Archive for July, 2011

Let’s be sure to attach the word “tentative” to the debt ceiling deal that members of Congress will begin debating Monday — and then will accept or reject. Given official Washington’s tendency throughout this process to take one step forward and two…

Art in Chicago

After reading all the anti-Marilyn Monroe statue comments in Voice of the People, I was amazed at what prudes people are. It’s her signature pose. Either get a life or stay home.

— Arlene Fear, Chicago

Marilyn as icon

I applaud…

WASHINGTON — We’re in the midst of a great four-year national debate on the size and reach of government, the future of the welfare state, indeed, the nature of the social contract between citizen and state. The distinctive visions of the two parties –…

If leadership is the capacity to take people where they need to go — whether or not they realize it or want it — then we’ve had almost no leadership in these weeks of frustrating and maddening debate over the budget and debt ceiling. There’s…

Depending on who you talk to, a new federal report on nuclear waste disposal either offers a start at dealing with a growing problem or merely kicks the can down the road on the controversial issue of Yucca Mountain.

The Blue Ribbon Commission on…

President Barack Obama has announced that Republican and Democratic leaders had agreed on a last-ditch deal to raise the US borrowing limit and avoid a catastrophic default, and he urged lawmakers to “do the right thing” and approve the agreement.

President Barack Obama has announced that Republican and Democratic leaders had agreed on a last-ditch deal to raise the US borrowing limit and avoid a catastrophic default, and he urged lawmakers to “do the right thing” and approve the agreement.

President Barack Obama makes a statement on new debt deal – July 31, 2011A new debt deal is in place, as confirmed on Sunday night. The would increase the ceiling by one trillion dollars, which is enough to get the US government through the February of 2012, while cutting spending. On the partisan scale, the Republicans got more of what they’d like than the Democrats. In fact, Speaker of the House‎ John Boehner urged his fellow Republicans get on board with plan on Sunday night. On the other hand, the Democrats are not so excited. The Congressional Progressive Caucus vowed to vote against this …