I Hit the Mute Button
For the next six weeks we will face a plague of TV ads designed to make us vote one way or another. I usually hit the mute button on my remote when I see one coming...
Tagged: US 2014 elections
Don’t Blame Burger King
It’s futile to rail against Burger King for planning to merge with the Tim Hortons chain and move to Canada. Tell the truth, wouldn’t you do the same kind of thing if you...
The Impeachment Election
You might think the November election has nothing to do with the President. Whoever wins, he still has two years to serve. But does he really? Don’t bet on it. It’s becoming clear...
Government by the Few
The truth is that American elections are not determined by the mass of the nation’s citizens. About half of the qualified voters go to the polls. And who they get to vote for is predetermined...
John Boehner’s Bluff
House Speaker John Boehner says he is going to sue President Obama. For what exactly? For… well, he will figure that out later, but it will have something to do with executive orders and...
Every Trick in the Book
There’s an old saying, “buyer beware.” And in America, it should be “voter beware.” Yes, I’ve seen some dirty tricks in Jamaican elections. And I bet you could find them anywhere democracy is practiced. But...
Americans Will Not Let Children Starve
The Republican crusade against food stamps is just another silly game designed to show how tough they are. Like so many of the bills spewed forth by the House of Representatives recently, the proposed...
Crazies Threaten Government Shutdown. Again.
I don’t often agree with John McCain. But when he calls Ted Cruz and Rand Paul “wacko-birds,” I won’t argue with him. He might have added Utah senator Mike Lee to the flock. And...
As America Changes, the GOP goes in Reverse
An old ditty is echoing in my brain today. It goes something like this: “When the race was run that day, Sparkplug went the other way. Barney Google with the goo-goo-googley eyes.” I don’t...
Racism is (Still) a Fact of Life in US Politics
Whenever some pundit mentions the obvious racism underlying American politics, you hear reproachful cries about “playing the race card.” It’s as if there’s some gentleman’s agreement not to mention the ugly truth, to pretend...