Posts from ‘December, 2009’

Things learned in the debate over health care reform

With some form of health care reform poised to be enacted following the passage of a trillion-dollar, pork-filled boondoggle in the U.S. Senate on Christmas Eve, reflection on the course of this policy debate and its broader implication for the trajectory of the Obama administration seem warranted. Whatever results in the coming months on the issue of [...]

The Only Choice for Person of the Year

With much disappointment today, I read the list of those considered likely to be named Person of the Year by TIME magazine  for 2009. Though not a political story per se, the bulk of the figures named hold public office, or are otherwise in the employ of the United States government. Those considered to be [...]

The Copenhagen Climate Conundrum

As world leaders start to assemble this week in the capital city of Denmark, discourse on the topic of climate change and the public policy implications thereof have increased. Complicating matters, however, was the revelation in recent weeks that one organization researching anthropogenic global warming was suppressing research running contrary to their claims. Good science [...]

Petty Politicking Plagues Progress

Recent polling has found that a majority of Americans feel that the country is too politically divided. No, this does not mean that the American people feel that fifty states are too many, or that counties, cities, parishes, and boroughs should be dissolved across the board. Rather, the concern is that there is too much [...]

Dear Young Voters: This Is What You Get When You Don’t Vote

Much of the focus on this blog has been about reaching out to win over young voters. However, in my hometown of Pittsburgh, recent developments are demonstrating exactly what happens when young voters don’t show up to the polls. As you may know, Pittsburgh’s economy has gone from its reliance upon the steel industry to [...]