Posts by Doug Mataconis
About Doug Mataconis
Doug Mataconis held a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University and J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He joined the staff of OTB in May 2010 and contributed a staggering 16,483 posts before his retirement in January 2020. He passed far too young in July 2021.
Tax Deal Debate A Preview Of Race For GOP Nomination
The internal debate in the Republican Party over the tax cut extension deal with President Obama is serving as a preview of some of the battles that may erupt during the race for the party’s nomination in 2012.
President Obama Is Down, But Far From Out
There’s plenty of good news for Barack Obama in the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.
Mom Files Lawsuit To Stop Child From Forcing Her To Buy Happy Meals
A woman in California has filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s because she is apparently unable to resist her child’s incessant demands for a Happy Meal.
The Individual Mandate And America’s Ongoing Debate Over The Role Of Government
The battle over the individual mandate is really just nothing more than the latest round in a batter that has been ongoing for 221 years.
Republican Hypocrisy On Pork Barrel Spending
The incoming House Republicans aren’t making a good first impression.
Congressional Job Approval Falls To 13%
Americans’ assessment of Congress has hit a new low, with 13% saying they approve of the way Congress is handling its job.
Americans Discontent, Nervous About Economy, And Unsure Of Republicans
A new poll shows that the American public is discontented, nervous about the economy, not entirely sure they can trust the new GOP majority in Congress, and has no idea what it wants from Washington. Sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Federal Court: E-Mail Entitled To Fourth Amendment Protection
A Federal Appeals Court in Ohio has handed down what could become a landmark ruling in the application of the 4th Amendment to the Internet.
Why The Supreme Court Is Likely To Uphold ObamaCare’s Individual Mandate
Despite yesterday’s victory for opponents of the Affordable Care Act, the prospects in the Supreme Court are not good.
Veteran Diplomat Richard Holbrooke Dies At 69
One of the most active American diplomats of the past twenty-five years has passed away.
Conservatives For Higher Taxes
Politics makes for strange bedfellows and, when it comes to the debate over the extension of the Bush tax cuts, anti-tax Republicans are making common cause with soak-the-rich progressives.
Federal Judge: Health Care Law Individual Mandate Unconstitutional
A Federal Judge in Virginia has handed the first legal defeat to the President’s health care reform package.
Law, Morality, And Incest: When Should Something Be Illegal?
The weekend arrest of a Columbia University Professor for an apparently consensual act raises some interesting questions about why precisely a specific act should be subject to criminal prosecution.
The Julian Assange Case, Consent, And Rape
Inspired by the reaction to the Julian Assange case, a feminist writer proposes dangerous changes to American rape laws.
Mr. Sanders Goes To Washington
Bernie Sanders took to the floor of the Senate yesterday to rail against President Obama’s tax cut deal. It was history in the making, but it’s not clear that it actually accomplished anything.
