Illinois Ranked State in Worst Financial Condition

Written by Michael Hausam

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University just completed a study of the financial health of each state in the country. Considering debt, pensions, and health-care costs, they’ve ranked them in order of fiscal solvency.

Here is a map showing the overall ranking of the states [click on the maps to zoom]:

The rankings are based on relative economic stability based upon five separate categories:

1. Cash Solvency – Can the state cover short term bills?

Jeb Bush to Award Hillary “Liberty Medal” on Eve of Benghazi Anniversary

Written by Dr. Susan Berry

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) will honor former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with this year’s Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center. The award will be presented to Clinton on September 10th, the eve of the first anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States mission in Benghazi that killed four Americans.

The Christian Science Monitor reports that Bush, a potential GOP contender in the 2016 presidential race, is chairman of the board of trustees of the National Constitution Center located in Philadelphia.… Continue Reading

Obama Channels Reverend Wright

Written by Colin Flaherty

After 11 years of hiding and hinting, the real Barack Obama is back.

The guy who spent twenty years listening to Reverend Jeremiah Wright preach the gospel of racial hostility has decided it is just too much trouble to keep his black-on-white resentment all bottled up.

So the president put it on full display last week at the eulogy for the pastor who was a victim in the Charleston mass murder.

And what we saw was quite a bit different than the fresh-faced, new-vision, ‘put race behind us’ guy who electrified the country with his speech to the Democrat National Convention in 2004.… Continue Reading

At His Own Peril, Jeb! Spurns Conservatives on Education and Immigration

Written by William Sullivan

We all know the famous Republican Jeb! (as his campaign seems eager to avoid use of his last name and believes an exclamation point will get people excited about him, I’ll indulge that wish) who is now an immediate heavyweight in the Republican primary after his long-expected announcement for president.

But don’t let the R that often makes its way in front of his name fool you.  Jeb! loves lots of things that Democrats and big government progressives love.… Continue Reading

Public Opinion Leaders VS The Hired Help

Written by John Biver

The Old Testament book of Proverbs (chapter 29 verse 18) reads: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” There is an amazing lack of vision among Republicans and conservatives about what is possible in America today. Despair and pessimism reign. Instead of searching out the potential for changing things, too many on the political right spend their time bemoaning the sad state of affairs.

It is the opinion of this writer that our side needs to quit the whining and do what previous generations have always had to do: buck up and do what is necessary to make improvements.… Continue Reading

Five Reasons Why Republicans Won’t Nominate Jeb Bush

Written by Aaron Goldstein

Yesterday officially marked the entry of Jeb Bush into the 2016 Republican presidential race. Although the former Florida governor has instant name recognition and vast resources, they will not be enough for Republicans to pick him as their nominee for the White House. I believe this to be so for the following five reasons.

1. Illegal Immigration is Act of Love

At a town hall meeting in April 2014, Bush told Shannon Beam of the Fox News Channel the following about illegal immigration, “Yes, they broke the law, but it’s not a felony.… Continue Reading

Ready For A ’92 Redo?

Written by Gary L. Bauer

Forty-eight hours after Hillary Clinton relaunched her presidential campaign, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush formally declared his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination. (The governor began speaking moments ago and I’ll comment on his remarks tomorrow.)

The last time America faced a choice between Bush and Clinton was 1992. Anyone excited about a decades-old redo?

That question may dog both of the presumed party frontrunners. As CNN noted today:

“A 2016 campaign between Bush and Clinton would undoubtedly be clouded by questions about legacy, nepotism and the vitality of a political system seemingly dominated by a pair of powerful families with close ties to wealthy elites in Washington and on Wall Street .

Applying Reagan’s ‘Bold Colors’ Not ‘Pale Pastels’ to Conservative Political Action (Part 1)

Is Scott Walker Afraid of Social Issues?

Written by Ben Howe

Politico says that Scott Walker is having a “crisis of faith” because social conservatives are questioning his bona fides.  Showing their ignorance of what “social conservatism” actually is, they quoted a lot of evangelicals and mentioned over and over how it was surprising he would have this problem given that he mentions God a lot.   You know, because that’s the criteria. Hold your hand up, say God led you, and the social conservatives will stop drooling on the floor long enough to scream “UNDER GOD!”… Continue Reading

GOP Candidates’ Quest for the Highly Religious Protestant Vote

Written by Frank Newport

Mike Huckabee’s official entrance into the Republican race for president this week underscores the importance of a particular segment of the Republican population — highly religious Protestant voters. Often called evangelicals, this segment is clearly the key target for Huckabee’s campaign. Huckabee attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, is a former Baptist minister, and as was the case in 2008, he clearly perceives this religious background to be a particular strength.… Continue Reading