Democracy depends on an understanding of the people’s will, but there’s one big problem: Oftentimes the people don’t know what they want. Take the Indiana “Religious Freedom” law that allows businesses to refuse service to same-sex couples. The law is sparking headlines and nation-wide protests, but, it’s damn near impossible […] Read more »
Does the public support Indiana-style religious freedom laws? It depends how you ask.
David Weigel has a piece up arguing that Democrats have been so intoxicated with business leaders taking the gay rights side in the Indiana religious freedom controversy that they’re ignoring polling showing that the public agrees with Mike Pence. … The truth is that this is an issue where the […] Read more »
Pence’s Problems a Preview of GOP’s Biggest 2016 Hurdle
Indiana Republican Gov. Mike Pence has long been a big fish in conservative circles. And this week he looked every bit the part, raging and writhing like a shark caught in a net after the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” that he signed to cheers from social conservatives provoked a furious […] Read more »
Republican candidates are on a collision course with the American electorate
The good news for Republicans: They have a path to victory in 2016. The bad news for Republicans: They are not on that path. At the moment, in fact, they have wandered into a dense thicket and are picking nettles from their skin while being bitten by mosquitoes. The latest […] Read more »
Indiana and the defining divisions in American politics
The controversy over Indiana’s religious-freedom law highlights the most fundamental divisions that now define American politics. For all the recent talk that foreign policy or income inequality will dominate the 2016 campaign, the firestorm over Indiana is a reminder of the underlying power of values and social issues to shape […] Read more »
Americans split over whether businesses must serve same-sex couples
A new Indiana religious freedom law has sparked national debate since Gov. Mike Pence signed it last week. While its supporters say it strengthens protection of religious liberty, critics have argued that it could provide legal cover for businesses to discriminate, such as a florist or caterer who may not […] Read more »