“Majority of the American people are sick of the status quo, and the status quo is a Washington obsessed with legislating as though Congress's sole function is to play a wholly partisan, zero-sum game. The American people want us to put our nation ahead of party allegiances. They want us to do more than devise ways to gain and maintain power. They want us to be constructive with that power.”
A Different Perspective
August 2010
How to Restore Honor
August 31st, 2010
There is a relatively new trend in the U.S. to call for a "return to traditional values." I say "relatively" new because we've only been hearing it since the early 1600s, and on a geologic scale, that's pretty recent. Since the early colonies in Massachusetts and Plymouth were started by Protestant outcasts seeking a place where they could bring about a society built on values that they thought were lost on a decadent contemporary society Americans have been on a quest for that elusive Tradition of... something.
For my full essay (with referenced hyperlinks) see my blog at:
http://tadshappyfuntime.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-restore-honor.html
Centrists Need a Coherent Message
August 31st, 2010
The biggest threat to America’s short term success and long term survival is partisanship. It is ravaging our country from the inside. Partisanship divides us into rival factions, makes our public policies less effective, and increases the power of special interests. We as voters need to demand better. But what should we demand?
Partisanship Invades Our Legal System
August 31st, 2010
In our assault on partisanship and its terrible consequences, we rarely think about how it affects our legal system. Our focus is usually on state legislatures and Congress. Probably because that is where it is most obvious. However partisanship does not end there, it also invades and impairs our legal system. While it is a concern on both federal and state levels, it is at the state level that partisanship has the biggest impact. State constitutions usually provide for the election of judges and state Supreme Court Justices while the U.S. constitution assigns the nomination of federal judges and U.S.
Where Have You Gone Barack Obama?
August 30th, 2010
In political science presidential rhetoric or as its better known, presidential communications is a field all unto itself. In one of my favorite books “The Rhetorical Presidency,” author and political scientist Jeffrey Tulis reveals just how powerful presidential rhetoric can be.
Fareed Zakaria Agrees, Innovation is Key
August 30th, 2010
Once again I agree 100% with Fareed Zakaria. On his August 29th GPS show, Zakaria explained that the key to America’s success has been and will continue to be its ability to foster innovation. Some countries focus on being the factory of the world (China), some countries want to be the offices of the world (India), but America is the research center of the world. Our entrepreneurial spirit and our top notch university system foster our innovative society. That is why we became a superpower in the 20th century and that is why we will continue to lead the world this century. However, our advantage is declining. Other nations like South Korea are enacting policies to build an innovative society and work force to compete with United States. While ou
Royal Oak Faces Challenges but Sees Opportunity
August 27th, 2010
Communities throughout Michigan and across the country are facing significant challenges. Families and businesses in every community are still feeling the effects of the Great Recession. Government is also hurting at every level; federal, state, and local governments are facing record budget deficits and unending debt. While the media focuses on the deficits and debt of the federal government, it is the local governments who feel it the most. And it’s not just the failing communities who are encountering serious problems. Royal Oak, Michigan is a textbook example of a successful community which is struggling because of the economy.
Transforming America for the 21st Century
August 27th, 2010
Time Magazine recently published an article that has gotten a lot of attention. The premise of the article is the Obama Administration used the $787 billion stimulus package to first stabilize the economy, stop job losses, create jobs, but more importantly its second objective was to transform America for the 21st century. It is a long article but worth the read. It’s one of those stories filled with so much information that blows your mind that you must read it a few times to comprehend it. Below I posted some of its most interesting quotes.
Partisanship Is Our Biggest Threat
August 26th, 2010
The biggest threat to the short term success and long term survival of the United States is partisanship. It is ravaging our country from the inside. Partisanship divides us, makes our public policy less effective, and increases the power of special interests. We need to rise up and declare that out country deserves better.
We need to make our elected officials public servants not party servants.
Charlie Crist
August 26th, 2010
I understand that Republicans have some good ideas and Democrats have some good ideas, but nobody has a monopoly on the future of the country. And I'm the only one who can say that in this race. They're so hamstrung by their political affiliation that they can't call balls and strikes.
Politics is Perception, Reality Need Not Apply
August 25th, 2010
Four years ago before I finished graduate school and worked on a few campaigns, I had the opportunity to take part in a prestigious political program. The two week political boot camp, as I called it was known as “Tomorrow’s Political Leaders Program” which was organized by Michigan State University. Throughout those two weeks our group of about 15 members met with political leaders from around the state of Michigan to learn the ins and outs of running an effective campaign and running for office. I learned a lot in those two weeks, but there was one particular lesson that I will never forget.
“Politics is perception,” he said, “it doesn’t matter what the truth is, what matters is what the voters think of you.”
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