Seattle Plows Ahead with 50% Cut To Police Department. Where are the Metrics Which Define Success?
Seattle City Council signals a veto-proof majority for a 50% cut in police funding. But where are the metrics?
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In Act II, Will We Wait Until Our Row Number Is Called?
At this time, we’d like to offer early boarding to passengers traveling with small children, and our active military members.” once-familiar refrain at airports It’s just before Easter, and it’s starting to feel like we’re entering Act II of the COVID-19 crisis. The frightening curves are flattening in many parts of the country. The number…
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To the High School Class of 2021
March 2020: I’m reading lots of pieces (for instance here, here and here) about the COVID Class of 2020, detailing many real and heartbreaking stories of the traditions and moments that high school seniors are losing. And on social media, I’m reading wonderful and genuine expressions of sympathy, like this one on Nextdoor: No question:…
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A Turn Toward Optimism
I am noting for my future self that yesterday, Sunday March 22, 2020, was the day that my mood shifted fairly markedly from gloomy about the mid-term 3-9 month window to optimistic. SHORT TERM (0-2 months) things will get tougher, and media gloom will accelerate as the wave now hits NYC. From a life and…
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Warren’s Withdrawal: It’s Age of the Meme, not Age of the Wonk
In the age of simplicity, nuance is a liability, not a strength Senator Elizabeth Warren has suspended her campaign. With comparatively more realistic and detailed plans and the talent to explain them, she should have easily beaten Senator Bernie Sanders for the hearts and minds of the progressive left wing of the party. But she…
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“Modern Monetary Theory” is Magical Thinking: There’s No Free Lunch
There’s a new genie that’s popped from the lamp to help pay for the wishlist of multi-trillion dollar programs, and it’s got a smart-sounding name: “Modern Monetary Theory.” It’s also got a very heavy lift, because of the staggering federal spending ambitions of both Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Each candidate would more than…
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Relearning the 20th Century’s Most Important Lesson
I went to the bank yesterday to get a document notarized, and struck up a great conversation with the lovely associate manager, Roxana. Noticing an Eastern-European accent, I asked her about her background, and she said her family came to the United States from Romania in the 80’s, fleeing the Ceausescu regime. I mentioned that…
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Top 3 Takeaways from the 2020 New Hampshire Primary
What does last night’s New Hampshire primary tell us about the developing 2020 presidential race? Here are my top three takeaways: The chances of a brokered (i.e., contested) convention have never been higher Trump demonstrated record turnout for an incumbent, suggesting a core of enthusiasm which has expanded since 2016 Warren’s campaign is toast: does…
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Mitt Romney: I Agree.
I’m with Mitt Romney: I’d vote YES on Article I and NO on Article II. The enormous powers of the Executive Branch should not be marshaled or weaponized to damage, investigate or monitor political opponents. That’s a terrible precedent. This goes for a president coaxing foreign allies either with favor or via threatened-withheld resources to…
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Wealth Tax Reality Check: It’s Unconstitutional
The Constitution’s apportionment clause makes wealth taxes clearly unconstitutional. That’s not to say a wealth tax is impossible. Just as when federal income taxes were enacted, there is a way to have a legal wealth tax: the Constitutional Amendment process. But to pass an Amendment, the Constitution first requires two thirds of the House and…
