Tag Archives: political power

Crashing careers – and lessons we can learn from them

Posted on February 24, 2021 by TPOL Nathan

All around us, it seems that political careers of major movers and shakers are cratering. Boom! Flatter than a pancake. They are in both old parties – with various political philosophies. But I think we can learn a lot from … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary on the News, Nathan's Rants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Lobbyists, lords, and … no liberty, eh?

Posted on November 19, 2020 by TPOL Nathan

Byron King, over at Agora (or one of their sister firms), recently wrote this analysis of lobbyists. Let us read and ponder it. _____ …as the post-election drama plays out, the Biden transition team is staffing up with registered corporate … Continue reading →

Posted in Nathan's Rants | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

CalExit heating up

Posted on October 4, 2019 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton As political conditions turn more and more sour across the Fifty States, it appears that some folks are working hard at opting out. Not giving up on electoral and other traditional politics as so many of us … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary on the News, Nathan's Rants | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Rites of passage

Posted on May 23, 2019 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton Almost all organizations have certain rites of initiation, requiring people joining to do certain things.  Sometimes, it is just a membership fee or dues, or even just identifying with the group.  Other times it is an elaborate … Continue reading →

Posted in Nathan's Rants | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Supreme Court – worth fighting and fussing about?

Posted on October 8, 2018 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton Eric Holder, that wonderful paragon of government service “to the people” and incredible example of strict adherent of the rule of law, has condemned the Nazgul, questioning the body’s legitimacy in the wake of adding Kavenaugh to … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary on the News, Nathan's Rants | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The priorities of government

Posted on February 18, 2018 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton (Note: This, in a shorter version, was originally a response to a comment to my commentary “The Art of the Deal – January 2018.”) What are the priorities of government?  Of government agencies?  Of government employees? Of … Continue reading →

Posted in Nathan's Rants, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A PS to “How stupid do they think South Dakotans are?”

Posted on November 7, 2016 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton This is just a post-script to the recent commentary, to give someone credit where credit is due. The proposal discussed in the last part of the commentary is actually a variation (and watering down) of something that … Continue reading →

Posted in Nathan's Rants | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How stupid do they think South Dakotans are? (An election tale)

Posted on November 7, 2016 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton In South Dakota, this election, there are several constitutional amendments being proposed. Amendment T purports to “remove politics” from the legislative redistricting process by creating a special commission. The advocates’ slogan is “The voters select their legislators, … Continue reading →

Posted in Nathan's Rants | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment