There is no group of people that is used more for political purposes than our country’s troops and veterans.  This politicized behavior began shortly after the Bush Administration launched the Iraq War (taking its eye off Afghanistan) seven years ago this month and continued for the better part of the 2000s.  The Bush Administration sent hundreds of thousands of our nation’s men and women half-way across the world to topple the Iraqi government and then re-build that same nation.  Once the troops were on the ground, any attempts to have a serious discussion about the purpose of the mis

According to a recent Fox News poll, 60% of voters believe military force will be necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.  51% of independents, 51% of Democrats, and 75% of Republicans think a military strike will be required to thwart Iranian development of a nuclear weapons program. 

The series of firestorms currently underway at California’s public colleges and universities appears not to have burnt itself out yet.

Borrowing a page from Mitt Romney, former Bush strategist and current Fox News analyst, Karl Rove, is claiming that history will look favorably upon President George W. Bush.  In his upcoming memoir, the conservative mastermind defends the Bush administration's invasion of Iraq and its handling of Hurricane Katrina, and even refers to Bush's achievements as "impressive, durable, and significant".

Is California making a great financial move, or is it short-selling in a panic trying to solve its budget crisis?  That’s the question that state-watchers should be asking about the so-called Golden State Portfolio now being offered by CB Richard Ellis realty.  The list includes some of the state’s iconic public buildings such as the Ronald Reagan Building in Los Angeles and the Civic Center

It's been a busy week for food policy on Capitol Hill. Committees have already been convened to discuss antibiotic abuse in the meat industry (commendable) and improving the nutrition of school lunches (intriguing). Today starts a series of lobbying days for Senate Bill 510. Already having won bipartisan support, this FDA power grab vows to make our food system more “safe” and “modern” (frightening).

Four county registrars of voters told an Assembly committee March 2 that their costs of printing and processing ballots would increase if Californians approve Proposition 14, the so-called “open primary” initiative on the June ballot.  The informational hearing of the Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee was dominated by Assemblyman Sandre Swanson, an Oakland Democrat, who voted against placing the open primary measure on the ballot and has created a campaign committee – Swanson’s Ballot Measure Committee to Oppose Prop. 14.

Starbucks, replying to a petition from a gun control group, has said it will not ban the carry of handguns in its stores, if permitted by local law. The controversy ignited in Walnut Creek, CA when members of Bay Area Open Carry, a group advocating the legal carry of loaded handguns, began carrying open, unloaded handguns at Starbucks (which is generally legal under California law, with some exceptions.)

Appearing on Fox News with Greta Van Susteren (Feb. 23), Governor Schwarzenegger briefly emphasized the need for immigration reform in light of California’s economic woes.  “We've got to go and make a decision so that people can come to this country legitimately, rather than having quotas there, because we need the farm workers,” said Gov. Schwarzenegger.
 “We need the construction workers. We need to have people do certain jobs that maybe that we cannot fill otherwise,” he said.

Like him or hate him, Dr. Ron Paul doesn't just talk a big game about fiscal conservatism, he lives it.  In 2008, his congressional office returned $58,000 to the Treasury.  In 2009, his office returned $90,000.  Now, according to an official press release, Dr. Ron Paul's congressional office has just paid back $100,000.