Blog Feed: Red State Progressive

Propaganda Against U.S. Citizens Could Soon Be Legal

Published on 2012-05-24 05:56:00

There is a bi-partisan effort in the U.S. House of Representatives to legalize the use of propaganda by the government against U.S. citizens. An amendment to the defense authorization bill recently approved by the House has been authored by Rep. Thornberry (R-TX) and Rep. Smith (D-WA) to do just that.I am old enough to remember that U.S. politicians used to criticize the former Soviet Union for using propaganda on their own citizens. We used to hear quite a bit about how wrong this was; now it a [..] > read more

We Want Jobs But Not Enough to Give Up Outsourcing

Published on 2012-05-20 08:59:00

How does a country thrive without a strong manufacturing base? Simple. We outsource that sort of work to China. As the U.S. economy has become increasingly dependent on consumerism, we have been doing more and more outsourcing. Outsourcing has a big advantage for a consumer culture in that it allows our corporations to maximize profits and minimize prices. How individual companies balance this profit to price ratio varies greatly. Consider Walmart and Apple as illustrative examples.Of course, ou [..] > read more

Obama Cannot Be Off Limits to Criticism From Left

Published on 2012-05-17 13:32:00

Remember when George W. Bush was president? Of course you do! Those were trying times for most progressives, weren't they? We generally did not care for Bush, and we weren't shy about saying so.Do you remember how frustrating it was when conservatives demonized us for criticizing Bush? Remember how you felt when some of them argued that anyone who criticized the president was un-American, traitorous, or actively harming America in some way? You were not any of these things; you were criticizing [..] > read more

Is America a Christian Nation?

Published on 2012-05-16 07:21:00

The following is from a press release distributed by the Center for Inquiry: A powerful lineup of scholars and thinkers attempt to answer, once and for all, a question that has been central to our era’s bruising culture wars: Is America a Christian nation? Not surprisingly, the evidence for the affirmative is wanting. Gettysburg College philosophy professor Kerry Walters explains that “none of the founders . . . used conventional Christian language when writing or speaking about God,” an [..] > read more

The American Oligarchy

Published on 2012-05-14 12:18:00

I think it is fair to say that I have become increasingly dissatisfied with the modern Democratic Party in recent years. When I express this in conversation, I am often accused of being a Republican (hardly) or somehow helping them win. Evidently, the "lesser of two evils" position has become so thoroughly ingrained in the mind of many Democratic voters that they are unable or unwilling to look beyond it. I find this unfortunate, even dangerous, because I have also become convinced that our two- [..] > read more

Bush Officials Guilty of War Crimes Says Malaysian Tribunal

Published on 2012-05-13 07:29:00

As noted yesterday, former President George W. Bush and seven others in his administration were found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity in a Malaysian war crimes tribunal. According to the New Straits Times (Malaysia), the Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Tribunal was unanimous in their verdict and ordered reparations to the victims of the Bush administration's torture program. The evidence heard by the tribunal included testimony from former detainees in both Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, who [..] > read more

Malaysian Tribunal Finds Bush Guilty of War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity

Published on 2012-05-12 20:24:00

Press TV is reporting today that former President George W. Bush and seven others in his administration, including Cheney and Rumsfeld, were found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity in a symbolic Malaysian war crimes tribunal. It is nice to know that someone out there has not forgotten about the war crimes committed in our name. Subscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

Bullying Incident Relevant to Romney Narrative

Published on 2012-05-12 08:19:00

When I first read the now infamous Washington Post article describing how Mittens Romney bullied a gay classmate in high school, I'll admit having mixed feelings. Yes, it sounded terribly cruel and was certainly a despicable act on Romney's part. No doubt about that. But I also remembered many of the incredibly stupid things I did in my youth. I'd hate to be judged for them now, so many years later. It would hardly seem fair since I am no longer the person I was in high school. Then again, I am [..] > read more

Obama Finally Decides to Support Marriage Equality

Published on 2012-05-10 06:00:00

President Obama now has the distinction of being the first sitting U.S. president to express support of legal same-sex marriage. Good for him! This is a historic moment, and even though one could argue that simply announcing his support does not change any laws, it is certainly an important step in the right direction. It will almost certainly give his re-election a much needed boost, and it sends a signal to those of us who support equality that the president is finally with us on this issue.We [..] > read more

A Haitian Perspective on Obama

Published on 2012-05-09 14:13:00

Having the perspective of an outsider is often invaluable in understanding the nature of something to which we are too close. In one of the more thought-provoking pieces I've read on the 2012 presidential election yet, Haitian-born Ezili Dantò writes: Obama’s betrayal of core justice values, cuddling Wall Street instead of making it accountable, just to get re-elected cannot sufficiently be offset by general fear of the Republican’s Supreme Court nominations. We must speak truth to power, [..] > read more

Time for Obama to Support Same-Sex Marriage

Published on 2012-05-08 20:26:00

It really is kind of sad to see President Obama still hasn't come around on the issue of same-sex marriage. Polls show that most in his party support it, as do most Independents. And yet, he's holding out due to bad advice from his handlers or a personal conviction that is difficult to distinguish from…well…bigotry.I can't help thinking that announcing his support for same-sex marriage would provide a boost to his re-election efforts. He'd lose few votes, and I suspect he'd gain considerably [..] > read more

Energy Independence

Published on 2012-05-06 09:41:00

Beginning with the Carter administration, every American president has correctly identified our dependence on foreign oil as a matter of national security. And beginning with Carter, every American president has pledged to end our dependence on foreign oil. Promises aside, we've made little progress. It is easy to blame the politicians and those who own them, but much of the fault rests with us. We have been unwilling to give up some of the less important aspects of what we think it means to be [..] > read more

The Republican War on Women is a Compelling Narrative

Published on 2012-04-29 08:59:00

When 31 male Republican senators vote against the Violence Against Women Act, it becomes more difficult for them to claim that the war on women of which they are accused is made up by Democrats. This is a perfect example of a policy decision that fuels the narrative that the Republican Party has declared war on American women. Is the Republican Party at war with American women? It certainly looks like it when one examines their policies. Here's how Jobsanger recently put it:They oppose the right [..] > read more

President Obama Explaining Importance of Separation of Church and State

Published on 2012-04-23 05:23:00

President Obama has been less than perfect when it comes to separation of church and state, but he did a great job of explaining why the secular nature of the American democracy is so vital during this speech from 2006.You can find the full transcript here.I wonder if the evangelical fundamentalist Christians who are so powerful in the Republican Party are going to rethink church-state separation now that they are looking at the prospect of having a Mormon in the White House?H/T to Religion Pois [..] > read more

If the Economy is the Issue, What Do Republicans Have to Offer?

Published on 2012-04-16 06:52:00

Mittens Romney and his supporters are determined to make the slowly improving U.S. economy their central issue in the 2012 presidential campaign. They want us to believe that Mittens would be better for our economy than President Obama. And yet, Mittens does not seem to have any new ideas whatsoever. Worse yet, his plan appears to involve returning to the conservative economic policies that led to our economic problems. I understand that the American electorate is angry, but I hope that this wil [..] > read more

Writing the Narrative of the 2012 Presidential Election

Published on 2012-04-11 06:05:00

With Santorum's departure from the race and Mittens' nomination inevitable, now is the time for us to begin writing the narrative of the 2012 presidential election. Us? Yep, why leave it to the corporate-owned pundits and spin doctors? Is this election going to be about returning America to the conservative economic policies that caused the collapse of our economy or choosing progress? Is this contest going to be between an obscenely wealthy person who has proven himself to be out of touch with [..] > read more

Can We Stop Talking About Santorum Now?

Published on 2012-04-07 08:49:00

It has been clear to most of us that Mittens Romney would be the Republican nominee for some time now. Despite the efforts of many political pundits to make the Republican primary more interesting by making it seem like someone else might have a real chance, serious observers knew Romney would win at least since January. Fortunately, the Obama campaign was among these serious observers and did not end up splitting their attention between multiple candidates. They are ready for Mittens.Can we sto [..] > read more

Who Will Romney Select as VP?

Published on 2012-04-05 05:25:00

The series of tubes we call the Internet has been buzzing with speculation over who Mittens will select as his VP. I'm of the opinion that it will have to be someone who is truly popular among Christian evangelicals and who can help Mittens win the South. With the widespread hatred of President Obama among conservative voters, I don't think it is a question of whether those who vote will vote for Mittens. It is more about who can help drive voter turnout. Enthusiasm for Mittens is so low that th [..] > read more

Identifying Obama's Flaws Does Not Require Lying

Published on 2012-03-28 05:46:00

I was recently treated to a fascinating diatribe against President Obama by a Facebook friend. The "friend" in question was someone I went to high school with a long time ago and have had no contact since. In fact, I barely remember him. Across a series of over 20 posts to his wall, this individual outlined his negative feelings toward Obama. Three things struck me about their content. First, they contained no real substance. Second, each and every one was a Fox "News" talking point. And third, [..] > read more

Obama is Still a Muslim in Mississippi

Published on 2012-03-23 14:52:00

According to a Public Policy Polling survey conducted just before Mississippi's Republican primary, approximately 52% of Mississippi Republicans believe that President Obama is a Muslim. Even stranger, only 12% identified him as a Christian.I suppose it is not exactly newsworthy that many Mississippians are horribly uninformed, but I do find it striking that a majority still cling to this particular belief. It makes me wonder what other absurd things they believe. Subscribe to Red State Progress [..] > read more

How Much Damage Can One Politician Do?

Published on 2012-03-22 04:59:00

When it comes to the U.S. Congress, it is easy to dismiss the actions of one member as trivial, irrelevant, or ineffective. I have tended to think that a single member, no matter how crazy he or she may be, cannot possibly have that much influence on legislation. That sort of influence would require success in persuading others to go along with one's crazy ideas. I am starting to fear this might be a mistake on my part. RightWingWatch has some information on Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) that makes [..] > read more

The Republican Platform for 2012

Published on 2012-03-18 11:06:00

H/T to What Would Jack Do? Subscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

Mississippi: Why is the Poorest State the Most Conservative State?

Published on 2012-03-14 06:07:00

Mississippi often tops the list for the poorest state in the U.S. and the most conservative. Does one have something to do with the other, or is another variable involved? In this brief video, you'll hear from some of my fellow Mississippians.It is not my intention to suggest that the people you see in this video are somehow representative of Mississippi. I suspect that the people who filmed this were drawn to some of the more colorful characters. But I can tell you this as someone who has lived [..] > read more

Romney's Mormon Religion is Relevant as Long as He Opposes Church-State Separation

Published on 2012-03-11 08:27:00

John F. Kennedy uttered these words in 1960 in a speech before the Greater Houston Ministerial Association, a collection of Baptist ministers. Kennedy was a Catholic running for president at a time when the American people had never elected a Catholic. He realized that he needed to reassure voters that he was serious about keeping his religious faith out of the White House. If elected, Kennedy promised, he would not govern as a puppet of the Vatican. He recognized the genius of the founders in c [..] > read more

Limbaugh Scandal as Tipping Point

Published on 2012-03-10 09:34:00

When I learned that Rush Limbaugh had called Sandra Fluke a slut and prostitute, my initial reaction was one of disgust. However, I was not terribly surprised. I have had this reaction to Limbaugh many times over the years. This is a man who uses the term "feminazi" to describe any woman who disagrees with him. He's been at it for quite a while, proving that there is a large audience for hate speech. News that 98 major advertisers are pulling ads from right-wing talk radio suggests that Limbaugh [..] > read more

Mittens in Mississippi

Published on 2012-03-09 14:03:00

Willard "Mittens" Romney was here in Mississippi today, and it appears that he has the support of our state's far-right governor. Romney's message seems to be more of the same, reflecting both his willingness to pander and recite talking points with little basis in reality. Like his fellow Republican candidates, Romney wants us to believe that returning to the Bush era policies that caused the financial meltdown is the best way to accelerate the recovery. In other words, he's betting that blind [..] > read more

The Republican Vision of Government

Published on 2012-03-08 05:35:00

via JobsangerSubscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

When the Religious Beliefs of a Presidential Candidate Must Be Examined

Published on 2012-03-03 12:20:00

I generally believe that the personal religious beliefs of a presidential candidate are not necessarily relevant to how we should evaluate the suitability of the candidate to govern. At the same time, I recognize that there are many important exceptions. When such an exception occurs, it can become essential for us to closely examine the beliefs of a candidate.The most obvious exception would be when the candidate makes his or her religious beliefs an issue and attempts to use them in the campa [..] > read more

Rick Santorum on the Evils of Education

Published on 2012-02-26 10:31:00

College is bad. If your children go to college, they will be indoctrinated by liberal professors. They might even question your deeply held religious beliefs. They must not be encouraged to think for themselves. Keep them away from knowledge. Vote for Rick Santorum.H/T to Camels With HammersSubscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

Meet the Men Who Would Be President

Published on 2012-02-23 05:07:00

Great slideshow from Doug (Doug's Views).Subscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

Green Party Hashtags on Twitter

Published on 2012-02-20 15:01:00

Like many progressives who have become increasingly disappointed with both the Republicans and the Democrats, I'm taking a closer look at the Green Party. Finding information about the Green Party and their candidates is not always easy because the corporate media would generally prefer to ignore them (see here for a recent exception). Fortunately, Twitter is a great place to see what the Greens are up to.Some of the hashtags used include the following:#gpus#greenparty#greens#gp#GreenParty2012I [..] > read more

The Testimony Rep. Issa Didn't Want You to Hear

Published on 2012-02-18 12:34:00

What do you suppose Sandra Fluke might have said if she had been permitted to testify at Rep. Issa's congressional hearing on contraception? Probably something like this:Subscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

Barry Goldwater Was Right

Published on 2012-02-16 05:01:00

From Unreasonable FaithSubscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

30,000 Spy Drones Over the Land of the Free

Published on 2012-02-10 06:51:00

According to Tim Watts (The Intel Hub), the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act (HR 658) that was just passed by both chambers of Congress authorizes the use of 30,000 spy drones over the United States by 2015. Our government is putting 30,000 drones in the air under the pretense of fighting "terrorism." Why hasn't this been the lead story in every major news outlet?Do not feel bad for not knowing about this, because, similar to the anti-Constitutional NDAA legislatio [..] > read more

Santorum's Big Win

Published on 2012-02-08 05:16:00

I have no doubt that Romney is going to win this thing, but it is great to see Santorum winning a few states. Why? The more divided Republican voters are in their primary, the more holes should be exposed to general election voters. And when it comes to Santorum, it is all about holes.A closely contested primary means that the Republican candidates must appeal to their reactionary base. And they are going to do this by making statements that will alienate the general electorate. The closer and m [..] > read more

I Believe in a Secular America

Published on 2012-02-05 08:08:00

Subscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

Concentrated Wealth and Democracy

Published on 2012-02-01 06:03:00

Once Mittens wraps up the Republican primary, we will be able to focus on a very necessary debate about wealth and fairness. Regardless of his flaws, President Obama seems to be on the right side of the economic fairness issue. Moreover, it appears that his advisors have finally realized that economic populism is going to play well in 2012. The Republican Party is dangerously out of touch here, and this will become more evident as they rally behind Mittens.Subscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

Republicans vs. the Media

Published on 2012-01-28 09:35:00

Even if you have not watched many of the Republican presidential debates, you've probably seen the video of Newt Gingrich's feigned outrage at CNN's John King in the debate right before the South Carolina primary. Analysts seem to agree that it was one of the key moments in that debate, and many have claimed that it propelled Gingrich to victory in South Carolina.Gingrich's tantrums are nothing new, but in this context they provide more evidence of what is becoming a central Republican strategy. [..] > read more

The Case Against Obama: Civil Liberties

Published on 2012-01-26 05:19:00

Conor Friedersdorf recently posted the following question in The Atlantic:How would you have reacted in 2008 if any Republican ran promising to do the following?Codify indefinite detention into law;draw up a secret kill list of people, including American citizens, to assassinate without due process;proceed with warrantless spying on American citizens;prosecute Bush-era whistleblowers for violating state secrets;reinterpret the War Powers Resolution such that entering a war of choice without a Co [..] > read more

Income Disparity Could Be Potent Issue

Published on 2012-01-24 05:24:00

Michael Cohen's recent article in The Guardian was a great read. He suggests that 2012 could be the year that we in the U.S. finally have a real debate about income disparity and fairness. I sure hope he's right because this is long overdue.Cohen suggests that "growing income inequality and its negative effect on the American middle class" could become the central issue of the 2012 election. That would be a positive development indeed.The reason in part is that talk of inequality is resonating w [..] > read more

To Those Who Work to Keep Abortion Legal, Thank You

Published on 2012-01-22 12:44:00

Today is the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a decision which has been under assault from the beginning and has resulted in some of the worst examples of Christian terrorism we have seen in the United States. To all those who have worked tirelessly to defend reproductive rights and keep abortion legal, I just wanted to say thank you.Subscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

Romney Remains Inevitable as South Carolina Looms

Published on 2012-01-21 11:01:00

As the media, including the political blogosphere, buzzes with stories about Newt Gingrich surging in the South Carolina polls ahead of today's primary vote, I find myself beginning to tune out. Romney will be the Republican nominee. It is inevitable. The only question is how long it will take. Gingrich has gained some momentum as the favored non-Romney candidate of the moment, but that will pass. He is not a serious candidate who could compete in the general election, and establishment Republic [..] > read more

Democratic Party Botches Yet Another Negotiation

Published on 2011-07-05 14:26:00

Sometimes I think the Democratic Party simply doesn't understand how the process of negotiation works. Take the current political posturing around the debt ceiling and budget. The Republican position is clear: no tax increases on the wealthiest Ameri > read more

Time to Reflect on the Harm Caused by Republican Policies

Published on 2011-07-04 14:43:00

On this Independence Day, instead of swilling cheap American beer and fouling the air with sulfur-dioxide fumes, it is worth mourning the deplorable conditions conservatives have imposed on the majority of the population.A True Independence Day: Debu > read more

Democrats Need a Negotiation for Dummies Book

Published on 2011-07-02 12:56:00

The process of negotiation is not exactly mysterious. We are all familiar with it and have witnessed it or participated it in countless times. Imagine that you are buying a used car. The sticker says $14,995, and you are fairly confident that it wo > read more

Crashing a Tea Party Rally

Published on 2011-06-29 07:28:00

I wonder at what point during this stunt the attendees of the rally realized that they were being played? Maybe I'm giving them too much credit.Subscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

Exposing the Koch Brothers

Published on 2011-06-26 10:26:00

Kudos to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) for exposing the Koch brothers and their agenda.For more information about who is behind the Republican war on Social Security and the conservative echo chamber, visit http://KochBrothersExposed.com.Subscribe to Re > read more

New York Next to Legalize Gay Marriage

Published on 2011-06-25 07:33:00

New York is about to become the 6th state to legalize gay marriage. This is great news for all who value civil rights. And yet, I cannot help wondering what the other states are thinking who have not yet legalized gay marriage. It seems inevitable > read more

Olbermann's Return

Published on 2011-06-22 13:19:00

Keith Olbermann left MSNBC in January, but his popular show, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, has re-launched on Current TV. If the ratings of his return are any indication, he will do well there. Evidently, there were many viewers ready to see him ba > read more

Rick Perry's Prayer Rally Intended to Convert People

Published on 2011-06-19 07:41:00

According to Right Wing Watch, the spokesperson for the group behind Texas Governor Rick Perry's prayer rally has finally admitted to the event's true purpose. During an interview with American Family Radio, Eric Bearse indicated that the primary pur > read more

Who Was Ayn Rand?

Published on 2011-06-16 06:26:00

Many prominent Republicans have embraced Ayn Rand's philosophy. Now some are beginning to ask whether the public understands Rand and expressing concern over where the GOP may be headed. I am glad to see that this important issue is finally receiving > read more

Thoughts on the First Republican Debate

Published on 2011-06-15 08:31:00

I had really been looking forward to the first Republican debate, but I can't help feeling like it was a bit of a let down. Why? It was far more boring that these debates are supposed to be, in large part because the candidates appeared to be afraid > read more

Can the Media Regain Their Lost Credibility?

Published on 2011-06-14 15:27:00

When I was growing up, network news anchors were generally respected and considered credible. Men like Tom Brokaw, Ted Koppel, Peter Jennings, and Dan Rather come to mind. It wasn't that they were always free of bias or that they wouldn't still repor > read more

I'm More Excited About the GOP Debate Tonight Than the NBA Finals

Published on 2011-06-13 08:08:00

The appeal of reality TV is obvious. When you put a handful of self-centered, emotionally unstable people with "strong" personalities together, the result will be entertaining. And with the current slate of Republican presidential candidates, it may > read more

Rick Santorum is Right

Published on 2011-06-12 12:00:00

When asked about his "Google problem" during a recent interview, Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) replied, "Unfortunately, there are vile people out there who do horrible things." He's absolutely correct. There are indeed vile people out there doing horribl > read more

Not Happy With the Economy? Thank the GOP

Published on 2011-06-11 10:40:00

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.-Albert Einstein (attributed)There is an economic theory that has been fiercely promoted by the Republican Party for several decades that says that the only way to ach > read more

Republican Budget is Morally Indefensible

Published on 2011-06-10 06:08:00

I am not used to finding myself in complete agreement with the Christian hierarchy, but I applaud the letter sent to Congress by more than 25 Protestant bishops. The letter characterized the Republican budget as "morally indefensible," and I couldn't > read more

Should Weiner Resign?

Published on 2011-06-07 14:03:00

In the aftermath of Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) disappointing countless progressives with his behavior, the discussion has turned to whether he should resign. I cannot pretend to understand what would possess a grown man, politician or otherwise, to s > read more

Jon Stewart Beats Fox "News"

Published on 2011-06-06 07:34:00

I have seen many progressives celebrating the recent news that The Daily Show with Jon Stewartbeat the entire Fox "News" prime time line up in the May Nielson ratings. I understand the urge to celebrate, and I do not begrudge anyone for doing so. It > read more

Christian Fundamentalism May Help Explain GOP Behavior

Published on 2011-06-04 10:12:00

We don't have to protect the environment, the Second Coming is at hand. -- James Watt, Secretary of the Interior under President Reagan.Not only do we not have to protect the environment, but we probably should not worry about creating jobs, educatin > read more

My Take on Ed Schultz

Published on 2011-06-01 06:05:00

As I'm sure you've heard, MSNBC host Ed Schultz called Fox "News" contributor Laura Ingraham a "right-wing slut." He has since apologized and was suspended by MSNBC. I was surprised and disappointed to see some progressives actually defending Shultz > read more

If Your Senator Voted for the Ryan Plan, Make Sure They Hear From You

Published on 2011-05-30 13:26:00

Both of my senators, Republicans of course, voted to abolish Medicare. I just finished writing to both of them to express my extreme disappointment with this vote. I suggested that if they are serious about reducing the deficit that they should look > read more

Joining Empire Avenue

Published on 2011-05-30 12:30:00

{EAV_BLOG_VER:90341dd30e2fdb77}You can ignore this one. I had to post that bit of verification code to add this blog to Empire Avenue. > read more

Uniting Progressives: Possible and Necessary

Published on 2011-05-27 06:19:00

Conservatives are extremely well-organized, have access to ample funds, and are relatively homogeneous. They can come together and speak with one voice when necessary, and this makes them a formidable opponent. In contrast, the progressive movement i > read more

Tea Party Wants to Teach Your Children Lies About Constitution

Published on 2011-05-25 07:05:00

I think we can all agree that American children should learn something about the U.S. Constitution. But should they learn the truth about it or a carefully manufactured set of lies designed to push fundamentalist Christianity? Sadly, this question ap > read more

Rep. Paul Broun Proposes Abolishing Department of Education

Published on 2011-05-24 06:22:00

I do not think that the Republican party was ever in much danger of being labelled pro-education, but this is ridiculous. Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) is on the record saying that he would not vote to raise the debt ceiling unless "we have major cuts in th > read more

Despite Tea Party Rhetoric, Americans are Under-Taxed

Published on 2011-05-20 07:47:00

Would it be fair to say that one of the most covered political stories over the past few years has been the rise of the Tea Party? I think so. And yet, one question that rarely seems to occur among those in the media who have covered this story is "w > read more

President Obama Governs Like a 90's Republican

Published on 2011-05-17 06:49:00

Understanding how President Obama and his policies fit into U.S. political history is not difficult, but it does require one to look beyond the cable news hype. Neither his most ardent supporters nor his most rabid detractors are getting it right. Re > read more

Ron Paul Would Abolish FEMA

Published on 2011-05-14 06:51:00

Ron Paul, now a Republican candidate for president in 2012, would abolish the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Despite the fact that this agency is desperately needed by countless Americans affected by natural disasters, Paul would go away > read more

Why Are We Still Living Under Republican Rule?

Published on 2011-05-11 07:07:00

Do you remember when the Democrats controlled the presidency and both houses of Congress with large majorities? I hope so, because it really wasn't that long ago. This was the case for the first two years of Obama's presidency and lasted right up unt > read more

The Party of the Wealthy

Published on 2011-05-09 05:26:00

Something happens to Republican leaders when they get control of the Government. ...Republicans in Washington have a habit of becoming curiously deaf to the voice of the people. They have a hard time hearing what the ordinary people of the country ar > read more

The Osama bin Laden Death Photos

Published on 2011-05-07 06:29:00

I'm not sure whether the recent controversy over whether to release the photos of bin Laden's dead body is real or manufactured. It seems like it is the news media who most desperately want the photos, and this makes me wonder whether anybody else re > read more

Should Progressives Primary President Obama?

Published on 2011-05-04 05:03:00

As progressives become increasingly disappointed with the man we helped to elect, talk of running a primary challenge against him from the left is getting louder. One progressive group has also started calling on members to withhold contributions to > read more

Obama Fails Progressives

Published on 2011-05-02 05:36:00

H/T to Blogging Blue for finding this perfect cartoon.Subscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

Tornados and Climate Change

Published on 2011-05-01 09:04:00

With the recent tornados sweeping across the South, one might think we would be hearing quite a bit about climate change. Strangely, this has not been the case. Conservatives, many of whom receive financial support from the oil and coal industry, arg > read more

What Was Accomplished By Obama Releasing Birth Certificate?

Published on 2011-04-29 08:36:00

Conventional wisdom suggests that President Obama's decision to finally release his long-form birth certificate might put the "birther" issue to rest. Of course, conventional wisdom is seriously wrong in this case. There is no way Obama's latest capi > read more

16 Corporations or We the People? Trickle-Down Economics Has Failed Us

Published on 2011-04-28 05:24:00

Subscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

President Obama is a Terrible Negotiator

Published on 2011-04-26 05:26:00

I omitted one of my biggest complaints with how President Obama has governed from my post about whether to support him in 2012. I did so because I recognize that it isn't solely about him but a larger issue with today's Democratic Party (even if he i > read more

Meet the Republican Voters of South Carolina

Published on 2011-04-24 07:46:00

If you have ever found yourself wondering whether Fox "News" and conservative talk radio are successful at influencing people, you need to meet the Republican voters of South Carolina. The video below was filmed on April 18, 2011 at a South Carolina > read more

What Kind of World is This?

Published on 2011-04-23 07:52:00

via Oh, MarvelousSubscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

Progressives and Conservatives Have Real Philosophical Differences on the Economy

Published on 2011-04-21 05:30:00

I watch the Rachel Maddow Show on a semi-regular basis. Believe it or not, former RNC Chair Michael Steele has become one of my favorite repeat guests. Initially, I watched him because I expected to be entertained by his gaffes. But to my surprise, h > read more

The True Cost of Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage

Published on 2011-04-19 05:21:00

Same-sex marriage an important civil rights issue. I believe that members of the LGBT community should have the same rights that I do, and this includes marriage. Those who oppose same-sex marriage generally argue on the basis of their religious beli > read more

Democrats Need to Run as Strong Progressives, Not Centrists

Published on 2011-04-18 15:15:00

If another of history's big progress moments is coming over the next decade, how can Democrats lead us toward that opportunity? Democrats need to reorient themselves to do two fundamental things, which are closely related to each other. One is to thi > read more

I'm Not Sure I Can Support Obama in 2012

Published on 2011-04-17 08:49:00

I will vote in the 2012 election. I take my civic duty seriously, and I have seen what happens when progressives do not vote in state and local elections. However, I am not yet sure that I will be able to vote for President Obama's reelection. Since > read more

It is Time to Bail Out Public Education

Published on 2011-04-13 05:23:00

In this video, former Labor Secretary Robert Reich explains the importance of adequately funding public education and how to do it. It is time to bail out public education.H/T to Blogging BlueSubscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

Pulling the Democratic Party to the Left Without Drastic Measures

Published on 2011-04-11 10:05:00

We progressives often complain that the Democratic Party and its preferred candidates are not only not progressive enough but actually end up being right-of-center on many important issues. We wish that we had genuine progressives for whom we could v > read more

Mississippi Republicans Still Struggling With Interracial Marriage

Published on 2011-04-09 09:38:00

A recent poll revealed that 46% of registered Republican voters in Mississippi believe that interracial marriage should be against the law. In many regions of the U.S., the debate is over same-sex marriage. Evidently, many Mississippians are still hu > read more

What About Those of Us Who Live in States Without Union Rights?

Published on 2011-04-08 05:35:00

If I lived in Ohio, I'd probably be jealous about the relatively greater attention Wisconsin has received. I'd be happy to see the momentum, but I'd wonder why my state was not getting as much attention. But I'm in Mississippi, where public employees > read more

The End of Glenn Beck on Fox

Published on 2011-04-06 16:04:00

Think Progress is reporting that Glenn Beck's show will no longer be airing on Fox. The end date has not been announced yet, and Beck appears desperate to deprive the liberal groups that helped inform his former advertisers what they were promoting o > read more

What's With the Conservative Ads?

Published on 2011-04-05 05:23:00

A recent email from a reader informed me that there have been an embarrassing number of conservative ads appearing here lately courtesy of AdSense. This prompted me to learn more about filtering these ads and to spend some time doing just that. I'm w > read more

Tax the Corporations!

Published on 2011-04-03 14:08:00

General Electric (G.E.) has the distinction of being the largest U.S. corporation. Of their $14.2 billion profit in 2010, roughly $5.1 billion was earned from domestic operations. And yet, G.E. paid no U.S. federal taxes. None. Instead, they received > read more

Don't Listen to Glenn Beck

Published on 2011-04-02 12:46:00

> read more

Can We Afford Another War?

Published on 2011-03-28 07:18:00

I'm part of a small minority on the left who think that President Obama made a mistake by going into Libya. I think it is a shame to see the United States once again trying to play policeman to the world while our own infrastructure crumbles and we c > read more

Bachmann Edges Closer to Presidential Run in 2012

Published on 2011-03-26 07:27:00

CNN is reporting that Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) plans to form a presidential exploratory committee. This is either yet another fundraising stunt, or a sign that supporters of President Obama may receive the gift for which they've been hoping.Shoul > read more

What Will We Get By Electing More Republicans?

Published on 2011-03-24 05:53:00

Set aside political platforms and campaign promises for a minute. We know that many politicians will say whatever they think is necessary to win an election and that they do not necessarily honor campaign promises. Instead, take a look at what Republ > read more

Replacing Left and Right with Submission to Religious Authority

Published on 2011-03-21 07:04:00

In an age of constant political squabbling, windbag pundits, and widespread misinformation, the idea of moving beyond our petty debates can sound awfully appealing. Perhaps this is why some have convinced themselves that President Obama's fixation of > read more

Obstacles to U.S. Donations for Japan

Published on 2011-03-19 13:31:00

I heard recently that the amount U.S. citizens have donated to help Japan has been significantly less than they amount donated to help Haiti over the same time frame. When I first heard this claim, I didn't think much of it because the source I heard > read more

The Republican War on Education

Published on 2011-03-16 05:30:00

The Republican Party, both at the national level and in many states, has declared war on education. Here are just a few of the things that happen when cuts are made to education funding at the state level: Teaching positions are cut, resulting in lar > read more

Obama is Making Mistake By Not Joining Labor Protests

Published on 2011-03-14 05:42:00

During his campaign, President Obama positioned himself as a strong advocate of organized labor. He was more than a supporter; he pledged to turn up in person to support them if their rights were trampled. He said the following during a 2007 speech:I > read more

Rand Paul is a Toilet-Obsessed Hypocrite

Published on 2011-03-13 10:45:00

In the video below, you'll see Paul demanding that Kathleen Hogan, Deputy Assistant Energy Secretary for Efficiency, tell him why women should have reproductive rights when his toilet doesn't work. I know. I didn't believe it either.Evidently, Paul n > read more

Mississippi Progressives Sought for Netroots Nation Scholarship Competition

Published on 2011-03-12 08:26:00

This post was written by Democracy for America to announce the Netroots Nation Scholarship Competition and solicit applications from the state of Mississippi. Do you have plans for June 16th -19th? Well if you weren’t already thinking about > read more

A Tipping Point for Progressives

Published on 2011-03-11 08:04:00

Every revolutionary class must wage war on the cultural front.- Lewis Corey, The Decline of American Capitalism (1934)We've been hearing about "culture wars" for some time, conflicts initiated by the American right with the goal of undermining basic > read more

Republicans Using Economic Mess They Created to Attack Vital Domestic Programs

Published on 2011-03-10 06:50:00

Far too few in the mainstream media are calling attention to this important issue facing our nation, so it once again seems to fall on bloggers and what little independent media remains. Wisconsin Gov. Walker's attack on the public employees in his s > read more

Haley Barbour Accused Obama of Wanting Higher Gas Prices

Published on 2011-03-09 06:34:00

Mississippi Gov. and Boss Hogg stunt double, Haley Barbour, has been raising money by pretending to run for President for some time. He's about as electable as the fictional Boss Hogg, but here in Mississippi, we are always hearing about his impressi > read more

"Remember Wisconsin" Could be Democrats Rallying Cry in 2012

Published on 2011-03-07 07:09:00

The people of Wisconsin are learning a difficult but valuable lesson in the Scott Walker debacle. Voting Republican has serious consequences. Gov. Walker is using public employees to weaken the Democratic Party.A recent Public Policy Polling survey s > read more

Republican Class Warfare

Published on 2011-03-04 07:04:00

From Bold Progressives Subscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

I Can't Explain It

Published on 2011-03-02 05:05:00

Yes, I know there is a reason why Bill O'Reilly is paid to spew nonsense on Fox "News" - people tune in to see him. I suppose that is really what I can't explain.Subscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

We Need a Media Revolution

Published on 2011-02-27 08:42:00

Corporations exist primarily to make money for their shareholders. There shouldn't be anything particularly shocking about this. This is how capitalism works, and it can be a good thing. Without this system, the United States would probably not have > read more

We are Wisconsin

Published on 2011-02-24 05:17:00

We Are Wisconsin from Finn Ryan on Vimeo.Subscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

Top 10 Attacks From the GOP War on Women

Published on 2011-02-20 08:25:00

MoveOn.org is asking everyone to spread the word about the following:Top 10 Shocking Attacks from the GOP War on Women 1) Republicans not only want to reduce women's access to abortion care, they're actually trying to redefine rape. After a major bac > read more

Ambivalent About Gun Control, Part IV

Published on 2011-02-16 05:39:00

You can read this series from the beginning here. In this final part, I want to try to articulate my position on gun control. I think the challenge is one of working out an effective compromise that protects both the rights of the individual gun own > read more

Progressive America or Conservative America?

Published on 2011-02-13 14:36:00

Saw this one on Jobsanger and simply had to share:H/T Republican Dirty TricksSubscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

Huffington Post Spreads Misinformation and Pseudoscience

Published on 2011-02-09 05:06:00

Many progressives get their news, at least in part, from The Huffington Post. I think this is unfortunate, and I side with a growing number of bloggers who will not promote them with links or retweets. As I have explained previously, they promote a d > read more

The Circle Jerk of Fox "News"

Published on 2011-02-04 05:51:00

When an employee of a legitimate news organization reports something as factual that turns out to be made up and erroneous, he or she is typically reprimanded and possibly fired. We have seen this happen again and again, and I suspect that most of us > read more

Why College is Getting Easier

Published on 2011-01-31 06:03:00

Jobsanger wrote a thought-provoking post in which he takes retired Duke University professor Stuart Rojstaczer to task for suggesting that college has become easier. Rojstaczer points to grade inflation and provides evidence of rising GPAs. I almost > read more

Ambivalent About Gun Control, Part III

Published on 2011-01-29 06:55:00

Two parts in this series so far (Part I and Part II), and I'm beginning to feel a bit clearer about how to articulate my stance on gun control. I'm not there yet, but I'm making some progress. In this post, I'll look at the issue of high capacity ma > read more

Putting the False Equivalency Myth to Rest

Published on 2011-01-24 05:20:00

What is the most popular hour-long right-wing pundit show on Fox "News" today? It would be Glenn Beck, right? His show would score highest in their ratings, wouldn't it? Take Beck's show - or the one that would beat it if I'm wrong - and let's put it > read more

I'm Going to Miss Olbermann

Published on 2011-01-22 10:27:00

We learned yesterday that Countdown with Keith Olbermannhas ended and that Olbermann is no longer working at MSNBC. Nobody seems to know exactly what prompted the abrupt end of Countdown, but the prevailing opinion seems to be that MSNBC fired Olberm > read more

Cutting Taxes Doesn't Cure Stupidity

Published on 2011-01-22 07:31:00

From Morons With Signs H/T to Bay of Fundie > read more

Ambivalent About Gun Control, Part II

Published on 2011-01-20 05:09:00

If you missed the first part of this series, you can find it here. In this part, I'd like to move away from home defense and get to concealed carry. Many states make it fairly simple for Americans to carry concealed firearms. Is this a good thing tha > read more

Favorite Political Moment in 2010

Published on 2011-01-18 05:12:00

What was the best moment in politics in all of 2010? I'm sure we all have our favorites, but for me at least, there is no contest. My favorite political moment in 2010 would have to be the campaign speech delivered by Ohio Republican Phil Davison dur > read more

Yes, Reince Priebus Really is Someone's Name

Published on 2011-01-16 09:11:00

Friday was a big day for the Republican Party. The Republican National Committee (RNC) held their election for chairman, and the much beloved (by the left) Michael Steele is out. I will certainly miss him, and I know many progressives feel the same w > read more

Ambivalent About Gun Control

Published on 2011-01-15 07:01:00

At the risk of alienating some of my fellow progressives, I admit that I find myself ambivalent on the gun control issue. I agree with some of what each side says. Moreover, I recognize that my attitudes on gun control have changed somewhat over the > read more

Olbermann on Violent Metaphors

Published on 2011-01-14 07:32:00

An excellent special comment from Keith Olbermann following the attempted assassination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ): H/T to First Door on the Left Subscribe to Red State Progressive > read more

Conservatives Should Be Concerned About Political Rhetoric Too

Published on 2011-01-13 05:12:00

Writing in The Smirking Chimp, Marty Kaplan offered the following:If you're worried that violent video games may make kids prone to bad behavior; if you think that misogynic and homophobic rap lyrics are dangerous to society; if you believe that a ni > read more

We Were Warned

Published on 2011-01-11 05:58:00

I hope that's not where we're going, but, you know, if this Congress keeps going the way it is, people are really looking toward those Second Amendment remedies and saying my goodness what can we do to turn this country around? I'll tell you the firs > read more

Sheriff Calls Arizona Mecca of Bigotry

Published on 2011-01-10 08:27:00

I quoted Pima County Sheriff Dupnik in a recent post because I thought he made some excellent points. Here is Sheriff Dupnik giving one of the more eloquent press conferences I have seen in a long time. His point is simple: words have consequences. I > read more

Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) Discusses Vandalism and Palin's Crosshairs

Published on 2011-01-09 10:46:00

Big thanks to Blogging Blue for posting the following video of Rep. Giffords talking about her office being vandalized by teabaggers and being put in Sarah Palin's "crosshairs" simply because she supported health care reform.Subscribe to Red State Pr > read more

Arizona Shooting Looks Politically Motivated

Published on 2011-01-09 07:58:00

As everyone not living under a rock knows by now, Democratic congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and several others were shot in Tucson, Arizona, yesterday. Six of the victims have died, and Rep. Giffords remains in critical condition. There has been mu > read more

Time to Cut Defense Spending

Published on 2011-01-03 05:46:00

We can continue to neglect our infrastructure and decimate public education for only so long. And besides, they barely register in the overall budget picture. If we stubbornly refuse to raise taxes, it is time to make significant cuts to the defense > read more