Standardized Sentencing Has Never Worked … And Never Will.

The controversy over the sentencing of Paul Manafort has raised the perennial problem in the dishing out of justice – how to make the system fairer and more uniform. Most justice is meted out locally. The cultural and political standards of specific communities can differ widely – and create both the appearance and reality of unfairness. We saw this in the extreme during the days of slavery and southern segregation when Democrat judges imposed the harshest sentences on Negroes just because they were. Racial inequities are still found in our…

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Politics Of Absurdity Is Beginning Early Regarding Trump

It would seem that one of the most pressing questions of the day is whether President Trump can be re-elected in 2020. Presidential candidate-in-waiting Joe Biden suggests that if the Democrats overplay their hand – especially the impeachment card – Trump could get re-elected. Former GOP House Speaker Paul Ryan has recently indicated that it is possible Trump could lose the 2020 election. Yes, folks. It’s True. It is possible Trump could be re-elected or he could be defeated. It is also POSSIBLE that trump could be impeached and removed…

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Work Of The People Is Not Happening In Washington

When you look at the congressional calendar for 2019, it is difficult not to have mixed feelings.  It all depends on whether you subscribe the Founders’ concept of a part-time legislature composed of people from all walks of life or the more modern notion of a full-time legislature composed mostly of lawyers as political professionals. The one thing that can be factually determined is that our national legislature does not like to hang around Washington too often.  According to the 2019 Legislative Calendar, the Republican-led Senate will be in session…

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Impeachment on front burner for Democrats

In a previous commentary, I handicapped the impeachment of President Trump at around 99 percent.  I was being conservative.  For obvious reasons, Democrats are denying any obsession to impeach Trump.  They claim that their main focus will be on policy and issues – an agenda for America.  That is nonsense. Impeachment is the number one objective of the House Democrats – including a number who have made no secret of their desire to impeach.  They have longed for it –and actually called for it – even before Trump took the…

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Everything you need to know about lobbyists

There is no part of our public policy establishment that is more demonized than THE LOBBYIST.  Nary a kind word is said about them and they are virtually always portrayed as evil, conniving, ruthless, heartless, greedy, dishonest, corrupt … well, you get the idea.  Just as Wall Street has become synonymous for banking, Madison Avenue for advertising and Broadway for theater, Washington’s K Street is the collective reference to lobbyists. According to common lore, they influence our legislators against the interests of we the people.  They are deemed to have…

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Obama care provides insurance people cannot afford

From its introduction in Congress, the Affordable Care Act (nee Obamacare) has been the subject of controversy.  It was sold to the public – and to a lot of members of Congress – on the improbable promises that all the uninsured would get good health coverage at a low cost – and any one could keep their doctor.  None of that turned out to be true. To make it even marginally viable, the law had to force everyone to purchase an Obamacare health plan or face a fine.  The less…

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McCabe, a treacherous coup-plotter

Former Deputy FBI Director – and temporary acting Director – Andrew McCabe has broken his silence to explain who and why he initiated an obstruction of justice investigation against the President of the United States.  According to him, he and others in the top ranks of the FBI – including Director James Comey, who had just been fired – were deeply concerned that President Trump had gained office with the conspiratorial assistance of the Russian government. In out takes from his upcoming ABC’s 60 Minutes interview, McCabe branded himself as…

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The Black Face Mystery

One can see where mockingly wearing blackface can be seen as offensive to many people – black and white. Besides, any accusations of sexual assault – rape – must be taken seriously. Rape is among the most serious crimes while putting on blackface as a party costume is in very poor taste, but not a crime. Both activities, however, have resulted in calls for Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and Attorney General Mark Herring to step down because of their youthful antics in going to costume events in blackface. And Lt.…

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Trump changed strategy too soon … can still win.

All the hysteria on both sides over President Trump’s decision to provide an intermission in the government shutdown versus border barrier funding is misplaced.  This game is not over, and neither side should be calling the outcome. This was not – at least not yet – a capitulation on the part of the President.  As I opined in other commentaries, Trump may have seen this as bringing the shutdown back from the edge of crisis, getting the federal workers pay up to day and appearing to be flexible on portions…

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Ginsburg, Trump and Catholic kids

What do Justice Ginsburg, Donald Trump and Catholic school boys have in common? Answer: They have all been disserved by irresponsible – and even reckless – media reporting. Justice Ginsburg The first was an embarrassing accident by FOX News. They put up a graphic that suggested the demise of ailing Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It was one of those screens that show the image of a person, their name and TWO dates – in this case “1933 – 2019.”: It is the iconic television graphic associated with the…

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