Alan Markow

Professional writer and communicator 40+ years. Senior corporate communications exec in high tech, telecom, banking, and chemicals. Navy journalist during Vietnam era. IVN blogger since inception. Political views range from liberal to libertarian.

Huntsman challenges GOP to start making sense to Independents

Whatever position Jon Huntsman achieves for himself in the race for Republican Presidential nominee, he may have successfully opened the door to real competition against his old boss. By declaring

By Alan Markow

August 25, 2011

Huntsman challenges GOP to start making sense to Independents

Help for The Help

Let me say at the outset that I have not yet watched the movie version of The Help – the box office hit about black domestics in the deep south and

By Alan Markow

August 22, 2011

Independent thinking more than casting a hopeless third party vote

So you've determined that you're really an Independent who no longer wants to be caught up in the partisan rancor that has become the hallmark of

By Alan Markow

August 22, 2011

Independent thinking more than casting a hopeless third party vote

Oracle of Omaha takes one for the home team

Unelected partisans came face-to-face with a genuine independent voice this week in the form of American icon, Warren Buffett. In Monday’s New York Times, Buffett – CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

By Alan Markow

August 18, 2011

Oracle of Omaha takes one for the home team

Maricopa recall signal a change in Arizona politics

There’s a new level of political theater that’s premiered in America, and it’s not primary season – it’s recall season. While the national focus has been on

By Alan Markow

August 15, 2011

Maricopa recall signal a change in Arizona politics

Ready for their Close-Ups

Terry Gilliam’s cult film classic "Brazil" may again be proving itself ahead of its time. In a Monday morning article, the New York Times reported that seniors

By Alan Markow

August 11, 2011

The Gridlock Myth

Nearly every report about America’s political climate declares that we are in a national state of gridlock. I beg to differ. California may well be in gridlock, where the

By Alan Markow

August 8, 2011

Placer County clears the air for Kings Beach

The situation for residents of Kings Beach, California has finally taken a turn for the better. As we have reported here and here, this small town set hard against the

By Alan Markow

August 4, 2011

Placer County clears the air for Kings Beach

Taking stock of the national debt

Most Americans agree that we’ve got a financial problem in this country, although we’re not all in accord about what kind of a problem it is – deficit spending

By Alan Markow

August 1, 2011

Tale of two troubled political cities

Sacramento’s impotence in the face of national e-tailers such as eBay and Amazon, and Washington’s in the face of the Tea Party, is a Tale of Two Cities

By Alan Markow

July 28, 2011

It's the Hubris, Stupid

What seems like a disastrous round of intransigent political behavior may well be the most efficient possible way for checks and balances to right our ship of state. The formula

By Alan Markow

July 21, 2011

Denying the right to choose light bulbs sparks spirited debate

As well-intentioned as they may be, new regulations attempting to enforce rules about energy efficient lighting have set off charges of life-altering interference almost as intense as that other “choice”

By Alan Markow

July 18, 2011

Denying the right to choose light bulbs sparks spirited debate