Europe continues to be the boiling cauldron which may affect the US presidential election and plunge the world into another financial meltdown. European leaders continue to try and work through the troubling fiscal issues and squabble over austerity ver… more »

In case you missed it, here is the latest Roundup of news about presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. On the ACA Ruling: After the Supreme Court found the Affordable Care Act constitutional as a taxing instrument, both presumptive Re… more »

Between now and the general election on November 6, there are going to be daily, weekly and monthly polls covering almost every contest imaginable. Some are local, some are state and some - actually most - will be on the presidential race. Until Electi… more »

With unexpected good news coming out of Europe, US markets closed out the quarter on a high note. But the signs are still there that the US economy is not yet gearing up for a full-speed sprint any time soon. JPMorgan Chase: That $2 billion loss that r… more »

There are approximately 56 million people in the US of A without any type of healthcare insurance coverage. Of that number, the Affordable Care Act, upheld as constitutional as a taxing legislation by the Supreme Court Thursday, charges each state to ex… more »

A wrap of news, issues and events which may impact or affect the GLBT segment of society. One big story that impacts the GLBT which can have national changes on the same-gender marriage issue happened late Friday. As was reported on June 21st,  House G… more »

This may have slipped by you on your choice of news networks, newspapers, blog or social media, but the Voice of America is reporting that the US military has developed plans to expand operations on the African continent. Not a blip or a hue or cry co… more »

Even before Thursday's ruling by the Supreme Court that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional, medical practitioners across the country have been debating whether they will be able to afford to stay in business. This is not good news as the ACA rel… more »

The stated goal of the Affordable Care Act is to provide insurance coverage for some 30 million of the 50+ million currently without any insurance. Many are proclaiming victory in light of the Supreme Court upholding the ACA on Thursday. The truth is s… more »

While the Affordable Care Act with its tax on medical devices may be the death knell for that industry in Indiana, for other busineses in the Cornfield, the ACA may provide benefits. For the pharmaceutical industry, the decision amounted to a “slightly… more »

For businesses in the Cornfield that are part of the medical device industry, the Affordable Care act is a burden not needed. The ACA imposes a tax on all medical devices. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision Thursday to uphold President Obama’s health-ca… more »

Following Thursday Supreme Court ruling that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional, the Cornfield's own Governor Mitch Daniels has come out against the idea of expanding Medicaid coverage in Indiana. The Court found in its ruling that the Congress… more »

There is a theory making its way through the blogosphere and news agencies that in a search to find a way to declare the Affordable Care Act constitutional Chief Justice John Roberts found one at the last minute. Roberts ruled first that use of the Com… more »

One of the Cornfield's own Congressmen and the Democratic candidate to be Senator from Indiana sided with Republicans in the US House of Representatives to cite US Attorney General Eric Holder in Contempt of Congress. Joe Donnelly, in a battle with Tea… more »

Millions of Americans each year live out Carly Simon's "Anticipation" as they wait on income tax refunds. With all the hustle and bustle around the Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act and US Attorney General Eric Holder being cited for Conte… more »

The US House of Representatives, mostly along party lines, voted today to hold US Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for failing to provide documents subpoened by the House Oversight and Reform Committee. The House made the right call… more »

Usually I put out The Cornfield Standings on Monday. However, in light of the Supreme Court upholding the Affordable Care Act and declaring the individual mandate a tax all Americans may be subject to pay if they don't have healthcare insurance, I have… more »

In the debate over the Affordable Care Act and rising healthcare costs, the one issue that is not being addressed is the one which is one of the biggest factors in why healthcare is so costly in the US of A. It is also a factor that is not address by th… more »

This is a sad day for the American people. The Supreme Court has upheld the Affordable Care Act. Why do I say it is a sad day? Costs for heathcare and insurance have already risen. More increases are coming down the pipeline as the full effect of the… more »

In case you missed it, here is the latest Roundup of news about President Barack Obama. Booing The Prez: No matter the spin from White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, anyone who has listened to the video clip of President Barack Obama speaking in Bos… more »

Egyptian President-elect Mohamed Morsi continues to settle in as the world watches wondering how the power struggle with the ruling miltary command will end. While US Senators offer cautious optimism. Morsi is slated to be sworn in on Saturday. Presid… more »

In case you missed it, here is the latest Roundup of news about presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Game Changers: The Wall Street Journal is stating there are 4 states which could be game changers as Romney seeks to unseat the Pre… more »

Between now and the general election on November 6, there are going to be daily, weekly and monthly polls covering almost every contest imaginable. Some are local, some are state and some - actually most - will be on the presidential race. Until Electi… more »

Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad continues to hold onto power and now claims that the insurrection against his regime is being fomented by outside forces. For now the tension remains high, but Turkey and Syria seem to be backing off from a direct confro… more »

Signs are still not good for the overall US economy. While the markets are showing a hint at optimism, the pessimism continues to dominate with fears over the sinking feeling coming out of Europe. While pain at the pump is dimminishing, it signals that… more »

Europe continues to be the boiling cauldron which may affect the US presidential election and plunge the world into another financial meltdown. European leaders continue to try and work through the troubling fiscal issues and squabble over austerity ver… more »

A powder keg waiting to explode is the way many perceive the Mideast. The events in the region could set off in many people's estimates a cascade that could emesh the US of A in more military action. Yemen: An Alqaeda in the Arabian Penninsula commande… more »

While most in the US of A have been engrossed with the churning presidential and congressional contests, south of the border Mexicans are preparing to cast ballots on Sunday to also elect a new president. The campaigns have been a mixture that could be… more »

The State of Utah rounded out the presidential primary season Tuesday. The most watched races being decided yesterday, however, had nothing to do with presidential politics. Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney as I predicted overwhe… more »

A wrap of news, issues and events which may impact or affect the GLBT segment of society. Pentagon Mark's Gay Pride Month: The Department of Defense, as it has with other segments of society, has for the 1st time marked Gay Pride Month. A year ago this… more »

Forget all your political contests. Forget whether President Barack Obama or challenger presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney will win this fall. Those elections really don't matter. What really matters is the sweet tooth vote. Who will win?… more »

From the "What Was He Thinking" department comes a story out of Pennsylvania today that has landed the state's House Majority Leader, Mike Turzai, with his feet in the fire. Turzai speaking to the State Republican Party Committee quipped, "Voter ID, wh… more »

As Ronald Reagan would say to Jimmy Carter, "There you go again." Former President Carter is once more making controversial comments. This time Carter is accusing the US of A of "widespread abuse of human rights". The charge is aimed directly at Presid… more »

From the remarks of Governor Jan Brewer, one could come to believe that Arizona feels it is now the independent sovereign State of Arizona. Then from statesments coming out of the White House, it would seem the state may have good reason to feel that wa… more »

In an analysis piece put together by CNN, the news source says there are 5 things we can learn from Monday's ruling on Arizona's controversial immigration law. Is the analysis correct? Are there lessons to be learned from the Court's ruling? Here are… more »

Those running for public office often have canned responses for any situation and any given outcome. That's standard practice to be prepared to have an answer ready on the spot when questioned or when a controversial decision is in the offing. Republic… more »

Today is a momentous day. Today marks the end of the primary/caucus season. What? You thought it was all over already? Nope, today Utah conducts the final primary. The race to watch is whether long-serving Senator Orrin Hatch beats back his Tea Par… more »

Justice Antonin Scalia, appointed to the Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan, did not agree with the Court's rendering on the controversial Arizona immigration law. Scalia took to task Congress and President Barack Obama in his dissenting opinion.… more »

This past Saturday morning I was honored and privileged to share my views on healthcare and the Affordable Care Act with Randi Kaye on CNN Saturday Morning as an iReporter taking part in the iReport Community Debate. The interview came about from my re… more »

On Sunday, Muslim Brotherhood head, Mohammed Morsi, was declared the winner of Egypt's first post-Hosni Mubarak presidential election. Morsi won with just over 52% of the vote. His rival, Murbarak regime holdover Ahmed Shafiq, garnered 48% of the vote.… more »

This Monday evening the world is wondering if Syria shooting down a Turkish jet over the weekend could prompt NATO to intervene in what is now described as a civil war in the nation torn apart between protestors and President Bashar al-Assad. Turkey cl… more »

Busy morning for the US Supreme Court. The most watched ruling was not handed down today - The Affordable Care Act. But, the Supremes did release its finding on Arizona's controversial immigration law. Here's a short roundup of today's Supreme Court ru… more »

We all will have to wait until Thursday to find out how the Supreme Court came down on the constitutionality of the President Barack Obama's signature domestic achievement, the Affordable Care Act. While we are waiting, the Associated Press compiled a… more »

James Fallows wrote in The Atlantic Sunday that there are 5 signs that the US of A is undergoing a radical change. In the earlier article, since updated, Fallows used the word, coup, rather than radical change. The update version takes "coup" out of the… more »

A new study from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had some good news about teenagers in the Cornfield's home state of Indiana as well as some not so good news. The good news, fewer teens are using alcohol. The bad news, Hoosier teen… more »

A powder keg waiting to explode is the way many perceive the Mideast. The events in the region could set off in many people's estimates a cascade that could emesh the US of A in more military action. Iraq: Powerful Iraqi Shiite imam Muqtada al-Sadr has… more »

In case you missed it, here is the latest Roundup of news about presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Romney's Army?: The Financial Times is reporting that Romney is deploying an army of Mormons "to states where the presidential race… more »

Europe continues to be the boiling cauldron which may affect the US presidential election and plunge the world into another financial meltdown. European leaders continue to try and work through the troubling fiscal issues and squabble over austerity ver… more »

In case you missed it, here is the latest Roundup of news about President Barack Obama. Egypt: President Barack Obama offered congratulations to new Egyptian President-Elect Mohammed Morsi.  The President "underscored that the United States will contin… more »

It's Monday, which means it's time to take at trip across the US of A and check out how much pain there is at the pump. In our weekly National Snapshot, we look at a select city in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia. Question remains if… more »

Monday and time to once more put out my weekly, The Cornfield Standings. The choice is between President Barack Obama, the incumbent Democrat, and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney who are vying to answering the question, "Who's Ru… more »

Between now and the general election on November 6, there are going to be daily, weekly and monthly polls covering almost every contest imaginable. Some are local, some are state and some - actually most - will be on the presidential race. Until Electi… more »

Stocks had a slight rebound on opening Friday morning but ended the day down once more. Now the wonder is if the markets will be calmer as a new week dawns. European markets were not so lucky on Friday as markets never rallied. Trying to advert furthe… more »

One thing is for sure. Neither the Executive Branch nor the Legislative Branch of the government of the US of A has learned that silence is golden at times. It is also clear with the ongoing "loose lips" scandal concerning state secrets and other leak… more »

Public service unions are at crossroads faced with being forced to accept more and more concessions as cash-strapped state governments seek to find ways to keep state budgets balanced. After  a stunning defeat for the union movement in the recall elect… more »

There have been those voices crying in the wilderness of fiscal conservatism. These voices have been saying if the federal government continues to stir uncertainty, if elected officials continue to call for a narrowing in the income gap and if President… more »

The nation waits. Business waits. Lawmakers wait. For President Barack Obama and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney the wait may seem like an eternity. The outcome of the Supreme Court's decision on the Affordable Care Act could de… more »

A  member of CNN's iReport community came out denouncing a recent visit by some members of the GLBT to the White House. Not that these GLBT persons visited the White House, but their behavior at the White House. The report by mab91c pointed out the tot… more »

Former presidential candidate Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann just can't help it. She opens her mouth and out it spews like sewage spilling from a drain pipe. She's at it again. This time its in an interview with Arizona Senator John McCain's… more »

With around 16% of the voting public total, the Hispanic vote is being sought actively by both President Barack Obama and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. In their quest to win the hearts and votes of the largest minority in the… more »

What is it about politics that tends to often find elected officials under the searing light of ethical scrutiny? Is it that as the 1st Baron Acton said, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad m… more »

As Jim Nabors character Gomer Pyle used to say, "Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!" The saying goes that reality bites. That seems to be the case with one of the leading voices who supported California's Proposition 8, which vacated the California Supreme… more »

What a day Saturday turned out to be. First there was getting up before dawn to make a trip to the Cornfield's state capitol, Indinapolis, for a live interview with CNN Saturday Morning and Randi Kaye. Then later Saturday evening was the tweet from CNN'… more »

In case you missed it, here is the latest Roundup of news about presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Let's Hear It For The Boys: The Romney's 5 sons, Tagg, Matt, Josh, Ben and Craig, made it onto late night television this week sitt… more »

In case you missed it, here is the latest Roundup of news about President Barack Obama. New Web Tool: President Obama's re-election campaign has unveiled a new campaign organizing tool called Dashboard, where you can get the latest campaign news and co… more »

It is tragic enough that so many young boys were victimized by now convicted predator Jerry Sandusky. What may be even more tragic is how these young lives were victimized yet again by an enviornment that circled the wagons and did not stop this monster… more »

Talk about a shocker! When I was going through my email Friday morning, one was from a producer from CNN. The network wanted to interview little ole me for my views and opinions on healthcare reform. It seems the report I did up for CNN's iReport commu… more »

Between now and the general election on November 6, there are going to be daily, weekly and monthly polls covering almost every contest imaginable. Some are local, some are state and some - actually most - will be on the presidential race. Until Electi… more »

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is running a campaign to unseat President Barack Obama claiming that the President's policies are stiffling job creation and putting a drag on an economic recovery. The President is running a defe… more »

Experts are saying that gas will be under $3 by the fall. Though our pain at the pump may be much lower than now, it's not good news. It indicates that the nearly stalled US and global economy are only going to get worse. There are a few locations thro… more »

As I reported earlier, 100 supporters of Texas Congressman Ron Paul have filed suit against the Republican National Committee and Chairman Reince Priebus claiming the RNC and Priebus over rules that bind delegates to the national convention to the candi… more »

President Barack Obama must be shaking his head this Friday morning and saying, "Can't a President trying to get re-elected get a break?" Monday and Tuesday - Russia, China and Germany wouldn't budge at the G20 Summit in Mexico. Wednesday - Federal R… more »

A powder keg waiting to explode is the way many perceive the Mideast. The events in the region could set off in many people's estimates a cascade that could emesh the US of A in more military action. Israel: The Palestinian village of Susiya on the Wes… more »

What's that saying about the lull before the storm? The news may have been relatively quiet coming out of Europe, but don't think now is the time to close your eyes and go to sleep. A storm is on the horizon and ready to break. No to Pension Proposals… more »

The showdown over same-geneder relationships, legal status and equal rights under the Constitution may land in the lap of the Supreme Court much sooner than anyone had thought. Republican members of the US House of Representatives have signaled their i… more »

Across the US of A farmers and home gardeners are crying and praying for rain. The dry conditions are ratcheting up the risk of wildfire. There is the occasional shower or thunderstorm, but no soaking rain is in sight. In the Cornfield 80% of the state… more »

We've all heard the horrifying tales of those who stalk social media and prey on the innocents. The State of Louisiana is trying to take a bite out of "open season" on the unsuspecting and naive by requiring registered sex offenders to update their soci… more »

A growing number of Democratic elected officials are making known their intention to skip the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina in Septemeber. The reason most widely given is these elected officials prefer to spend time with t… more »

We hear it all the time from White House Press Secretary Jay Carney that the White House is talking to members of Congress. But who exactly is the White House having a dialogue? It is apparent, from their own denials and debunking of the claim, the Whi… more »

CNN has a good article out that explains what it all means that US Attorney General Eric Holder was cited on party lines, 23-17, of Contempt of Congress. That citation now moves to the full House of Representatives for a vote. That vote scheduled for… more »

For most of last year and the early months of this year, Republicans across the country were calling on the Cornfield's own Governor Mitch Daniels to throw his hat into the ring to become president. Republicans and even some Democrats who hoped that Da… more »

As I noted this past Monday in my weekly National Gas Prices - A Snapshot - June 18, the cost of gasoline is rising in the Midwest and continues to do so. Elsewhere in the nation, it is going down. With the price of a barrel of oil going down, why is t… more »

For the first time in his term of office, President Barack Obama invoked executive privilege to stymie an investigation by the House Oversight and Reform Committee, chaired by Republican California Representative Darrell Issa, looking into the bungled F… more »

All day I have been trying to get my thoughts together over the spectacle we have watched play out on our television screens and across the internet. Of course I am talking about prize fight going on in the center ring between the Legislative Branch and… more »

In case you missed it, here is the latest Roundup of news about presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Heckling: Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is not about to dissway supporter who choose to show up at Presi… more »

A powder keg waiting to explode is the way many perceive the Mideast. The events in the region could set off in many people's estimates a cascade that could emesh the US of A in more military action. Syria, an ancient country that could be the fuse bur… more »

In case you missed it, here is the latest Roundup of news about President Barack Obama. Fast and Furious: The main topic of conversation today is the President declaring documents concerning the botched Fast and Furious are now off-limits with a claim… more »

Between now and the general election on November 6, there are going to be daily, weekly and monthly polls covering almost every contest imaginable. Some are local, some are state and some - actually most - will be on the presidential race. Until Electi… more »

A powder keg waiting to explode is the way many perceive the Mideast. The events in the region could set off in many people's estimates a cascade that could emesh the US of A in more military action. Kuwait: The US has signaled plans to increase its mi… more »

Stocks are rising. Housing starts are up. Housing permits hit 4-year high. Fewer job postings in April are being reported. With the exception of the last statistic, one would think that the US economy was starting to perk again. But the reality i… more »

Markets and investors can take heart, at least for the moment, it appears that Greece has dodged another bullet. News agencies are reporting that a new government has been formed. Antonis Samaris was sworn in as the new prime minister. Samaris is a con… more »

President Barack Obama isn't too happy with the campaign of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Well actually, it's one member of Romney's campaign. The President expressed his displeasure this evening to the entire world with th… more »

I'm not a big fan of the Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United, but it is the law of the land. It has given rise to Super PACs raising and spending ungodly amounts of money to sway voters this way or that. The ideal would be for campaign and PACs who… more »

One of the largest Evangelical denominations in the country, the Southern Baptists, split from traditional Baptists in 1845 over the issue of slavery. Southern Baptists believed that slavery was biblically justified unlike their northern cousins who wer… more »

A lawsuit has been filed in federal court against the Republican National Committee and RNC Chairman Reince Priebus by 100 of Texas Congressman Ron Paul's supporters claiming that the RNC and Priebus have intered with delegate selection and dissatisfact… more »

This is 2012, isn't it? We are in the 21st Century, right? How far in the past is the Montana Republican Party living? Did not the US Supreme Court throw out sodomy laws some time ago? Yet, today the Montana GOP is finally dropping efforts to make h… more »

A powder keg waiting to explode is the way many perceive the Mideast. The events in the region could set off in many people's estimates a cascade that could emesh the US of A in more military action. Syria, an ancient country that could be the fuse bur… more »

In case you missed it, here is the latest Roundup of news about President Barack Obama. The Immigration Change: Behind the Scene - President Obama decided last week on a major policy shift to stop deportations of young illegal immigrants after adminis… more »

Greece diverted total chaos and possible meltdown of the Euro Zone on Sunday. Now what? Will the winners be able to form a coalition government to keep Greece on tract or will the effort prove as fruitless as it did in May? Europe Sighs: Euro zone pay… more »

A powder keg waiting to explode is the way many perceive the Mideast. The events in the region could set off in many people's estimates a cascade that could emesh the US of A in more military action. Egyptians voted over the weekend to select a new pre… more »