Polly: He’s a socialist but he doesn’t like people. Brian: Nor do I, much. Polly: You’re a conservative. You don’t have to. — From “Getting On,” by Alan Bennett WASHINGTON — This, one of the pleasures of being a conservative, is not for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 28. She recently won the Democratic nomination — effectively, election […]
Op-Eds
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Abolish ICE — a foolhardy idea whose time has come
There are few things more powerful in politics than a dumb idea whose time has come. This accounts for the seemingly inexorable momentum of the rallying cry, “Abolish ICE,” which has rapidly gone from fantastical left-wing cause to mainstream Democratic issue embraced by prospective presidential candidates. The great advantage of “Abolish ICE” is precisely its […]
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Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Lopez Obrador can't speed up Mexico's economy
With the election of Andrés Manuel López Obrador as president of Mexico, the perennial question resurfaces: Might Mexico see a higher rate of growth? Its economy has grown at a rate of about 2 percent per year for about a quarter century, about half the pace of other emerging nations. The sad reality is that […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Democrats are powerless to block Trump's Supreme Court nominee
WASHINGTON — As President Trump prepares to announce his replacement for retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, Democrats are desperate to block the president’s nominee — but are powerless to so. They have no one to blame but themselves. Let’s take a moment to recall the sordid 15-year history of Democratic miscalculations that brought […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
We need to think outside the pail and help dairy farmers
When the food bank in Anchorage received a trailer-load of pickles in 5-gallon pails, it was clear that things had gone sour. The food bank needed produce and dairy, not pickles galore. That started a round of talks among food-bank managers and suppliers, a round of talks that led to an unusual solution. The free […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Janus decision upsets union balance
In a stunning decision on June 27, the U.S. Supreme Court, in the case of Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, held it a violation of First Amendment free speech to legally compel public sector employees to pay fees to unions which represent them in collective bargaining and grievance proceedings. The […]
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Now I know how the Gipper felt
“I didn’t leave the Democratic Party. The party left me.” — Ronald Reagan Now I know how the Gipper felt. Once upon a time, you see, I thought I was a little bit conservative. Mind you, I could never side with the right on social justice matters like the treatment of LGBT Americans, African-Americans and […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Trump wants US allies to pay for protection
It’s increasingly clear that U.S. President Donald Trump isn’t really confused about how the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s funding really works. Rather, he doesn’t care, because he wants a different global security system from the current one. In Trump’s vision, the U.S. is a global enforcer who will only protect those who pay for it. […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
U.S. military bases now being used to scare away migrants.
This week, military bases in Texas are pitching tents and preparing facilities to house thousands of Mexican and Central American migrants. They have done this before. In fact, the military has housed refugee populations multiple times over the past 60 years. What is different is why these bases are gearing up to host another round […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Don’t let veto kill bill to help Mainers with hearing loss
Hearing loss is a common challenge that can have a profoundly negative effect on an individual’s life. It can lead to increased stress and isolation and, over time, impact memory and learning, job performance and relationships. Despite its serious nature, too many Mainers with hearing loss can’t get the help they need. That’s why I […]