I have a new idea for restructuring our federal government.

Ministers with the power to restrict government activity.

The Minister of Shut Up, for example, has the power to force anyone in government, including the President, to shut up. So when the President says, "My predecessor's failed policies are to blame for the recession," the Minister tells him to shut up. This will greatly increase the quality of our public discourse.

There's also a Minister of Liberty who has the power to overturn or restrict any government action that violates civil liberties, and a Minister of Financial Responsibility that can veto any spending that isn't covered by revenues.

Now, here's the important part: obviously, these positions are only as useful...Read the rest >>

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This picture was taken at the end of the Kirkland 4th of July parade.  (Love the hula hoop on the right, and the little dog on the left.)

Isaacs has a fascinating personal history.

Isaacs, 64, who was born and began raising his family in Jamaica, recalls being forced to leave by the rampant crime and oppressive taxes and business regulation that he says followed the election of a socialist government in the 1970s after the island achieved independence from England in 1962.

"It was a 'blood and thunder' time," Isaacs said.  "If you were a member of the other...

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In 2008, you could have made a good argument that the Republican party was in serious trouble, just by looking at Gallup's party ID, by state.   Since then, thanks mostly, in my opinion, to President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Majority Leader Reid, the Republicans have gained in every state, except Mississippi.  (In both 2008 and 2010, Democrats had a 1 point edge in Mississippi.)

That doesn't mean that the Republicans are now the majority party, but that they can be competitive in almost every state, with the right candidates and the right issues.  Here's Gallup's somewhat confusing summary

Solidly Democratic states tend to cluster in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with a few exceptions in the far...

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Sam Taylor over at The Bellingham Herald quotes a John Koster press release titled "Larsen Votes to Create Permanent Bailout Culture."

Taylor says, "I've already blogged on here that the truth is far different, that the verbatim language of the measure sets up mechanisms for the institutions themselves to pay for any restructuring (not taxpayers). The New York Times also has a good, in-depth piece on how that restructuring works, too, over here."

But the problem is that -- as that very New York Times piece clearly points out -- "The bill will still allow the government to fashion ad hoc remedies in the case of a failing financial institution. ... [I]t appears there is...Read the rest >>

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My candidate for Congress in WA-2, Republican John Koster, pointed out today that the infamously crooked Charlie Rangel has, according to OpenSecrets, contributed $24,000 to incumbent Democrat Rick Larsen. Larsen is tied for receiving the 15th most money, out of the entire Congress, from Rangel.

That can't be good for Larsen.

According to FEC reports, over the last decade Rangel's National Leadership PAC gave Larsen $17,000, and Rangel's candidate committee gave Larsen another $7,000.

Could be worse, though; he could've received $24,000 from Nancy Pelosi, too. Oh wait: he did (from her candidate committee and her "PAC to the Future").

I kid. I think tying Larsen to Pelosi is a. accurate, and b. will justifiably hurt...Read the rest >>

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I'd be happy to post your denial here.  (Confessions you'll have to do without my help, but I might link to them, depending on their quality and honesty.)