Gary Franks Columns category, Page 4

Gary Franks: We need an age limit for federally elected officials, Supreme Court justices

We need an age limit for federally elected officials and justices on the Supreme Court, restricting anyone from serving beyond 80. We should rid ourselves from an octogenarian-run government. The powers that be — many of whom are older folks — would not agree to this (that is obvious). Thus,...
Gary Franks: For the GOP, the midterms were a case of political malpractice

Despite a hurricane-like wind at their backs on the issues, the Republican Party, with the exception of Florida, failed to create a red wave. The midterm elections were a splendid example of democracy working properly, however. When I heard the Democrats’ closing message that the “world was coming to an...
Gary Franks: Will the Supreme Court turn back the clock?

Asian Americans have done exceedingly well, as members of that community comprise 19% of Harvard College students, even though they make up just 7% of the overall American population. Kudos to them. They are overrepresented at the nation’s top schools, not underrepresented. Yet they have a grievance they have taken...
Gary Franks: Hate and antisemitism simply cannot be tolerated

The historical record is clear. The vast majority of the Jewish community has bonded with Black Americans on civil rights and social justice. Jewish Americans were supporters of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the NAACP, the National Urban League and CORE during the height of the civil rights movement. They...
Gary Franks: Black tribal voting must stop

America seeks to be a melting pot. Ideally, we seek to evaluate people, organizations, performances, records, visions and conditions not based on skin color or party affiliation, but on merit. Otherwise, you can be prejudged. For example, if you are a Black American, there is a more than 90% chance...
Gary Franks: Tuberville’s inappropriate remarks — apology needed

I had planned to write about an election issue this week, but Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville interrupted those plans with some inappropriate, disturbing remarks at a recent Republican rally in Nevada. Tuberville said the following about Democrats: “They’re not soft on crime. They’re pro-crime. They want crime. They want...
Gary Franks: Black people must end ‘eggs-in-one-basket’ politics

I’ll never forget the laughter about my candidacy when I first ran for office in an area in Connecticut that is over 90% white. Political leaders joked that white voters would not vote for me because I am Black, and Black people would not vote for me because I am...
Gary Franks: Fear vs. reality — which one will prevail in November?

Democratic leaders have failed to do their basic job of passing a budget and spending/appropriations bills via regular order or for that matter even as a continuing resolution once again. It is quite apparent that Democrats are just too busy with other pressing matters, like producing the “Trump Reality Show.”...
Gary Franks: Does the border crisis help Democrats win elections?

Threat to our democracy? The major problem for Democrats is that they have not won the white vote in presidential elections since 1964. Today, most Americans were not alive to see it. Former President Lyndon Johnson’s landslide victory included winning the white vote (see voting percentages at end of the...
Gary Franks: Is Biden just a rubber stamp?

Who’s a threat to democracy? President Joe Biden is a rubber stamp for the Democrat-controlled Congress. He has never vetoed a bill presented to him by Congress. Thus, as far as policy, legislation and the direction of the country are concerned, the de facto presidents are Senate Majority Leader Chuck...
Gary Franks: Shades of Burr vs. Hamilton

Blaming a segment of America for the acts of their failed leaders, further dividing America with angry rhetoric and scaring Americans is usually not the best way to lead a country. However, President Joe Biden accomplished this feat in a recent speech. There are threats to our democracy. Ironically, the...
Gary Franks: Student loan debt relief? How about service instead?

President Joe Biden’s student loan debt relief plan should have been debated and voted on by Congress. Even Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi once said it could only be done via a vote of Congress. For Biden to just do it is considered noble by some, political by others,...
Gary Franks: Republicans don’t need a ‘Hail Mary pass’ to win the Senate

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, if you cannot win a majority in the U.S. Senate in 2022 with a “hurricane style” wind at your back, the problem rests with the person you see in the mirror. A recent NBC poll reported 74% of Americans feel that the nation is heading...
Gary Franks: The Trump reality show and the media’s addiction

I trust we all would agree that addictions — whether it’s drugs, alcohol, gambling or anything else — are not healthy. So why not define former President Donald Trump as a media addiction? Yes, the mainstream media (both left and right), cable stations, social media, newspapers and radio are all...
Gary Franks: Socialists/Democrats — is there a difference?

We are Americans. We are hardworking people. We fight in defense of our values. We love our freedoms. We do not have to be told what to think — what cars to buy, what jobs to seek, what leaders to choose. We want our leaders to be the best and...
Gary Franks: Can Democrats save the nation from themselves?

Democrats simply cannot help themselves. The high hopes I had in West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin have diminished, though my high respect for the senator remains. The pressure he felt from being one of the only dissenting voices in the room (Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema being the other) to stop...

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