Free Republic

On July 24, 1952, Stanley Kramer’s High Noon was released and subsequently won 4 Oscars. Wikipedia reports that the film was “one of the first 25 films (selected) for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” in 1989, the NFR’s first year of existence.” As I see it, the greatness of the movie is in showing how good government depends on the performance of exceptional individuals and just how hard modern centuries make it for those individuals to want to stay in government. The heroes we need are getting harder and harder...

And Mussolini made the trains run on time . . . On today's Morning Joe, Adrian Wooldridge, a columnist at The Economist, said that unlike the United States, China passes the "good government" test. Wooldridge made his comment in the context of discussing the way various countries have dealt with the coronavirus pandemic, but offered no qualifier as to his "good government" praise of China. To the contrary, Wooldridge said that the advantage of good government is moving from the West "to the East. We have to wake up to this fact that government matters, and that we’re falling behind...

In the fall of 2019, Republicans suffered a few serious defeats: Democrats won governor races in Kentucky and Louisiana, and consolidated the state legislature of Virginia. Too many Republican voters in both states told pollsters and reporters that the Republican candidates just hadn’t "earned their votes." They hadn't made the case for election, or reelection, or they'd lost the glow they used to have. Oh, these voters still consider themselves Republican, and voted Republican for other races, but since these particular Republican candidates didn’t "earn their votes" they denied them the prize of victory, allowing an opposition with whom they...

Gingrich Fires Back, But Tax Expert Says He's in 'World of Trouble' By MATTHEW MOSK, BRIAN ROSS (@brianross) and ANGELA M. HILL June 16, 2011 GOP Presidential contender Newt Gingrich attacked the "elite media" Wednesday for running "hit pieces" against him, even as tax and ethics experts were telling ABC News that the recent reports on a charity Gingrich founded have spawned serious questions about the former House Speaker's business and charity empire. "I think he's in a world of trouble from a tax standpoint," said Marcus S. Owens, who ran the IRS Exempt Organizations Division for ten years, and...

David Barton, Founder and President of Wallbuilders, will be the featured luncheon speaker on “Keys to Good Government – According to the Founding Fathers” from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., Monday, May 24, at the JMU Festival Conference and Student Center. Seats are $25/person or $200 for tables of eight. For reservations, write to family@valleyfamilyforum.org or call (540) 438-8966.

Haley Barbour emerged victorious this past week. While states nationwide were issuing IOUs, the Mississippi legislature actually passed a balanced budget albeit kicking and screaming from the pressure levied on them by Governor Barbour. This may be viewed historically as Governor Barbour's second greatest accomplishment of his term (the first being of course the response to Katrina). It will likely further serve to raise his stock among conservatives in the 2012 Presidential conversation. Remember where we came from before the Special Session. The Billy McCoy-led House wanted $0 hospital assessment on Medicaid. Governor Barbour got $60M that will increase to...

<p>If anyone had predicted California's political events of the last 10 months, he would have earned a high place in the ranks of famous crackpots.</p> <p>A governor recalled for the first time in the state's history and replaced by a Hummer-driving Hollywood action hero who acknowledged "bad behavior" on "rowdy movie sets," allegedly groping at least a half dozen women and probably many more.</p>

<p>Gubernatorial candidate Bobby Jindal visited Monroe this week to outline his plan for changing Louisiana's image.</p> <p>Jindal, R-Baton Rouge, released the plan during his "Good Government Tour" across the state. The plan includes three main themes - making state and local government more open and accountable to the public, aggressively addressing potential conflicts of interest and responsibly managing spending of hard-earned taxpayer dollars.</p>

Shakespeare said it well: "Praising what is lost, Makes the remembrance dear." Phil Gramm and Dick Armey chose to retire this year after long and distinguished careers in Congress. I challenge Freepers to recognize their service to the country by sending them a thank you. (for the lazy) Phil Gramm can be sent an email at: phil_gramm@gramm.senate.gov. Or C/O 370 Russell Senate Office Building,Washington, D.C. 20510 Dick Armey's address is: 301 Cannon Office Building, Washington D.C. 20515-4236