. Reform Party of California Commentary The Reform Party of California (RPCA) recently pointed out that an unpleasant manifestation of political self-interest is the willingness of political parties in full control of some states to have legislative agendas that differ depending on whether it is an even-numbered election year or an odd-numbered year with no …
Monthly Archive: January 2014
Jan 25 2014
Is meaningful tax policy reform possible?
. Reform Party of California Commentary On occasion, especially during elections, some politicians and candidates for congress or president promise tax policy reforms which typically refer to tax code changes. That has been the case for years, maybe a few decades. Analysis of tax data suggests that the U.S. treasury loses over $400 billion per …
Jan 22 2014
New drugs, the FDA and regulatory reform
. Reform Party of California Commentary On Jan. 17, 2014, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published an opinion piece discussing the FDA’s rejection of a new drug for treatment of multiple sclerosis (page A13, online here). The drug was recently approved for treating MS in 30 countries, including Canada, European Union countries and Australia. The …
Jan 20 2014
Political self-interest trumps the public interest
. Reform Party of California Commentary The role that self-interest plays in politics is hard to quantify. Some or many people might argue that, on balance, it plays a constructive role in politics. The Reform Party of California (RPCA) considers the net effect of the self-interest twins, i.e., political self-interest and private sector self-interest, to …
Jan 12 2014
After the wars: The military service was not in vain
. Reform Party of California Commentary A wave of anxiety, doubt, regret and other emotions is passing through some of America’s military personnel who served in the Iraq War. Insurgent Al-Qaeda forces in Anbar province have at least partially retaken Fallujia and Ramadi. Many military personnel who fought to take those cities from Al-Qaeda and …
Jan 10 2014
Reasons to distrust two-party politics
. Reform Party of California Commentary Poll data regarding Americans’ trust in the two dominant parties and all three branches of the federal government is evidence of widespread public mistrust and unhappiness. Some poll data suggests that many Americans are now receptive to the idea that a third political party is needed to offset some …
Jan 08 2014
Washington is not serious about controlling spending
. Reform Party of California Commentary The current debate about extending federal jobless benefits for another three months exemplifies the failure mode situation about as well as it can be exemplified. The extension is projected to cost about $6 billion. Democrats want to finance it with debt. Most republicans demand spending cuts elsewhere in the …
Jan 06 2014
Reality warp: The power of self-interest and self-image
. Reform Party of California Commentary The Reform Party of California (RPCA) recently raised the issue of whether the political intelligence industry (PII), an obscure but lucrative creature that congress created and protects, was a worthy wealth-creating endeavor or just a means by which individuals or entities with material inside information could transfer wealth from …
Jan 04 2014
The political intelligence industry: A wealth-creating endeavor or just a wealth transfer gimmick?
. Reform Party of California Commentary The question this comment raises is simple: Is what the political intelligence industry (PII) does a useful, wealth-creating activity that benefits our economy and the public interest, or, does the PII simply redistribute wealth from individuals and entities who are not aware of certain inside information related to congressional activities …
Help To Build America’s Party
Recent Comments