Daily Archives: July 16, 2009

Whiteness and maleness are identities, too

July 16, 200911:57 a.m.

Sotomayor Confirmation“Republicans’ outrage, both real and feigned, at Sotomayor’s musings about how her identity as a ‘wise Latina’ might affect her judicial decisions is based on a flawed assumption: that whiteness and maleness are not themselves facets of a distinct identity,” columnist Eugene Robinson wrote. “Being white and male is seen instead as a neutral condition, the natural order of things. Any ‘identity’ — black, brown, female, gay, whatever — has to be judged against this supposedly ‘objective’ standard. Thus it is irrelevant if Justice Samuel Alito talks about the impact of his background as the son of Italian immigrants on his rulings — as he did at his confirmation hearings — but unforgivable for Sotomayor to mention that her Puerto Rican family history might be relevant to her work.”

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Congress, Supreme Court | Comments (34)

Would health care surtax be disastrous?

July 16, 20096:03 a.m.

CB106307House Democrats have proposed a surtax on wealthy Americans as a way to help pay for the health care reform bill. James Pethokoukis wrote on a Reuters blog that a surtax would be disastrous. His nine reasons why were mostly variations on the same reason: Raising taxes would hurt the economy.

Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, issued this statement about the plan: “Democrats are proposing tax hikes on everything from small businesses to the elimination of the tax deduction for charitable contributions to tax hikes on your favorite soft drink at the convenience store. We deserve a better solution . . . plan that offers Americans the freedom and choices they deserve without strangling future generations with insurmountable debt.”

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Congress, Health and safety | Comments (169)

Open thread 7/16

July 16, 20096:02 a.m.

thread-comm70

By The Editors | Filed under Open thread | Comments (121)

Times tough on Kansas millionaires, too

July 16, 20096:01 a.m.

monopoly2The number of millionaires in Kansas declined for the second straight year, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported. Kansas had 43,205 millionaires in 2008, or 3.98 percent of its overall population, according to a national study. That’s a 16 percent drop from 2007 — though laid-off workers in Wichita and elsewhere are unlikely to feel much sympathy. Kansas ranks 30th in the nation in its percentage of millionaires.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Economy, Kansas news | Comments (12)

More GOP barbecue talk

July 16, 20096:00 a.m.

Kris Kobach’s Obama birth certificate joke has gotten most of the notice, but Saturday’s GOP barbecue in Tonganoxie had other highlights, such as when Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Topeka, said she was proud to be a member of the party of “no.” In addition:
“If Republicans are fighting, we can’t win. If Republicans aren’t fighting, we can’t lose.” — Sen. Sam Brownback
“If she wants to be a legislator, run for office.” — Brownback again, arguing that Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor legislates from the bench
“Disneyland East.” — Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, referring to Washington, D.C.

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Kansas delegation | Comments (9)