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65Use Caution in Changing the System
by William F. Torpey
Stella Liebeck's $2.7 million infamous damage award in her lawsuit againt McDonald's attracted great national attention. The award, involving the spilling of hot coffee, was later reduced to below $500,000 on appeal. I wonder how many people know, or care, about that! published 5 months ago
67Newt, Bob: Just Balance the Budget
by William F. Torpey
It would be great folly for Congress -- and the states (which must ratify amendments by a two-thirds vote) -- to clutter up the Constitution with amendments that thoughtlessly change the balance of power that is now finely balanced among the three branches of government. published 5 months ago
68To America: Don't Trip on NAFTA Vote
by William F. Torpey
Over the years trade agreements have seldom caused the kind of uproar seen over the North American Free Trade Agreement. Few administrations have had anything like the battle that President Clinton faced in 1993. It was uphill all the way to get NAFTA approved. published 6 months ago
63Congress: Keep a Lid on the IRS
by William F. Torpey
Even in America, it's a little scary to say anything critical of the dreaded IRS, a federal agency commonly known as the Internal Revenue Service. But I've done it before and here I do it again. As of now, somehow, I'm still a free man. published 2 months ago
65How To Get Things Done: Compromise
by William F. Torpey
To paraphrase Winston Churchill, the great World War II allied leader, human beings are a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. Churchill was speaking, of course, of Russia, but I think his colorful description applies to the behavior of people everywhere as well. published 5 months ago
62Just a Few Rambling Thoughts
by William F. Torpey
If you're anything like me -- although that seems unlikely in view of the fact that my "friends" all tell me I'm "one of a kind," if you know what I mean -- you've stored up over the years a few pet peeves. Here's a few of mine. published 3 months ago
79Dollar Coin: Three Strikes You're Out
by William F. Torpey
Whenever I see a report about the (re)current idea of replacing greenbacks with new $1 coins I suffer a mild case of deju vu. Don't you? published 5 months ago
69Is It a Cut, an Increase -- or What?
by William F. Torpey
Democrats and Republicans take a different view of what a budget cut really is. When is a cut a cut? When is an increase an increase? And when the GOP and the Democrats go head-to-head over whether it's a cut or an increase -- who's right? published 4 months ago
59Slash Taxes for Me, You ... Us?
by William F. Torpey
Sometimes it's not easy to separate politics from the politician, good rhetoric from good policy, the wheat from the chaff. Republicans want big tax cuts. Democrats want big tax cuts. Most Americans want big tax cuts. Great! So what's the problem? published 5 months ago
66George Orwell Revisited
by William F. Torpey
Big Brother seems to be breathing down my neck. I'm probably more paranoid than the next guy, but 1984 and George Orwell had it right. The police, the state of Connecticut and the IRS are all watching me -- and you! published 8 months ago
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