Category Archives: Politics and Economics

We Need a Bigger House

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Al

But this time, the political parties have decided to draw lines in the sand, and simultaneously (a) refuse to cross the lines their own lines and (b) dare the other guy to cross. They’re playing chicken with national bankruptcy. Continue reading →

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Etta Lives

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Al

Who knows, maybe it was the stirring sermon I heard the night before which inspired me. “Be the Spark” – the Tacoma edition of the last speaking tour of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Continue reading →

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From Cairo to the Casbah

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Al

Something strange is happening along the Northern coast of Africa. Continue reading →

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Earmarks

Posted on November 5, 2010 by Al

Cutting back on earmarks may be the stimulus plan to Rs and Ds can both agree on? It’s worth a try, I say. It’ll make the noisy TPer’s happy, it’ll let Obama keep a campaign promise, and it would fit neatly into the plan smilin’ Eric Cantor has been espousing all over TV for the past few days. Continue reading →

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The Ground Zero Mosque

Posted on August 14, 2010 by Al

America is great not because it hates and excludes; we are great because we are many and varied Continue reading →

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Health Care Reformed

Posted on January 20, 2010 by Al

When public opinion – so strong in favor of reform just 15 months ago – seems to shift, politicians go running for cover.
Continue reading →

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Dope, Part II

Posted on January 17, 2010 by Al

So in a world in which the rules are arbitrary, enforcement is almost random, and no moral hazard is associated with breaking the rules, what is an athlete to think of the anti-doping code? Continue reading →

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One Step Closer to Knowing

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Al

This time around, “health care reform” has meant several things: Increase the number of people who have health care insurance Make that insurance affordable to everyone Reduce the rate of rise of health care costs These primary goals have at … Continue reading →

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Health Care Reform – IV

Posted on November 13, 2009 by Al

Last week, the US House of Representatives passed a massive (2000+ pages) bill to increase regulation of health insurance, change parts of Medicare and Medicaid, authorize funds for the study of further changes in health care delivery, and increase support … Continue reading →

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Health Care, Again

Posted on August 13, 2009 by Al

Sigh. Looks like health care “reform”, as defined by getting a magic bill through Congress, is heading for another train wreck. It might behoove Democratic members of Congress, and the administration, to reflect on the nature of the New Deal’s … Continue reading →

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