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.
STORM: Still the Greatest Country in the World
Midtown East has been jam-packed this week with dignitaries who are in town for the UN General Assembly, and if nothing else, this week proves that amidst the faltering economy and political uncertainty, the United States is still the greatest country in the world.
ROBINSON: The President is Not as Powerful as We Think
Jonathan Robinson, Columnist When asked to remark on the two and a half or so years of the Obama presidency, many of my left wing friends and family have lamented [...]
SWEATTE: Pioneer Palin for President
Drew Sweatte, Columnist
Sarah Palin is the only GOP leader who has offered a different, pioneering kind of leadership that can draw a contrast to the failed policies of Barack Obama.
THERRIAULT: The Political US Economy and Developing Markets
Though emerging markets are increasing shares in consumption and output may simply be attributable to a scale of population, the true power of many emerging economies will be realized as they are tested by time. How can the American economy, which has enjoyed being at the top of the global heap for nearly a century, accommodate and work with these emerging economies to bolster its own position? Politics will surely play a large role.
AKMAN: Tim Pawlenty Wasted My Time
Tim Pawlenty quit. Based upon on an inability to compete in Iowa, culminating in a disappointing—if not altogether surprising—showing at the Ames Straw Poll, Pawlenty bowed out of the race this past Sunday. His explanation, much like his speeches throughout his brief campaign, was well-reasoned, safe, and wholly unsurprising.
ROGERS: 5 Reasons Romney Can’t Beat Obama
Conor Rogers, Editor
Mitt Romney, the GOP’s (sort-of) front-runner has a far too inconstant and ideologically diverse history to withstand the barrage of scrutiny, one-linters and television ads that come along with any campaign.
INKELES: Solve The Debt Crisis — End Gerrymandering
Isaac Inkeles, Columnist Republicans had a golden opportunity at the beginning of the debt ceiling debate: Democrats agreed to not raise taxes, but instead close tax loopholes, and coupled this [...]
ROGERS: Gingrich Wins Debate, Pawlenty Suicide Bombs Bachmann
Conor Rogers, Editor Washington, D.C. Candidates aside, Fox News’ reputation as a journalistic enterprise was probably the most clear winner in last night’s debate. It’s no coincidence that only weeks [...]
ROGERS: An Equal and Opposite Reaction
Conor Rogers, Editor
The debt deal is more like a compromise between Moderate Republicans and Tea Partiers — but is a completely necessary step to bringing the nation back to solvency that deals a startling blow to fiscal liberalism in the United States.
ZILENZIGER: The Radical is Already in the White House
James Zilenziger argues that despite Michele Bachmann’s extremely conservative stances, the true radicalism in American politics is President Obama’s economic policies.
SASSO: The Politics of Keeping America Functional
James Sasso Ideology: Liberal Surprisingly, Americans have not shown much interest in the debt-ceiling debates being played out in Washington. While politicians, pundits, experts and political junkies seem to fret [...]
LIFSON: Everything Republicans Say About the Economy Is Wrong
Matthew Lifson, Columnist
As Republicans continue to stifle our recovery by obstructing emergency spending and conflating unemployment and deficit reduction, Americans should begin to ask whether their agenda merely reflects a stunning scorn for mainstream economics or a villainous willingness to sacrifice the economy for political gain.
ROGERS: 12 Phrases That Need To Die
Conor Rogers, Editor
Conor Rogers argues that if these 12 political phrases exited our discussion, we’d all be able to get along a bit better. The top phrase? “What the American people want…” The American people don’t 100% agree on anything.
WALK: Rick Perry’s No George W. Bush
Michele Walk, Editor
Have you heard? Rick Perry might be running for President! And that’s got the pundit class wondering if America is ready for another Texan. But hold your horses — George W. Bush and Rick Perry are hardly the same breed of Republican.