Outside the Beltway

Becoming a Member of Congress can be a very lucrative career.

Not surprisingly, people who are politically involved tend to be the ones that politicians listen to.

Newt Gingrich’s ideas about the role of the judiciary are very dangerous.

Back in the late 90s, Newt wanted to execute marjiuana traffickers.

How likely is it that a GOP Senate would eliminate the filibuster? Not very.

The much celebrated ban on earmarks isn’t stopping Congressmen from trying to earmark.

With the Super Committee dead, 2012 is likely to see a fight over the defense cuts set to take place starting in 2013.

Did you know there was another GOP debate last night? Well, you didn’t miss much.

Rick Perry is out with a plan to reform Washington. Mostly, it’s just a bunch of gimmicks.

Questions have been raised about whether it is proper for Elena Kagan to hear the Affordable Care Act lawsuit.

Congressmen apparently regularly make investment moves based on the information they learn. Of course, for them it isn’t illegal.

Interesting and significant goings on in Italian politics.

It was clear from the start that “Cash For Clunkers” was a bad idea.

The PPACA now has a 3-1 record in US appeals courts.

Barry Ritholtz lists a dozen causes of the financial crisis.

Less than a year ago, Herman Cain was denouncing a tax plan that is remarkably similar to the one he now advocates.

Mitt Romney played it safe on a controversial issue again.

Many of the Republican candidates for President advocate ideas that would restrict the power of the Federal Judiciary.

Some Northeastern Senators want to make selling fake maple syrup a federal offense.

In Louisiana, that cash in your pocket is now worthless if you want to buy used goods.

There’s no consensus for European-style social democracy or a Randian libertarian paradise.

Pondering Tea Party comparisons as well as the “does it matter?” question.

California’s Governor has vetoed a bill that would have reversed a very misguided decision by that state’s Supreme Court.

Rick Perry has serious problems with what people think about his immigration position.

With the advantage of hindsight, it’s clear that more creative strategies were needed. But they probably couldn’t have been passed.

Harry Reid’s “nuclear option” has changed the rules of the game, for now.

Harry Reid is playing hardball, invoking a tactic that he himself decried being threatened when Republicans were in charge.

A meme is emerging that the Occupy Wall Street protests are America’s version of the Arab Awakening. That meme must die.

Can someone who doesn’t look like a GQ model make it in politics anymore?

The health care battle is formally joined in the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court is on track to issue its most anticipated ruling in years right in the middle a Presidential campaign.

FEMA is about to run out of money, but don’t worry your Congressman is getting his vacation time in.

Texas is ending the time-honored tradition of allowing condemned men to pick their last meal before being put to death.

Last night’s Republican debate is likely to raise more questions about Rick Perry in the minds of voters.

The second half of the President’s political strategy is in place. Don’t mistake it for a serious legislative effort.

We won’t solve our fiscal problems by soaking “the rich.”

Republicans have a plan to wrest half of the Keystone State’s electors from Obama.

Oz provides an excuse for some comparative politics.

With the economy at the forefront of the public’s mind, the GOP needs to be careful in its response to President Obama’s new jobs bill.