Becoming 'A Country I Do Not Recognize'
- By Star Parker
If there is one overriding theme of the Biden years, it is the systematic degradation of American freedom, pushing the lives and freedom of private citizens aside as government expands and takes over.
This is done under the rubric of the left that "government knows best."
Day by day, we are becoming what the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia described as "a country I do not recognize."
9/11 and the Politics of Evil
- By Star Parker
Three days after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the worst and most murderous attack on the United States in history, President George W. Bush declared "a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance."
He went to the National Cathedral and spoke to the nation, casting the horrible event in theological light, saying that the United States must "answer these attacks and rid the world of evil."
Bush said we live in a world "of moral design" and he appealed to "Almighty God to watch over our nation."
Our Sad Departure From Dr. King's 'Dream'
- By Star Parker
This past week, the nation noted the 60th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
The speech is without question a historic landmark, both in terms of recalling the unique stress of the time and in terms of King's eloquence in capturing the situation.
But beyond being interesting, why do we bother at all with history?
First Principle for Debaters: Connect With Voters
- By Star Parker
As I noted in my column of several weeks ago, it's a plus for everyone that Donald Trump will not show for the Republican debate.
And now it's official. He's not showing up.
Now we can have a debate about issues and not about Trump.
Let's also keep in mind, regarding the debate, Republican voters must be able to walk and chew gum at the same time.
Abortion, a Sickness in Our National Soul
- By Star Parker
The resounding defeat of Issue 1 in a statewide vote in Ohio is rightly seen as a repudiation of pro-life forces and cause for soul-searching in the movement.
The initiative, which would have raised the threshold vote for amending the state constitution, was understood to be about abortion, because a ballot measure is expected in November to amend the state constitution to secure abortion "rights."
The measure was defeated 57% to 43% in a state in which Donald Trump defeated Joe Biden in 2020, 53.3% to 45.2%.
A Case for Trump to Not Debate
- By Star Parker
With Mike Pence now qualifying for the Republican debate in Milwaukee on Aug. 23, there are now eight candidates qualified to participate.
However, one of those eight is former President Donald Trump, who suggests that he is not inclined to show up.
"When you have a big lead, you don't do it," noted Trump.
"Am I going to stand up there by guys with zero, one, two, three percent -- maybe four -- and have them ask me hostile questions?"
Mesha Mainor, Shining Star for Freedom
- By Star Parker
Republicans have a new shining star for the 2024 presidential election in the way of Georgia State Rep. Mesha Mainor.
Mainor, an African American who has been serving the Georgia state legislature since January 2021, announced two weeks ago that she is leaving the Democratic Party and becoming a Republican.
This is a decision of notable courage in that District 56 that she represents, located in the area around Atlanta, is deep blue.
Chris Christie's Grade B Candidacy
- By Star Parker
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is getting a lot of media -- way out of proportion to the impact he has made as a candidate, measured by his low standing in the polls and the very modest amount of money he has raised.
The explanation for this seems clear. The media loves his sharp and aggressive animosity to and criticism of former President Donald Trump.
But the American people are looking for a leader. Could Chris Christie be that man?
More Thoughts on Affirmative Action
- By Star Parker
Following the Supreme Court decision finding preferential treatment, i.e., affirmative action, in college admissions unconstitutional, the president of Harvard issued a statement to "Members of the Harvard Community."
This statement tells us how those managing one of the nation's most prestigious universities understand justice, knowledge and learning.
First, let's consider what Harvard's president does not say, which is to recognize the importance of "equal protection."
A Black Plan for Mike Pence
- By Star Parker
Mike Pence is trailing former President Donald Trump by some 50 points in national polling.
It's no great revelation that the former vice president needs some major breakthroughs to be considered a serious and viable candidate for 2024.
But all is possible, and here is one approach.
I call it the Pence Black Plan.
How About a Presidential Campaign About Vision and Principles?
- By Star Parker
With the most recent entry of former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie into the presidential race, I count now 12 Republican candidates in the field.
Former President Donald Trump retains a strong lead in the polls, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis a strong second.
But it is still very early in the game, and even the most casual observer of politics knows that the situation is fluid and what will be remains to be seen.
Disney Works to Destroy the Values That Built Its Company
- By Star Parker
In 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Lawrence v. Texas, found Texas' anti-sodomy law unconstitutional.
This is a free country, the Court proclaimed, and individuals can engage in whatever private consensual sexual activity that they wish.
But freedom is not the value that LGBTQ activists seek. They will not rest until their values and lifestyle are imposed and accepted by every American.
Ron DeSantis, Real Presidential Firepower
- By Star Parker
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced he's in.
He's running for president.
I caught DeSantis' remarks in Orlando at the annual meeting of the National Religious Broadcasters the day before he formally announced.
It was immediately clear that this is no ordinary politician.
It has been said that there are two types of people. Those who want to be someone and those who want to do something.
Welfare Work Requirements Make Everyone Better Off
- By Star Parker
The Congressional Budget Office has just released its latest projection for the next ten years.
"In the agency's updated projections, annual deficits nearly double over the next decade, reaching $2.7 trillion in 2033 ... As a result of those deficits, debt held by the public also increases in CBO's projections, from 98% of GDP at the end of this year to 119% at the end of 2033."
The picture keeps getting worse.
The difference between Democrats and Republicans on the issue: Republicans say let's do something; Democrats say let's do nothing.
How To Honor Our Officers During National Police Week
- By Star Parker
I was proud and moved to participate in opening ceremonies, at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., commemorating National Police Week.
President John F. Kennedy signed the proclamation, in 1962, designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and establishing the week in which this occurs as National Police Week.
It seems another strange and discomforting irony that the president who moved to establish a national day and week to memorialize police officers who have fallen in the line of duty is a president who himself was murdered.
Why Doesn't Drowning in Debt Bother Biden?
- By Star Parker
The most perplexing thing about President Joe Biden's stance on the debt ceiling issue is that the staggering national debt does not seem to bother him.
In remarks Biden made the other day, he noted that the national debt has "accumulated over 200 years." And he also noted the debt increased under President Donald Trump.
But the president's selective memory chooses to overlook that when the Obama-Biden administration took office in 2009, national debt stood at 60% of GDP. When they left eight years later, it was at 100% of GDP.
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Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the weekly television show "Cure America with Star Parker." To find out more about Star Parker and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com
