By Trent Serwetz
Election Day 2008. Op Ed pieces flood in, each one asking a more optimistic question than the last. Change is on the horizon, figured as not just political change but an upheaval of the entire American sociopolitical tradition. “Doesn’t [Obama's victory] imply a “post-racial” America?” One archetypal piece asks. “And shouldn’t those of us — white and black — who did not vote for Mr. Obama take pride in what his victory says about our culture even as we mourn our political loss?”1
A close analysis of voter demographics …

By Trent Serwetz
“…Piracy is theft. Clean and simple. It’s smash and grab. It ain’t no different than smashing a window at Tiffany’s and grabbing [merchandise].”1
Vice President Joe Biden made this admonishment on June 22, 2010 as he introduced the Obama administration’s new “Joint Strategic Plan” for enforcing intellectual property rights. While his words are significantly more severe than the administration’s actual record would suggest, they leave no doubt as to the direction of the Executive Branch’s IP policy initiatives. Biden’s words represent a serious threat to the American people.
U.S. intellectual …

By Matthew Leonard
For freedom-loving Americans, there is cause for optimism in November. The popular tide has turned against the collectivist record of the Democrat party. There are telling signs that a more conservative majority will govern Congress next year.
Given the wide margin of Barack Obama’s victory two years ago, his compatriots’ fall from grace has been surprisingly precipitous. Those on the Left explain their slide in the polls as misplaced blame for a sour economy bequeathed by Bush. On the other side, the Right claims that …

By Joey Lauer
The hot-button issue of illegal immigration has bubbled to the top once again over the summer. The SB1070 law from Arizona has sparked politicians into taking another stab at the immigration problem. But what’s it going to take for true immigration reform this time around?
States like Arizona have it the hardest being on the border when it comes to illegal immigration. The flow of illegal immigrants contributes to drug and violence related crime, and also puts stress on services such as hospitals and the public school system. They …

By Chloe Rockow
In August 2005, Americans were reeling from the worst environmental catastrophe in recent memory, and begging for help. The state and local governments were overwhelmed and unprepared for the magnitude of what had to be done. Historic New Orleans was devastated as many pointed the finger of blame at President Bush, calling his response slow and inefficient. Five years later, the country seems to be suffering from a case of déjà vu. An environmental disaster, compounded with mismanagement at the federal level, is crippling the Gulf coast and …

By Lingfeng Li
Vanity Fair recently published an 8-page scathing feature on Sarah Palin.  In it, Palin is portrayed as a duplicitous, self-serving politician/self-marketer.  The reporter provides examples of Palin’s temper (one anecdote describes Palin’s fights with husband Todd as violent, the two tossing canned food items at each other with such intensity that their stainless steel refrigerator was damaged), and explores the controversial relationship between Palin and groups like SarahPAC and Conservatives4Palin.  Palin is also described as an all-around mean-spirited lady, yelling at campaign volunteers and refusing to thank the kitchen staff at an event.  Her speaking …