"... And a second one free - just pay shipping and handling."
- Every television infotainment sales pitch

"In GOD we trust, all others pay cash."
- Book title by satirist Jean Shepherd

Although the hollow promise of no new taxes blew up in the face of President George H. W. Bush and was the major reason he lost his re-election bid to President Bill Clinton, it seems that many politicians, from Washington to Dallas, want to say the same thing. It seems that no one in public office has heard of the expression, TANSTAAFL (There ain't no such thing as a free lunch). The best things in life may be free, but if you're smart you'll keep a few coins handy, just in case.

On the lunatic fringes, there are groups that avow that the federal government should restrict itself to funding the armed forces and a few constitutionally mandated expenses. They would do away with all social programs and .
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Gay rights is another civil rights issue in America
By RAY JORDON
The Dallas Examiner

A government for and by the people ... what a novel idea in 1776 (and by some standards, a novel idea for today). This concept has made the United States, both a beacon of hope and a target to envy. While the U.S. is still relatively adolescent at 234 years young, its idealistic values and optimistic vision has created an undeniable impact on the aspirations and dreams of millions around the globe. Although we've experienced an unpopular war and a crippling recession, the United States of America is still the irrefutable leader of the free world.

Most significantly, as African Americans, we can stand tall in this legacy. Before the audacious courage of women, men and children who looked like us, this country's idea of democracy was nothing more than utopian lip service. However, through the blood, sweat and tears of the American Civil Rights Movement, the U.S. made huge steps towards manifesti.
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Chasing Glenn Beck - Are we giving him what he wants?
By HARRY C. ALFORD
NNPA

I never thought it would have gone this low so fast. On the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech, the major civil rights groups, or should we now say "human rights" groups, coalesced, not to celebrate the anniversary, but to protest a White cable television icon's celebration of the event.

Something is very strange about this. It is like there is no longer an agenda for our human rights groups from an African American perspective. They are now fighting for immigrants, gays and lesbians, and ex-offenders regardless of their color. Direct action for African Americans is fading fast and that is not a good thing.

Just why are they upset with Glenn Beck? I believe it is because of his criticism of President Barack Obama. It seems that Obama's administration can fend for itself but these groups feel it is their duty to defend the honor and reputation of this publicly elec.
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The message behind the resignation of radio host Dr. Laura Schlessinger
By MARC H. MORIAL
NNPA

Here we go again. One more time, a clueless commentator with a microphone and an audience of millions, has brazenly insulted Black America and reacted as if we were the perpetrators. The latest incident involves Dr. Laura Schlessinger, the host of the Dr. Laura radio show. On Aug. 10, Schlessinger made racially insensitive statements and repeatedly used the N-word in responding to Jade, a Black woman caller, who complained that her White husband's friends and relatives use racial slurs and make racially demeaning comments in front of her. Instead of offering helpful advice, Schlessinger scoffed, "some people are hypersensitive."

She noted that "Black guys" use the N-word "all the time," and repeated the word 11 times during the call for emphasis. But her most revealing comment was, "I don't get it. If anybody without enough melanin says it, it's a horrible thing, but when Black peop.
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