Posted 1/22/2012 by Christopher

There is an old saw that 24 hours is a life time in politics.

I went to sleep Wednesday thinking all was right with the world (or the GOP primary anyway) and awoke Thursday to discover Mitt Romney was no longer the winner of the Iowa caucuses.  By the time I downed my morning caffeine Newt’s second wife was out to “end his campaign with one interview”, and before lunch Rick ‘the outsider’ Perry had quit his campaign endorsing Newt ‘I’m the ultimate insider’ Gingrich.

Wow.


Read my full column that appeared in the Sioux City Journal on January 22, 2012 by clicking the link above

Posted 12/25/2011 by Christopher

And the angel said unto them, “Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, Which shall be to all people For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. – St. Luke ii

A very merry Christmas to you and yours.  Writing a column appearing on Christmas morning, but only nine days before the caucuses is fretful task.  Like the candidates giving you one day off from their onslaught of advertisements, I’m going to try having it both ways by giving you my take on the state of the campaigns, and share the words of those wiser than I on the meaning of Christmas.

There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries.  ~W.J. Cameron

Its truly a shame to have the caucus so close to Christmas.  I enjoy trying to extended the holiday season for as long as I can.  Many bemoan the first sighting of holiday lights and displays as they come earlier each year.  Not me.  Considering the state of our world, the sooner we open our hearts, and wish our fellow man peace on earth and good will, the better I say.  


Read my full column that appeared in the Sioux City Journal on December 25, 2011 by clicking the link above.

Posted 11/27/2011 by Christopher

“I think sometimes there is this anxiety within the Republican Party of who is the perfect candidate. The answer is there isn’t one.”

Posted 11/2/2011 by Christopher

Too much going on in the world to ignore, but too little space in the paper, so this week you get my twitteresque analysis.  Too short, but it'll have to do.

#OWS

That's twitter for the Occupy Wall Street movement.  OWS is a challenge for Republicans to handle.  It's too simplistic, and unfortunately too easy, to take a look at the dreadlocked, dirty protestors and write them all off as a bunch of left wing nuts.  That would be a mistake.  Far too many Americans are sympathetic to the protestors, and mad at Wall Street.  Count me among them.

Read my full column that appeared in the Sioux City Journal on October 30, 2011 by clicking the link.

Posted 10/2/2011 by Christopher

I didn't have time to write my column this week, so I got in touch with Ann Landers sarcastic second cousin twice removed, Arnie, who writes an advice column for aspiring politicians, and asked him to share some recent letters. 

Dear Arnie,

I just don't understand what happened, I was Queen of Iowa for 24 hours, and then that vaccine injecting Texas troublemaker stole my crown.  What do I do to get it back.

Signed,

Miffed in Minnesota

Dear Miffed,

What's in the water in Minnesota these days?  I thought it was just the Vikings who didn't know a football game had four quarters.  Just like them, you forgot to come back onto the playing field after half time.  Here's a clue, if that plane ticket in your hand does not have SUX, DSM, OMA, MLI, or CID on it, GET OFF THE PLANE.  There are no funds for you to raise in Hollywood.  Your only hope is to spend 24/7 in Iowa.

Arnie

Click the link to read the full column that appeared in the Sioux City Journal Oct 2, 2012

Posted 9/18/2011 by Christopher

I admit to being dumbfounded by the rapid rise in the polls of Texas Governor Rick Perry.  I cannot figure out what is causing GOP voters to flock to his campaign with seemingly little information on his record.  Yet there he is - the clear frontrunner in three weeks time.  

Two weeks ago at the state fairgrounds I got to see him in action and was amazed at the crowd.  I was particularly struck by an elderly couple, wondering if they knew what Gov. Perry plans for social security?  

Perry's description of Social Security as a Ponzi scheme doesn't trouble me.  The Left is jumping all over his choice of words,  but that isn't the problem.  It's his prescription to fix said Ponzi scheme that is worrisome. 

"Give it back to the states," he said on MSNBC when promoting his book "Fed Up" last year.  "Let the states do it," Perry told CNN.  

I've watched the video.  It took this former legislator a long time to recover because Perry means it.

The states currently have over a TRILLION dollars in un-funded public employee pension plans according to the Pew Center!  Even Texas has $42 Billion in unfunded liability.

Click the link to read the full column that appeared in the Sioux City Journal September 18, 2011