The government is up and running again, and the nation’s debts will be paid for another four months, or at least the better part thereof. That was the good news that emerged from the eleventh hour capitulation by Congressional Republicans last week. With the government about to reach the limit of the available indebtedness that […]
Archives for October 2013
If Congress Balks, What Should Obama Do?
With Congress all tied up in knots over an issue that shouldn’t even be an issue, attention shifts to the President and what his options might be. They are, simply stated, limited and bad, but one is clearly preferable over the other. Before I describe the options, here are the basic facts that need to […]
On the Fate of a Government that Stops Functioning
Throughout recorded history, ruling governments that have failed the people they rule over have suffered a similar fate. In one way or another, either through military coups, mass rebellions of the citizenry, newly enacted constitutions, or new orders imposed by a conquering nation, they have ceased to exist. In the United States, no version of […]
From Father to Son: Admiring a Classic Film
(Note from Ed: This column is by Keith Telfeyan, my older son.) My dad raised me to appreciate culture. He brought me to the symphony many times as a kid; classical music was the first sort of music I saw performed live. Of course I thought it was rather boring. He showed me the movie […]