Third Party & Independents:

Supreme Ballot Access

Recently the US Supreme Court ruled against the Libertarian Party of Oklahoma in their Ballot Access suit. The court overturned a unanimous 10th Circuit Court of Appeals finding in favor of the Libertarian Party. The court ruled that the state of Oklahoma does not have to allow members of other parties to vote in its primary.

Understanding The Stem Cell Debate

In an all-too rare demonstration of strong, bipartisan support, members of both Parties in the House of Representatives joined together to overwhelmingly pass a bill to expand federally funded stem cell research. The measure would allow scientists to use stem cells derived from embryos created for in vitro fertilization which otherwise would be destroyed as medical waste. While many applaud the move as step in the right direction, predictably religious conservatives have waved the abortion flag once again.

Dobson Republicans: Hope for 3rd Parties

Dr. James Dobson is a spokesperson for 7 million Fundamentalist Right-wing Evangelical Christian (FREC) radio listeners. He told them before the 2004 election that not voting could be a sin. He and his followers are splitting the GOP's unity and could be weakening the GOP's future election potential.

Religion - America's 2nd Civil War

America may be marching headlong toward another civil war. Many of the descendant players are the same. Many of the strategies are the same. The motivations are the same. Even the flags are symbolically similar. Only a date of commencement and outcome of this second civil war remain unknowable.

GOP Strategy - Bankrupt The US

In a move by Republicans in the House of Representatives revealed yesterday, their Medicare strategy is going to be applied to Social Security. Their strategy has but one goal and outcome, to end the program. Medicare/Medicaid already had a dismal finacial future last year when the Republicans made the program exorbidently more expensive not only with the addition of the Rx drug benefit, but, also by putting in language that prevented the Government from competitive bidding for the cost of benefts and prescriptions.

Rape in Prisons - Simple Solution

When men in Congress contemplate rape in US prisons, two thoughts probably comprise most of their opinions. 1) What do prisoners expect, daycare? 2) Men are by natural definition driven to sex, therefore, it is an unsolveable problem. But, underlying both of these thought processes is the assumption that rape in prison just comes with the punishment, free gratis. Ending rape in prisons would have an effect on the number of rapes in civilian society. If it were not tolerated in prison, fewer parolees would be conditioned to it upon release.

Pensions and Rear View Mirrors

For quite some time now I have been warning of a pending pension crisis. At the end of last month, even the President felt it was prudent to get it on the record by also warning of a pending American pension crisis. The first hit against workers took place this week when a bankruptcy court judge granted United Airline's request for abdicating its responsibility to its approximately 120,000 employee's and retiree's pension plans.

Have We Crossed The Rubicon?

Rubicon: a line that when crossed permits of no return and typically results in irrevocable commitment.

Just a few hours ago, the senate passed H.R.1268, which included the Real ID act. And to no one's surprise, there was little debate, and the bill passed with flying colors... it was a unanimous vote.

Republicans Kicking Some Serious GOP Butt

The "nuclear option" to deprive Democrats of the longstanding filibuster in the Senate which was designed to balance power in Congress is having an imploding effect on the GOP. When conceived, it was thought GOP solidarity would make unbalancing power in Congress for the benefit of Republican extremists a slam-dunk. Little did the dreamers realize that the GOP has patriotic American members who actually believe, and will stand up for, our American government and balance of power of a multi-party system.

Take Action Quickly

The Senate is expected to vote tomorrow on an appropriations bill with the Real ID act riding along. Please take this opportunity to contact your senators and let them know you are against this bill. A website has been set up to make this action a little easier. (Read here for my previous post on this subject.)

DeLay Calls for Greater Humility; Oh Please!

Is this guy kidding? Tom Delay calling for humility and responsibility, please, does he even know what those two words mean? Speaking at the 54th annual National Day of Prayer, Delay said,

Just think of what we could accomplish if we checked our pride at the door, if collectively we all spent less time taking credit and more time deserving it… if we spent less time ducking responsibility and more time welcoming it, if we spent less time on our soapboxes and more time on our knees.

"Real" Disturbing News

Expecting heavy resistance in the Senate, the Real ID bill was instead attached to an appropriations bill which will fund our troops in Iraq and send aid to tsunami victims. Needless to say, it passed the House on Thursday and is expected to pass the Senate next week. Does it need mentioning that Bush has signed every bill to cross his desk?

No bounds on Republican self-interest

This would be laughable were it not for the fact that such Republicans are repeatedly getting their way on issues like this. The Texas Public Policy Foundation, a Republican policy and lobby group is conducting a meeting on May 11, 2005, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 P.M. They are offering a free lunch to offer a policy initiative to exempt Republicans and their businesses from criminal law.

Mercury Laden Clouds-Poetic Justice

There is a poetic justice when mercury laden clouds head toward masses of Republican voters in Nevada and Utah. Hopefully this threat to their children and their unborn and others will cause them to rethink their support for a party that will never choose the environment over making money. This AP story is especially poetic due to the fact that the cloud emanates from gold mining operations which were exempted from EPA mercury emission laws.