Republicans & Conservatives:

The Oil Price Conspiracy

Most conspiracy theories are as nutty as the people who believe in them and I hate to be associated with those guys in any way, but I think that there is a glaring example that we all see but don’t notice. There is an active conspiracy to periodically lower oil prices.

Energy Is Not Free (Not Even Cheap)

I saw some interesting figures re energy subsidies. Standardized to the same measure solar energy is subsidized by $24.34 per megawatt hour, wind $23.37 and "clean coal" got $29.81. Coal received $0.44, natural gas $0.25, hydroelectric about $0.67 and nuclear power $1.59.

The End of American Super Hegemony

America will remain the world’s most important country during all our lifetimes, but our position as THE important country is weakening for some reasons that we should welcome. The rest of the world is adopting many of the things that made America prosperous and special.

Too Happy to be Liberal

A report by LiveScience senior reporter Jeanna Bryner shows, as many earlier surveys have, that conservatives tend to be happier than liberals.

Stupid

When you vote for president, you choose a package. Packages contain some things you like, some you don’t; some contents are bad, others good. We don’t have a cafeteria option. Political choices are always limited and zero sum at best. My preferred package – John McCain – has his downside too. He is still my choice, but the gas tax holiday he and Hillary advocate is just stupid and should be dropped.

Obama & the Reagan Legacy

I keep hearing from some people that Obama will reverse the effects of the Reagan revolution. It doesn’t make sense. I know that some extremists are still irked at Reagan, but most Americans do not agree. I don't even think Obama does. We have come too far ever to “reverse” the progress of the Reagan legacy. But I wonder if my liberal friends really think it would be possible or even desirable.

Obama Kicks Wright to the Curb

It is about time Obama had his Sister Souljah moment. I am glad he rejected that kind of hatred and stupidity spread by Wright and his ilk. Now all Obama supporters can give up defending that BS. The smart ones never believed in it anyway.

A Winning Strategy, Redux

Today’s Problems are Yesterday’s Solutions

Since we cannot always be right, we must be flexible and robust. As new information becomes available or conditions change, even the best decisions must be revisited and sometimes overturned. The ethanol debacle is a good example of both this idea and the pernicious effects government intervention in fouling up and calcifying the change and innovation mechanism.

Disinterested Pragmatism

Lots of our troubles result from getting involved in other people's business and/or trying to involve other people in ours. You can have a good long term relationship with someone and not know a thing about his/her personal life and this is often best. Why look under rocks if you don’t care what is there? This occurred to me as I listened to an NPR story with a transgendered person talking about his tribulations.

Things Get Better

Politics, unfortunately, is too often about bad news. Politicians attack each other because the threat of loss is more compelling than the promise of gain. It is in the interests of challengers to paint a horrible picture of the current situation. Yes, there is trouble in River City. But when you look closer, you see some important things are getting better.

Hilary Unites Pennsylvania – Against Obama

Obama has the money and the media give him the momentum. Nevertheless, Hilary kicked his butt by 9%+. This calls into question assumptions about Obama (and Hilary). Obama’s supporters claim that he is a uniter & the inevitable winner. But facts are stubborn things and the facts are that Hilary beat Obama by a big margin AMONG DEMOCRATS even though Obama spent three times as much money. Who united? Who won? What gives?

Don't Fear A Nation at Risk

Twenty-five years ago, the seminal report on American education, A Nation at Risk, was issued by the National Commission on Excellence in Education. With the silver anniversary of that report coming on April 26, there will be much hand wringing and worries that we are not doing enough to change education. While I have, on regular occasion voiced such concerns, as I have delved deeper into the American Education system, I have abundant faith that we can make American Education great--greater than ever before.

Divisive Politics

Politics is divisive. It is either/or - with no alternative choices & no synergy - a zero, or negative, sum proposition. Even the most popular politicians, leaders like Ronald Reagan, win only around 60% of the vote; 40%+ oppose. Usually it is worse. Three of four recent presidential elections produced no majority winner. Politics is also coercive. Winners impose; losers can't opt out. That is why we should use politics sparingly.

Polygamist Hoax

Authorities in Colorado are reporting that 33 year-old Rosita Swinton has been arrested for filing a false report in connection with the raid on a Texas Polygamist compound.