Thank you, MC. Increased revenue seems to obscure all evils - like reducing spending on "entitlements" which no longer make sense in their current form and eliminating or restructuring programs that have failed to accomplish their mission. Examples are the Department of Education, Social Security, and Medicare.

One participant spent the time and resources needed to overcome dyslexia and pass the test. Has anyone asked the other participants how they prepared for this test? Did they take advantage of any and all opportunities to be coached and therefore increase their chances for success? The preparers of the test evidentially went to extraordinary lengths to make the test as fair as they could for all participants. We certainly want our firefighters to be well-qualified to perform their assigned tasks. By passing the test, would the successful participants adequately demonstrate that they were well-qualified to perform the duties of the position to which they aspired? Who is stepping forward to coach the unsuccessful test takers so that...

I want to thank you for your incisive and well thought out commentary. You are one of my favorite political thinkers. I frankly think that we need to say a final farewell to Ronald Reagan. He was a great man, making sea changes in our national identity and our place in the world. However, we cannot continue to resurrect the past and expect the mindset that resulted in past accomplishments that we so cherish to be a worthy alternative to the present chaos that we have elected to represent us. We need new ideas, coherent strategies that provide a worthy alternative to the resurrection of FDR that passes for political wisdom in Washington.
Sarah, did you read Jonah's column? Do you read the increasingly fiery and astute columns of...

The only thing that I would change about your article, Mike, is that ALL "ideas have consequences." I really appreciate your articles and pray that God will bless you handsomely with wit, wisdom, and perseverance in the face of unconscionable vituperation. It's too bad that you can't station a "disciplinary assistant" equipped with a cane at your classroom door.

I want to thank you for your well-written article. Many things have to change in this country unless it be further mired in greed and indecision - from demonizing those who speak out to those who correctly see that we do not have the moral backbone to think logically about problems as a community and then take coordinated and informed action. Paul Volker is right about the financial markets and banks, and you are right about Harry Reid's desperation tactics. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.