by jpitney | Nov 7, 2019 | Bureaucracy, Regulation, Uncategorized
A growing problem: fraudulent comments on regulatory dockets at federal agencies, some using what appear to be stolen identities posted by computers programmed to pile comments onto the dockets. Findings of Fact by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations:...
by jpitney | Nov 5, 2019 | Civility, Congress, House of Representatives, Uncategorized
Brian Alexander at LegBranch; In a forthcoming book on congressional norms I am writing, I argue that, despite what we may think about congressional dysfunction and partisan bickering, the norm of courtesy is surprisingly alive and relatively well in the modern...
by jpitney | Nov 4, 2019 | Civility, Deliberation, Uncategorized
At The New York Times, Nellie Bowles reports on efforts to promote civil discussion. [A] nonprofit called Better Angel s.. is putting on half a dozen events around the country every week through the election. Its work is part of a boomlet in efforts to break partisan...
by jpitney | Nov 3, 2019 | Deliberation, Uncategorized
A release from the University of Houston-Clear Lake: In a world full of politically divisive and polarizing issues, the level of public discourse can quickly become hostile and antagonistic. That is why Se-Hyoung Yi, assistant professor of political science at...
by jpitney | Nov 2, 2019 | Civility, Congress, Uncategorized
Aubrey Neal and Dean Peterson at R Street: Just as all Americans are more collaborative if they participate in team retreats or other outside-of-work functions, past Congresses have fostered partnerships and productivity by encouraging members to get to know one...
by jpitney | Nov 1, 2019 | Civility, Deliberation, Uncategorized
Dennis Sadowski at the Catholic News Service: Rancor in politics, especially these days, may be the norm, but a nationwide effort is underway to remind people that civility in political discussions is a virtue. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is introducing...
by jpitney | Oct 31, 2019 | Congress, House of Representatives, Mass Media, Uncategorized
Matt Glassman, who teaches in the Claremont McKenna College Washington Semester Program, testified before the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress on “Congress and the Frank:Bringing Congressional Mailing Standards into the 21st Century,” October...
by jpitney | Oct 31, 2019 | Appropriations, Congress, Uncategorized
Written testimony of Kevin R. Kosar, Vice President of Policy, R Street Institute Before the U.S. Senate, Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight October 30, 2019 There also is the subject of today’s hearing,...
by jpitney | Oct 30, 2019 | Congress, Technology, Uncategorized
At Scientific American, Jackson Barnett writes about the challenge of election security: One reason for the inadequate response is that elected representatives and their staffs are not tech savvy enough to understand the scope of the problems, says Lawrence...
by jpitney | Oct 29, 2019 | Civility, Public Opinion, Uncategorized
From the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service: A majority of Americans believe political, racial, and class divisions are getting worse, according to the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service Battleground Civility Poll, the second...
