Monthly Archives: October 2009
Derrion Albert Remembered
Last month, America mourned the murder of a promising young black man in Chicago. This reminded Jeremiah of a similar incident in Newark, and community policing efforts there. This week, the Economist features a brilliant survey of community policing – … Continue reading
Filed under Civil Rights
Rob from the Rich
Jeremiah is fond of saying that “free” government services, like health care, aren’t really free because we pay for them with our taxes. This turns out to be incorrect. Most of us will enjoy free health care because the rich … Continue reading
Filed under Finance
Veto Partisan Health Bill
There is no good reason to pass costly healthcare legislation this year, with the economy in recession and the federal budget in a record deficit. The only reason is a craven, partisan one. House Democrats, led by Speaker Pelosi, have … Continue reading
Filed under Health
Fox News Biased?
America was shocked this weekend – shocked – to learn that Fox News has a right-wing bias. Thanks to White House Communications Director Anita Dunn, for this news flash. Jeremiah recalls a time when you could tell someone’s politics by … Continue reading
Filed under Media
Public Option Still a Bad Idea
Senator Max Baucus deserves credit for putting together a half-decent bill on health care reform. Senator Snowe, too, for having the “public option” removed. A Democrat and a Republican, respectively, they showed good bi-partisan cooperation. Unfortunately, there is no such … Continue reading
Filed under Health
Green Tariffs
The prospect of “green tariffs” answers a longstanding complaint about global free trade and, at the same time, promises to level the playing field for American workers. According to The Economist, France and certain American senators want to talk up … Continue reading
Filed under Trade
Too Big To Fail?
By now everyone knows the compensation plan that caused the financial crisis. It’s called “heads I win, tails you lose.” Investment bankers make big bets, using whatever instruments escape SEC scrutiny. If they win, they’re masters of the universe. If … Continue reading
Filed under Finance
Obama “Wins” Nobel Prize
Jeremiah offers his condolences today, for President Obama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr. Obama is already President of the United States, a much higher honor than the rather ridiculous “peace prize.” Today’s award is less an honor for the … Continue reading
Filed under Foreign Policy
Ink Blot Test for Obama
This week’s Economist agrees with Jeremiah that President Obama needs to stop “vacillating” and send more troops to Afghanistan. It sends an alarming message to wavering Europeans itching to pull out and to Afghans wondering whether to throw their lot … Continue reading
Filed under Defense
Privatize Health Insurance!
Employer-paid health insurance is a trap for the working man. You think you’re getting it free, but the money ultimately comes out of the payroll budget. Plus, it’s a write-off for the employer, so you end up paying higher taxes. … Continue reading
Filed under Health
