Sister is a Single Mom, My Nephew is NOT a Criminal
In 2003, my older brother Jeff got married to one of the most kind and generous people I've ever had the good fortune to have met, my sister-in-law Karen. I was pleased to give them a humorous and...
View ArticleMy Hilarious Letter from Scott Walker
Cross Posted on Progressive IdeasI got one piece of mail on Wednesday and it was hilarious. A fundraising letter from Scott Walker! I'm not sure how I got on the Republican mailing list, but over the...
View ArticleAZ State Rep. Raises the Bar on Crazy
Just when you thought the Arizona craziness couldn't be topped, Republican Rep. Terri Proud (Tucson) comes through with the most asinine thing I've seen to date in the Republican war on women. I...
View ArticleA Poem for Israelis and Palestinians
Sorry for the short diary, but I was listening to Democracy Now! today and it made me think about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and how both sides just want a home, so I wrote a little poem about...
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