Economists and healthcare policy experts have weighed in on both sides of the debate over Question One. There are clearly compelling expert arguments on both sides. My analysis on this question to date (which can be reviewed here, here, here, and here) has been about how average voters ought to consider this and every other…
The Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi and the International System
The most basic aspect of the international system is the fact that it lacks a centralized overarching authority. This is the sort of thing one learns on the first day of a basic intro course on international relations, but it makes it no less significant because given this characteristic, any positive international outcome that occurs…
Trump, Cruz, and the Shriveling Masculinity of America’s White Male Party
Last night Donald Trump visited Texas in an attempt to save a red Senate seat by campaigning for his one-time punching bag, Ted Cruz. The surreal scene underscored the plummeting testosterone levels plaguing the Republican Party, America’s shriveling symbol of white male manhood. The Trump-Cruz tolerance-by-necessity fest was well-captured in a tweet from Princeton historian…
Question #1: Voters Shouldn’t Be Confused!
In my essay about how voters “should” decide on Question One I recommended that voters use the same basic methodology that their elected representatives use to decide how they will vote on issues because it is both an effective and efficient method that is far superior to unrealistic attempts to make “objective” or “non-partisan” judgments…
Can Seth Klarman Save the Village by Destroying the Village?
Seth Klarman has been the largest giver from New England to Republican candidates, the largest giver to ballot committees, the largest giver to dark money fronts, and now the largest giver from New England to Democratic candidates. His largess this year is intended to save democracy from Donald Trump. It’s a noble endeavor and it’s…
How “should” you decide on Question One?
Looking to cut through the political spin and find unbiased facts to make the “right” decision on Question One? Nope. Nobody is actually doing this. That’s not how humans work. Your vote is a “political” decision. If you are trying to “cut through the political spin” in order to “get the facts” you are kidding…
Hello? Is anyone paying attention to MA-9?
During the primary season, there was a lot of attention paid to the Pressley-Capuano race. That was understandable – how often is it that we have a competitive Congressional race in the state of Massachusetts, let alone a competitive primary? But since then, there has been little talk about Congressional races in Massachusetts, despite the…
Advantage Baker
There are still advantages to being an incumbent, and they were on full display last night as Governor Charlie Baker and Democratic challenger Jay Gonzalez debated for the first time on WBZ. The advantages had little to do with the content of the debate, an informative back and forth between two nominees of substance. It…
We live in a democracy
We live in a democracy. It seems silly to have to remind each other of this, but I notice a trend on social media and elsewhere of snarky comments targeting those who raise concerns about democratic norms. It goes something like this: Commentator: “A President who lost the popular vote nominates a Justice for the…
Merrimack Opened a Policy Window. Will Policymakers Take Advantage?
A growing chorus of elected officials and reporters has sought to tie the Merrimack Valley gas explosions to inadequacies in the state’s natural gas infrastructure and regulatory regime. A number of state representatives have now called for hearings to explore the extent to which chronic shortages of state gas inspectors as well as a host…