CNBC money man, Larry Kudlow, sat down with Dick Cheney and asked him some tough questions on the economy. Though Cheney offered criticism of Obama’s massive spending and unprecedented government intervention in the free market, Kudlow confronted him about some of the huge expenditures, large-scale government bailouts, and unforseen consequences of the Bush administration’s fiscal policies.
In what is sure to be a contentious debate, Obama nominated Federal Appeals Judge, Sonia Sotomayor to replace Justice Souter. Some are hailing this decision as a victory for gender and racial equality. Others are worried about some of her previous statements regarding race, gender, and applying personal bias when interpreting constitutional law. Still others claim that the philosophical slant of the Court will be left unchanged.
What do you think? What criteria should be applied to selecting a Supreme Court Justice? Do race and gender have a role to play? Or should unbiased interpretation and strict application of the Constitution trump all other considerations?
Read here.
Early last year, the California Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to deny same-sex couples the right to marry. About 18,000 gay couples married before California voters passed Proposition 8 in November, banning gay marriage.
Today, the state Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Proposition 8, although it allowed the 18,000 or so same-sex couples to remain married. Gay rights activists pledge to resume the fight.
The majority 6-1 ruling made a very compelling statement, claiming they were “limited to interpreting and applying the principles and rules embodied in the California Constitution, setting aside our own personal beliefs and values.”
Here are some questions worth considering:
Do you think the California court upheld its constitutional duty? Do you think the Government has the right to define marriage? What if a majority of voters passes a new proposition allowing gay marriage in the future?
Read here.
ReTeaParty would like to extend its most hearty gratitude to the men and women who died while serving our nation. These brave souls paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving and defending the US Constitution, and we are eternally grateful. For those who currently serve, and for those families who continue to make an immense sacrifice on our behalf, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
We pledge to honor your sacrifice by reigniting liberty, fighting for our Constitution, and restoring the vision of our Founding Fathers. You did not give your lives to see a nation collapse under a sea of debt, a worthless Dollar, a tyrannical Federal Government, and gutless politicians. No, you sacrificed for a whole lot more, and we intend on paying homage to your fine example by fighting to save this great nation before it’s too late.
Democratic Rep., Alan Grayson, is introducing the Paid Vacation Act, legislation that would require private companies with more than 100 employees to pay for a week’s vacation, for both full time and part-time employees after a year on the job. Three years after legislation is passed, companies with 50 or more employees would have to pay a week’s vacation as well.
Supporters claim the federal legislation would decrease the number of sick days, improve productivity, and boost employee happiness. Detractors, however, counter that a one-size-fits-all mandate is not the answer, nor will it positively affect small businesses. Others opposed also claim that small businesses would cap new employment so they wouldn’t have to pay the extra expenses.
What do you think? Should the federal government mandate paid vacation for private corporations? Does it possess the constitutional authority to do so? Would it help or hurt private business?
Read here.
California voters defeated a special election of budget measures that would have implemented a combination of higher taxes, increased borrowing, funding shifts, and spending reforms to deal with a record budget deficit.
Will the state government make the painful, but necessary, spending cuts? Or, will the Obama administration step in and bail out California?
Read here.
The Obama administration is set to announce the first-ever national emissions limit for vehicles, a change that will result in the price of a vehicle rising $1,300 by 2016. Some are hailing this as the renaissance of green technology and a cleaner planet, while others are criticizing it for its excessive federal regulation and detrimental impact on hard working consumers.
Administration officials claim the real price increase will only be $600 per vehicle, since the other $700 had already been approved. They also claim that consumers will recover this loss through cheaper gas prices, as long as gas prices follow government projections. In addition, officials claim that consumers will save more throughout the car’s lifetime despite the additional, upfront expense.
What do you think? Is this good for the environment? What could be some of the constitutional and economic ramifications?
Read here.
We get a lot of questions about why FreeAndEqual.org would be so involved in supporting ReTeaParty.com and the Tea Party movement in general. What does ballot access reform have to do with these Tea Parties?
Our main mission at Free and Equal is to break down ballot access barriers by any peaceful means available. Whether it is by petitioning to get candidates and parties on the ballot, supporting initiatives which reduce barriers to participation, lobbying state legislatures to reform their laws, filing and supporting lawsuits to strike these barriers down, or mobilizing public opinion to bring electoral reform to the forefront of the political debate, Free and Equal intends to be there.
However, ballot access is not an end unto itself. Electoral reform is just one important way to achieve a much more fundamental goal. Constitutional government can happen only when every citizen has an equal share of the rights and responsibilities to run it.
That’s where the Tea Parties come in. The achievement of this goal becomes possible when educated people are willing to rise up and take back their government. The Tea Party movement is the strongest outpouring of this activity in America today. We are excited to be able to help it along any way we can. Everything we do is a reflection of our independence and our desire to return political power to its rightful owners. (more…)
Will the July 4 Tea Parties surpass the April 15 turnout? Will they gain more widespread attention in the national media? Will they attract more Independents and Democrats?
Let’s hear some of your predictions.
According to a Fox News poll, the majority of Americans desire smaller government and less spending. Here’s a breakdown of the relevant results:
54% believe Obama is spending too much
35% believe his spending is about right
6% say it’s not enough
Here’s how the above numbers break down across the political spectrum:
61% of Democrats think Obama’s spending is about right
85% of Republicans think he’s spending too much
61% of Independents think he’s spending too much
