RSS

Jamelle Bouie

Jamelle Bouie is a staff writer at The American Prospect.

Recent Articles

In Wisconsin, There Is No Enthusiasm Gap

Jamelle BouieMar 14, 2011

As if it weren't already apparent, Scott Walker has badly overreached:

2011-03-10-Blumenthal-20110310voteamongcertain.png

Attention Everyone: You Shouldn't Do This

Jamelle BouieMar 11, 2011

From the department of poor execution:

10-year old student Nikko Burton was humiliated by his teacher during a mock “slave auction” at Chapelfield Elementary in Ohio. Burton, one of two black students in the class, was chosen to be a “slave,” while other students role-played as “masters” who inspected the “slaves” to see if they were fit for work.

“The masters got to touch people and do all sorts of stuff,” Nikko said, “They got to look in your mouth and feel your legs and stuff and see if you’re strong and stuff.” 

Fiscal Restraint

Jamelle BouieMar 11, 2011

For the record, it isn't a show of "fiscal restraint" to cut funding for poor kids, especially when that funding goes toward one of the few programs that devotes itself to the children of the least well-off. Head Start is not without its problems, yes, but of the policy interventions we can make into the lives of children, early-childhood education is one of the most worthwhile. Budget cuts might save a few dollars in the short term, but they would come at significant long-term cost for the country at large.

Relatedly, this entire discussion over Head Start demonstrates the lopsidedness of the conversation over spending and taxes:

Chris Christie's Curious Relationship with the Truth

Jamelle BouieMar 11, 2011

christietownhall.jpg

Yesterday, The New York Times took a moment to note New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's loose relationship with the truth:

Paul Ryan's Strange Views on Taxes and Spending

Jamelle BouieMar 11, 2011

As Budget Committee chairman, Paul Ryan has a reputation for "seriousness," which is why he's rarely challenged for saying ridiculous things like this:

Many Democrats and even a few Republicans in the Senate say the only way to tackle the nation's financial problems is to address both taxes and spending. But don't expect Ryan's budget plan to include any new taxes.

However, in a break with many Republicans, Ryan did open the door to higher taxes in the future, but only as part of a comprehensive overhaul of the tax code, and only after the big benefit programs have been reformed.

Pages