Issues
The Mysterious East
Thirty years before Governor Perdue’s trip to Asia, I went with Governor Hunt on the first trip by a North Carolina governor to China. That was not long after the fall of the Gang of Four. We saw “Democracy Wall” in Beijing where people could post and read news. But censorship was still…
Read MoreA Real Peace Prize
It’s scary when Carter and I agree. But he’s right about Afghanistan (see his blog below). President Obama can start earning that Nobel Prize by vetoing General McChrystal’s request for 40,000 more soldiers. History teaches us to respect the courage of American military men and women. The supposed genius of generals – not…
Read MoreHere’s How Government Works
Money’s tight the Democrats in Raleigh say, so the state’s flailing away to cut health care costs – it’s slashing home care, nursing home care and hospitals. But one group is safe. North Carolina Medicaid spends $1 billion a year on prescription drugs. But North Carolina is one of six states without a Medicaid ‘Preferred…
Read MoreRace and Jimmy Carter
The comic strip Mallard Fillmore – as well as Democrats and Republicans alike – is still beating up on poor Jimmy Carter for speaking the truth about race and President Obama’s critics. Even Bill Clinton piled on. But he’s never been a Carter fan, Carter overstated the case, as he often does.…
Read MoreNorwegians for Obama
It’s hard to fault President Obama for winning the Nobel Peace Prize – after all, he was the first to admit he was as surprised as anyone and, beyond that, he’s giving the money to charity. In the end what else could he do but smile and say, Thank you, politely. There’s also no…
Read MoreThe Beltline Divide
Inside the Beltline may be the place to live. But it wasn’t the place to be in Tuesday’s elections. One new school board member summed it up after Charles Meeker, Jim Goodmon and other prominent people spoke out for the diversity policy: “Do you know who cares about those people? People inside the…
Read MoreFlimsy Perdue
Here’s one reason Bev Perdue has collapsed in the polls: Today’s headline in the News and Observer reads – Perdue Too Busy on Trip to Back Health Reform. The Governor told the press she was too busy on a trip to New York to join other Democratic Governors in signing a letter to support…
Read MoreThe Politics of Resentment
Sometimes I hate to be right. Like on the Wake County school board races. But you could see it coming. Even supporters say the present board has been arrogant and high-handed. Exhibit A: One diversity supporter explained the election by saying, “It’s the result of people not knowing what the issues are.”…
Read MoreEthics or Taxes
Tom Campbell at NC Spin has an interesting alternative to my Perdue Comeback Plan. I suggested she gamble on tax reform. Tom suggests ethics reform. He’s right. She should. But I doubt that gets her far enough. Cynical voters will never believe the stable has been cleaned up. For good reason. Pass a…
Read MoreRepublican Reason
News flash: There are sane Republicans! Tommy Thompson, Bill Frist and Michael Bloomberg (sort of a Republican) all say they like the health-care bill emerging in the Senate. Of course, none of them can vote there. If they did, the GOP Jacobins would take their heads off. Why is Can Obama…
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