Josh Barro didn’t leave conservatism. Conservatism left Josh Barro. -
The Republican Party’s incredible shrinking policy agenda.
As a policy person, I can tell you this is absolutely true, especially on health care:
As the Republican Party’s range of acceptable policies has narrowed, the Democratic Party’s range has expanded. Stimulus based entirely on tax cuts? It’s not their preference, but they’ll take it. Market-based approaches to environmental regulation? Sure, why not. Capping the employer-based exclusion for health care? Of course. Hundreds of billions of dollars in entitlement cuts to help reduce the deficit? Uh-huh.
If you imagine a policy spectrum that that goes from 1-10 in which 1 is the most liberal policy, 10 is the most conservative policy, and 5 is that middle zone that used to hold both moderate Democrats and Republicans, the basic shape of American politics today is that the Obama administration can and will get Democrats to agree to anything ranging from 1 to 7.5 and Republicans will reject anything that’s not an 8, 9, or 10. The result, as I’ve written before, is that President Obama’s record makes him look like a moderate Republicans from the late-90s.
“The truth is, the weak economy is not out of the hands of corporations. They don’t have a tax problem. They don’t have an economic problem. They don’t have a problem of an unskilled workforce. Instead, they have an innovation problem. These companies could, for instance, invest in new initiatives or expand their business models. Very few, if any, companies are doing that.” — Gaurdian Business Reporter Heidi Moore
Canadian sisters on front lines of rebuilding Somalia -
Two sisters from Ottawa are fighting gender violence and terrorism in Somalia. One is a military commander; one speaks out for womens rights and supports victims of violence.
Their father, Elman Ali Ahmed, would be proud. Ahmed was a well-known peace activist in Mogadishu during the early 1990s, when Somalia’s government collapsed and sectarian warfare enveloped the country. With his wife, he cared for orphans and ran community programs, including one called “Lights for Peace,” which lit the city’s dark corridors, controlled by rival warlords.
The GOP hates students, loves their debt payments.
(via wilwheaton)
“Today, and it breaks my heart to say it, finding a homeless person who has died of cold, is not news. Today, the news is scandals, that is news, but the many children who don’t have food — that’s not news. This is grave. We can’t rest easy while things are this way.” — Pope Francis
As a Muslim, I struggle with the idea of homosexuality – but I oppose homophobia -
British Political Journalist Mehdi Hasan writes about his views on homosexuality as both a committed and practicing Muslim, and as a citizen in a free and democratic society. I suspect his thoughts mirror those of many American Muslims who are trying to balance the same things:
yes, I’m a progressive who supports a secular society in which you don’t impose your faith on others – and in which the government, no matter how big or small, must always stay out of the bedroom. But I am also…a believing Muslim. And, as a result, I really do struggle with this issue of homosexuality. As a supporter of secularism, I am willing to accept same-sex weddings in a state-sanctioned register office, on grounds of equity. As a believer in Islam, however, I insist that no mosque be forced to hold one against its wishes.
“We have created new idols. The worship of the golden calf of old has found a new and heartless image in the cult of money and the dictatorship of an economy which is faceless and lacking any truly humane goal” — Pope Francis
(Source: timesofmalta.com)
Math Teacher & Marine Sgt. Atif Qarni running for office -
A public school teacher who teaches Math in Virginia is running for the Virginia House of Delegates to represent the 13th district (Manassas & Prince William).
Debunking the Myths of Youth Unemployment -
Folks need to stop beating up on “young people” or “Young Invincibles”, we’ve had enough!
Dear everyone over 45 - you've failed America -
The average net worth of someone 29 to 37 has fallen 21 percent since 1983.
…
For the first time in modern memory, a whole generation might not prove wealthier than the one that preceded it.
Looks grim, but I suppose money isn’t everything, right?