The People’s Budget

The People’s Budget is an alternative budget put forward by the co-chairs of the 80-member Congressional Progressive Caucus. In contrast to the Ryan and Obama budget plans, it is humane, responsible, and sensible, reflecting the true values of the American people and the real needs of our struggling economy. The far-Right, Ayn Rand inspired plan…

Using back channels: LBJ and Barack Obama

Jeff Greenfield’s historical novel, Then Everything Changed, is a collection of actual facts and plausible alternatives to facts. Without divulging too much about the book, the first of his three “what might have beens” involved Lyndon Johnson becoming president in 1960. Johnson knew that he was considered somewhat of a southern country bumpkin by many…

“Birther” bills: alive & dead in state legislatures

Once again, Arizona is leading the way—backwards. On April 14, 2011, the Arizona legislature passed HB 2177, a “birther” bill that would require presidential and vice-presidential candidates to produce documents proving they are natural-born citizens. Among documents considered legit, in addition to birth certificates,are: an early baptismal certificate, circumcision certificate, hospital birth record, postpartum medical…

The courage to raise taxes

Walter Mondale. Are you excited yet? Many Americans will not recognize his name. He served as Jimmy Carter’s Vice-President from 1977-1981 and was the Democratic nominee for president in in 1984. You might say that he is charisma challenged. But as best we can tell, there’s no correlation between charisma and intelligence. Walter Mondale had,…