In a decision issued today, the US Supreme Court removed all restrictions on corporate campaign spending. For details check out the New York Times, CNN, Washington Post, or read the Supreme Court Opinion. In a bitterly disputed 5-4 decision, the Court struck down critical parts of the McLain Feingold Campaign Finance Law. Overturning at least two precedents, the majority held that the First Amendment prohibited restricting how much corporate money could be poured into campaign coffers. The 1-vote majority is a legacy of the Bush Administration. Former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor had voted to uphold campaign finance limits in 2003.... Continue reading

I'm disgusted to the point of being ill. The flat out political bribe given to Senator Ben Nelson (D-Neb) to get his support for the Senate Health Care Bill stinks. It is a stark example of why people hate politics. In the end, it will hurt health care and it will hurt the public's confidence in Congress and all office holders. Most of all, this shameless political bribe is self-destructive to the Democratic Party. Whether or not health care passes, this "deal" severely damages the view of Independents and even some Democrats that the Democratic Party is capable of providing... Continue reading

Sen Richard Lugar has tried to sound a "reasoned" approach of delaying the health care debate for a full year while Congress deals with the issues of the budge and Afghanistan. It's disappointing to see such a distinguished senator taking such a devious approach to supporting the far right opposition to health care. A year's delay in health care reform means another year without medical care for the uninsured, another year without coverage for those with pre-existing conditions; another year of insuance employees who receive bonuses based on denying claims, denying coverage (and therefore treatment) to those who believe they... Continue reading

The seminal blues legend is that Robert Johnson learned to play the Blues by selling his soul to the devil at midnight at the Crossroads -- the intersection of Highway 49 and Highway 61 in Clarksdale, Mississippi. If you go to Clarksdale today, there is a big guitar-shaped sign at that intersection. The next year will show whether the GOP has made a similar deal with the Devil for the support of the Palin-Limbaugh-Santorum ultra right wing. New York 23, with the ultra conservatives dumping the party nominee in favor of a Conservative Party candidate, may be just a sample... Continue reading

Obama - Bayh -- The ticket that almost was. The new book, The Audacity to Win by Obama campaign manager David Plouffe reveals that it was a coin-toss between Joe Biden and Evan Bayh for the VP slot on the Obama election ticket. For political junkies, the disclosure about the VP selection process is fascinating. Barack Obama considered Hilary Clinton much more seriously than his advisors anticipated. But in the end, the President-to-be determined that there would always be a third person -- Bill Clinton -- in the relationship, and t Hilary was dropped from the final list. The final... Continue reading

As the Indianapolis Star reported, Mayor Greg Ballard and his staff not only got egg on their collective face, they got the whole omelet. This past week Hizoner issued a press release touting a Forbes survey showing "Indianapolis Among 40 Safest Cities." But like so many things that come from the Mayor's office, that wasn't quite accurate. It seems the survey was of the 40 largest metropolitan areas in the United States and the Indianapolis/Carmel area ranked 36 out of 40 -- behind among other, Detroit, Atlanta, New York, Washington D.C, and Chicago. In fact the only 4 cities listed... Continue reading

Harry Reid has finally gotten off dead center and announced his support for a public option from which states can opt out. This compromise proposal is not a solution. The health insurance industry has significant influence in the halls of Congress. But that pales in comparison to the influence buying which could go on at the state level if statet governments are given the power to opt out of any public option. The history of Indiana is littered with buiness interests controlling legislation. Just look at the recent battle over Sunday liquor sales. It has nothing to do with public... Continue reading