2009 Georgia Legislature: They're gone!

By Charles Jackson | 04/08/09

The 2009 session of the Georgia legislature adjourned around midnight last Friday. It’s now safe to let the women and children out, unlock the booze and put your wallet back in your pocket. We’ve tried to keep a watchful eye on the legislature, posting five commentaries during the session (“2009 Georgia Legislature: They’re back!”). This year’s assembly lacked last year’s implosions and acrimony... read more »

Barney & Friends, the Sequel

By Charles Jackson | 04/07/09

Some of you may recall a 1992 PBS children’s television show, Barney & Friends. Barney is a loveable purple, rotund dinosaur who comes magically to life. With a friendly, optimistc attitude, he interacts with a group of children, sometimes helped by other lovable dinosaur friends, Baby Bop and BJ. Today, Barney & Friends has made a comeback and is currently playing in the United States House of Representatives.  In... read more »

The Party of "No"...Again

By Charles Jackson | 04/03/09

The House and Senate approved budgets of some $3.5 trillion yesterday with no Republican support. The Republican alternative offered in the House, was defeated 293 to 137, with 38 Republicans opposing it. Their proposal centered on more tax cuts and a spending freeze except for the military. A spending freeze in a recession? Go figure. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, a new poll says the Republican Party has garnered its lowest public approval... read more »

"Shuttin' Detroit Down:" A Conservative Populist Anthem

By Charles Jackson | 03/31/09

“Wall Street, bank and corporate bailouts continue while small business and the little guy go under…AIG is getting another $30 billion. ’The American people are angry, frustrated and fed-up,’ I wrote last October. If anything, it’s more pronounced now. There’s a simmering but growing populist sentiment out there. If I may use a vulgarism, they - we - are pissed off,” (“The Case for... read more »

Shots Across the Bow

By Charles Jackson | 03/31/09

>The field has now grown to three announced Republican candidates for governor next year: Lt. Governor Casy Cagle, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine and, last week, Secretary of State Karen Handel. Another may be entering soon. Sam Olens, Cobb County Commission chairman, is making the rounds outside the county fueling speculation that he’s setting the stage to run for governor.He plans a statewide “listening tour”... read more »

The Party of "No"

By Charles Jackson | 03/24/09

When Republicans carried the ball in Washington, Democrats sat and stewed on the sidelines.  They were correctly labeled as carping, whining obstructionists - voting nay to a host of Bush Administration proposals, tax cuts being but one example. And of course the war in Iraq was a favorite thumbs down issue.  Democrats were the Party of "No."  Incapable of winning elections, "No" was their one word vocabulary laced with... read more »

2009 Georgia Legislature: They're back! Part V: Schools Out for Vouchers

By Charles Jackson | 03/23/09

  Sen. Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) introduced SB 90, a bill that would make Georgia the first state to offer vouchers to all public schools students. The bill would allot parents about $5,000 in taxpayer money to use toward private school tuition. Senate Bill 90 also would allow parents to switch their children from one public school to another. School vouchers would give parents the right to choose where their childdren attend class... read more »

"I'm Mad As Hell And I'm Not Going To Take This Anymore"

By Charles Jackson | 03/16/09

A.I.G. Planning Huge Bonuses After $170 Billion Bailout (New York Times, March 15). AIG Discloses Recipients of $75B in Bailout Payments(Washington Post, March 15). AIG pay millions in execs' bonuses (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 15). Summers calls AIG bonuses 'outrageous'   (Associated Press, March 15). Millions in AIG bonuses draw chorus of outrage(Associated Press, March 15). Bracing for a Bailout Backlash(New York Times, March... read more »

Fools Rush Limbaugh

By Charles Jackson | 03/09/09

All of Western Civilization is focused on one Mr. Rush Limbaugh, a, um . . . talk radio show host - no word yet from Vatican City.   The media have gone bonkers.   Pundits, commentators, columnists, bloggers have feasted on the frenzy.   The president of the United States has weighed in. The Republican Party has a new face and voice-- a characterization considered not entirely complimentary nowadays. In reality,... read more »

2009 Georgia Legislature: They're back! Part IV: Sunday Alcohol Sales DOA Again

By Charles Jackson | 03/06/09

Among the more contentious issues facing the Georgia legislature was the Sunday sale of alcohol. Currently, alcoholic beverages can already be sold on Sunday in restaurants and bars in many parts of the state after 12:30 p.m. You can also mbibe at professional sporting events and, if you wish, even in one of those chauffeured, "party" limousines... all this after church which hopefully you attended. Under a bill filed by Sen. Seth Harper... read more »