Autiello: Will True Christianity Please Stand Up?
Nick Autiello, Contributor
The notion that homosexuality is a sin and un-Christian is one that is less than a hundred years old. It is wrong, and has no basis in scriptural or historical reality.
SASSO: The Coming New Year
James Sasso, Associate Editor
As the tumultuous 2011 comes down to its final day, this column could contain an obnoxious summary of the year’s extraordinary events. Rather than once again discussing the protests around the world, the death of Osama Bin Laden, Fukushima, America’s political ineptitude, Europe’s demise or the increasingly frightful weather patterns, here I attempt to predict what 2012 holds in store.
SASSO: Kicking the Can
James Sasso, Associate Editor
For one of the first times in his tenure as Speaker, John Boehner has made a statement with which every American, Republican or Democrat, should fully agree; the two-month Senate bipartisan extension of the payroll tax cut fails to fix the nation’s problems sufficiently. Providing a short-term band-aid to a long-term dilemma contradicts what a responsible government should accomplish, but fits the pattern of contemporary American politicking.
CIOCCI: A Foolish Consistency
Mitt Romney is guilty of serial hypocrisy, Newt Gingrich is guilty of being a public intellectual constantly scrutinized by the media and others, and Ron Paul never ceases to remind me about one of my favorite quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Essays: “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.”
AKMAN: Jon Huntsman’s Meaningless Campaign
Josh Akman, Columnist
Jon Huntsman did not participate in the CNN Debate in Las Vegas on Tuesday night. Short of his family and small (and getting smaller) campaign staff, no one really noticed. In a bizarre and counterproductive effort to impress New Hampshire voters Huntsman skipped the debate to protest Nevada moving its caucus ahead of New Hampshire’s, which has always been the nation’s first primary. It’s bizarre because no one else skipped the debate. It’s counterproductive because right now, Jon Huntsman is polling 6% in New Hampshire.
SASSO: The 99% Rising
James Sasso
Associate Editor
For the past month a movement has grown out of Zuccoti Park in New York with the potential to grab at the very heart of America’s problems. “We are the 99%” is not simply a catchy phrase used by frustrated jobless Americans , but a commentary on the disgraceful economic inequality that has arisen in the United States since the 1970s.
RUSHFORD: The Internet: Our 21st Century Liberty Bell
It is usually the older generations that tend to deny the social value of social networks. In an ironical twist, one of their oldest member, Pat Buchanan, wisely demonstrates the universal value of website like Facebook and Twitter.
RUSHFORD: Congress, Don’t Change the State Bankruptcy Law!
Stephanie Rushford, Columnist
Currently, 42 states are facing serious budget shortfalls. But how can they get out of this mess? Congress could help them out — but only at the cost of a higher federal deficit. Serious, painful cuts are the only option.
RUSHFORD: Giving Thanks to CVS
Many in the United States are struggling to find the bright spot this Holiday season; even thought there are newsworthy stampedes, many Americans can’t afford to pay the rent, much less stay in line for new electronics. This Black Friday—which derives its name from the retailers getting out of the red (debt) back in the black (profits)—finds many Americans looking for jobs not presents. Additionally, intellectuals from across the political spectrum are all offering their suggestions on how to fix the economy.
RUSHFORD: Defensive on Defense Spending
Stephanie Rushford, Columnist
The libertarian undertones of the Tea Party may indicate that newly elected members of Congress are looking to flex their political muscle by taking a hard line against wasteful spending at the Pentagon. However, the culture in Washington DC, aptly nicknamed “the swamp,” may change and test these Freshmen Congressmen’s principles on fiscal responsibility and restraint.
RUSHFORD: Mr. Colbert Goes to Washington
Stephanie Rushford, Columnist
The idea of a comedian espousing his views on the state of illegal immigration before Congress is infuriating, but the amount of press devoted to the House subcommittee hearing is not.
RUSHFORD: She’s a Lady—But Is That All?
Stephanie Rushford, Columnist
Yesterday was Women’s Equality Day, a day Congress designated to commemorate the ratification of 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. However, as revolutionary as the ratification of the 19th amendment was, there are still many ideological battles for women to fight and win in 2010.
RUSHFORD: Gay Marriage Is About Taxes, Not Sex
Stephanie Rushford, Columnist
Fiscal conservatives cannot in good faith agree with Proposition 8 or any laws against marriage equality. Laws such as the Defense of Marriage Act unfairly tax Americans for benefits that many will never receive.
RUSHFORD: Who Are You Calling Middle Class?
Stephanie Rushford, Columnist
Many Democrats see $200,000 as the cut off for defining how much individual middle-class Americans make. However, this does not take in account the high cost of living for many Americans.
RUSHFORD: We Must Not Forget About the Oil (Spills)
Stephanie Rushford, Columnist
The news crews will soon leave the Gulf of Mexico, enabling Americans to forget about the Gulf oil spill. But, Americans must not be shocked by more large-scale spills in future if they are complacent in doing nothing to change the status quo.
RUSHFORD: [CENSORED] the FCC
Stephanie Rushford, Columnist
Parents must take an active role in their children’s development, including monitoring what they watch on TV and what they do on the Internet. The government should not be your babysitter, by harping on and fining free enterprise.
RUSHFORD: No Taxes for Old (Wealthy) Men
Stephanie Rushford, Columnist
The deficit is a real concern for many fiscal conservatives of all political parties, but many Republicans, like Senator Kyl, are not making the tough choices to eradicate the national debt. If Congress wants to truly balance the budget, then they must forget about November and start making painful cuts to spending.
RUSHFORD: Sue You, Arizona
Stephanie Rushford, Columnist
Illegal immigration is rooted in economics. US immigration policy errs in focusing too much on undocumented workers and not enough on their law-breaking employers.
RUSHFORD: Oliver Stone’s Latin American Folly
Stephanie Rushford, Columnist
Even though Oliver Stone’s new documentary, “South of the Border,” fails to accurately or objectively portray Latin American governments, it does raise interesting and thought-provoking questions about the United States’ relationship with Latin America.
RUSHFORD: “C” in Congress Stands for Coporatism
Stephanie Rushford, Columnist
Rep. Barton’s real crime last week during the Tony Hayward-BP hearing was to shine a light on the corrupt and sordid relationship Congress has with the oil industry. Congressman Barton is an example of how Congress deals with the oil industry — not the exception.
RUSHFORD: Reckless Methods Pair With Reckless Spending
Stephanie Rushford, Debut Column
Senate Democrats are close to passing new legislation that would extend Cobra and unemployment benefits, which are set to expire this month, to November 2010. However, if Congress is truly worried about the state of our economy and the sagging unemployment rate in this country, they will vote down this bill.