Politics & Policy

Known as the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge, or STOCK Act passed 96 to 3. The measure had the full support of U.S. President Barack Obama, who urged Congress to approve.

Senate approves bill that bans insider trading for Congress

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM) • Catholic Online • 2/3/2012

The Senate has strongly approved a bill this week that reiterates the illegality for members of Congress, their staffs and many executive-branch employees to trade stocks and other securities based on inside information learned on the job. The measure was passed largely to restore voters' ...

Fr Dwight Longenecker on Priests and Politics: Should Religion and Politics Mix?

By Fr Dwight Longenecker • Standing on My Head: Fr. Dwight Longenecker's Blog • 2/3/2012

When the Nazis came to take away the Jews and gypsies and homosexuals was it okay then for the Catholic clergy to speak out or would it have been better for the church to 'stay out of politics'? When the Catholic people, with the encouragement of their clergy rose up to overthrow the corrupt Marcos ...

President Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast. Catholics Won't Get Fooled Again

By Deacon Keith A. Fournier • Catholic Online • 2/3/2012

During the last Presidential campaign many Catholics were deluded by then Senator Barack Obama. His rhetoric uses language which sounds as though he agrees with Catholics on issues such as our obligation to the poor and the needy. His administration has acted in a manner which proves the opposite. ...

'Our goal is to complete all of that transition in 2013 and then, hopefully, by mid- to the latter part of 2013, we'll be able to make a transition from a combat role to a training, advise and assist role,' Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told reporters traveling with him to Brussels.

U.S., NATO wants to end Afghan combat mission in 2013

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM) • Catholic Online • 2/3/2012

The United States and NATO want to end their combat mission in Afghanistan in 2013. Allied forces wants to transition primarily to a training role in which Afghan security forces will take the lead. The new deadline is a year earlier than was previously announced by the Obama ...

Applause rang out among homosexuals and lesbians after Washington State signed legislation to grant homosexual marriage.

Washington State Senate approves homosexual marriage bill

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM) • Catholic Online • 2/3/2012

Senators in Washington State have voted 28-21 to legalize homosexual marriage. Four Republicans crossed party lines and voted with majority Democrats for the measure, with three Democrats voted against it. LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The measure now moves to the House, where it is expected ...

Mitt Romney will now look westward to three upcoming GOP contests in his attempt to effectively wrap up the nomination by the end of February.

Romney could pick up momentum in Nevada caucuses

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM) • Catholic Online • 2/3/2012

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney holds a definite lead in Nevada, heading into the caucuses in that state this weekend. Those are the findings of a recent opinion poll. LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The former Massachusetts governor has won the support of 45 percent of ...

Randall A. Terry,Democrat Candidate for the Presidency

Randall A. Terry, Democrat Candidate for President: Are TV Stations Abusing the Law?

By Randall A. Terry • Catholic Online • 2/2/2012

The question at hand with my small and insignificant campaign for President in the Democrat primary (why are they so afraid of me?) is not whether or not the DNC shall control its internal rules, but whether the DNC shall subvert and usurp the rule of law. Perhaps the most fundamental right in a ...

Mitt Romney's primary victory in Florida - 46 percent as opposed to his closest opponent, Newt Gingrich, who garnered 32 percent - will take on more impetus in the coming weeks.

New GOP contests will test the reach, organization of campaigns

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM) • Catholic Online • 2/2/2012

Mitt Romney's primary victory in Florida - 46 percent as opposed to his closest opponent, Newt Gingrich, who garnered 32 percent - will take on more impetus in the coming weeks. The four remaining Republican presidential contenders now go to a set of caucuses and primaries in February and ...

Is there an ample safety net for the very poor?

Unconcerned About the Poor? Romney gaffes again

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM) • Catholic Online • 2/2/2012

Mitt Romeny may have made another gaffe today when he said, he's "Not concerned about the very poor," during an interview with CNN's Soledad O'Brien. While the context of his comment reveals he has regard for those at the bottom of the economic strata, it will likely become yet another soundbyte ...

Rick Santorum and his daughter Bella on the campaign trail

In the Wake of the Florida Fiasco, Time to Consider Bella Santorum's Dad, Rick

By Keith A. Fournier • Catholic Online • 2/2/2012

While "Mitt" and "Newt" were wresting in the mud (and lest there be any doubt, I favored Newt in that match) Presidential candidate Rick Santorum went home to care for his beautiful daughter Bella. She had been hospitalized and was in a critical condition. The very act of his leaving the campaign ...