Where They Stand is a lively account of the game of rating the presidents, the pastime described by political scientist Clinton Rossiter (1917-1970) as “a Favorite Indoor Sport of history-minded Americans.” Merry takes readers on a tour through presidential history and he is an accomplished guide.   Read the rest of this entry »

While we tend to think of independence mainly as an important historic event that marks our separation from Great Britain, the Founders and subsequent generations had a larger understanding of what was signified by the national independence they were celebrating.   Read the rest of this entry »

"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less." Only Chief Justice Roberts knows why he upheld Obama Care by claiming it said what it did not say, and what the president vociferously denied it said. However, one plausible explanation is that Roberts was intimidated by the president’s threats to undermine the standing of the court and to cause chaos and suffering by withholding Medicare payments if the court found Obama Care unconstitutional. When is a penalty not a penalty? When the Supreme Court says it is a tax.   Read the rest of this entry »

In his new book, Prager examines the values that animated the Founders more than 200 years ago, and have defined America ever since, and contrasts them with the values on which Leftism and Islamism are based.   Read the rest of this entry »

James Carville, political strategist, along with other Democratic Party advisors has recommended to President Barack Obama that he stop claiming economic growth during his presidency. Or so Carville told ABC's "Good Morning America" after Obama was criticized for saying the private sector was "doing fine."   Read the rest of this entry »

In The Road to Freedom, Arthur Brooks expands upon his earlier book, The Battle, in which he wrote that the outcome of The Battle between free enterprise and big government would determine America’s future. To win, he asserted, free enterprise warriors must make the case that their side is morally superior to statism and redistributionist policies. Money-based arguments, although factually correct, do not win hearts.   Read the rest of this entry »

Memorial Day is set aside to honor the nation’s fallen warriors. Americans have always respected the courage and commitment of those who go in harm’s way for the rest of us.   Read the rest of this entry »

Today, May 18, is Endangered Species Day. For those who have not in the past observed this important day, please attend to this important national alert.   Read the rest of this entry »

The title of this essay would be a more accurate slogan for the Obama re-election campaign than “Forward,” the one selected. Of course, this proposal is not to be taken literally.   Read the rest of this entry »

This is an important book that should be read widely. Fulsom lays out the choices represented by the two political parties, assuming Republicans regain the courage of the convictions they espouse. It seems to this reviewer more than likely that the next election will be decisive: when we determine if the all consuming state will continue to take our money to buy our votes and our liberties, or the Founders’ vision will prevail.   Read the rest of this entry »