Free Republic

Here’s a question where I’ll bet you think the answer ought to be completely obvious: Should the purpose of government “anti-poverty” programs be to help the beneficiaries rise from poverty and become successful and independent, or alternatively should the purpose of such programs be to entice the recipients of aid into a life of permanent dependency upon government handouts? From the earliest days of the anti-poverty programs back in the 1960s, the programs were sold to the public as being a temporary boost by which the poor could be helped to escape from poverty and achieve self-sufficiency. And yet, about...

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. rejected Democratic efforts to rope him into possibly playing an active role in the impeachment trial of President Trump, saying he will not cast any tie-breaking votes. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, Democrats’ floor leader, had suggested the chief justice could break ties, pointing back to the trial of President Andrew Johnson in 1868, where the chief justice at that time did cast votes to break two ties on procedural issues. Senators rebelled against that involvement, and Chief Justice Roberts said he didn’t consider those two “isolated episodes” to be sufficient precedent for him to...

I'm in my mid thirties, so I know I haven't seen it all, but I don't remember the topic of electors ever being an issue. I remember Ron Paul's supporters trying to become electors to vote for him in the primary in 2012 I think it was, but I've never seen it even mentioned much in the general election. It's like Trump has to win twice - first with the people and then with this small group of people who are receiving threats to vote for someone else. That is just so wrong. Does anyone here remember when electors actually...

Charles Rangel at Friday’s news conference. In his first news conference since learning his fellow lawmakers would put up him on trial for ethics violations, Representative Charles B. Rangel urged his constituents and the press to be patient, saying he would not address the specifics of the charges against him until the proceedings begin next week. But Mr. Rangel, who snapped at reporters in Washington on Thursday, appeared determined to strike a softer tone at Friday’s appearance, even offering a public apology to one reporter, Luke Russert, whose question on Thursday — about whether the charges would cost the congressman...

Just a quick question, that I am pretty sure I already know the answer to, but have a nagging doubt about: Was cotton ever a cash crop in Texas? I keep thinking 'No', but as I said, I'm getting a little voice in my head saying:"it might'a been...". Anyone know the answer?

GOP choice Crist can't control his appetite for food. Is this an indicator?

Really dumb question??? How do I add a tagline to my screen name?

The two Fox News staffers who were kidnapped in Gaza earlier this month were forced to convert to Islam at gunpoint, according to news reports. Fox's Steve Centanni said on Wednesday that he didn't know if he was officially a Muslim—"I don't know enough about Islam to know if it was official, or recognized." Well, is he a Muslim, or isn't he?

Can anyone list the "freedoms we lost" from the Homeland Security and Patriot Act?

what's the deal with certain people here that find it necessary....

Just to prove that there is an exception to every rule (in this case the rule is 'there's no such thing as a dumb question'): This was just on Fox. Don't know the last names, but the studio anchor named Katherine (sp?), short black hair, was talking to William (seen him a zillion times but can't think of his last name) embedded with the 3rd ID in Baghdad. He's outside of Saddam's palace, midday Sunday, where an army chaplain is leading a service for the troops... K: "I'm sure you've spoken to many members of the 3rd ID, and uhhh,...