Democracy and Power 114:  The Power PlayersWho actually controls the force of government?   Politicians and interest groups truly control the American political process.  Special interest groups – such as big business,  big unions, education, seniors, and a multitude of others - seek favors, tax breaks, subsidies, exclusive legislation, etc.  Interest groups give enormous money to political campaigns and receive gigantic benefits in return.

Democracy and Power 108: ObfuscationPoliticians know their constituents are generally inattentive to their political actions.  Thus, a politician’s speech is seldom precise or logically reasoned.  Seeking a favorable image, politicians talk in generalities, exaggerations and obfuscation.

Constitution:The Congress shall have Power … to declare war

Democracy and Power 101: Government is powerThe essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.-James Madison, Speech in the Virginia State Convention of 1829-1830“Citizenship” and President Obama's Scheme to Force His AgendaPresident Obama, in his recent convention speech, intentionally stressed “citizenship.”  The president said:

Last week, blogging from Tampa, I outlined the clear themes that emerged for the Romney campaign. This week, viewing from home, it has already become clear after the first day of the Democrat National Convention which themes they will promote to reelect Barack Obama. Suffice it to say that this will, indeed, be a clear choice in November.

The themes that were developed by the GOP yesterday, which I blogged about here, were out in full force again today. So far, every single speaker has told a story of one of their family members (or, in many cases, themselves) that emigrated to the United States to find freedom and opportunity. It seems to have gone viral - even my cab driver after the event was a very proud new US citizen who hails originally from Haiti.

The delays caused by Hurricane Isaac at the RNC Convention in Tampa, and the subsequent rush of speakers during two days' worth of convention sessions squeezed into a single day, were emblematic of the Romney campaign strategy as a whole. For the past few months, it's been clear that Romney would secure enough delegate votes to secure the election, and the nation has been waiting for the campaign to go on offense against the failed policies and deliberate expansion of government by the Obama administration.

Mickey Kaus, of the Daily Caller, is an expert on welfare and understands how the Obama Administration has intentionally weakened the work requirement of the 1996 welfare reform act.  The 1996 act mandated a “work first” approach, which focused on finding employment above everything else.  Health and Human Services czar, Kathleen Sebelius, has intentionally and unilaterally issued a directive which would allow HHS to waive a “work first” requirement.  As Kaus