Mark Joslyn

Middle of the Road

Moderation – seems to be a dirty word in today’s politics. It was not always this way, think President Eisenhower.

Politics is for seniors

Politicians are getting older. Just how old and what does that mean for young voters.

Chart of the week ending 5/12/2023

Typically, the news media present comparisons of median household income between Whites and Blacks, or perhaps Whites and Hispanics. In general, racial comparisons dominate media coverage. While important, there are of course more than two groups that comprise our nation’s population. In fact, approximately 30% of the population is neither Black nor White. This chart,Continue reading “Chart of the week ending 5/12/2023”

Promises Made, Promises Broken

Political compromises are an important feature of a well functioning political system. Our Constitution is in fact a series of compromises. But compromises require concessions and politicians often break promises in order to close the deal. This can be frustrating to voters but its crucial for agreements.

Strike three or ball four?

A ball or strike? Judges decide and they all possess ideological biases that determine the call.

Biden’s reelection campaign

Not many want him to run again, but Joe Biden will run again and like most incumbents will win the party’s nomination easily.

Independents or Partisan Leaners

Recent data show substantial increases in the share of people that identify as Independents. Is it real? Let’s take a look.

The Iron Law of Successive Elections

Will Democrats lose House seats? Of course, that’s never been in doubt. Read on and find out why a newly elected president nearly always loses House seats in midterm elections.

Elections: Engines of government power

We typically consider elections as accountability devices, the time when people can rebuke those in power and replace them with someone else. The people ultimately decide. Less understood, elections are important instruments of government power and authority. In fact the chief reason elections exist at all is because they benefit governments. This interpretation allows us to think more clearly about the role of democratic institutions and citizen participation.

Securing the right to vote – it’s not about protest, equity, and fairness. It’s about War.

Typically we think about the right to vote as something won – something gained through protest and persistent pressure on government. Turns out, that is only a small part of the story. This post details the rest of the story.