The individual is King here in America. Federal government is closed, and so far you’d hardly notice. Turns out people can live without the services of the Poet Laureate for a week. No-one has taken to the streets in an American ‘Arab Spring’. The heroes of this revolt are nicely tucked up in bed at night, and applauded by many for saying ‘Freedom is the right of the healthy not to pay for the sick.’
Read Moretea party
Let them eat...err..doughnuts?
American reality - where the uber-wealthy operate under socialism, and capitalism is for the rest. It is a game of nationalised losses and privatised profits, and those occupying Wall St are calling it to account.
Read MoreAmerica's ugly, ideological hostage-takers
As the US hurtles towards debt default, there's a growing sense that Tea Party acolytes may well be prepared to deliberately tank the economy if it ensures a one-term Obama and future power for them. It is ugly ideology.
Read MoreLosing Sarah--meet the new Palin prototype, Michele Bachmann
Is it time to bid a fond farewell to Sarah Palin? We wish it wasn't so, but it seems there is a new wackadoo political force about to take centre stage in the US--Michele Bachmann.
Read MoreRepublicans, be careful what you wish for...
The Republicans may still be in full victory dance mode, but the realities of their new Tea Party compatriots should scare the hell out of them.
Read MoreWhat I learnt from the US mid-terms
In which I absorb the lessons of the mid-terms, am confirmed in my belief that it should have been Madam President, and advertise some good telly
Read MoreOf Mosques and Madness and Mid-term Elections
The concept of a mosque a couple of blocks from Ground Zero has unleashed the ugly side of American politics, where those who profess tolerance have none themselves. Instead they have a hefty dose of prejudice, jingoism and stupidity and it is all on display.
Read MoreHere comes our “T” Party!
Yes, that’s “T” for Treasury – not Tea, as in the United States. But Treasury secretary John Whitehead’s step into New Zealand post-budget political cauldron could have a similar effect.
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