January 18, 2012
The consensus continues to gather steam that the GOP
nomination to challenge President Barack Obama for president this fall will be
former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Perhaps all the drama now moves to who
will be his choice for vice president.
For the moment, a few thoughts to ponder. Now that former
Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman has dropped out of the race, the hope for a vastly
alternative approach to leading our nation out of our five-year economic slump
is becoming clearer.
Only the die-hard Kool-Aid drinkers on the left believe that
the social-democracy, Keynesian economic policies of our country’s most-leftist
president ever, are working.
However, those on the right who tout statistics from history
that a president in the midst of such a profound economic recession cannot be
re-elected are also drinking the Kool-Aid.
Do not underestimate the appeal of populism for the American
electorate and the political acumen of President Obama – and the left-leaning
major media that is still his most unabashed and unrepentant cheerleader.
As has been exemplified over and over again in the last five
years, the American public has grown so used to pandering, big government and
handouts that it can almost be universally understood that most voters have not
a clue as to how our economic system works.
*****
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Let the Veepstakes begin
Kevin E. Dayhoff
The consensus continues to gather steam that the GOP nomination to challenge President Barack Obama for president this fall will be former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Perhaps all the drama now moves to who will be his choice for vice president.
Through the Darkness – Again
Tom McLaughlin
I am not exactly the poster child for vasectomy. Two years ago, I went to see a doctor who must have sterilized most of the men, who wanted the procedure, in Frederick County.
All Mixed Up
Norman M. Covert
I am tho’ confuthed! I find myself burned up that the gaggle of Republican presidential candidates never misses an opportunity at self-immolation. I’m slipping over the edge now with the dual dilemma of new Sixth Congressional District boundaries and sibling rivalry among our GOP inhabitants.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Afzali Crashes Congressional Primary
Roy Meachum
Never in my over 28 years writing about Frederick politics can I remember when an elected freshman official has been so unrelenting and noisy – some say obnoxious – as Kathy Afzali.
The Argument for Slots
Farrell Keough
In our current environment, we are seeing new taxes under all sorts of rubrics. For instance, we have paid dearly over the years for our roads and highway systems – yet, today, we are facing newly designated tax schemes like Toll Roads.
Padding One’s Resumé At Our Expense
Shawn Burns
It is no secret that Gov. Martin O’Malley wants to run for president in 2016. He has an ambitious list of proposals he would like to see enacted in the next four years in order to bolster his resumé in order to appeal to progressives and Democrats on the national level.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Raw Political Ambition – Nationally and Locally
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
Why is it that partisan politicians constantly place their own aspirations ahead of their party's best interests?
The Sixth, Education and Grandbabies
Michael Kurtianyk
More than any other, the most discussed topic in my circles recently has been about the candidates for the Sixth Congressional District seat. There were quite a few surprises, but before looking at some specific candidates, here is the list:
Friday, January 13, 2012
Coming Revolution
Roy Meachum
Conservatives scoff at the Occupy Wall Street protesters; others have difficulty dismissing them, and the various signs of discontent in this republic. In fact, the disparity between the highest incomes and the average earners has never in our history been wider.
Get Out of My Park
Joe Charlebois
What does the occupy movement have that others don’t? They have a free rein to encamp on federal property – National Park Service (NPS) land – that would not be afforded to any other group.
Quarterbacking from the Sidelines
Adam Avery
My first and last throws as a quarterback in organized football were to the other team. There were many in between and I was sacked my fair share of plays.
Controversial Tebow Brings Faith to Light
Derek Shackelford
There is probably no other subject discussed that will bring various views of opinions such as religion. It can cause us as a society and world the propensity to defend it, practice it, or surmise no usefulness whatsoever.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Making Life Easier for Seniors
Blaine R. Young
Ever since I was first elected to office as a Frederick City Alderman I have heard complaints from our senior citizens that they cannot afford to stay in Frederick County, or even the State of Maryland, to retire with dignity.
Parties, Events and (ugh) Work
Joan Marie Aquilino
Well, we are bringing in the New Year on full throttle – elections, taxes, property rights, work place fraud. The list doesn’t end there.
Rumors, Licenses and The Election
Amanda Haddaway
The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration often draws the ire of people due to its lack of customer service and seemingly endless wait times both on the phone and in-person.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
The King of Hearts
Kevin E. Dayhoff
It is fairly well accepted among keen observers of national politics that the Iowa caucuses of Tuesday a week ago are much more about political and media-theater than a prognosticator of who will vie for the Oval Office this fall.
Unfortunate Tour, But What Memories!
Tom McLaughlin
Los Angeles CA – Later in life I became a fan of old movies. I can watch them over and over again. I think I have seen Casablanca at least 30 times and always see something new. I still stand at attention when they play the Marseilles.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Later Than Needed
Roy Meachum
Colleague Norm Covert picked me up for the annual party of TheTentacle.com’s publisher/editor John Ashbury. He and wife Gaile live in Thurmont, far from my Market Street’s yellow door.
Growing-up Cuban and Other Prejudices – Part 2
Nick Diaz
In Part I of this discourse, I mentioned how a good number of natural-born Americans are basically unaware of the nationality-based differences among “Hispanics.” In addition, so many well-meaning Americans have little or no idea of what events have been taking place in Cuba and the rest of Latin America in the past 50 years.
“To The Victor Goes The Spoils”
Earl 'Rocky' Mackintosh
The Evil of the Victors … Anger lingers, I guess, when you and your fellow cohorts are still reeling from the major defeat you suffered in the 2010 Frederick County elections.
Monday, January 9, 2012
The Looming Assembly
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
The time when all good little legislators pack their grips and head for Annapolis is near at hand.
Pivotal Year for “Resolutions”
Michael Kurtianyk
2012 should be an interesting year locally. Politically, there will be elections in Congressional Sixth and Eighth Districts, along with the Board of Education. Much will be written on these races before it is all over.
GOP Candidate Countdown on Education
Cindy A. Rose
If you care about education then the next president of the United States should be…...... I have no idea. Maybe Alyson Klein, of Education Week, might shed some light on the Republican candidates.
