Justin Katz

Conservative Political Methods

By Justin Katz | March 30, 2007 |

I’m with Jonah Goldberg on this one: Ross writes that both Sullivan and Brooks “are aware that conservatism needs to be for something more than just supply-side economics.” (Let’s leave aside that “supply-side economics” is a term that should be laid to rest, having done its job over a quarter of a century ago). Sitting…

Re: Being Wary

By Justin Katz | March 30, 2007 |

Not being as well educated on matters of taxation and school financing as Andrew, what strikes me about proposals that include school busing is the way in which progressive strategies wind up harming those whom they are ostensibly (cynically?) promoted as helping. In constructing a society — an environment — in which individuals, families, and…

Look on Their Works and Despair

By Justin Katz | March 27, 2007 |

Yeah, yeah, I know I’m a superstitious flatearther afraid of science and willing to impose my fear-based morality on others, but I’m beginning to wonder if our culture will be able to muster the fortitude to object to any scientific “advances.” The latest: Scientists have created the world’s first human-sheep chimera – which has the…

Cutting to the Totalitarian Chase

By Justin Katz | March 26, 2007 |

As our esteemed legislators consider ways in which to dictate business practices (including a bill that would put a minimum duration on coupons), warn Rhode Island students that the flattering and charming seamen whom they meet at weddings may deceive and murder them, and ensure healthier diets, I can’t help but wonder whether we oughtn’t…

Re: Is Rhode Island a Welfare Draw?

By Justin Katz | March 15, 2007 |

The poverty advocates’ stratagem of legerdemainically misleading the public about Rhode Island’s welfare system by focusing on TANF numbers has been repeated for years. It caught my attention back in 2004, and assuming that they still apply, some of my points from then may serve to supplement Andrew’s posts (here and here). TANF dollars aren’t…

Applying Laws of Gravity to Deep Space

By Justin Katz | March 10, 2007 |

In response to my post on RI’s education problems, Klaus makes the following request and commentary: … could you please explain to me again how eliminating the teachers’ unions would improve education? I mean, I’m just a stupid socialist (according to a lot of commenters here), so could you big, bright conservatives please enlighten me?…

A State of Child Abuse

By Justin Katz | March 9, 2007 |

Every time I come across such news as this, I wonder what it’s going to take to get people incensed: … a new report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, called “Leaders and Laggards,” analyz[es] the performance of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The report found that four New England states —…

Re: Warning to Dan Yorke

By Justin Katz | March 6, 2007 |

Maybe Sen. Alves is trying to save money and improve the average education that students receive by pushing wealthier children into private schools. School quality is a critical factor that parents consider when purchasing homes, so those with the means are likely to have the same emphasis on choosing better schools if it turns out…

Sympathy for the Opposition, Respect for Its Rights

By Justin Katz | February 24, 2007 |

Reacting to a comment of mine (in the conversation appended to a previous post) concerning the inevitable collision of the gay rights movement with certain fundamental freedoms, such as that of religion, Matt, of Unlikely Words, posting as MRH, writes: Two very interesting cases. I’m going to have to think about my response a bit.…

Claims of Civil Rights to Aggrandize a Wealthy, Connected, Straight, White Male

By Justin Katz | February 21, 2007 |

As brought to my attention by the Rhode Island Republican Assembly: In an unprecedented attack on the Rhode Island Constitution and with complete disregard to the citizens of Rhode Island, Attorney General Patrick Lynch has today, taken on the role of Lord and Master of the citizens of this state by proclaiming that “Rhode Island…