As Trump “Goes Rogue” the GOP “Elite” Still Appears Poorly Prepared to Fight Back

What could be more surreal than to be trying to follow the critical Senate vote on the Affordable Care Act, only to be buffeted by stories of the vulgar language Trump’s new communications director Anthony Scarammucci used to describe his White House colleagues, not the least chief-of-staff Reince Priebus? No matter, within 24 hours, the … Continue reading As Trump “Goes Rogue” the GOP “Elite” Still Appears Poorly Prepared to Fight Back

Richard Florida’s “Urban Crisis” is not Wrong: It Simply Lacks the Passion and Depth the Subject Demands

Fifteen years after The Rise of the Creative Class propelled him to a level of stardom among urbanists, Richard Florida’s latest book, The New Urban Crisis, has once again captured public attention.  Had the presidential election ended differently in 2016, Florida’s prescriptions for dealing with both inequality and economic revitalization might have served as a … Continue reading Richard Florida’s “Urban Crisis” is not Wrong: It Simply Lacks the Passion and Depth the Subject Demands

Trump Has Both Climate Change and Pittsburgh Wrong, but There’s Still a Challenge There

Even as newscasters were reporting Donald Trump’s determination to withdraw the US from compliance with the Paris climate accord with the pointed remark, “I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris,” a former Carnegie-Mellon professor, Richard Florida, was appearing on “The News Hour” explaining to Paul Solman the fundamentals of his new … Continue reading Trump Has Both Climate Change and Pittsburgh Wrong, but There’s Still a Challenge There

With Trump’s repudiation of traditional conservatism, how long can it be before the GOP cracks?

Every so often the Times Friday tandem of Krugman and Brooks offers up a special dividend.  In another consequential week for Trump, this was one of those days. Of greatest consequence, of course, were the ongoing revelations of Russian entanglement with members of Trump’s inner circle. News of Jeff Sessions’ contact with Russia’s ambassador and … Continue reading With Trump’s repudiation of traditional conservatism, how long can it be before the GOP cracks?

Beyond Distractions: Keeping the Big Political Picture in Mind

Like a barrel thrown to the whale, the people were to be amused with fancied amendments, until the harpoon of power should secure its prey and render resistance ineffectual. [Samuel Bryan], Centinel No 19 (Philadelphia) Independent Gazetteer, October 7, 1788.   It’s only days into the Trump administration, and already the flurry of actions and … Continue reading Beyond Distractions: Keeping the Big Political Picture in Mind