The Curmudgeon Growls

Although he scrupulously avoided the term "empathy", which has been pooh-poohed by the right, President Obama certainly had that quality in mind when he nominated Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court, citing her "understanding of law, not as an intellectual exercise or words on a page, but as it affects the lives of ordinary people".

And empathy is a quality in desperately short supply on this court, as blatantly demonstrated by a recent decision in which five Roman Catholic justices again flouted settled precedent by sanctioning a memorial cross on federal land.

A year ago pundits were writing obituaries for the Republican party in Congress.

Now they're writing them for the Democrats. Not so fast, I say.

The award of the Peace Prize came as a surprise, even to Obama supporters. But on reflection, there were plenty of reasons for the Nobel Committee's choice.

Some confusion has arisen - or rather, has been deliberately created by health care opponents - as to whether the proposed mandate for individuals to purchase health insurance is a tax.

Of course it's not a tax.

The political chasm between the left and right in the U.S. continues to widen.

I blame it on primary elections.

Earlier this week, a majority of the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn campaign finance laws, showed sympathy for the view that a corporation, being a "legal person", has a constitutional right to free speech in elections.

So doesn't it follow that corporations should have the right to vote?

No, I can't be expected to produce a blog sanitized for consumption by those of all political stripes.

As a compromise, the social and political commentary will be tucked away in its own well-padded little cell. Welcome to it.

Longer posts may have to wait until I get up a good head of steam.

But in the meantime, I just have a small question for all the folks ranting against getting the government involved in health care.

Does this mean you will pledge not to enroll in Medicare when you turn 65?