- How Legislation Is Brought to the House Floor: A Snapshot of Parliamentary Practice in the 112th Congress (2011-2012), CRS Report R43039, April 15, 2013 (14-page PDF
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- The STOCK Act, Insider Trading, and Public Financial Reporting by Federal Officials, CRS Report R42495, April 12, 2013 (13-page PDF
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- Trends in Discretionary Spending, CRS Report RL34424, April 15, 2013 (38-page PDF
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- Secret Sessions of the House and Senate: Authority, Confidentiality, and Frequency, CRS Report R42106, March 15, 2013 (11-page PDF
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Tyranny
The Federal Prison Population Buildup: Overview, Policy Changes, Issues, and Options – CRS Report R42937
Since the early 1980s, there has been a historically unprecedented increase in the federal prison population. Some of the growth is attributable to changes in federal criminal justice policy during the previous three decades. An issue before Congress is whether policymakers consider the rate of growth in the federal prison population sustainable, and if not, … Read more
Virginia, Commonwealth of
Sic Semper Tyrannis – Thus ever to tyrants The phrase was recommended by George Mason to the Virginia Convention in 1776, as part of the commonwealth’s seal. The Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia shows Virtue, spear in hand, with her foot on the prostrate form of Tyranny, whose crown lies nearby. The Seal was … Read more
Declaration of Independence – Happy Independence Day!
Declaration of Independence, signed July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Original Velvet Revolution
On November 19, 1989, the people of Prague, in the former state of Czechoslovakia, gathered to commemorate a massacre of Czech students by Nazi Germany fifty years earlier. By the end of the day, the gathering turned into a demonstration against a ruling Communist government that had begun massacring Czechs and Slovaks from virtually the … Read more
“Requiring Individuals to Obtain Health Insurance: A Constitutional Analysis”
As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), P.L. 111-148, as amended, Congress enacted a “minimum coverage provision,” which compels certain individuals to have a minimum level of health insurance (i.e., an “individual mandate”). Individuals who fail to do so may be subject to a monetary penalty, administered through the tax code. … Read more
“7 Rules for Recording Police”
From “7 Rules for Recording Police: Courts are expanding rights but cops are cracking down. Find out how to keep your footage, and yourself, out of trouble.” by Steve Silverman, Hit and Run, April 5, 2012 Rule #1: Know the Law (Wherever You Are) Rule #2 Don’t Secretly Record Police Rule #3: Respond to “Shit … Read more
“The seven stages of the office seeker”
“The seven stages of the office seeker,” by Edward Williams Clay (artist) and John Childs (lithographer). Image and text from the Library of Congress: A satire on patronage and corruption in New York State politics, based on the medieval theme, perpetuated in American folk art, of the “life and ages of man.” Here the seven … Read more
Abraham Lincoln on Tyranny
See also Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) You will find that all the arguments in favor of king-craft were of this class; they always bestrode the necks of the people, not that they wanted to do it, but because the people were better off for being ridden. That is their argument, … Read more
Necessary and Proper Clause – Article I Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution
The United States Constitution The Necessary and Proper Clause is one of Congress’ enumerated powers found in the Constitution of the United States, Article. I. Section. 8., clause 18: (Clause 18 – Necessary and Proper clause) [The Congress shall have Power] To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution … Read more