Author Archive
In Defense of the Economic National Interest
Amidst the good news this week that President Obama will no longer permit the Bush Administration’s dishonest, ham-fisted practice of submitting Iraq and Afghanistan war expenditures as “emergency” items rather than including them in the federal budget, American workers were dealt a blow on Obama’s previous commitment to renegotiate NAFTA. Americans were presented a watered-down [...]
We Could Use a Man Like Bill McKinley Again
Taking the oath of office on March 4, 1897, Ohio native William McKinley inherited a nation facing troubling economic times. The Republican had just bested Nebraska Democrat William Jennings Bryan by an electoral vote margin of 271 to 176, sweeping all states north of the old Mason-Dixon Line and picking up Oregon, California, North Dakota, [...]
Edwards’ Tome Proposes Rebirth of Principle Following Bush Debacle
By Nathan R. Shrader
Just as Paul Revere rode through the Massachusetts towns of Arlington, Somerville, and Medford in April 1775 sounding the alarm of the British advance towards Lexington, former Congressman Mickey Edwards (R-OK) has issued a powerful, succinct warning about the mounting troubles within our nation’s system of governance. Edwards has also constructed a [...]
Remembering Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll
Catherine Baker Knoll’s election as Pennsylvania’s 30th Lieutenant Governor marked the election of the first female executive in state history. Lieutenant Governor Knoll’s sudden passing on November 12 marked the end of a political era in the state and presents the opportunity to look back on a remarkable career of public and political service.
Despite the [...]
Act of God, Not Act of Government Needed to Save Big Three
Several weeks ago, Congress passed an infamous, pork-laden $830 billion welfare handout to Wall Street gurus and banking big wigs to allegedly reduce the burden on the economy. Congress rushed to the “rescue” by passing a plan which granted bold, non-negotiable powers to the Department of Treasury and handed blank checks to bankers. As of [...]
Palin, McCain, Anti-Intellectualism Equally to Blame for Defeat
Asked Wednesday whether or not Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is now the leader of the Republican Party, U.S. Senator Arlen Specter responded with a clear and definite “no.” While not always correct on public policy, Senator Specter’s pithy answer should be met with praise throughout Republican and conservative circles.
Looking back on this past week’s GOP [...]
Obama Dumps Dissenting Reporters in Fourth Quarter Bush-Cheney Play
During his illustrious and unfortunately short-lived political career, Jack Kennedy remarked that “Without debate, without criticism, no administration and no country can succeed—and no republic can survive.” In the waning 72 hours of the 2008 presidential election, Barack Obama’s decision to eject from his campaign plane reporters from three newspapers which failed to endorse him [...]
As the Cheese Steak Goes, So Goes the Nation
Anyone who has ever been to Philadelphia will tell you there is something magical about the cheese steak. This sandwich is overflowing with taste. It is a cultural icon and a tasty piece of campaign fodder that has left several contenders for national office wishing they would have studied the meaning of the phrase “Whiz, [...]
Bail-out Plan is Recipe for Tyranny
Francois-Marie Arouet was better known by his pen name, Voltaire. A defender of personal, political, and religious freedom in 18th century France, this deep thinking man whose ideas helped influence the American and French Revolutions once opined that “Common sense is not so common.” Thus we arrive at America’s current financial crisis.
Let us consider some [...]
Nathan Shrader’s Official, Unbiased NFL Preview: Belichick for the Gold
Face it folks. Nobody likes a winner, especially a perennial winner.
Back in 1993 during his triumphant return to World Championship Wrestling, all-time great Ric Flair appeared in a series of segments called “Flair for the Gold,” showcasing the former mutli-time world champion training and preparing for another run at the title. Flair, always [...]
Giuliani Selection Shames GOP as Convention Looms
Consider the Republican Party’s dilemma caused by record low approval ratings, McCain’s admission that he is fine with reinstating the draft, Democrats trouncing their candidates in Congressional polls, and fewer Americans claiming to be affiliated with their party than anytime in recent memory. It is hard to imagine that things could get worse for Republicans.
Think [...]
Offendedness is the new national pastime
“Offendedness” is the new national pastime
Forget about baseball, Americans have found their new favorite pastime: becoming offended at the drop of a hat and demanding futile, insincere apologies. Why have Americans forsaken the tradition of free thinking, rejected reason, and turned the basic acts of criticizing or lampooning public officials, individuals, or groups within our [...]
Obama ditches ‘CHANGE’ for lukewarm can of Bush-Lite
Saddled with a 23 percent approval rating, perhaps the lowest in polling history, President George W. Bush has all the trappings of a president in over his head. Plagued by an economic downturn, a gloomy international scene, and a party in disarray, Bush has become the quintessential punching bag for the left, the right, and [...]
PA Smoking Ban Highlights Need for Part Time, Citizen Legislature
Back in the 1950s entertainer Louis Prima did a song about his “confused Italian greyhound” that would bark at him instead of at strangers and howl until Prima took his own albums off the turntable and put Sam Butera records on.
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is starting to look more and more like Prima’s confused Italian [...]
