Darrio Melton: Republicans want smaller government until they don't get their way

  "More jobs. Less government." -Governor Robert Bentley

  "Less regulation and a smaller government is better..." - Rep. David Faulkner

  We've heard these lines before, time and time again, from Republican candidates promising smaller government and more local control when they're elected. Despite the campaign promises, the same Republicans whistle a different tune when they're the ones wielding the power in Montgomery. "Less regulation and a smaller government" quickly becomes "enough regulations and a big enough government to have it my way."

Craig Ford: When ideology becomes idolatry

  We need to leave behind the idolatry of ideology and get back to what our country was founded on: Putting aside differences and coming together for a compromise that benefits everyone.

  There’s a fine line between standing up for your principles and political extremism. These days, unfortunately, political extremism seems to be the standard. There’s no clearer example of this than the reaction Alabama House Majority Leader Micky Hammon (R-Decatur) to House Democrats’ legislative agenda last week.

Craig Ford: Who’s leading the Alabama House of Representatives?

  Who’s really leading the Alabama House of Representatives? Or maybe the better question is: who is ready to step up and lead?

  "Who’s Leading The Alabama House of Representatives?"

  Every organization needs leaders. An Army needs a general. A team needs a coach. A company needs a president or CEO.

Craig Ford: Our legislature thinks brown shrimp are more important than people

  When I first saw the list of bills we would be debating in the Alabama House of Representative last Thursday, I thought it was a joke. The first bill up for debate was a bill to make brown shrimp the official state crustacean.

  This is your state legislature's priorities, folks. Not peoples’ lives or jobs, and certainly not being responsible with your tax dollars... brown shrimp. That's the priority. You just can't make this stuff up!

Steve Flowers: Inside the Statehouse: Behind the House curtain

  With the third regular legislative session of the quadrennium in the books, let us look at the makeup of the new super Republican majority.

  As we have often said, this legislative body may not be deliberative but they are very conservative. These folks are not Republicans in name only.  They are real Republicans.