Outside the Beltway

The left-right divide is worse than it has been in decades, and we’re paying the price.

Parties described as “far right” or “extreme right” have done very well in Europe’s most recent elections.

Some thoughts and links about the ongoing turmoil in Venezuela.

Congress is historically polarized.

President Obama easily won re-election last night, carrying virtually all of the battleground states. Meanwhile, abortion, gay marriage, and recreational marijuana also won big.

David Brooks tries to “describe what being a moderate means” in a way that most Americans would find puzzling.

Republicans think they found the smoking gun of the 2012 election. They’re kidding themselves.

So, Mitt Romney opened his mouth again.

Paul Ryan did what he needed to do last night, but in the long run his speech will be lost to history.

National Republicans aren’t at all thrilled with Todd Akin right now.

Since Israel’s system is far more “socialist” by American rhetorical standards, I am not sure what his point was.

“The average Canadian has quietly become richer than the average American,” claims a pro-Canada organization.

Why have so few Republicans stood up to condemn Allen West?

The old have most of the money and power in our society, a trend that is accelerating.

Hugo Chavez has built a state on cronyism.

Rick Santorum sounds like someone applying for a job in a religious institution, not someone running to be the President of the United States.

If Romney loses in November, it could be the start of a bitter fight insider the Republican Party.

If the Right clings to the belief that President Obama isn’t just wrong, but evil, it will likely end up handing the election to him.

Understanding the state of the GOP field requires recognizing that President Obama is actually pretty moderate.