Outside the Beltway

A minor story that illustrates a far bigger problem in our politics.

The trailblazing soldier-statesman has died at 84.

The Politician’s Syllogism rears its ugly head.

Speaking of elections.

The legendary country music singer-songwriter known as “The Storyteller” is gone at 85.

Hungary is part of a broader global trend, but the real issue isn’t Hungary, it is the Americans who praise Hungary.

Whataboutism about a visit to Whataburger (and other tales of obfuscation).

Legislatures and school boards politicize what our kids are taught.

ZZ Top’s longtime bass player is gone.

Gotta clear those tabs.

A major first step to solving a longstanding global issue.

The author of beloved children’s books is gone at 91.

The latest bogey man is likely not well understood.

More voice, more votes, more representation.

The Watergate conspirator, author, and talk show host was 90.

Our insistence on relying on an 18th Century understanding of electoral systems is our ongoing bane (if one values representative government).

It’s time to up our protection game.

As expected, the Congress has overridden his veto of the NDAA.

We won’t have Sidney Powell to kick around any more.

A shameful farce continues to unfold.

Reminders from a perusal of the news.

What meanings might the Founders have had? How should we understand the term?

A rock and roll legend is gone too soon.

The venerable military newspaper lives to print another day.

Some recommended reading.

The Republican Party is now the mirror image of the totalitarian propagandists it used to hate.

The Republicans are putting on quite a show.

The official campaign to oust Donald Trump is off to a good start.

Institutional reform is necessary, but we can’t accomplish much in the face of tribalism.

Ok, so what should change?

Policy failures by the US government have neutered US passports for the foreseeable future.

The National Security Advisor to Presidents Ford and GHW Bush has died.

Having failed to prevent or contain it, aggressive stupidity is now washing over us.

The President does not like his poll numbers.

Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar.

The Country Music Hall of Famer is gone.

Lee Drutman’s Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop

Yet another grim milestone.

Not that one. The other one.

Two new studies bring more questions than answers.

Some global comparisons.

The counting methodology is flawed and that’s assuming honest reporting.

A progressive idea that could win conservative support.

The 1990s country star is dead at 61.

Despite our poor showing against COVID-19, we have the best infrastructure in place.

On Tucker last night, Patrick made an odd appeal (to be kind).

There are two theories, neither of them good.

As if the country needed more turmoil.

Only the best people.

Which ones have you owned?