Archive for the ‘Politics’ Category
To US critics of China’s currency: get your own house in order
The noise coming from the US about China’s supposed “manipulation” of its currency, the yuan (also referred to as the renminbi), has become noticeably louder this past week. Since July 2008, China has pegged its currency at about 6.83 yuan to one dollar. American critics assert that China’s policy effectively keeps its currency artificially low, […]
“Jihad Jane” and the politics of fear
Far from “keeping America safe”, the elite’s depiction of the US as fragile and at-risk makes even lonely weirdos seem like a deadly threat. Read my spiked article in full here.
Did I mention that JihadJane is from the suburbs?
You’ve probably heard of JihadJane, the internet name of Colleen R. LaRose. JihadJane is an American woman who is accused of joining with Islamic militants overseas and plotting to kill the Swedish cartoonist who drew Mohammed’s head on the body of a dog. Her arrest by federal prosecutors sent ripple waves across the country, as it now seemed […]
Iraq: no self-determination, no democracy
Earlier this week, American commentators from across the political spectrum praised the Iraqi parliamentary elections. Some 60 to 65 percent turned out to vote, in some cases in defiance of bombs. The official results have yet to be announced. The Iraqi people should be commended for their determination to make the best of a bad situation. But we cannot let stand […]
Wanted: top Illinois Democrat, no experience preferred
Democratic Party politics in Illinois – President Obama’s adopted home state – is in a bad way. Last year governor Rod Blagojevich was ousted in a scandal, and last month the party’s nominee for lieutentant governor (the number two role) resigned due to allegations of domestic assault, unpaid child support and steroids use. Today’s Times reports […]
The real scandal is this obsession with scandal
As Republicans and Democrats squabble over who is most corrupt, the American people become more cynical about the entire political class. Read my spiked article in full here.
Piling on regulation
In an essay last year, I speculated that “today there is a possibility that the Obama regime’s call for ‘more regulation’ will just pile on to the substantial [non-financial] regulation that already exists”. Well, it seems there is an attempt to do just that. The Financial Times reports about a legislative proposal that would give […]
Health debate: Republicans offer career advice to Dems
So, it looks like President Obama and the Democrats in congress might finally make a run at passing healthcare reform legislation. Obama today urged congress to arrange an “up or down vote” on the measure (by which he means the congressional tactic called “reconciliation”, which requires a simple majority). He wants a bill passed within weeks, that is, […]
The Coffee Party?
The New York Times reports today on the rise of a group formed in response to the Tea Party – the Coffee Party. But for a group based on a more caffeinated drink, the Coffee Party seems far less agitated than their Tea counterparts. The party aims to “support leaders who work toward positive solutions, and hold accountable those […]
Fannie and Freddie: a problem, not the problem
The FT reports today that two Republicans in the House, Darrell Issa and Jim Jordan, have called for an investigation into the use of US government funds to bail out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two mortgage companies that were taken into government “conservatorship” in September 2008. The congressmen’s call comes in response to treasury […]