First, Mark Stricherz pointed out on the CV Blog the political danger of supporting a flat tax plan in a general election campaign. Then Ramesh Ponnuru wrote a similar article calling the flat tax “fools gold for conservatives.” Ponnuru summed up the mathematical problem rather succinctly: “[R]eplacing a progressive income tax with a flat tax necessarily means slashing revenues, ... More

The Catholic vote is very much in play in the Republican presidential primaries. And hardly anyone seems to get that, says Time magazine reporter Amy Sullivan. She notes that “Catholics make up about a quarter of the GOP primary electorate” but only Rick Santorum, himself Catholic, has actively tried to court Catholic voters. Sullivan states: “[I]f you’re a purist conservative ... More

Welcome to the Lunchtime Reader, where we assemble important stories to keep your eyes on. Two major changes are coming to the British throne. The one getting the most attention is that sons and daughters of British monarchs will have an equal right to the throne. If approved, a first-born girl would now precedence over a younger brother. The other change would repeal the Act of Settlement of 1701... More

Welcome to the Lunchtime Reader, where we assemble important stories to keep your eyes on. Fr. Thomas Reese, S.J. There was lots of reaction to the news reports of “The Vatican” supposedly endorsing the creation of a world centralized bank. CatholicLane.com has an article by Robert Moynihan of Inside the Vatican in which he implores people to actually read the text of the document. http://cvot... More

Welcome to the Lunchtime Reader, where we assemble important stories to keep your eyes on. Since the financial crisis, millions of families have stopped using credit cards, have accelerated mortgage payments and have delayed purchased until they have the cash. Total household debt has dropped by $1.1 trillion or 8.6% since mid-2008. To this glorious news, leave it to the Wall Street Journal to wa... More

Welcome to the Lunchtime Reader, where we assemble important stories to keep your eyes on. The Republican presidential candidates had another debate last night. ABC reporter Rick Klein summed it up well: “Perry gets personal. Romney gets angry. Cain gets … confusing. http://cvote.to/5u Rick Perry attacked Mitt Romney for having illegal immigrants mowing his yard. (I think this was a cheap... More

Welcome to an abbreviated Lunchtime Reader today. I’m at the Marian Conference at Boyne Falls, Michigan. If you’re in northern Michigan this weekend, check it out. Mitt Romney still can’t close the sale with Republicans, the AP reports. http://cvote.to/5k How will legalizing same-sex “marriage” harm me? Prof. Stephen Heaney explains. http://cvote.to/5l Gov. Rick Perry Rebukes Pastor Ro... More

Welcome to the Lunchtime Reader, where we assemble important stories to keep your eyes on. Payback? The Obama administration has failed to renew a $19 million grant awarded to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to assist victims of human trafficking. The grant was first awarded in 2006 by the Migration and Refugee Services and has helped 2,700 victims of human trafficking. Sister Mary Ann Wal... More

Welcome to the Lunchtime Reader, where we assemble important stories to keep your eyes on. Texas Gov. Rick Perry has the most at stake in tonight’s GOP debate. Perry has slipped for three straight weeks in the polls and Herman Cain’s support has skyrocketed. Washington Post reporter Philip Rucker noted that Perry was not on the campaign trail at all yesterday. “But the candidate with perhaps... More

Welcome to the Lunchtime Reader, where we assemble important stories to keep your eyes on. The Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius is helping to raise money for the pro-abortion group NARAL in Chicago tonight. (Remember, Sebelius claims to be Catholic.) LifeNews.com reports that NARAL has been touting Sebelius’ appearance by saying she “is guiding the implementation of th... More