Opinion and commentary on news, politics, culture, and policy impact.
President Obama has come out with another tax hike on the “rich” that will hurt all Americans. This is not surprising. Raising taxes on the rich has always been the centerpiece of his economic agenda—despite its negative consequences for those who are not rich. He has already raised taxes by more than $1 trillion, mostly…
When it was announced on December 5, 2014, that former Deputy Secretary of Defense Ash Carter was going to replace Chuck Hagel as President Obama’s fourth Secretary of Defense (SecDef), America immediately had many questions. Chief among them: “What does this mean for U.S. defense policy?” Carter is sure to be appointed, having broad bipartisan…
Some things never change. Likely, in his sixth State of the Union address, President Obama will drone on about the need for “the rich,” those hard-working higher earners, to pay more taxes. He will demand the federal government create more programs it can’t afford. Finally, in tyrannical fashion, Obama will threaten Congress with vetoes and…
"But let judgment roll down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream." —Amos 5:24 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. quoted this powerful scripture in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. He believed God's word. He took his Bible—the one President Obama placed his hand on during his 2013 inauguration—very seriously; so seriously that he repeatedly…
As the leader of the movement that ultimately toppled segregation, Martin Luther King Jr., stands among the likes of the Founding Fathers and Abraham Lincoln as a champion of American ideals. His commitment to the principles of the American founding is universally admired and has rightfully earned King a national holiday. However, a contrasting element…
What’s the story on American marriages and families from 2014? Here is a list of just some of the findings: 1. Americans Still Like Marriage A full 67 percent of Americans disagree with the idea that marriage is outdated, according to a 2014 report from the Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture….
“Mama” may well be the first word out of a newborn politician’s mouth. But the first full sentence is likely to be “It is time to put politics aside.” What comes after that is, inevitably, pure politics. The State of the Union address has long since ceased being about the state of the union. The…
On Tuesday, President Obama will deliver his penultimate State of the Union address. No doubt, many conservatives will be thinking of that glorious day in January 2017 when (they hope) a Republican president delivers his or her first state of the union address. The new president would open his address by telling Americans that the…
Growing up, most Americans are taught to treat everyone fairly and recognize the importance of equality under the law. Despite political disagreements and the headache of elections and campaigns, we learn that a free society plays no favorites. Most of us still believe in that. Unfortunately, many in Washington, D.C., don’t. You can see it…
Solar panels are being installed on the roofs of homes and businesses all across America at a record pace. The fad is the latest way for families to “go green” — the energy equivalent of blue recycling bins. The Solar Energy Industries Association likes to tout the industry’s “amazing success” — but it’s holding a…
On Jan. 21, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case involving the Obama administration’s favorite dubious legal theory, “disparate impact.” Then again, maybe it won’t — because the administration or some of its more radical allies in the civil-rights movement might snatch the case out of the court’s hands by engineering…
Imagine that a retail store or company like Best Buy or Home Depot announced that it has plans to slash customer service, that it will make people stand in lines for at least a half hour, and that any customer due a refund will have to wait several weeks. Oh, and it may not be…
When it comes to President Obama’s proposal of free community college for all Americans, middle-class Americans should just say no. Last week, the Obama administration announced the plan, which would make any college student who goes to community college part-time and maintains a 2.5 GPA eligible for a free ride for two years. But this…
On Monday, U.S. Central Command lost control of its Twitter and YouTube accounts. It serves as yet another reminder of irresponsible social networking practices by federal agencies. The Internet is used for everything from downloading Taylor Swift to waging war, yet Washington seems hopelessly inept at finding its way in the cyber world. The Central…
There are many different shades of shame in President Obama’s decision to recognize Cuba’s unelected military dictatorship, starting of course in the Oval Office, where the plan was hatched. But certainly one of the most disgraceful things happening is the treatment being meted out to the long-suffering dissidents of that poor island by what passes…
On Friday the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case brought by California raisin farmers who were fined by the government for selling their crop on the open market, instead of limiting their sales by delivering some of their raisins to a government-approved middleman. This case illustrates the absurdity of a government program that…
Last week China announced that it would adhere to a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling from last year by removing export quotas among other restrictions on rare earth minerals (RE). After controlling the global market for a number of years and extracting handsome rents, why is Beijing suddenly deciding to comply? It probably has little…
Senator John McCain (R–AZ) recently introduced an amendment to repeal harmful aspects of the Jones Act, a 1920 law that restricts the use of foreign-built or foreign-owned ships for transporting goods within the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, “The coastwise laws [like the Jones Act] are highly protectionist provisions that…
Today’s joint White House press conference between the U.S. president and British prime minister was dominated, rather unexpectedly, by the subject of Iran. Both Barack Obama and David Cameron pushed hard against new economic sanctions against Tehran. The president threatened to veto any Congressional bill outlining additional sanctions against the Iranian regime over its nuclear…
Today the Supreme Court of the United States announced that it would rule on the constitutional status of state marriage laws. It granted certiorari and consolidated four cases coming out of Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. The Supreme Court should uphold these laws and respect the constitutional authority of citizens and their elected officials to…