David Hegg: Why the rule of law?

Since our founding, the United States of America has been committed to the "rule of law." This term, while familiar, is often not understood. We believe in it, but most of us don't really know what it means.

Cokie and Steven Roberts: The debate over immigration reform

The gathering debate over immigration reform is really about two different groups. One is the 11 million immigrants who are here illegally. The other was described by President Obama as "the folks who try to come here legally but have a hard time doing so."

Frank Ferry: Live from City Hall

The Bureau of Justice reports that graffiti is the most common type of property vandalism and costs the average taxpayer anywhere from $3 to $5 per year to clean up.

Tim Myers: No predictions for 2014 City Council election

Local wonks and the (slim) number of folk who follow Santa Clarita city politics may soon forget the historic 2012 City Council election - which saw a sitting mayor turned out of office for the first time and an incumbent for only the third time, as well as another incumbent assailed by locally powerful politicians, including our own Congressman Buck McKeon, coming first in the election and garnering the third most votes in city history - almost did not happen.

Tammy Messina: The debate on safety in our schools

Between the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and all the subsequent talk about gun control and what the Second Amendment really means, we're seeing more and more school-related "weapons" incidents.

Rick Jensen: Obama skeets the shooting truth

"I do skeet shooting." Of course you do, Mr. President. "I do skeet shooting all the time." Which is why skeet shooters (not "doers" of skeet or "skeeters" as you call them) took a quick look at your photo and noted your aim is straight ahead, not upward where the clay target would be. They also noticed you're pictured using a gun designed for trap shooting, wearing ...

Susan Stamper Brown: Yes, God made farmers

What was it about the Dodge' commercial "God Made a Farmer" that stirred the souls of so many Americans during the Super Bowl? Maybe it was the imagery of the dirt and grit of real America, not the white-washed concrete meccas many of us call home. Maybe for just a moment we were unplugged from our instant and superficial world and taken back to a time when we were ...

George Runner: Bullet tax will backfire

If you want to grow government these days, it seems the fashionable thing to do is invent new taxes.

Kevin Bayona: Are we ready for an encore in the Falklands?

When economic times are bad, what better than to reclaim your sovereignty over a small archipelago located in the frigid waters of the South Atlantic Ocean?

Donna Brazile: Immigrants are a blessing for the U.S.

We've known for years that our immigration system is broken, and reform has been near the top of the national agenda since at least 2007. But Congress addressed neither conservative anxieties - unsecured borders, people staying with expired visas - nor liberal concerns, such as treatment of immigrants (legal or not), paths to citizenship, etc. Now, however, we may be reaching consensus.

The Village Idiot: Where’s Gutenberg when you need him?

I've heard for years that "no good deed goes unpunished," but it seemed like a clever phrase being passed off as wisdom, something you might get in a fortune cookie on an off night.

Danny Tyree: Smoking penalties? What other surprises?

According to The Associated Press, many smokers were caught off guard by an obscure provision in The Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. "Obamacare") allowing health insurers to charge smokers buying individual policies up to 50 percent higher premiums starting next Jan. 1.

Tom Purcell: A Joe Biden presidency could be good for comedy

Maybe he's just what America needs. Then again, maybe not. I speak of Vice President Joe Biden - who, according to Politico, is "intoxicated" by thoughts of being inaugurated as president in 2017. He'd be delighted to "finish what Barack Obama started." Well, who better to finish what President Obama started than Uncle Joe? I'll bet he'd be even better at runaway government spending, lack of budget discipline and total disinterest in addressing entitlement growth, ...

Jonathan Kraut: Background checks are not ‘universal’

A lot of politicians are clamoring for mandatory "Universal Background Checks" for all gun buyers nationwide. There is no harm to anyone's privacy if gun buyers are screened for criminal records, a history of domestic violence, mental health risk, or other criteria that indicate having a weapon could put others at risk. After all, past behavior helps predict future conduct. I believe that it is the human mind that is the danger and not the instrument that is used.

Maria Gutzeit and B.J. Atkins: NCWD has success with enterprise model

Newhall County Water District has just closed out 2012, and the year was marked by accomplishments reflecting its enterprise model of operation.

Tim Myers: Does election date change help incumbents?

Kathryn Pisaro: Protect music programs in Newhall School District

On Tuesday, the school board for the Newhall School District is going to be asked to cut a music teacher from our already-reduced music program.

Frank Ferry: Live from City Hall

"Government, at its core, is about doing together what we can't do alone. It's why we believe that citizen engagement is vital. ..."

Danny Tyree: Is the free ride over?

es, I dutifully affix my copyright notice to my column each week, and I've been known to notify the syndicate of suspected unauthorized use; but I haven't gotten anywhere near as persnickety (or creepy) as the entertainment industry.

Rick Jensen: Obama sequester two-step

Watching from the cheap seats, Obama's "Sequester Two-Step" is quite entertaining. While not nearly as graceful as Charles Durning's classic political footplay in "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," only fellow Democrat Bob Menendez puts in a better performance of the beleaguered innocent these days.

Kevin Korenthal: The politics of pain

I am often stunned when I hear people, some of them friends, confess that they do not follow politics.

Cher Gilmore: Just say no to Keystone XL tar sands pipeline

More than 50,000 people traveled to Washington, D.C., from as far away as California on Feb. 17 to demand that President Obama block the Keystone XL pipeline and move forward on climate action.

Phil Kerpen: Government spending hurts people

We should not accept the statist premise that most government spending helps people.

Tom Purcell: Are humans getting dumber?

The report said people are getting dumber - at least I think that's what it said, but the big words kept throwing me off."

Diana West: Setting the record straight on Joe McCarthy

Freshman Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is just the latest in a long series of public figures to be reviled for "McCarthyism" following his recent questioning of Chuck Hagel, President Obama's nominee for secretary of defense.

Joe Guzzardi: Obama pushes amnesty

After President Obama left for a three-day Florida golf vacation that included a round with Tiger Woods, the White House announced his latest immigration plan.

SCV Voices: From SignalSCV.com

Editor's note: On last Tuesday's Kevin Buck column "Straw men live in glass houses," one poster on SignalSCV.com asked the question, "In your opinion, what are the five biggest problems America faces right now?" Here are some responses from his fellow posters.

David Hegg: What makes right, right?

I recently met a man who was the epitome of post-modern thought in that he did not believe in absolute truth.

Tim Myers: No money, no county

I love history. I plan to purchase the Blu-Ray of the recent film "Lincoln" and rewatch certain key scenes 100 times in a row, unapologetically.

Bob Kellar: Live from City Hall

In Santa Clarita, the arts influence our community's quality of life. Without even realizing it, the arts act as an economic driver - creating and supporting jobs, generating revenue and serving as a cornerstone of the tourism industry.