‘Stupid’ Republicans

Bobby Jindal, Louisiana’s Republican governor, bluntly called his party the "stupid party." He also said that, "The Republican Party does not need to change our principles…but we might need to change just about everything else we do." This stupidity was recently on display when House Republicans and especially grandstanding Senate Republicans melodramatically grilled the now … Continue reading “‘Stupid’ Republicans”

Nothing Succeeds Like ‘Success’

The anti-interventionist movement, if we can refer to such an amorphous creature, is at a crossroads at the start of this election season. On the left, the remnants of the antiwar movement have been dispersed and absorbed into the Democratic party, where they have become foot soldiers for Obama — a President who has taken … Continue reading “Nothing Succeeds Like ‘Success’”

Republican Math and the Pentagon Budget

Math has never been my strong suit, but even I can see that the Pentagon — whose officials treat “weapons program” and “cost overrun” as synonyms — has a monster math problem. Not surprisingly, it’s also a place that has never successfully passed an audit. Its top officials have talked endlessly about the giant cuts … Continue reading “Republican Math and the Pentagon Budget”

Ron Paul’s Hour of Decision

Is Ron Paul running for president in the wrong party? The results of the GOP primaries, so far, would certainly seem to suggest that. Paul’s support draws heavily from two constituencies one doesn’t normally associate with the Republican party: young voters, who are overwhelmingly independents, and antiwar voters, who tend to be Democrats. He has … Continue reading “Ron Paul’s Hour of Decision”

Meet the Republican Chickenhawks

Nearly all the Republican presidential candidates are showing their muscles, supporting the war on terror and a robust military while also vowing to do whatever it takes to disarm Iran. They know that it is essential to play the jingoistic “American exceptionalism” card, and they understand that being president also means becoming commander in chief … Continue reading “Meet the Republican Chickenhawks”

Return of the War Party?

Is a vote for the Republican Party in 2012 a vote for war? Is a vote for Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich a vote for yet another unfunded war of choice, this time with a nation, Iran, three times as large and populous as Iraq? Mitt says that if elected he will move carriers into … Continue reading “Return of the War Party?”

Saturday Night Frights

Saturday’s GOP presidential debate focused on foreign policy, and it was a disgrace — not simply because of the moderators’ blatant disregard for Rep. Ron Paul (the only candidate from either political party advocating peace was given 89 seconds to speak in the first hour), and not simply because of the hideous lagging in the … Continue reading “Saturday Night Frights”

Republican Foreign Policy Follies

Foreign policy is admittedly not the strong suit of the Republican presidential candidates, but if there is one candidate who does have genuine experience in that area it is Jon Huntsman, the former government of Utah and U.S. ambassador to China. Huntsman outlined his position on America’s foreign and security policies on Columbus Day. Interestingly, … Continue reading “Republican Foreign Policy Follies”

Ron Paul’s Best Week

Campaign season’s here and the time is right, for bombast in the street. Right here on Main Street, USA, every  day, they’re bloviating in the street. Invoking Martha & the Vandellas might be fun, but the prospect of facing another 441 days of Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann, Sarah Palin or Mitt Romney invariably invoking God, … Continue reading “Ron Paul’s Best Week”

Rick Perry and the Neocons

The only change anyone can believe in in Washington is that nothing ever changes. The choice between Republican and Democrat in 2012 will likely boil down to who will be making what kind of cuts in social programs to support continuous warfare overseas. Only Ron Paul stands out from the pack with his commitment to … Continue reading “Rick Perry and the Neocons”