Liberty, but on MY terms
from Cows and Graveyards by Steven Maloney
The assumption of the piece is then revealed for what it is: a closet case for moral authoritarianism. The only way that “do your own thing” reduces to “every man for himself” is if one has the belief that the only proper way to understand how to properly care for others comes from the moral instruction of some sort of authority that claims a right to tell you the correct answers. But this is the opposite way of how to come to correct answers.
Catch a break
from Barataria by Erik Hare
The term “Depression” to describe the economic condition we find ourselves in, has gained tremendously in popular description. The big media generally shies away from it still, but people know better. It’s a word that commands action and decisive leadership lurking just behind the paralyzing fear and languid caution that it bubbles to the surface. But there has been almost no leadership.
The unofficial backgrounder for getting to know Tim Pawlenty
from Wry Wing Politics by Joe Loveland
For the national news media scurrying to cover Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty’s impending Vice Presidential nomination by Mitt Romney, here are a few facts that may not be included in the Romney for President news release.
Romney is perplexed about why we can’t relate to Bain
from mnpACT! Progressive Political Blog by Dave Mindeman
Mitt Romney lives in a world that the average person could not possibly relate to. American workers don’t get paid $100,000 for doing nothing. Most can’t conceive of even getting a salary like that for what they are doing now, much less thinking of that kind of money as some kind of chump change bonus for being a former partner.
Organizations list top science & environmental questions Obama, Romney should tackle
from Neorenaissance by Shawn Lawrence Otto
This should be a no-brainer at this point. Candidates debate the economy even though they are not economists, foreign policy even though they’re not diplomats or generals, and faith and values even though they are not priests or pastors. They should also be debating the big science and, often, environmental questions that have equal or greater impact on voters’ lives.
Inequality, education and innovation: U.S. higher on the first, slipping on the other two
from Growth & Justice Blog by Dane Smith
The U.S. has dropped to 10th on the Global Innovaton Index, behind nations such as Sweden, Finland, Denmark, the U.K. and the Netherlands, all with much superior economic security entitlement. The index is an annual analysis published by Insead, an international business school, and the World Intellectual Property Organization, a United Nations Agency. The index is comprehensive and takes into account dozens of factors, including business sophistication, human capital and research, and creative output.
What the money means in MN-8 DFL primary
from Minnesota Brown by Aaron Brown
I wish money weren’t such an overwhelming influence on American politics. I intend to change that. And, to ensure that I do, please send me a check for $2,300. Oh, yes. I’ll take your calls when I win. We’re friends now!
MinnesotaCare: a model for Obamacare?
from Poultry & Prose by Susan Maricle
As an advocate of single-payer health coverage, I like MinnesotaCare. It has a few glitches, but once they’re identified and fixed the program could be the model for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. (“Obamacare” is a term I’ve come to embrace. A one-of-a-kind program shouldn’t be known by an acronym, ACA, that is shared by millions of other organizations.)
Wow: Election amendment opponents outraise supporters
from MNpublius by Jeff Rosenberg
With a leg up in the money race, and with the aid of an improved, more accurate title to the amendment, I’m starting to think amendment opponents have a chance. I’ll admit to being skeptical previously, but if they can really get their message out, and if the amendment appears on the ballot without biased, misleading language, the race could be up for grabs.
