Political Issues and Analysis
Explore current news and analysis about federal and state election-related issues such as abortion, the economy, education, health care, the Iraq war, social security, and taxes.
Abortion (15)
Hurricanes (19)
Death Penalty (6)
Immigration (18)
DP World Purchase (16)
Immigration @
Draft (3)
Intelligent Design (14)
Economy (23)
Net Neutrality and COPE (6)
Education (9)
Retirement Issues (2)
Energy, Environment (11)
Stem Cell Research (7)
Federal Budget (34)
Taxes (5)
First Amendment (6)
Terrorism (57)
Foreign Policy (7)
The Firing Of US Attorneys (14)
Gay Marriage (17)
The Plame Game (17)
Health Care (16)
War on Drugs (5)
What Is The Equal Time Rule?
The equal time rule This is a provision of the 1934 Communications Act (section 315) that "requires radio and television stations and cable systems which originate their own programming to treat legally qualified political candidates equally when it comes to selling or giving away air time."
The equal time rule This is a provision of the 1934 Communications Act (section 315) that "requires radio and television stations and cable systems which originate their own programming to treat legally qualified political candidates equally when it comes to selling or giving away air time."
What Is The Fairness Doctrine?
The fairness doctrine was a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) policy. The FCC believed that broadcast licenses (required for both radio and terrestrial TV stations) were a form of public trust and, as such, licensees should provide balanced and fair coverage of controversial issues. The policy was a casualty of Reagan Administration de-regulation.
The fairness doctrine was a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) policy. The FCC believed that broadcast licenses (required for both radio and terrestrial TV stations) were a form of public trust and, as such, licensees should provide balanced and fair coverage of controversial issues. The policy was a casualty of Reagan Administration de-regulation.
FISA Reports To Congress - 1979-2006
The following table contains data on the applications for authority to conduct electronic surveillance and physical search for foreign intelligence purposes; these applications were made by the Federal Government during calendar years 1979-2006.
The following table contains data on the applications for authority to conduct electronic surveillance and physical search for foreign intelligence purposes; these applications were made by the Federal Government during calendar years 1979-2006.
Blue Laws - Alcohol
Blue laws in the US.
Blue laws in the US.
Voting Equipment Used in the United States
Table details Voting Equipment Used in the United States
Table details Voting Equipment Used in the United States
The Politics of Labor
Since 2000, American worker productivity has increased 16 percent. Wages, on the other hand, have gone up only 1 percent for the "typical middle-income American worker." But between 2000 and 2005, "median CEO pay rose 84 percent to $6.05 million on an inflation-adjusted basis, according to [the Economic Policy Institute]."
Since 2000, American worker productivity has increased 16 percent. Wages, on the other hand, have gone up only 1 percent for the "typical middle-income American worker." But between 2000 and 2005, "median CEO pay rose 84 percent to $6.05 million on an inflation-adjusted basis, according to [the Economic Policy Institute]."
Financial Data Protection Act of 2006
The Financial Data Protection Act of 2006 amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act in areas relating to data security.
The Financial Data Protection Act of 2006 amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act in areas relating to data security.
Politics At Gnomedex
Politics at the 2006 Gnomedex conference in Seattle.
Politics at the 2006 Gnomedex conference in Seattle.
Flag Burning and the US Congress
History of the US Congress and attempts to protect the flag from desecration
History of the US Congress and attempts to protect the flag from desecration
Juvenile Jail Rates
Admission Rates of Juveniles To State Public Facilities
Admission Rates of Juveniles To State Public Facilities
Your Personal Data: Collection and Security
Whether it's government thumb drives for sale in Afghanistan or armed services personnel data on a stolen employee laptop (active duty personnel, not just vets, are at risk) ... data security is an imperfect art in the US government. This begs the question: why are government officials pushing a national DNA registry -- for every American?
Whether it's government thumb drives for sale in Afghanistan or armed services personnel data on a stolen employee laptop (active duty personnel, not just vets, are at risk) ... data security is an imperfect art in the US government. This begs the question: why are government officials pushing a national DNA registry -- for every American?
Prison/Jail Population Allegations of Racism
The politics of crime -- and the cost of incarceration -- are serious public policy issues, at both the state and national level.
The politics of crime -- and the cost of incarceration -- are serious public policy issues, at both the state and national level.
Commentary: The Politics of Sex in America - From US Politics at About.com
American has ongoing battles about sex education (what to teach, if to teach, when to teach). And yet we have double the teen pregnancy rate of other Western countries that teach comprehensive sex-ed classes. What is the origin of this tempest?
American has ongoing battles about sex education (what to teach, if to teach, when to teach). And yet we have double the teen pregnancy rate of other Western countries that teach comprehensive sex-ed classes. What is the origin of this tempest?
Background - Six Ports To Be Managed by Arab Firm
In February 2006, the Bush Administration approved the purchase of a UK-based firm operating six port facilities in the US by a United Arab Emirates purchaser. The decision proved politically controversial.
In February 2006, the Bush Administration approved the purchase of a UK-based firm operating six port facilities in the US by a United Arab Emirates purchaser. The decision proved politically controversial.
2005 Hurricane Season - Storms and Damage
Names, records set, effect and damage estimates of hurricanes in the 2005 season.
Names, records set, effect and damage estimates of hurricanes in the 2005 season.
The 2005 Energy Bill
Overview of HR 6, the 2005 Energy Bill.
Overview of HR 6, the 2005 Energy Bill.
Being an Indian in America
Examines issues, statistics and life of American Indians and provides information on process to "prove" ancestry.
Examines issues, statistics and life of American Indians and provides information on process to "prove" ancestry.
Terri Schiavo Case : Compilation
This is an annotated compilation of blog posts and other writings on the Terri Schiavo case.
This is an annotated compilation of blog posts and other writings on the Terri Schiavo case.
Roll Call - Class Action Fairness Act
Senate and House roll call vote on Class Action Fairness Act.
Senate and House roll call vote on Class Action Fairness Act.
Women in Academia and the Sciences
In the wake of the controversy on women in science ignited by Harvard President Summers, this document provides facts and data on women in the sciences.
In the wake of the controversy on women in science ignited by Harvard President Summers, this document provides facts and data on women in the sciences.
US Copyright Law - An Overview
An overview of US Copyright law.
An overview of US Copyright law.
Covert Propaganda - GAO Report
Overview and definition of "covert propaganda" from 2004 GAO Report.
Overview and definition of "covert propaganda" from 2004 GAO Report.
September Jobs : Anemic Economy
September jobs data show an anemic economy and a President slated to lose jobs on his watch.
September jobs data show an anemic economy and a President slated to lose jobs on his watch.
Tort Reform : Needed or Hyped?
Analysis of claims that the country is drowning in frivolous lawsuits.
Analysis of claims that the country is drowning in frivolous lawsuits.
Assault Weapon Ban Expires
Review of the ban on semi-automatic assualt weapons, with list of affected guns.
Review of the ban on semi-automatic assualt weapons, with list of affected guns.
Candidate Position Review : Taxes
The issue of taxes is always a hot one for voters. See how the major candidates stand on issues related to taxation -- either through formal policy papers or media quotes.
The issue of taxes is always a hot one for voters. See how the major candidates stand on issues related to taxation -- either through formal policy papers or media quotes.
Candidates Bush and Kerry on the Federal Budget
Using material from their web sites and from the public record, this analysis shows where mainstream candidates Bush and Kerry differ on the issue of the federal budget.
Using material from their web sites and from the public record, this analysis shows where mainstream candidates Bush and Kerry differ on the issue of the federal budget.
Notes on the Founding Fathers and the Separation of Church and State
Quartz Hill School of Theology overview of the religious persuasion of John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine. Asserts that the founders did not view America as a "Christian nation" based on the language of the 1797 Treaty of Peace and Friendship with Tripoli, a Muslim country.
Quartz Hill School of Theology overview of the religious persuasion of John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine. Asserts that the founders did not view America as a "Christian nation" based on the language of the 1797 Treaty of Peace and Friendship with Tripoli, a Muslim country.
Candidate Issues Comparison - CNN
CNN compares the positions of President Bush, Senator Kerry and Ralph Nader on issues from civil rights to taxes and spending.
CNN compares the positions of President Bush, Senator Kerry and Ralph Nader on issues from civil rights to taxes and spending.
Candidate Issues Comparison - Post
The Washington Post compares the positions of President Bush and Senator Kerry on issues from abortion to national security.
The Washington Post compares the positions of President Bush and Senator Kerry on issues from abortion to national security.
Hot Button Campaign Issues
NPR examines six hot-button campaign issues: health care, Homeland Security, the Iraq war, job growth and the economy, taxes, and the "Bush factor" or the politics of personality. Requires Real Player.
NPR examines six hot-button campaign issues: health care, Homeland Security, the Iraq war, job growth and the economy, taxes, and the "Bush factor" or the politics of personality. Requires Real Player.
Spinsanity
Spinsanity: countering rhetoric with reason is the leading web watchdog of manipulative political rhetoric. Have a question about how an issue is being "spun"? There could very well be an answer here, whether the speaker is a politician or a media pundit.
Spinsanity: countering rhetoric with reason is the leading web watchdog of manipulative political rhetoric. Have a question about how an issue is being "spun"? There could very well be an answer here, whether the speaker is a politician or a media pundit.
Supremes Rule on Pledge Case
Analysis of Supreme Court decision on pledge of allegiance legal case.
Analysis of Supreme Court decision on pledge of allegiance legal case.