Discussions about creating political partiesother than Republican and Democrat - are growing louder and more widespread. Most of the chatter focuses on having three or four parties. The way I see it, we need at least eight. ...more

November 14, 2009

There has been a lot of discussion about the new health care reform bill before Congress and I would like to add my perspective. First I would like to agree with the conservatives that claim that this is a government intrusion into the private business of health care. Second, I would like to assert that this is a good thing, although I think this assertion is a matter of perspective. If you think Social Security is government intrusion into the retirement planning that we should do on our own, then you will hate this type of government action. If, however, you think we are a society that should and can provide for the health of all of our members then you will agree that this bill is long overdue. The simple issue is this: Do we as a society think it is our duty to make sure health care is available to all, or do we believe that those that want good health care should have planned better and gotten a career that provided health insurance for life and that those that didn't plan better, can simply die from lack of services brought on by their own lack of planning, or inability to get such a job? ...more

November 12, 2009

So, how well will health reform work after it passes? There's a part of me that can't believe I'm asking that question. After all, serious health reform has long seemed like an impossible dream. And it could yet go all wrong. ...more

October 27, 2009

In a move that angered some conservatives but could please minority supporters, Gov. Charlie Crist has named Circuit Judge James Perry of Sanford to the Florida Supreme Court. ...more

March 11, 2009

John B. Mooney of Hudson says President Barack Obama's critics should come up with alternatives to his policy, not just complain. ...more

March 11, 2009

The Senate has put off until next week a final vote on a $410 billion catchall spending bill. ...more

March 5, 2009

How ironic that Gabriel Read takes Republicans and conservatives to task for having the audacity to criticize President Obama. ...more

March 5, 2009

The mention of her upcoming 70th birthday seems to give Lily Tomlin a mild shock. ...more

February 12, 2009

The minimum wage in Florida rose 42 cents to $7.21 per hour recently, igniting a debate over whether the increased pay will help workers or whether it will hurt the economy because small businesses simply can't afford to pay it. ...more

January 31, 2009

I read with interest the letter titled simply "Conservatives" printed on Jan. 20 in Highlands Today. Frankly, Roger, reading your letter was a bit confusing. I could not determine whether you intended to drop a bomb on all conservatives, or whether you were mainly critical of such people as George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, etc. ...more

January 23, 2009