Recent content by Brad Sallows

The biggest vote-killer issue I've ever seen, I think. Some of them are very mad. They'll settle down with time, but the WH isn't going to be able to convince any experienced political observers that this is about anything more than placating a few voters on the extreme left and among pockets...

Doesn't help the countries losing people. If demographic shrinkage is going to be a problem, it'll be an international security (as in, avoidance of conflict) problem. We need solutions that don't involve robbing other countries of their population, and particularly skilled parts of their...

Probably because they're doing things they want to do, rather than things that will make a favourable impression on voters who can be moved. Some of the things they do to suit themselves are pissing voters - including independents and some Democrats - off. The latest one is Biden's announced...

Maybe someone just alleged it was weed? It could have been catnip, dried banana peel, Carl Zappa's used gym sock.

There's a (somewhat loose) definition; it exists in political and religious flavours, the latter of which judging by the examples offered doesn't require a bunch of family support policies. The limited version is simply to be in favour of large families. It doesn't really have anything to do...

Where is the universally accepted definition of "pro-natalist"?

You don't get to dictate what the position is of people with whom you disagree. Being against abortion is a stand-alone position about one particular thing. "Pro-life" is a term of art - either you acknowledge its limited and particular meaning in that particular debate, or you are arguing...

Serviceable schools are empty because parents tend to demand schools reasonably close to their homes, and eventually some schools end up in neighbourhoods with not very many parents. Other schools have to add portable classrooms (a problem where I currently live) as densification increases...

Conservatives care about a lot of things, but don't agree they are things in which government ought to be involved, irrespective of resources.

They will lern to kode.

...in one particular problem domain. So was Michael Ignatieff.

Exactly. Demographics change. Schools not repurposed are often enough demolished.

Rex was in a certain class of commentator, in which I include Christopher Hitchens - people who politics and ideals I don't always share, but are always worth reading or listening.

Drum "opportunity cost" into those heathens.

The electors meet and each vote for a particular candidate. If there was literally no option but their pledged candidate, they would be completely unnecessary; just count the votes in each district (and have some mechanism for deciding who wins the 2 state-wide votes). Obviously they were...