July 4, 2011

MARIE JON, RA ANALYST — "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." -- Thomas Jefferson... (more)

July 3, 2011

SAMUEL DONIGER — On July 4, 1776, members of the Second Continental Congress gathered in the modest enclosures of Independence Hall to declare the birth of what would become the greatest nation the world had ever known... (more)

July 3, 2011

NEWSMAX — The best way for Republicans to win back the majority in the Senate is "to do what we say we're going to do," argues tea party favorite Sen. Jim DeMint in an exclusive Newsmax.TV interview. The South Carolina conservative maintains that he'd "rather have 30 Republicans who believe in the principles of freedom than 60 who believe in nothing at all... (more)

July 3, 2011

BLOOMBERG — Republicans would accept a "mini" deal with the Obama administration on raising the debt limit, Senator John Cornyn of Texas, a Republican leader, said. Cornyn said today on "Fox News Sunday" that while Republicans would prefer a long-term deal, they would accept a shorter-term agreement if that's all they could get done... (more)

July 3, 2011

FRANK MINITER — The Declaration of Independence, signed July 4, 1776, was a moral and profound list of grievances and/or charges detailing why colonial Americans found it necessary to separate themselves from the English Parliament and King George III... (more)

July 2, 2011

PATRICK GARRY, RA ANALYST — In two decisions announced this week, the Supreme Court's liberal wing shows a curious and seemingly inconsistent stance toward First Amendment freedoms. In Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association, the wing, with the exception of Justice Breyer, found that a California law requiring minor children to have their parent's consent before purchasing graphically violent video games violated the First Amendment rights of video game manufacturing and distributing corporations... (more)

July 2, 2011

REUTERS — Rhode Island's governor on Saturday signed into law a controversial bill legalizing same sex civil unions, but said it does not go far enough toward legalizing gay marriage. Governor Lincoln Chafee, an independent who supports gay marriage, nontheless signed the measure with the promise that it would move Rhode Island closer to the ultimate goal of legalizing gay marriage... (more)

July 1, 2011

NEWSMAX — Almost 50 House members want the House Judiciary Committee to investigate Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan's involvement in formulating President Barack Obama's healthcare law while she was his solicitor general... (more)

July 1, 2011

WASHINGTON TIMES — It's lights out for Minnesota. A Democratic governor who sought to raise taxes on the wealthiest residents bumped heads with a Republican-controlled legislature, and their protracted budget impasse shut down state government just after midnight on Friday... (more)

July 1, 2011

CNSNEWS.COM — President Barack Obama's approval has hit an all-time low among the poorest Americans, according to the Gallup poll. Meanwhile, when compared to the other income brackets reported by Gallup, Obama's approval is highest among the richest Americans... (more)

June 30, 2011

WES VERNON, RA ANALYST — The "I" word is something one is well-advised to use sparingly lest it be abused and over-used. Impeachment is a constitutional option that has -- during our nation's history -- been approached with super-caution. After all, officials at the very top echelons of our government either were elected or were nominated by an elected official (the president) or were appointed by the duly elected head of state... (more)

June 30, 2011

LOS ANGELES TIMES — Reporting from Sacramento-- Shopping at Amazon.com Inc. and other major Internet stores is poised to get more expensive. Beginning Friday, a new state law will require large out-of-state retailers to collect sales taxes on purchases that their California customers make on the Internet -- a prospect eased only slightly by a 1-percentage-point drop in the tax that also takes effect at the same time... (more)