Nation Topics - Government | The Nation

The article looks at the investigation by the United States Congress into the President George W. Bush administration's post-Hurricane Katrina response. The article analyzes Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director Michael Brown's testimony, where he explained the problem in response as a disconnect between FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security. The author states the real problem is weak leadership from the White House and declares the need of an independent investigation.

The article presents the last article in a series called "Letter From Ground Zero." The author explains the reasons for ending the series, which center around the complexity of the U.S. President George W. Bush administration's policies originating from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the inability to continue to trace the origins of the policies. The author speaks about the crisis of the balance of powers and popular freedoms in the United States.

The article provides short reflections to United States political news stories. News stories looked at include the Senate Judiciary Committee's hearing concerning the National Security Agency surveillance scandal, the investigation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Vice-President Richard Cheney's hunting accident, requests for replacement of Federal Emergency Management Agency director Michael Brown, and ways to lessen the effects of global warming.

This article reflects on the 2006 annual budget laid out by the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush. It argues that Bush's spending priorities in his budget proposal distort what matters to United States citizens. It questions why the Pentagon needs so much money if the Iraq War is allegedly winding down. It offers information on funds to domestic programs in the areas of education, healthcare, food assistance, and Medicare that are being cut from the budget.

The article looks at why the United States Congress passed the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the similarities between Presidents Richard Nixon and George W. Bush in their authorization of warrant-less wiretaps. Operation Shamrock and Operation Minaret were two abuses by the National Security Agency that prompted Congress to pass the Surveillance Act. The article examines other wiretap abuses by Nixon, including the Salisbury intercepts and the Huston Plan.

The article presents an editorial regarding the death of sixteen miners in West Virginia in January of 2006. The author traces responsibility of the death to coal advocates such as: Kentucky Republican senator Mitch McConnell; Elaine Chao, U.S. Labor Secretary since 2001; and Assistant Secretary of Labor Dave Lauriski, who oversees the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Though irresponsible White House energy policies call for increased use of coal, individuals should reduce electric usage to lower demand for coal power.

The article presents Michigan Representative John Conyers' views on America's national security budget. The author suggests that the U.S. should focus on destroying stockpiles of weapons worldwide. Financial statistics related to the war in Iraq are reviewed. The concept of a unified security budget is discussed.

The article presents Texas Representative Sheila Jackson Lee's on corporate accountability and oversight in the United States. According to the author, it's time for Congress to demand that government contracts and subsidies, including federal loans, grants and tax breaks, are tied to responsible business practices. The issue of waste and fraud in post-Katrina reconstruction and in Iraq are discussed.

The article presents Arizona Representative Raul Grijalva's views on environmental issues and the United States government. It is the author's view that many of the environmental improvements of the past four decades have been reversed by the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush. The author suggests that Bush's environmental reforms have placed corporate interests over public health.

The article presents New York Representative Major Owens' views on education policy in the United States. The author suggests that eduction become the top federal budget priority. Statistics related to education spending are reviewed. The importance of a first-rate education system in the United States is discussed.