1964 redux?
Back in 1964, the GOP presidential contest had far fewer candidates than it does today but the tenor and debate mirrors much of what is happening the in the Republican primary now. Back then, New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller was the leading establishment...
State of oligarchy
In North Carolina, for those with very rich friends, campaign finance laws no longer matter. According to a recent ruling by the state board of election, outside groups funded by wealthy donors can now coordinate directly with campaigns. The law does not apply to...
Creeping American fascism
I generally disregard any politician, operative or pundit who calls people Nazis or fascists because it’s almost always over-the-top hyperbole. However, the tone of the Trump campaign certainly sounds and looks a lot like the early days of the Nazis and Mussolini’s...
Quid pro quo
Quid pro quo-something that is given to you or done for you in return for something you have given to or done for someone else. Merriam-Webster dictionary On Wednesday, the legislature held a Gov Ops meeting. In it, they reviewed the sordid tale of the prison contract...
Refugee politics
Kevin Drum of Mother Jones does a good job of summarizing the politics of the Syrian refugee crisis. In the wake of the Paris attacks, people are legitimately scared. More attacks could be coming and terrorist cells might be operating anywhere. The flood of people...
Corruption and cronyism
Republicans came to power in 2010 and 2012 complaining about the cronyism and petty corruption of Democrats in Raleigh. They had a point. Democrats had too many people hanging around state government who were getting too many favors. We heard about sweetheart land...
Echoes of Southern demagogues
The terrorist attacks in Paris have shown how divided we are as a country. Yesterday, President Obama said in a speech that sending in ground troops to defeat Daesh is not the answer. He also said that the United States would not turn its back on Syrian refugees....
The looming conflict
The attacks in Paris were awful. They shattered any sense of security the French have felt since the Charlie Hebdo massacre and they left the rest of the western world on edge. For Democrats, the attacks are bad news politically. The reactionary response by many...
A new narrative for public education
North Carolina Democrats seem poised to make education the centerpiece of the 2016 campaign. And why not? Per pupil spending is among the lowest in the nation, teachers are leaving for other professions or other states, and teacher pay has slipped far below the...
Learn the language
Democrats have suffered crushing defeats in the past few midterm elections. Since Obama was elected, Republicans have gained control of a majority of governorships, both Houses of Congress and picked up 900 legislative seats. But, Democrats say, we win when people...
