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Defending free speech should be a slam dunk

The principles of freedom of speech and freedom of association are wonderful, as long as you only speak acceptable speech and only associate with acceptable people. Once you stray from the narrow path, you should lose those rights. Right? Of course not. That is an incredibly short-sighted and foolish position. Unfortunately, it seems to be […]

How about some caution in court of public opinion

Between the horrific shootings in Ohio and Texas and Jeffrey Epstein’s apparent suicide, much of the news cycle and public debate has been caught up in the reaction. It is understandable.  When innocent people lose their lives because of maniacal gun violence, policy proposals flow forth. When an individual accused of horrific sex crimes — […]

The government we deserve should sometimes say “No”

One of the most difficult — yet most necessary — things in politics is telling your supporters “no.”  You beseech everyone for votes and contributions during campaigns, hoping to receive enough of each to earn electoral success.  If it works, you take office; those supporters then proffer their preferred policy prescriptions to the issues of […]

The unspirited approach of taxing sin 

Notre Dame catching fire during Holy Week is a tragedy, but also presents a potential parallel. In the Gospel of John, Jesus told his disciples that he would destroy the Temple and rebuild it in 3 days. It foreshadowed His resurrection, rather than the earthly rebuilding of a physical structure. There is probably an analogy and […]

Blame Congress for the wall

“The President’s order does not direct that a congressional policy be executed in a manner prescribed by Congress — it directs that a presidential policy be executed in a manner prescribed by the President.” That line is from a famous Supreme Court decision known as Youngstown Steel. It was part of an opinion against President […]

Tribalism is not patriotism

That didn’t last long. John McCain was laid to rest last weekend. Regardless of your opinion on his politics, he was lauded as someone who tried to put the nation’s best interest first. That is why he was eulogized by two former presidents, who each bested him en route to the White House (with supporters […]