George W. Bush Speaks Out Against President Trump

Well, at least someone has a backbone.

There’s Only One Right Side In Trump’s Unjustified War On The News Media

There are two sides in this war between Trump and the media, but only one of them is the right side.

Appeals Court Upholds Restraining Order Barring Trump’s Muslim Travel Ban

Another judicial slap at the Trump Administration.

Trump Names Judge Neil Gorsuch To Supreme Court

With a relatively smooth announcement, Donald Trump has named a solid and qualified conservative who will likely be confirmed to the nation’s highest court.

More on Megaprojects

Megaprojects are not a partisan thing. Megaprojects are large projects typically costing more than $1 billion and often tens of billions of dollars and impacting the lives of tens of thousands of people if not millions.

The Deep Significance and Importance of NAFTA

As with so many things, the President is demonstrating that he really doesn’t know what he is doing.

The New Trump Tax

Yet more incoherent economic policy from the Tweeter in Chief. A border tax will mean that Americans will undoubtedly pay for at least part of the Great Wall of Trump™.

Women’s March Draws Record Crowds: So Now What?

A movement motivated by hurt and fear turned into a political force eight years ago. Can another follow suit?

The Most Dreadful Inaugural Address in History

A speech traditionally used to unite was instead a continuation of a divisive campaign.

Obama Commutes Chelsea Manning’s Sentence

A potentially controversial commutation from President Obama today.

A “Republic v. Democracy” Lexicon

Concepts, basic applications, and even a bibliography! Merry Festivus, everyone.

Some Additional Thoughts on the Faithless

The number of faithless electors was both historical and trivial.

An Entry for “Dictatorship for Dummies”

Trump will maintain some level of private security once in office.

No, The Electoral College Is Not Unconstitutional

Wherein a law professor makes the absurd argument that the Electoral College, which exists pursuant to the Constitution, is unconstitutional.

More EC Fun

Term Limits Only A Partial Solution To The Problems Plaguing Congress

Congressional term limits are a good idea, but they are only a partial solution at best and may not be the best solution to the problems facing our political system.

Trump’s Tweet on “Illegal Voting” Encapsulates Serious Problems

Those who voted for him thinking he would be guided or controlled by more sober individuals or that he would start acting presidential once elected: you were wrong.

Fidel Castro Dead At 90

One of the Cold War era’s last dictators has finally died.

Electoral College Fantasies

No, the EC is not going to elect Clinton.

Gratitude for the Art of Losing Graciously

Democracy produces good rulers, right?  Sometimes.  What good democracies actually produce best is good losers. Let us then be grateful for gracious losers, for our losers no less than our winners carry forward the American experiment in self-rule.  

Trump, Hamilton, and the Presidency

If one believes the electoral college is awesome, one cannot make an argument from the position of “the wisdom of the Founders” nor from a viewpoint based on original intent.

A Second First Impression: Greetings!

In which I use a lot of words to say hello.

Normalizing Hysteria

Donald Trump is not Adolf Hitler. But that’s not the standard.

After Election Losses, Democrats Battle For Some Top Leadership Positions

In what seems like a replay of the primary battle between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, some top Democratic Party leadership positions may be in jeopardy.

No, The Democratic Party Is Not ‘Decimated’

Reports of the demise of the Democratic Party have been greatly exaggerated.

Counter-Point: The ‘Popular Vote’ is Relevant

The President-elect lost the popular vote. Legally, that is the way that is it. This is a disgrace for “the Greatest Democracy in the World.”

Trump And Obama Continue A Long And Important Tradition

Despite resentments, power will transition peacefully from President Obama to President Trump. We should be thankful for that rather than protesting it.

Trump Victory Spawns National Freak-Out

Americans are rioting in the streets because they don’t like the outcome of a democratic election.

Donald Trump Defies Pollsters, Pundits, And The Odds To Become 45th U.S. President

Defying the odds and the polls, Donald Trump triumphed over Hillary Clinton to become the 45th President of the United States.

Bill Maher’s Mea Culpa

With Donald Trump on the ballot, Bill Maher regrets some past words. He shouldn’t be the only one.

A Stunning Contrast

Obama v. Trump in handling protesters at rallies (and a helping of untruth from Trump).

Third Presidential Debate Marked By Trump’s Refusal To Accept Election Result

For better or worse, the third Presidential debate will largely be remembered for one thing.

Podesta, Wikileaks, and Catholics

Wherein an initial attempt to understand something seen on Facebook leads to ruminations on religious liberty.

Is Nuance Still Possible in American Politics?

Damon Linker writes, “Millions of people disagree with your political views. That doesn’t make them moral monsters.”

On Referenda

This Election May Not be as Weird as we Think

Political Science research suggests that the election is, in basic ways, about what we would expect.

Trump’s Dangerous ‘Rigged Election’ Nonsense

The Republican nominee is threatening our fragile democracy.

On the Potential Global Consequences of a Trump Presidency

The reputation of the US matters in global affairs.

Trump was Right

Libertarians Are to Blame for Donald Trump’s Racialized Rhetoric?

The idea that Donald Trump has gotten his racialized rhetoric from libertarians is simply errant nonsense. The libertarian view, broadly speaking, is not defined by Murray Rothbard, Llewellyn Rockwell, and Ron Paul and those who share their views. This is but a small and even fringe group of what could be called the libertarian community.

“Compassionate” Protectionism

There’s nothing compasssionate about protectionism.

More Irresponsible Rhetoric from Trump

Basic trust in process is essential for democratic governance to function and major party nominees ought not be undercutting that trust for cynical gain.

Federal Courts Strike Down Voter ID Laws In Wisconsin, North Carolina

Big losses for proponents of Voter ID laws in two swing states.