For your reading enjoyment during the holidays, we are republishing some of the best Fitzsimon File commentaries written earlier this year. This commentary was orginally published on Thursday, August 23rd, 2007

During a discussion of the state budget on a political…

For your reading enjoyment during the holidays, we are republishing some of the best Fitzsimon File commentaries written earlier this year. This commentary was orginally published on Monday, September 24th, 2007

Many politicians want us to think they are on the…

…And Today’s Ideological Debate

By Rob Schofield (republished from Monday, December 18th for your reading enjoyment)

Quick Take:

• Recently, Governor Easley was labeled a “Grinch” by a conservative advocacy group for urging caution in the adoption of a new round of state tax cuts.
• A look at the facts, however, shows that Easley’s motivations were almost certainly anything but Grinch-like.
• In fact, it is the far right’s obsession with wealth and self-interest that conjures up unflattering holiday analogies.

Sometimes, you have to hand it to the spin-savvy ideologues on the far right. For all of their shortcomings in the realms of statecraft and public policy development, no one can camouflage an unpopular, regressive idea behind an honorable sounding name (“Contract with America,” “No Child Left Behind,” “Ownership Society”) better than the market fundamentalists of modern America. (more…)

For your reading enjoyment during the holidays, we are republishing some of the best Fitzsimon File commentaries written earlier this year. This commentary was orginally published on Monday, March 12th, 2007

The high-powered group of lawmakers, business leaders, and conservative economists…

By Sorien Schmidt, Action for Children North Carolina

Two of the most important responsibilities of government are ensuring the safety of our communities and caring for and educating our children so they become healthy, productive adults. These two goals cross paths…

For your reading enjoyment during the holidays, we are republishing some of the best Fitzsimon File commentaries written earlier this year. This commentary was orginally published on Monday, November 26th, 2007

The news is always full of heartwarming stories this time…

For your reading pleasure during the holidays, we are republishing some of the best Fitzsimon File commentaries written earlier this year. This commentary was orginally published on Monday, February 5th, 2007

You would think that state lawmakers would be celebrating a…

By Ian Palmquist, Equality North Caolina

Earlier this fall I met an incredible woman. Elke Kennedy approached me at an event. She was friendly, but I could see a sadness in her eyes.

Elke’s son Sean Kennedy was murdered on May…

(The Fitzsimon File will be on hiatus for the holiday until January 2, but check in during the holiday break for reprints of some of this year’s columns.)

‘Twas the week before Christmas and throughout the state’s towns,

There’s not enough…

And the right wing’s absurd attempt to blame the subprime mortgage crisis on borrowers

By Rob Schofield

Next month, one of Raleigh’s market fundamentalist “think” tanks will hold an event in Charlotte at which it will charge attendees $60 to hear from George Will. For the sake of those in attendance, let’s hope they’re serving a pretty good meal. […]

Remember the Survivors of Katrina this Holiday Season

More Than 12,000 Homeless,

HUD Plans Demolition of an additional 4,600 Units of housing

There are more than 12,000 homeless in New Orleans living under bridges and in parks. Most were working and lived…

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Raleigh News & Observer