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Recommended Reading (07/07/12)

Posted by Kevin Fischer on July 7, 2012

Recommended Reading

Here are, in my view, interesting, noteworthy columns and articles from the past week that I highly recommend (You will note that on occasion, I do not endorse the opinions of the author and may point that out. Despite my disagreements, I still feel the piece is worth a read).*


With a gavel bang, Obamacare is Obamatax

"It’s official: Obamacare is Obamatax. The Supreme Court saved Obamacare but at the expense of exposing it as simply a massive collection of taxes - 20 taxes at least. Obamacare was supposed to reduce the cost of health insurance but it has six taxes on Americans who already have health insurance. Your insurance will cost more to pay Mr. Obama’s tax hikes."


Republican teachers uneasy at Obama-themed union convention

“In interviews with The Associated Press, roughly a dozen teachers who identified themselves as Republicans said they felt pressure from union leaders and the rank-and-file to support Obama's re-election -- and felt marginalized when they wouldn't. Some interviewed said they were so worried about retribution from their colleagues that they wouldn't provide their names for publication.”


My concerns with Eric Hovde

“Before conservatives in Wisconsin embrace Eric Hovde, I hope they fully vet him.

Remember, 70% of congressmen who ran as tea party candidates went to Washington and promptly started voting like the Republican who helped get us to $16 trillion in national debt.

Here are a few concerns about Eric Hovde that need vetting.”


*Jolting the Democratic Party from its stupor

"If the Democrats in Congress were all drinking water from the same faucet, there might be a clue to their chronic fear of the craven and cruel corporatist Republicans who dominate them.

But they don’t, so we have to ask why their fear, defeatism, and cowering behavior continues in the face of the outrageous GOP actions as the November election approaches."


7 unhappy truths about politicians

"Many political observers believe Americans are too cynical about politicians. Take it from someone who has been blogging for more than a decade and has met countless politicians and political aides: if anything, people aren't cynical enough."


'Is that allowed?' 'It is here'

"It says something about the health of a nation when they're lined up to get in, as they are, still, with America. It says, of course, that compared with a lot of the rest of the world, America's economy isn't in such bad shape. But it says more than that. People don't want to come to a place when they know they'll be treated badly. They don't want to call your home their home unless they know you'll make room for them in more than economic ways.

And so this July 4, a small tribute to American friendliness, openness, and lack of—what to call it? The old hatreds. They dissipate here."


Why we're so attached to Andy Griffith

"The morning I heard that Andy Griffith had passed away, I closed my office door and cried. Many hours later I was still quite melancholy and trying to understand what the deep sadness was about."


AND FINALLY,


A racist anti-Obama sign?