House Cloakroom: October 24 – October 28

House Cloakroom: October 24 – October 28 Analysis: This week the House will take up two important changes to the tax code.  The first would change the way income is calculated when with respect to eligibility requirements for certain healthcare tax benefits.  The second would end the 3% withholding on payments to businesses by the […]

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Politics Trumps Security in Obama’s Bungled Troop Negotiations with Iraq

After denying last week that the negotiations to extend the U.S. troop presence in Iraq were failing, the Obama Administration pivoted on Friday as President Obama announced that the U.S. troop presence would not be extended. The President sought to turn a dangerous outcome for Iraq’s security and the war against terrorists into a political […]

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Solyndra to Auction Assets, But Taxpayers Won’t See a Dime

As part of its bankruptcy proceedings, defunct solar company Solyndra will auction off thousands of items from its California production facility on Nov. 2 and 3. But taxpayers won’t see a dime of the proceeds, due to the Energy Department’s decision to subordinate taxpayers to Solyndra’s private financiers in repayment of their investments. As I […]

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Big Labor Steps Up Its Material Support for ‘Occupy’ Protests

Apparently seeking to capitalize on a political movement that shares its general political vision, Big Labor has stepped up its material support for the “Occupy” protesters. Scribe noted this week that the AFL-CIO union had taken out advertisements supporting the protests. According to a report from the Washington Post, though, their support extends far beyond paid […]

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Lessons of Libya

That indigenous forces backed by Western military power could overthrow an odious unpopular regime backed by a second-rate military ought to come as no surprise. That was, after all, exactly what the Bush Administration did in Afghanistan. In fact, operationally, the fall of Kabul looks a lot like the fall of Tripoli. As we now […]

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John Dewey and the Progressive Redefinition of Freedom

Today is John Dewey’s birthday, and though it’s been almost 50 years since this major Progressive figure passed away, thoughtful conservatives should acquaint themselves with his writings, since they had a profound impact on our society. Dewey, who is best known for his work on education’s role in democracy, wrote extensively on numerous topics, including […]

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Forget the Facts. Reid Says Private-Sector Employment Is ‘Just Fine’

Apparently unemployment is not much of a problem in the private sector. At least Senator Harry Reid (D–NV) thinks so. Debating the Senate’s proposed $35 billion bailout for state and local governments, Reid argued, “It’s very clear that private sector jobs have been doing just fine. It’s the public sector jobs where we’ve lost huge […]

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Arab League to Debate Suspending Syria

Arab foreign ministers are slated to discuss suspending Syria’s membership in the Arab League at an emergency meeting due to be held in Cairo on Sunday, Egypt’s semi-official newspaper Al Ahram reported. The report, quoting diplomatic sources, said ministers may also consider the possibility of recognizing the newly-formed opposition Syrian National Council. Sunday’s meeting is […]

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