This November 6, there will be something on the ballot besides the choice for president. It is a proposed amendment to the Georgia Constitution that would set up an additional charter school authorization board at the state level. On the ballot, the question will appear like this:
“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?” Continue reading “The Georgia Charter School Amendment”
This week the Grand Old Party released a comprehensive review of how it needs to improve in order to survive as a party. The paper explicitly says, “It is time to smartly change course, modernize the Party, and learn once again how to appeal to more people, including those who share some but not all of our conservative principles.” With the exception of immigration, however, the paper was devoid of any changes to the message. The proposals were largely cosmetic, ranging from which communities to address, what fundraising techniques to use, and which spokespeople to use. Nowhere does it address the largest stumbling block and ideological puzzle that plagues the party: government intervention in social issues. Continue reading “The Future of the Republican Party”
There are many philosophies flying under the Republican banner, some of which have come into conflict over recent issues. Some underlying principles, such as small government and personal responsibility, unite these groups. More often, however, these groups represent the various ideas that individuals combine to become their personal version of Republican. Continue reading “The Factions of the Republican Party”
On President’s Day we celebrate the great leaders of our country, but what of the 2.5 million underlings (excluding military personnel, government contractors and government grantees) in the Executive Branch that make the president’s orders come to fruition? Whether they are presidential appointees or career bureaucrats, they are working hard making the rules and regulations that govern the country. Continue reading “The Executive in Chief”
Two years after the start of the Arab Spring, no newly formed government has been successful at passing a new constitution. Progress in Tunisia has stalled. In Egypt, opposition groups are protesting what is seen as an Islamic leaning draft constitution. The new Libyan government is making progress but also dealing with internal militant and terrorist threats, such as those responsible for the Benghazi consulate attack. Syria is still embroiled in open civil war. Continue reading “The Arab Winter”
This week the Obama Administrations released a white paper from the Department of Justice outlining the legal justifications for killing a U.S. citizen suspected of being a terrorist. He also released more detailed classified document to the Senate Intelligence Committee, outlining the justification of the administration’s policy of targeting Americans overseas via drone attacks. CIA head nominee John O. Brennan is set to discuss this policy at his confirmation hearing. Continue reading “Targeted Killings and U.S. Citizens”
It is not enough simply to believe it, but you must achieve it. Personal responsibility comes in many forms, financial, relational, spiritual, and more. The uniting factor is that it is taking control of one’s life, and owning it. Accepting personal responsibility is empowering, even if it is through accepting failure. This is the only way to learn from failure. Continue reading “Taking Personal Responsibility”
The question of whether to take military action against Syria is before Congress and has drawn support from some key members of both parties. On Tuesday, Secretary of State John Kerry began to make the case for intervention, with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey sitting beside him outlining the parameters of the strike. Continue reading “Syria Question Goes Before Congress”
With reports from Russia coming out that the Syrian rebels have used chemical weapons, a conflict that has claimed over 40,000 lives continues to descend into chaos. All the while the Obama Administration does nothing. All of our policies are reactionary. We see smoke, but we wait for a fire. We can be sure that Iran is not taking such a passive role. Continue reading “Syria is Unraveling”
Secretary of State John Kerry said today that the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime in Syria against civilians is “inexcusable” and “undeniable”. “This international norm cannot be violated without consequences,” he said. “Chemical weapons were used in Syria. The Syrian regime maintains custody of these weapons.” The most recent use of chemical weapons in Syria, which Kerry alluded to in his speech, claimed the lives of between 1,000 and 1,800 people, according to the U.S. State Department. Continue reading “Syria Assad Uses Chemical Weapons”
Ronin Pen 