Erik Camayd-Freixas: The DREAM Act and the wealth of nations: An educator’s perspective

Contributors

Against all odds, 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school each year, many with honors. They are among America’s brightest, most driven and underprivileged. We have invested much in their K-12 education, and they have much to contribute to our society. National identity and allegiance are established during adolescence. This is their homeland. Brought here…

Ken Plum: Unraveling the mysteries of redistricting

Ken Plum

In the very near future Virginia will receive its official population numbers from the 2010 census. Our numbers are among the first to be issued because our off-year elections require us to redraw our legislative district lines in time for the 2011 fall elections. Follow the progress of the census results being made available at…

Lt. Gen. John Castellaw: Put the inspectors back to work

Contributors

Dec. 5th marks an important milestone in relation to America’s national security – the one-year anniversary since the U.S. inspection of Russian nuclear facilities expired. But the obstacle to resuming inspections isn’t an intransigent Russia, but Senate delays in ratifying the New START arms reduction treaty – delays that put political considerations ahead of U.S….

Lt. Gen. Dirk Jameson: Do the right thing

Contributors

At this time of thanksgiving, we are reminded how people came together, shared resources, shared opinions and worked together to form and protect our nation. During my long career in the US Air Force I was at the very sharp end of the spear that defended our nation, rising to deputy commander-in-chief and chief of…

Linda Tarr-Whelan: A New START for women around the world

Contributors

The so-called New START, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia, is poised for an historic ratification vote in the Senate this year. Three more major international treaties are also lined up on President Obama’s ratification to-do list: the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and CEDAW,…

Mark Warner: A responsible step forward

Chris Graham

I wanted to let you know about the recent progress of legislation I have introduced that will make government work better and save taxpayer money. The Government Performance and Results Modernization Act of 2010, which I’m proud to say is co-sponsored by two Republicans and two Democrats, requires each federal agency to set clear performance…

Michael Mariotte: Foreign bailouts on the horizon?

Contributors

American taxpayers bailed out the banks. They bailed out auto manufacturers. But at least they were our banks and automakers. Now, taxpayers are once again being asked to lend a hand. This time it’s to subsidize multi-billion-dollar foreign companies with names like Toshiba, Hitachi and Areva. If the going gets rough for them, taxpayers will…

Susan Shaer: Partisan politics should not get in the way of new START

Contributors

The partisan split in politics is getting old and stale. Real people want real solutions to real issues, and one of the gravest is within our grasp to solve. For decades, we have been under a nuclear cloud, but world and U.S. leaders have risen to the occasion to provide safeguards. The United States and…

Don’t ask, don’t tell, DREAM Act fall victim to filibuster

Chris Graham

An effort to get a vote on legislation repealing the don’t ask, don’t tell policy that is used to keep gays and lesbians from serving in the United States military and a vote on a bill that would open educational opportunities and a path to citizenship for undocumented Americans who are long-time U.S. residents failed…