How Can the U.S. Constitutional System Cope When Big Fracking Bucks mean Big Toxin Dumping?

With New Forms of Toxic Waste from the Fracking Bonanza Piling Up, What Must Be Done? I really like the PBS documentary mini-series Constitution USA, because it brings forward the constitutional arguments that are so relevant to the problems we face in our country today.  It explores a worthy cross-section of important legal/constitutional debates with … Continue reading “How Can the U.S. Constitutional System Cope When Big Fracking Bucks mean Big Toxin Dumping?”

In a Nutshell: America’s Regulatory Octopus and Non-working Toilets

Part of a new series, “In a Nutshell,” in which I try to explain an idea in 500 words or less. When the tentacles of regulation clog your toilet The Commerce Clause of Article I of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power “To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the … Continue reading “In a Nutshell: America’s Regulatory Octopus and Non-working Toilets”

The Accursed 113th Congress: Are Our Democratic Institutions Broken?

ac·cursed 1: being under or as if under a curse 2: damnable Source: Merriam-Webster’s dictionary – accursed I am probably one of the few bloggers who would notice our worst. Congress. ever. is also the 113th Congress, and feel a gut feeling that the correlation isn’t really… entirely coincidental.  Too many horrendous events have happened … Continue reading “The Accursed 113th Congress: Are Our Democratic Institutions Broken?”

The Closing Arguments For America’s Future Before The New Hampshire Primary

Just 10 hours after the debate Saturday night sponsored by St. Anselm College and ABC News, there was another debate put on by NBC’s Meet the Press and Facebook. They’re trying to pack in as many debates as possible before the New Hampshire primary Tuesday.  You can watch the Meet the Press Republican Candidates Debate … Continue reading “The Closing Arguments For America’s Future Before The New Hampshire Primary”

Video Blog: Islamic Center on Park Place: Guy in Neighborhood Responds

I’m that guy in the neighborhood. Believe it or not, we live in an apartment only 6-8 blocks or so north of the disputed Park51 site, so this is about MY NEIGHBORHOOD and I feel I’m a direct stakeholder in this controversy, so I should weigh in. Knowledge of the neighborhood, and of the culture … Continue reading “Video Blog: Islamic Center on Park Place: Guy in Neighborhood Responds”

When Government Won’t Even Let You Choose What’s For Dinner

Raw Food Police: When Government Won’t Even Let You Choose What’s For Dinner This is the ultimate unacceptable act by a nanny state+police state gone awry. Police Begin “Guns Drawn” Raids on Organic Food Stores in California LA Times: Raw-food raid (features actual surveillance video of the police storming an organic grocery store, pointing guns … Continue reading “When Government Won’t Even Let You Choose What’s For Dinner”

Nick’s Essay on America’s Decline, with Big Solutions (long)

I’ve been away for quite some time, I know, but I haven’t stopped thinking about public policy and the way things are going. They aren’t going well. I followed the health care reform debate with a magnifying glass throughout, and came away deeply disgusted in both the final product and the process that made that … Continue reading “Nick’s Essay on America’s Decline, with Big Solutions (long)”

The Serfs Are Getting Restive

Here’s a fun history tidbit I gleaned from the latest Hardcore History podcast: The Black Plague and the drastic changes it wrought on society, on supply and demand, on everything, had an incalculably deep impact on history. One thing it spurred was the English Peasants’ Revolt, aka the Great Rising of 1381, the 626th anniversary … Continue reading “The Serfs Are Getting Restive”

U.S. Attorneys Scandal: The Media Is Missing The Point

The media, the pundits, the blogosphere is abuzz about the firings of the eight U.S. attorneys. As usual, most everyone is missing the point. The Senate Democrats are saying “were the firings politically motivated?” Of course they were, the documents even admit this. Move on to the crucial questions, you fools. The Republicans are saying … Continue reading “U.S. Attorneys Scandal: The Media Is Missing The Point”

Is Constitutional Government Dead?

Is Constitutional Government Dead? A Look Back At That Quiant Document While I’ve recently been ranting against “mainstream American culture” as being evil, because it’s become dominated by Fox News and Britney Spears, I do love this country. I love America because it’s based not on shared origins or royal blood, but on wonderful ideas, … Continue reading “Is Constitutional Government Dead?”

Compromise On Torture?

Government Sanctioned Immorality Reaching Scary Proportions Okay, we have a President of The United States of America, leader of the free world, who is pulling out all the stops to get a bill allowing more leeway on torture through Congress. This should be incredibly shocking to all of you. This post is Nick ranting about … Continue reading “Compromise On Torture?”