By - The Washington Times
Democracy is founded on the will of the people, but it is fragile and depends upon elected officials to represent fairly the will of constituents and to govern competently in accordance with that will. The people have rights and expectations for good governance that they expect to be honored. The people have generally trusted political parties to nominate qualified candidates. Published March 22, 2013
By - The Washington Times
A study in recent years on partner abandonment found that men are six times more likely than women to leave a seriously sick spouse. I have never felt so humiliated by my sex as I did after reading that study. It was the closest I have ever come to considering a sex-change operation. Published March 22, 2013
By - The Washington Times
Let me see if I can get this straight. Many Islamists hatefully refer to Jews as descendants of apes and pigs, as part of their campaign to insult Jews and demonize Israel. The president of Egypt, Mohammed Morsi, is only one of many Muslim leaders and religious leaders who have used and continue to use this terminology. Published March 21, 2013
By - The Washington Times
I have been a fan of Bill Cosby for years, and when he comes to town, I buy tickets to his show. Mr. Cosby has never disappointed me with his stance on American culture -- until his recent rant that if you are white and disagree with President Obama, you are a racist ("Bill Cosby says those who oppose Obama are racist," Web, March 4). Published March 21, 2013
By - The Washington Times
Bill Gunderson's recent column claims to offer "facts about wind energy," but provides quite the opposite ("Some basic facts about wind energy," Web, Saturday). Published March 21, 2013
By - The Washington Times
Kudos to the top congressional members who recently proposed bills to support Taiwan's observer status in the International Civil Aviation Organization. The bills were proposed by Sen. Robert Menendez, New Jersey Democrat and chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and Rep. Edward R. Royce, California Republican and chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Published March 21, 2013
By - The Washington Times
The goal of every pope ever elected is liturgical unity ("Many U.S. Catholics want Pope Francis to hold the line, inspire," Web, Friday). However, Carlos Caso-Rosendi's comment that the American church needs to return to an American brand of Catholicism seems to suggest a diversion from the idea of liturgical unity. The Catholic ways should be consistent, regardless of the geographical location. A parish in Manila should celebrate Mass the same way a parish in San Francisco does. Published March 20, 2013
By - The Washington Times
Tuesday's editorial, "And now even the dogs" misquoted Sen. Mitch McConnell speaking of Obamacare. It should have read: "We gave it everything we had, everything we had and we just barely lost the legislative fight." Published March 20, 2013
By - The Washington Times
Conservatives believe in competition, but The Washington Times' editorial, "The ethanol bubble" (Monday), sides with a would-be monopoly, Big Oil, against its leading competitor, American ethanol. Published March 20, 2013
By - The Washington Times
Thank you for providing my laugh for the day ("The Obamacare application," Comment & Analysis, Monday). We know how difficult it is for some voters to obtain appropriate identification to show at the polls -- and how hard the administration fights against any such requirement. Somehow, I think getting these same people to understand and complete a 21-page application with 61 pages of instructions also will be an insurmountable task. Published March 20, 2013
By - The Washington Times
The men and women at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) dedicate themselves every day to preventing attacks against the United States. A recent Commentary piece from Rep. Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Republican ("Dressing for excess at the TSA," Wednesday), failed to point out that the dollar amount for the contract recently awarded to procure uniforms for transportation security officers is simply a ceiling limit, allowing for the government to spend less money over a longer period of time. Without this contract, TSA would not be able to replace worn-out uniforms or provide uniforms for new employees. Published March 20, 2013
By - The Washington Times
President Obama swept into office in 2009 with promises of "hope and change." He also promised transparency in his administration and that he would work across the aisle with Republicans to find solutions to America's problems. What has Mr. Obama done? Published March 19, 2013
By - The Washington Times
There is an element in this nation that for the most part goes unnoticed and without representation. It used to be the driving factor behind the country's greatness. It is the working class. Neither the Republican nor Democratic machines represent us, the media ignore us or label us as intolerant, and we are pushed to the side without having our voices heard. Published March 19, 2013
By - The Washington Times
Along with being the first Latin American pope, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio (now Pope Francis), appears to have a genuine concern for the poor, having chosen the name of a saint who gave away his considerable wealth to live with and serve the poor of Assisi, Italy ("Pope Francis is first Catholic pontiff from the Americas; he is known as a humble intellectual," Web, Wednesday). Published March 19, 2013
By - The Washington Times
In all of President Obama's politicking, there are some important leadership lessons to be learned, albeit ones derived from what not to do. Published March 19, 2013
By - The Washington Times
Alexandria Police Officer Peter Laboy was doing the job he loves when he was viciously shot in the head ("Hundreds turn out to raise funds for wounded Va. officer," Web, March 10). The horror of what transpired has affected many. Officer Laboy, a respected and well-known cop in the community, has prompted a desire for many to help in some way. This was evidenced by the approximately 2,000 people who appeared for the fundraiser at a restaurant in Old Town Alexandria recently. I was pleased to be part of that crowd. The common bond that brought together friends, colleagues and those not personally acquainted with Officer Laboy was heartwarming. It brought home the fact that people do still care about law enforcement officers. Published March 18, 2013
By - The Washington Times
President Obama's stimulus package and health care law were partisan, lengthy and unread -- yet they passed and were subject to interpretation and regulations, including the addition of fees and taxes to be written in later. The economy has been slowed, and unemployment remains high. All taxpayers have been saddled with higher and hidden taxes, higher costs for health care and fewer participating physicians and patient services. Published March 18, 2013
By - The Washington Times
Dave Gordon's article, "Obama should use Israel trip to promote real peace" (Web, March 9), is excellent, calling on the president to make clear that demonizing our ally Israel is unacceptable. I would add one specific request: If President Obama truly wishes to promote peace, he must demand that Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas publicly repudiate his vile 1984 book "The Other Side: The Secret Relationship Between Nazism and Zionism." Published March 18, 2013
By - The Washington Times
Sens. John McCain, Arizona Republican, and Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican, would do well to make amends for their unreasonable and callous rebuke of Sen. Rand Paul and the Tea Party -- unless they are willing to give up their seats to a new generation of Republicans. Published March 15, 2013
By - The Washington Times
President Obama canceled public tours of the White House in response to sequestration cuts ("White House visitors, get lost," Comment & Analysis, March 8). Before doing so, did the president consult with Alan Krueger, chairman of his Council of Economic Advisers? Published March 15, 2013
Illustration by Walt Handelsman of Newsday
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