Category: Political Writing

Sovereignty of the people is still the law of the land, but it has become somewhat of an illusion. I hate to cry wolf, but the continuing failure of ideological politics and the resulting disappointment of ideological government is a reality that really deserves greater recognition by those ultimately responsible for it, the American voter. Perpetuating our present political alternatives seems only likely to prolong our dissatisfaction and to frustrate…

  It seems somewhat pointless to highlight, yet again, specific political maladies let alone all such ills affecting our society. They are manifold. But the system which engenders them is designed to protect itself in spite of great disillusionment of those the system is supposed to benefit, and in spite of a systemic mode of self-correction—the vote. What of public opinion demonstrating this public disillusionment? Gallup points out that public…

  I write championing an Independent political option. So, how do political Independents feel about the US getting further involved in the Syrian conflict? If, as projected, Independents represent the full spectrum of moderate American political feelings, then we are mostly against further involvement. But, at what price? Gallup has (mostly) been told, “. . . the events in Syria are none of the United States’ business, that the U.S….

”For our ideas to win [out] we have to govern. And if we don’t win [elections], we don’t govern. I’m going to do everything I can to win.”  Wow, now that’s insight! This is the not-much-new-here gospel according to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Mr. Christie confided to the Republican National Committee (RNC), in a private address in Boston recently, that GOP candidates should “hew to conservative economic themes and…

Here’s a head-scratcher for you: Official voter registration records in at least 29 states show significant numbers of people registering to vote as political Independents, or who decline to declare a political party affiliation. Opinion polls, at least those of the Gallup organization, consistently list three political groups, Republicans, Democrats and political Independents, responding to their survey questions. Nightly news—on all stations and/or channels, periodicals and newspapers speak and write…

Well, you might say, it’s to make a choice, decide between alternatives, and you’d beright.To elect someone, or something, is to demonstrate a preference. In politics, the significance of elections is to determine just who the majority (voting) prefers to lead government for a set period of time. “Who” in our political system, generally means which political party. Does this mean that whichever party gets the most votes wins, the…

Politics & Government Today: Are They Really As Bad As It Looks? Yeah, unfortunately, it does seem to most (if not necessarily to the politicians) to be as bad as it looks.  Somewhere along the line, the purpose of government has gotten sidetracked. Our politicians now focus not on what to govern but ideologically how to govern. The result, as we see, is not pretty. Two experienced Congressional watchdogs believe…

   The Income Tax turned one hundred this year!  However, Hoopla over this milestone, as one writer recently put it, was not expected!             When it comes to paying taxes, few are eager. Still, we all—even if grudgingly— recognize that taxes are the price of government (I mailed my contribution earlier this week). Some people do look forward to tax time, those who work in the Tax Return preparation industry….

 Over the past five decades we’ve seen our major national political campaigns emphasize more the individual candidate than the party platform. Consensus is that this really got rolling with the 1960 Kennedy presidential campaign. Historian James MacGregor Burns has made this the subject of his 2006 book Running Alone, Presidential Leadership, JFK to Bush II. It may not be immediately obvious, but this has significant implications for both our democracy…

A what? By who? From time to time I’m inclined to draft so-called opinion pieces, essays and other short articles on and around the apparent state of frustration of the American public with the results of our politics and, consequently government, and the rise of political Independents this has occasioned.  Infrequently, I submit such materials for publication.  Invariably it’s in vain. But I anticipate this.  I never ask the question…