Author Archives: cykman
Is the Democrats 2008 Hangover Finally Over?
The congressional elections of 2006 brought notional Democratic Party control of Congress. Election Day 2008 brought the Democrats the White House, firm control of the House of Representatives, and a strong but not filibuster proof majority in the United States … Continue reading
Electoral Nullification in 2010
In my March 13, 2010 blog post, I wrote about Republican attempts to nullify the results of the 2006 and 2008 elections through the use of the filibuster and stalling tactics in congressional committees. I suggested an analogy between the … Continue reading
Career Watchdog To Lead Reorganized Minerals Management Service
President Obama has selected Michael Bromwich as his new watchdog for the oil and gas industry. Bromwich’s selection coincided with Interior Secretary Salazar’s announcement that he is restructuring the Minerals Management Service (MMS) and renaming the agency Bromwich will lead … Continue reading
The Decline of Entrepreneurial Capitalism
What do the following have in common: Budweiser Beer; CITGO gasoline; Good Humor, Ben and Jerry’s, and Breyer’s ice creams; French’s mustard; Frigidaire refrigerators; Adidas and Reebok shoes; New York’s Plaza Hotel and Chrysler Building; Caribou Coffee and Church’s Chicken; … Continue reading
The Politics of the Petroleum Economy (2)
When BP CEO Tony Hayward went before Congress and refused to answer questions asked by both Democratic and Republican members, you had to wonder whether we were finally going to see some bipartisanship. When Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, blasted President … Continue reading
The Politics of the Petroleum Economy
As a matter of principle and practice, I believe in Win-Win solutions whenever possible, and that life presents us with a virtually unlimited number of opportunities to break out of “zero-sum” assumptions to create abundance. In fact, this is the … Continue reading
The Morality of the Petroleum Economy
Petroleum has been a critical component of world economic growth for generations. The strong growth of the U.S. economy since the end of World War II has been in large part made possible by the availability of cheap oil. But … Continue reading
Our Fearful Middle Class
A growing, thriving middle class has long been understood as the key to political stability. That’s been true throughout history, just as it is today. You look around the world and where you see a middle class population under stress, … Continue reading
Get Real, Tea Party Fans
So you think being an angry voter is cool? Well, you now have a voice in American politics. The newly founded Tea Party has with the help of the media become a symbol for those of us who “don’t want … Continue reading
Elena Kagan — Judicial Experience Not A Prerequisite
As the first female Dean of the Harvard Law School and the first woman to serve as U.S. Solicitor General, Elena Kagan has a track record of setting precedents. If confirmed, Ms. Kagan will become the youngest justice on the … Continue reading