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404 results for “the essential question in any political debate”
- Alexander's Column · Mar 11, 2010When Debating a Liberal, Start With First Principles
debating a liberal. Rule Number One: You must define the debate in terms of First Principles , which is to say, you must be able to articulate those principles. (Read Essential … best accomplished by presenting your copy of the Essential Liberty Guide . Another means of framing the debate is to ask your opponent to articulate the difference between constitutional Rule
- Opinion · Mar 10, 2010Transformed -- and Divided
failed in their argument. Their proposal has divided Democrats while uniting Republicans, returned American politics to well-worn ideological ruts, employed legislative tactics that smack of corruption, squandered the president … produced freaks and prodigies of nature such as a Republican senator from Massachusetts, raised questions about the continued governability of America and caused the White House chief of staff
- Opinion · Mar 2, 2010The Life and Death of a Demagogue
deal with rather than having to guess. In his latter years, Jim Johnson’s debating style was prized even by those of us who deplored his ideas, for he stood … finally retired to Whitehaven? Provocation remained the kernel of his political style to the end. The political legacy Jim Johnson left was eventually erased by popular demand
- Alexander's Column · Dec 17, 2009The Time Has Come
American values, and they support all manner of behavior resulting in social entropy. Being debated right now is whether an additional 17 percent of the U.S. economy is going … hyperinflation. Conservatives and liberals can argue various policy points ad nauseam , but the question Americans are asking in greater numbers is this: Are we a nation governed by Rule
- Alexander's Column · Oct 29, 2009‘Nobody Questions That’?
foundation for growth.” In his inaugural speech, Obama declared, “The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works,” signaling … fixated on the superficial parameters of today’s political debates rather than demand an answer to that most essential question: What is the constitutional authority for Obama’s proposals
- Opinion · Oct 28, 2009What Happened to Liberalism?
Frank (D-Mass.) appeared opposite Ralph Nader on “The Ed Schultz Show.” When Nader questioned Frank’s far-left bona fides, Frank quickly responded, “we are trying on every front … atomistic individuals acting solely for their own benefit. Steinbeck’s brand of liberalism made political debate a real possibility. After all, conservatives agree that men are neither angels nor devils
- Opinion · Aug 21, 2009Let’s Be Honest About Death Counseling
remarkable political talent. But there are no “death panels” in the Democratic health care bills, and to say that there are is to debase the debate. We also have … important it is to write your living will years in advance. But the relevant question is what you desire at the end -- when facing death -- not what you felt sometime
- Opinion · Jul 10, 2009The Bankrupt Party of Porkulus
party with two ideas: borrow and spend. The only vigorous internal debate on the left revolves around two questions: How much and how much more? Even as the first trillion … your children and grandchildren. Porkulus One was a massive payoff to special interests and political constituencies (and dead people!) disguised as a job generator. A General Accounting Office analysis this
- Opinion · Apr 1, 2009Declaring War on Catholics
legitimated and enabled pro-choice views, compromising its identity as a Catholic institution. They question the wisdom of the Obama invitation, which they believe adds to that confusion. But some … controversy surrounding the Notre Dame invitation highlights growing strains in an important political relationship. In the last election, while evangelical Christians generally remained loyal to the Republican nominee, Catholics decisively
- Opinion · Jan 27, 2009Gitmo Questions for Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
said, is more complicated than it first appeared. This raises a number of questions, Mr. Gibbs: --How can President Obama credibly maintain that the issue is more complicated than … involved, or did he already know and finesse the issue during the campaign for political purposes? If he didn’t know (and even more so if he did know), doesn
- Alexander's Column · Sep 26, 2008How Democrats Seeded the 2008 Financial Crisis
very large and growing financial institutions which are very effective and are essentially capable of gaining market shares in a very major market to a large extent as a consequence … Bush was not forthcoming as Republican and Democrats debate free market v government solutions, respectively. But, a government solution begs the question, “Is the people’s confidence in their government
- Alexander's Column · Jan 25, 2008Candidate Profile: John McCain
ignoble ranks of “useful idiots.” , Western apologists for socialist political and economic agendas -- essentially, advocates for Marxist-Leninist-Maoist collectivism. Indeed, Sen. McCain has come a long way since … about the problem of global warming.’ Concerning the question of whether human activity is causing catastrophic warming, they said, ‘the debate has ended’.” Will added, “Interesting, is it not, that
- Alexander's Column · Jan 11, 2008Clinton-Obama on Iraq: The Silence is Deafening
course, when pressed for answers on OIF, as they were at last week’s debates in New Hampshire, Clinton and Obama provide answers that will keep linguists and contortionists busy … their political soapbox and Leftmedia sympathies to rally their political base. However the effect of their actions is no different from what it was in Vietnam: Their political gambit greatly
- Alexander's Column · Sep 17, 2007Global Warming: Fact, Fiction and Political Endgame
notes, “As we debate it, journalists should resist the temptation to portray global warming as a morality tale -- as Newsweek did -- in which anyone who questions its gravity or proposed … expect that to stop Democrats from milking every last drop of political capital from this debate. Talk of carbon credits and other nonsense is really all about campaign coffers -- holding
- Alexander's Column · Aug 3, 2007OIF: Good news is bad for surrender monkeys
Pollack write, “Viewed from Iraq ... the political debate in Washington is surreal. The Bush administration has over four years lost essentially all credibility. Yet now the administration’s critics … Senate Leader Harry Reid very concerned that their “defeat and retreat” political folly may backfire. Asked about the political implications should commanding Gen. David Petraeus report significant progress during
- Alexander's Column · Jul 7, 2006Constitutional Exegesis v. Eisegesis
most degenerative form. Just as the problem of biblical and constitutional eisegesis is essentially the same, so too is the solution. For centuries, a fundamental guiding principle has directed proper … Constitution, the concept is easily applied. The Separation Clause certainly calls Marbury into question, and the Tenth Amendment contradicts the Roper decision, not to mention Roe v. Wade
- Alexander's Column · Apr 21, 2006General Discontent
their support for a political party. At least retired Marine colonel, Rep. John Murtha, had the integrity to do that. But the six officers in question have made no such … debate are essential at all levels and in proper forums if we are to one day achieve victory in the Long War against Jihadi terror. Of such debate, Dwight Eisenhower
- Alexander's Column · Apr 7, 2006E pluribus unum? A Nation No More
because the issue has no clear political consensus. The only contemporary comparison to the cross-party divisiveness of immigration is the recent debate over Dubai Ports World management … manufactured by opportunists in both parties, the immigration debate is all too real -- this isn’t just another flash in the political pan. President Bush has charged Congress with taking
- Alexander's Column · Oct 8, 2004John Kerry: More ‘aid and comfort’
useful idiot” (Western apologists for socialist political and economic agendas -- essentially, advocates for Marxist-Leninist-Maoist collectivism. in contemporary politics). Ion Mihai Pacepa, the highest-ranking intelligence officer ever … killed in larger numbers because of the political dissent Kerry and his ilk are fomenting. During Tuesday night’s vice-presidential debate, John Edwards unwittingly provided the evidence for this
- Alexander's Column · Oct 1, 2004‘We will not waver’
those same words some half dozen times over the course of the 90-minute debate, so we just can’t resist saying it: “Methinks he doth protest too much … about because I know what it means to lose people in combat. And the question, ‘Is it worth the cost?,’ reminds me of my own thinking when I came back