"Stretching" by verifying meaning in the dictionary? No sir, I'm pointing out what the generally accepted definition is, a definition that you are denying. In any case if it's not a *tax*, why do some folks get a "tax credit" [refundable] to pay for it?

Perhaps presbo's defense should be that he generally adheres to the dictionary found in Orwell's 1984?

This reads like some of Thomas Sowell's best work (he is a genius of insight and communication of truth).

The cognitive dissonance I note among some of my liberal co-workers is deafening. Many are completely incapable of having any conversation *at all* about current political or social events. Others are reduced to stock repeated half truths; It's all Bush's fault (still!); and of course, they can't help but complain about how much they hate Sara Palin (?!?).
Even those who do resent where their liberal votes have taken us are more worried about "upsetting" those of the irrational left then discussing and deciding what as individuals we should do.
Oh, and ignore Will and his ilk -- one-issue homo-baiting race-baiting bigotry is their attempt to prevent rational discourse on important issues.

To reiterate what is obvious to anyone attempting a reasonable assessment of the facts: Honduras was a *success* for democracy and freedom.
The most egregious attempts to undermine the Honduras elected government were perpetrated by President Obama's "amigo" in the region, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. I was stunned by yet another "stupidly" moment when the "leader of the free world" came out *against* a democracies attempt to prevent its diminution.
POTUS has people who have people -- he has no reason to *not* be fully informed of *all* of the facts (maybe he needs new people?). Given this simple Honduran example and how/why it occurred, I believe we can count on even fewer "blooms" in the coming years. In addition, it is only...