Deborah Simmons

Give America some R-E-S-P-E-C-T

These days, American voters are being goaded by the Democrats into believing there are but two political parties -- theirs on the left and Republicans on the right. The Democrats are anti-Trump, they're scared to tell wannabe Americans that we drive on the right. Published July 1, 2019

D.C. slow to move hand in sports betting

Like New Jersey, the D.C. government jumped in the legalized-gambling line early, promising to have the city's betting programs up and running this fall. Now, they seemingly are behind a deadline of their own making. Published June 27, 2019

Jack Evans, D.C. Council under fire over redistricting

The D.C. Council is under fire and has some heavy lifting to do over the next 18 months, and for the first time since 1991, the voice of Jack Evans on fiscal affairs, redistricting matters and run-of-the-mill national Democratic Party priorities won't be heard. Published June 24, 2019

Metro poker table has too many players

What's going on at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, commonly called Metro? Far too much to encapsulate in a single column or news report. Published June 20, 2019

America’s birthday is always a reason to celebrate

America's birthday is always a reason to celebrate, even if the script is changed this year. Published June 18, 2019

Elected leaders should be held accountable for abuse in D.C. schools

Do you know who's minding your children? Do you want to know? If you answer 'yes,' then hold yourself, your elected leaders and their appointed educrats accountable. Published June 13, 2019

D.C legislators’ intent to decriminalize prostitution filled with sex, lies and idiocy

The D.C. Council is pondering legislation that would decriminalize prostitution. If passed, there might still be prostitutes walking K Street and other D.C. corridors popular to the sex trade. D.C. lawmakers say their legislative intent is take create a safe working environment for, well, sex workers by removing criminal penalties and reducing their vulnerability to exploitation and violence. Published June 10, 2019

Washington, D.C., homelessness fix requires ending residency fraud

D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine announced Wednesday morning that the city is suing six Maryland parents for fraudulently claiming D.C. residency so they could send their children to D.C. public schools. Published June 6, 2019

D.C. statehood vote that counts

Supporters for making the District of Columbia the 51st state are happy because the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has scheduled a hearing for July 24, when Americans everywhere and in the throes of planning for their summer fun and back-to-school routines -- not beating a drum for D.C. statehood, or Donald Trump, for that matter. Published May 30, 2019

D.C. hospital plan is wacky

Here's the dilemma: The government of the District of Columbia does not know how to own and efficiently and effectively manage a public hospital. It has tried at least five times, and failed in each attempt. Instead of conceding defeat, it's trying a fifth time. Published May 27, 2019

When Pelosi’s House ignores D.C.

When Republicans and Democrats snipe at each other over spending, the hype is par for the discourse in Washington. Published May 23, 2019

Eleanor Holmes Norton champions D.C. statehood with recess

D.C. congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton took one of her colleagues, Virginia Democrat Gerry Connolly, to school Tuesday. The issue? D.C. statehood. Published May 21, 2019

Educating the masses about vaccinations

If we really and truly want to curb the current measles outbreak and better educate U.S. residents about vaccinations in general, why not use our good ol' reliable, trusty dusty Postal Service? Published May 20, 2019

Will the 2020 census ask about U.S. citizenship? It should

This burning question was put to the Supreme Court: Will the 2020 census ask whether a respondent is a U.S. citizen? Published May 16, 2019

Is U.S. ready for 2020 elections?

There was a time when blacks weren't permitted to vote in America, and the truth and consequences of even trying to vote are etched in the nation's history and Americans' memories. Published May 13, 2019

Parents can’t be ignorant of their child’s sexual education

One of the reasons kids, teens and adults know more about sex and sexual relations is because parents shirk their responsibilities: 1., by not accepting their responsibility to be their children's first teachers, and 2., by not paying attention to what their children's teachers are and are not teaching. Published May 9, 2019

The election 2020 gunfight

The Fat Lady can't even begin to think about what dress rehearsal for election night will look like in 2020 — perhaps a politically correct rainbow affair for the inclusive crowd or a crimson gown for the conservatives. Published May 6, 2019

Uber delivery for school lunch a safety risk

The kids like the convenience. But what they are not thinking about is the safety risks -- strangers on campus, vehicular and pedestrian accidents, poisoned foods, distracted authorities. Published May 2, 2019

Political shenanigans can dash hopes of people who need help the most

Politicians often have good intentions, creating programs that simultaneously offer a hand up and a hand out. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. The city of Baltimore's did not work, and its failure at stringent oversight and accountability by city authorities is why. Published April 29, 2019

Catherine Pugh must relinquish her position

When men and women wearing jackets identifying themselves as agents of the FBI or IRS or police or sheriff, your best defense is to read whatever court documents they proffer, open your door and grant them access. Published April 25, 2019