Budget puts state back on track toward prosperity

By REP. MIKE SHERIDAN | 7/3

At a time when most families are looking for ways to do more with less money, we have cut back, too. Our state budget makes the deepest spending reductions in Wisconsin history, slashing most state agency funding by 6.1 percent across the board.

The meaning of Ricci

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER | 7/3

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court's ruling on the Ricci case left Sonia Sotomayor relatively unscathed. But not affirmative action. Ricci raised the bar considerably on overt discrimination against one racial group.

Putting Sikhs to the ‘cruel choice’

By CHARLES C. HAYNES | 7/3

The U.S. Army isn’t the only arena where Sikhs in America face discrimination. In workplaces, schools, airports and elsewhere, Sikhs often encounter ignorance about their religion and resistance to requests for accommodation. And with Sikhism growing in the United States—there are currently some 500,000 Sikh Americans—the level of discrimination is likely to rise unless more is done to address the problem.

Nothing could be finer than a job in Carolina

By RICK HOROWITZ | 7/2

Chief executive of prominent southern state needs experienced staffer to oversee all office and personal activities. Primary responsibilities will include keeping accurate track of governor’s whereabouts at all times, and assuring that governor does not travel beyond state borders unaccompanied by security detail, wife and/or children.

Ethanol will help fuel us toward energy independence

By JOSHUA MORBY | 7/2

We must break from the one of the greatest oppressive forces facing American’s today and declare this Energy Independence Week.

‘Cap and tax’ scheme will hit us hard

By REP. PAUL RYAN | 7/2

The American Clean Energy and Security Act will raise the cost of energy by $1 trillion over the next 10 years—12 times our current energy spending. That cost will fall on American families through higher energy prices, higher taxes, more government debt or a combination of all three.

Elderly family members are depending on you

By ELLEN GOODMAN | 7/2

BOSTON -- As a society, and as individuals, we are woefully unprepared for aging, even when it’s our parents. We have 76 million baby boomers already entering their 60s.

The issue that’s not going away

By DAVID BRODER | 7/2

WASHINGTON -- In two new decisions, the Supreme Court has delivered an implicit message that racial discrimination is no longer as big a problem as we once thought. If that reading of the court’s majority is correct, then Judge Sonia Sotomayor will certainly challenge the prevailing view if she is confirmed by the Senate to join that bench.

After New Haven: Random ruminations on subject of race

By RICK HOROWITZ | 6/30

The surgeon’s gender, the surgeon’s skin color: irrelevant—of no more importance than the surgeon’s eye color, or hometown.

Con: Obama needs to stay course in Afghanistan

By ILAN BERMAN | 6/27

WASHINGTON -- Even before it took office, the Obama administration launched a comprehensive review of policy toward Afghanistan. The result, unveiled in late March, was touted as a “stronger, smarter and more comprehensive strategy” for dealing with the former Taliban and al-Qaida stronghold than the one adopted by Obama’s predecessor. Now colloquially known as “AfPak,” that plan is notable for its embrace of two contemporary realities.