by Alex Newman. Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California has stirred up a hornets' nest with her latest proposal to ban so-called “assault weapons”
and standard capacity magazines while creating a federal registry of
gun owners, complete with pictures and fingerprints. Analysts say
supporting the measure would be “political suicide” for ... MORE
Daniel Halper on Obama's latest executive order. President Barack Obama issued an executive order to end the pay
freeze on federal employees, in effect giving some federal workers a
raise. One federal worker now to receive a pay increase is Vice
President Joe Biden. According to disclosure forms, Biden made a cool $225,521 last year. ... MORE
Citizens race to beat the ban. Gun enthusiasts have been stocking up in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., elementary school massacre
– flocking to gun shows to get their hands on parts and weapons out of
fear that lawmakers will take a harder stance on gun control in the
coming year. The phones at gun shops across the country have been ringing off ... MORE
by Diane Katz and James Gattuso. During 2012, virtually every aspect of American life was subjected to
government meddling, ranging from how many calories you consume to how
efficient your dishwasher is. These rules affect us in a
variety of ways. Most increase the cost of living, others hinder job
creation, and many erode our freedom. ... MORE
by John Stanton. Senate backers of new protections against warrantless monitoring of private citizens’ emails said Wednesday that Congress has a good shot of passing digital privacy legislation next year — despite complaints that a bill passed last week didn't include the provisions. Although the Senate Judiciary Committee on Nov. 29 passed a package of video ... MORE
by A. Barton Hinkle. For many years, the public schools in Petersburg, Va., turned in
dismal academic performances. State officials did what they could
to galvanize improvement. In 2006, the district and the state
signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at boosting results. A
similar previous agreement had failed to move ... MORE
Resolving to do what's right. While many Americans resolve to make 2013 the year they really do
slim down, exercise more, and spend less, Congress could afford to
commit to a few such resolutions of its own. Call them budget resolutions—something Congress hasn’t had in a while. Here are five suggestions: 1. Cut spending. The federal government is ... MORE
Politicians exploit another cash cow. Traffic camera fines are poised to dip in the District, but one aspect of the controversial program is set to surge in 2013: the number of the devices that generate tickets for common traffic offenses like speeding and running stoplights. Over the course of 2013, the District government will add 134 traffic ... MORE
by Billy Hallowell. Starting in 2014, President Barack Obama’s health care law will expand coverage to some 30 million uninsured people. At the same time, insurers no longer will be allowed to turn away those in poor health, and virtually every American will be required to have health insurance — or pay a fine. Insurance will be available through ... MORE
Wealth must be created before it is given. Charity -- helping people who have trouble helping themselves -- is a good thing two times over. It's good for the beneficiary and good for the donor, too. Stephen Post's fine book, "The Hidden Gifts of Helping," reveals that 76 percent of Americans say that helping others is what makes them most happy. Giving money ... MORE
Feds collect data on those not suspected of crimes. Documents obtained under Freedom of Information Act requests and interviews conducted with officials at numerous government agencies by The Wall Street Journal
uncovered the behind-closed-doors creation this year of “a government
dragnet, sweeping up millions of records about U.S. ... MORE
by Paul Joseph Watson. A former TSA screener turned blogger who is now causing embarrassment for the federal agency has revealed that TSA officers routinely laugh at and make fun of passengers’ nude body scanner images in back rooms. In a blog entitled Taking Sense Away,
the anonymous ex-TSA worker reveals how he, “Witnessed light ... MORE