National Politics

Gridlock Isn’t Bad When It’s Wanted

By Justin Katz | January 9, 2012 |

The Providence Journal editors did their best, Sunday, to blame Republicans and otherwise minimize the culpability of President Obama for his questionable recess appointments during the dubious recess that legislators don’t believe they had. It’s curious to note that no mention is made of the fact that two of the four nominees were put forward…

GOP’s Circular Firing Squad: National Edition – None of these guys are beyond reproach

By Marc Comtois | December 27, 2011 |

I haven’t committed strongly to any of the GOP presidential hopefuls, mainly because they’re all different flavors of meh. But one of them is going to win and run against Obama. It’s up to the GOP to figure out who has the “best chance” of beating the President. The one thing that has annoyed me…

Congress Pays

By Marc Comtois | November 15, 2011 |

If you haven’t already, take some time to watch the 60 Minutes piece on congressional insider trading. Taking the lead from work done by Peter Schweizer for his new book Throw Them All Out, the story delves into how so many of our elected officials manage to end up as millionaires after a few terms…

The Power of (Urban) Myth

By Marc Comtois | November 2, 2011 |

This is the first time I’ve heard this version* of a rather infamous story involving a certain current Presidential candidate: It was the spring of 1980. I was 13 years old, and we were about to leave Fairfax, Va., and drive to Carrollton, Ga., for the summer. My parents told my sister and me that…

Food for (Weekend) Thought

By Marc Comtois | October 21, 2011 |

From Kevin Williamson writes: Between the candidates’ debates and my conversations with the Occupy Wall Street protesters, it seems to me that there is a persistent, dangerous disconnect between our political conversation and reality. He lists some points: 1. There is no austerity. 2. There was no deregulation. 3. You can’t trust Republicans on spending.…

How Long Do They Get To Stay?

By Patrick Laverty | October 21, 2011 |

How long do the Occupy Providence protesters get to stay in the park with tents up, food kitchens cooking, medical tents operating? How long until the city tells them that it’s time to go, they had their time for protesting and now they’re done? Of course, whenever that comes, they’ll all claim that their constitutional…

Even if it’s Amazing, It’s not fair, so I hate everything

By Marc Comtois | October 10, 2011 |

Trying to figure out this Occupy thing? Right now, this seems to explain it the best (h/t):Remember this bit by Louis CK (thanks for reminding me, Will)? Protest song! …a sultan and student both have iPhone 4s…it’s not fair Overall, much of the logic seems to go something like this (h/t): ADDENDUM: I put this…

Well, When You Put It That Way

By Justin Katz | September 17, 2011 |

Mark Steyn may be the perfect columnist for his times, because one really needs a flair for humor of the absurd to comment appropriately on the absurdity of modern Western governance: The estimated cost of the non-bill is just shy of half a trillion dollars. Gosh, it seems like only yesterday that Washington was in…

Two Republican Victories in Congress

By Patrick Laverty | September 14, 2011 |

The Republicans won two US House seats by special election yesterday, in Nevada and New York. In Nevada, Republican Mark Amodel won the seat replacing Dean Heller who was appointed to replace John Ensign. The Nevada win wasn’t unexpected as that district has never elected a Democrat in its history, but a 22-point victory was…

Who Pays for Past Mistakes

By Marc Comtois | September 7, 2011 |

Generational warfare: It’s bound to happen here in Rhode Island with the pension crisis. It’s also happening nationally on the budget deficit debate with the new Super Congressional panel set to convene. Education Policy wonk Rick Hess offers his perspective: You’re either with the kids or with those rushing to the ramparts to defend retiree…