Outside the Beltway

Whether it’s a “Ponzi Scheme” or not, Social Security has serious systemic problems that must be addressed.

A Wisconsin DOT official sent out a memo telling DMV staffers not to volunteer the availability of free voter identification cards.

Not surprisingly, there was very little about the President’s jobs speech to write home about.

Rick Perry took a stroll down the third rail of American politics last night.

Both Virginia lawsuits challenging the Affordable Care Act have been dismissed by a Federal Appeals Court.

There was a somewhat disturbing moment during last night’s GOP Debate.

America is discovering that throwing money at an industry in the hope it will create jobs doesn’t work.

Governor, that analogy does not mean what you think it means.

There were eight people on the stage last night, but the GOP field has narrowed significantly.

Last night’s GOP debate was a two-man affair.

President Obama’s approval ratings are at an all-time low. Only 33% of whites and 48% of Hispanics approve. He’s still at 84% among blacks.

The 1980 debate between Reagan and Bush compared to the GOP primary debates in 2011 is flabbergasting.

Rick Perry’s big mistake may have been putting his opinions about Social Security on paper.

Mitt Romney’s jobs plan is detailed, but it doesn’t seem to be impressing anyone.

The Sarah Palin bloom seems to be off the rose.

Democrats are fearing the President’s jobs plan will be underwhelming. Based on initial reports, it looks like their fears are well-placed.

Richard Cohen reports that people like Richard Cohen have lost their enthusiasm for Barack Obama.

51.5 percent of Americans disapprove of President Obama’s job performance. It’s still his race to lose.

Assuming that the President is easy to beat could cause Republicans to move too far to the right.

With most of the public looking at the future and not seeing anything good, the President is suffering

Why was the ATF allowing thousands of weapons to be smuggled to Mexican drug gangs?

Is the GOP race really down to just two men at this point?

The Solyndra case is a classic example of what’s wrong with “government investment.”

It never ceases to amaze me how many smart people manage to believe, against all evidence to the contrary, that their political philosophy has massive support.

Workers account for 80% of the Postal Service budget vs. 53% at UPS and 32% at FedEx.

Madison argued that the people were the ultimate authority.

No matter how weak he becomes, no President will ever be completely irrelevant to the political process.

Many seem to forget that it was the states that had to ratify the 17th Amendment.

Let’s see if there is evidence to support the assertion.

What does the apparent outcome of the war in Libya mean for the so-called “Responsibility To Protect” doctrine?

Sarah Palin’s much-anticipated Tea Party speech in Iowa was, in the end, much ado about nothing.

Rick Perry’s position on immigration-related issues could be a problem for the same conservatives who have been getting behind him.