by Oliver DeMille The rise of independents in American politics is a major trend that has drastically changed the political landscape. But why is it happening now? Are both major parties so bad now — indeed so much worse than they have ever been — that the majority of involved citizens just can’t stand them anymore? Actually, the parties … [Read more...]
The New America
December 3, 2010 by 2 Comments
By Oliver DeMille The Age of Dependence We have recently changed as a people, and as a nation. I’m not sure exactly when the change occurred, but we are living in the new reality it has created. On the one hand, we have always been a nation dedicated to positive change. America was founded by breaking from the old world and … [Read more...]
Breaking Free of the Two-Party System, Part 2: Solutions
November 26, 2010 by 4 Comments
By Kyle Roberts This is part two of a two-part series. Read Part 1 here. There are two fundamental reasons why this system has so much power: The parties are intimately connected with government operation of elections—from filling vacancies, to making appointments, to placing candidates on the ballot, and controlling the choices … [Read more...]
Breaking Free From the Two-Party System, Part 1: The Extent of the Damage
November 25, 2010 by 3 Comments
By Kyle Roberts To preserve our freedom, the U.S. legal code must separate political parties from government, and citizens must learn to consider more than the Democratic and Republican parties. Republics throughout history have always been dominated by self-serving parties whose goals are adverse to the rights and combined interests of the … [Read more...]
America’s New Grand Strategy, Part 2: New Thinking
November 24, 2010 by Leave a Comment
By Oliver DeMille This is Part 2 of a 2-part series. Read Part One Here. Problems with Grand “Tactics” Generals lose when they fail to learn the lessons of past wars; generals also lose when they attempt to fight new wars with old strategies. This adage applies even more to statesmen. To put this in context, each time a new grand … [Read more...]
America’s New Grand Strategy, Part 1: Internationalism and Beyond
November 23, 2010 by 1 Comment
By Oliver DeMille The United States is currently experiencing a Grand Strategy Crisis — and the most powerful nation in the world since the Roman Empire better get it right. Such a crisis typically comes along once a generation, when the nation drops its old grand strategy and selects a new one. Unfortunately, this significant change, … [Read more...]
Something New in the Middle East?
November 22, 2010 by 1 Comment
By Oliver DeMille For decades the Middle East has posed many challenges to American presidents. It seems every U.S. president wants to make history by helping negotiate a lasting peace in this difficult region. Few people feel a lot of optimism about this, however. Palestinians argue that they are a people under siege, a nation under … [Read more...]
Arguments of Degrees
November 17, 2010 by Leave a Comment
By Dave Wilson A while back I wrote about how the things we’re told we shouldn’t talk about — religion and politics — are precisely some of the most important things we can talk about. Sitting with someone of a different mind about either subject, but who is respectful and can express herself well, is a very pleasant experience. The … [Read more...]
Change?
November 15, 2010 by 4 Comments
By Shanon Brooks Recently, someone ask me if I was happy with the changes in Utah State government (6 more Republicans in the House and 1 more in the Senate). “What changes?” I said. “You know, the legislature is more conservative now.” “Really? When did that happen?” I inquired. “I only see a changing of the guard, new … [Read more...]
Seven Spheres of Influence
November 8, 2010 by 2 Comments
By Dave Wilson I read in a recent piece by David Brooks that, “Over the past seven months, the number of people who say government is doing too many things better left to business has jumped from 40 percent to 48 percent, according to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.” My first reaction was, “Remember last year when ‘business’ ruined … [Read more...]
