Bonnie Erbe 10:56 AM ET

Healthcare Reform's Fate Lies in the Hands of Four Women

By Bonnie Erbe, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

The fate of healthcare reform in the U.S. Senate seems to be resting with these four women: Arkansas Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Louisiana Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu, Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, and Maine Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe.

This new bipartisan gang of four could be key to removing the heavily partisan debate dogging the legislation. Even though I only agree with two of them, I'm thrilled to see women's growing power in national politics. It's something we've all wanted for some time. As the New York Times reported:

When Senate Democratic leaders first went behind closed doors to complete the healthcare legislation, the only women in the room were either committee staff members or officials from the White House. The senators there — Harry Reid of Nevada, Max Baucus of Montana and Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut—reflected the Senate's predominant history as an old-boys' club.

Peter Roff Yesterday

Nearly Half the Cost of a Thanksgiving Dinner Comes From Taxes

By Peter Roff, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

Thanksgiving is a time for family and for reflection, a time to kick back and consider all the ways in which we, as Americans, have been blessed over the previous year. Now, just in time for the holiday the folks at the Americans for Tax Reform Foundation have released a mini-study pointing out one way in which we can be "unthankful."

According to them, nearly half the cost of a typical Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people is taxes. Using figures provided by the American Farm Bureau Federation, ATRF's Center for Fiscal Responsibility has determined the typical tax bite comes to just under 41 percent of the total cost of the meal.

Bonnie Erbe Yesterday

Neither Liberal Nor Libertarian, and I Dislike Republicans and Democrats Equally

By Bonnie Erbe, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

I normally let my posts go viral without responding to some of the ridiculous exaggerations of my views that end up out there in cyberspace. But there is one blog entry that was filed in response to my last posting that cries out for rejoinder, so here I go.

As noted in that post, I read in the Wall Street Journal that Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid was handing out goodies to senators wavering on healthcare reform. I do believe the Democratic approach to healthcare is a big mistake, and one that will come back to haunt the party if it's able to push thru the so-called public option. The costs to the taxpayer will be so enormous, Democrats will suffer years of losses after it's a fait accompli, as they did when they were labeled the "party of tax and spend" by former President Ronald Reagan.

Mary Kate Cary Yesterday

Is Newsweek's 'The Decade in Seven Minutes' Biased?

By Mary Kate Cary, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

Here's a topic for your family to get into over Thanksgiving dinner ...

New Year's Eve this year marks the end of the decade. Newsweek has put together a video that summarizes the major news events of 2000 through 2009 in seven minutes.

The video moves quickly and when I watched it I thought some of it was pretty biased, but couldn't catch every little remark, since it rushes through at a breakneck pace. Luckily, the Media Research Center has a partial transcript of it for us and, upon slower examination, the MRC says the video is "sharply partisan and liberal." The MRC is pretty conservative, granted, but I think they're right.

Robert Schlesinger November 23, 2009

Republicans Push European-Style Political System

By Robert Schlesinger, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

In their ongoing attempt to purify the GOP, a group of Republican National Committee members are cooking up a resolution which would lay out a 10-point platform against which would-be GOPers would be measured. Excessive divergence--getting more than two issues wrong--would result in excommunication from the party.

This is completely reasonable political party behavior ... in Europe, where parties are much more platform- and issue-driven than here in the United States. And it just makes me ask: Why do these Republicans hate the American political system?

Peter Roff November 23, 2009

Carly Fiorina Aims to KO Barbara Boxer in 2010 California Senate Race

By Peter Roff, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

California has, for some time, been rather inhospitable to Republicans.

The state where Reagan once reigned is now considered one of the most liberal in the nation. California has not voted Republican for president since 1988. All but two of the statewide elected officials are Democrats. The congressional delegation is majority Democrat. And in the state legislature, one-party Democratic rule is considered regular order.

Once a national symbol of entrepreneurial spirit and the ability of a man or woman to remake themselves into a success on the order of their ability, the state is now mired in a morass of taxation, regulation, spending, and debt that should serve as a cautionary tale for the rest of America. Whether the damage caused by the amalgam of labor unions, trial lawyers, state bureaucrats and career politicians who actually run the state can be reversed depends on the caliber of candidate who can be enticed to enter the arena.

Jodie Allen November 23, 2009

Why More Favor War in Iran While Support for the Afghan Effort is Dropping

By Jodie Allen, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

Recent polls reveal a curious contrast between the public's current feelings about America's ongoing war in Afghanistan and the possibility of the nation adding another front to its list of military engagements, this one in Iran.

Though most Americans aren't ready to cut and run, an increasing number are having second thoughts about U.S. involvement in Afghanistan. A Pew Research Center November poll finds 56 percent endorsing the initial decision to use force, down 8 percentage points since January. Similarly, a late September Pew poll found support among Americans for keeping troops in Afghanistan until the country is stable stood at 50 percent—a hefty seven-point drop since June. This despite the fact that fully three-in-four Americans see a Taliban takeover in Afghanistan as a major threat to U.S. well-being.

Yet even as enthusiasm for involvement in Afghanistan faded, an October Pew Research survey, found that by a substantial 61 percent to 24 percent margin, Americans said that it is more important to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons than to avoid a military conflict with that country. True, the survey also found hefty support for direct negotiations—but most Americans just don't think they'll work. And when faced with the choice between a nuclear-armed Iran and military action, most Americans choose conflict.

Doug Heye November 23, 2009

Bennet's Healthcare Stand Is a Concession to Reality, Not a Profile in Courage

By Doug Heye, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

"I'll risk my job to vote for healthcare," Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet told CNN's John King yesterday. For many on the Left, the statement was a rallying cry of martyrdom. "They may take our freedom, but they'll never take our government-run healthcare," the newly-minted William Wallace of the Senate might say. On the surface, it's the bold statement of a politician laying it all on the line. But scratch the surface just a little bit and one is quickly reminded that however Bennet may vote on Harry Reid's healthcare bill, his job is already at risk.

Mary Kate Cary November 23, 2009

Houston’s Bush Tops List of Best Airports for Thanksgiving Travel

By Mary Kate Cary, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

This morning's Daily Beast ranks the best and worst American airports, just in time for the busiest travel week of the year. Take a look at the rankings so you'll be prepared for the nightmare if your destination is on the list.

It's no surprise that Newark, New Jersey ranks as the "airport from hell," but let's have a drumroll for the best airport in the United States. I'll give you a hint: it's named after my favorite skydiving former President. Next time you're flying into Houston, check out the statue of him in the middle of the terminal and read about his career as a Navy pilot who flew over 50 combat missions into very dangerous territory during WWII. No wonder operations there are so highly ranked ...