“It is difficult indeed to maintain a reasoned and accurately informed understanding… on the part of our citizenry when many prominent officials, possessing no standing or expertness except as they themselves claim it, attempt to further their own ideas or interests by resort to statements more distinguished by stridency than by accuracy.” – Ike

Justin Gardner (Donk Quixote) and Mike Wallach (Phanto), endeavor to tilt at windmills (With apologies to Miguel de Cervantes). Justin is a registered Democrat, considers himself an independent but views the world from the left side of the political spectrum. Mike most recently registered as a Republican, but considers himself primarily a fiscal conservative, deficit hawk, and a libertarian leaning independent. They find common ground in the Health Care Reform debate.

It started in Flint, Michigan, but it could be extended to other blighted communities across the nation.
From Telegraph:
The radical experiment is the brainchild of Dan Kildee, treasurer of Genesee County, which includes Flint.
Having outlined his strategy to Barack Obama during the election campaign, Mr Kildee has now been approached by the US government and a [...]

I thought it was a joke when I first heard about it, but “Seasteading” is a serious idea, it’s being backed by Milton Friedman’s grandson and they’ve apparently already raised more than a half a million dollars to realize their dream of building communities…on the sea!
Here’s more from Reason:
Patri Friedman was doing all right himself, [...]

We are a highly polarized partisan electorate. Yes, we had our left leg of civil liberties amputated below the knee by six years of Republican one party rule. But installing Democrat one party rule is more likely to amputate our right leg of economic freedom than it is to replace the left.

The fundamental question is whether American’s preference for divided government will be sufficient to overcome their anger and desire to punish Republicans for the disaster of the Bush administration.

McCain is going to need an argument that will attract more moderates, centrists, independents, and libertarians to win. George Will has identified that argument

This election choice is not really between “Experience” vs. “Change”, nor is it between “Experience” vs. “Experience”, nor is it between “Change” vs. “Change“. This election is not really even between McCain vs. Obama considered in a political vacuum. Since the Democrats will increase their majority in the House and Senate, this election is actually about choosing between single party or divided government in 2009.

In their acceptance speeches both candidates endeavored to define and promote the “change” they represent. Obama offered an unremarkable litany of liberal Democratic policy positions. McCain offered an unremarkable litany of conservative Republican policy positions. So each candidate, acutely aware of a “palpable public mood for change“, wrapped themselves in the rhetoric of change, then explicitly pitched the proposition that the same partisan bromides that Republicans and Democrats have been flogging for decades represent the change that the public seeks. Tough sell.

Yes, you can actually do a lot right now to get better gas mileage and help drive down costs, like proper tire inflation, etc.
In fact, Arnold Schwarzenegger is helping out a new website called EcoDrivingUSA that promises to give you tips and tricks to help your wallet and the planet.

Hmm, sounds familiar…

Times Online talks up the rumor that McCain would make the pledge, so let’s discuss it.
Personally, I’m not in favor of a one term pledge because, as even McCain himself has stated, you’re a lame duck the moment you entire office. The opposing party could easily ignore your agenda, and with so many long term [...]

I love this idea…and I would certainly take advantage of it if it becomes law.
The bill is called “The Energy Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Automobile Tax Credit Act of 2008″ and it provides tax credits of up to $2K for people who sell or trade in their car for a model that’s 20% more fuel [...]

In the event my title is a bit too obscure, pictured above is Mr. Andrew Sullivan lighting his petard, shortly before he is about to be hoisted by same.
This definition may help:
pe·tard n.
1. A small bell-shaped bomb used to breach a gate or wall.
Word History: The French used pétard, “a loud [...]

The Carnival of Divided Government is a monthly compilation of writing from around the blogosphere and main stream media on the single topic of government divided between the major parties. The carnival offers links, excerpts and commentary from and about writers both pro and con, who are thinking and writing about the topic.

Not so long ago, “Big Government” was so out of favor that Democratic President Bill Clinton announced its era had come to an end. A decade later and it seems there’s no end in sight to the swelling of our federal government. The Republicans proved themselves greedy and incompetent and did little to rein in [...]

And this idea comes from no less than the Conservative government…
Canadians will be offered bicycles, public transit passes or cash if they agree to scrap their old gas-guzzling vehicles, the government said on Wednesday.
Ottawa says five million of the 18 million cars and trucks in Canada were made before 1996, when tougher emissions standards were [...]

CQ has an interesting story…
The 14 smallest states and six U.S. territories “pod” would always vote first, but no earlier than the third week of February in presidential election years.
The other three pods — comprising nine, 16 and seven states — would rotate their voting positions every four years. The ordering of the pods [...]

Very interesting development that could help address the big bio-fuel scam we’re currently being sold.
From CNN:
ANTHONY, Texas (CNN) — Texas may be best known for “Big Oil.” But the oil that could some day make a dent in the country’s use of fossil fuels is small. Microscopic, in fact: algae. Literally and figuratively, this is [...]

Larry Lessig and Joe Trippi announced this Thursday what Change Congress will be.
Here’s more from Wired…
The professor wants legislators to promise to do four things which he says will reduce the influence of money on policymaking: To promise not to accept money from lobbyists and political action committees; support public financing of elections; commit to [...]

What if we gave every American baby a savings account with $5,000 in it? We then allowed their parents to contribute more, tax free, until the child is college age. The child could withdraw the money between the ages of 18 and 25 to pay for college, start a new business or buy a home. [...]