Overview for David Frum in Print

Is Obama Leading, or Ducking Blame?

The biggest environmental disaster in recent American history reveals an important "leadership secret" of Barack Obama. The biggest environmental disaster in recent American history reveals an important "leadership secret" of Barack Obama: Although President Obama has not entirely escaped blame …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday May 11, 2010

The Vanished World of a Wartime Generation

In civilian life, Canadian officer Brigadier James Roberts was a businessman. But when war came, like so many others, he discovered that he was a superb soldier, inventive and brave. A rare funny moment from the last days of the Second World War: It fell to the Canadians to accept the …

Written by David Frum on Saturday May 8, 2010

Terrorists Should Keep Their Citizenship

The idea behind Sen. Lieberman's proposal to strip terrorists of citizenship is to avoid a morass of litigation over which precise rights the terrorist possesses. Unfortunately, any attempt to enact Lieberman's proposal will itself plunge prosecutors into an even deeper morass of litigation. Sen. …

Written by David Frum on Thursday May 6, 2010

Ending Illegal Immigration Benefits Economy

When Arizona police ask suspected illegal immigrants for IDs, they are protecting your grandchildren's economic future. When Arizona police ask suspected illegal immigrants for IDs, they are protecting your grandchildren's economic future. Three years ago, ETS -- the people who administer the …

Written by David Frum on Monday May 3, 2010

In Defense of Arizona

Will anyone speak up for Arizona and its new immigration law? The state abused by Jon Stewart as the “meth lab” of democracy has been forced to deal alone with a problem created and then ignored by the national government Will anyone speak up for Arizona and its new immigration law? The state …

Written by David Frum on Thursday April 29, 2010

China Paranoid Over Currency Question

In two weeks in China, you see many different amazing things. But visiting a range of Chinese university campuses, you hear the same one thing over and over again. They say, "In the 1980s, you destroyed your strongest ally Japan by forcing Japan to increase the value of its currency. Now you want …

Written by David Frum on Thursday April 29, 2010

Is China Heading for a Rural Revolt?

If economic growth in China’s breadbasket falters though, could rural discontent spark China's next revolution? Click here to read all of David Frum’s blogposts from China. 'The world's factory floor," an American resident of China announced, pointing out the car window to a vast …

Written by David Frum on Saturday April 24, 2010

How Democracy May Come to China

It's a grim ironic paradox of modern China: China's vast new middle class -- not to mention its estimated 600,000 millionaires -- look to one-party rule by Mao Zedong's communists as the best protectors of private property. "Why do you assume that we want Western democracy?" The question was put …

Written by David Frum on Monday April 19, 2010

My Dream Product from Apple

I want Apple to do for my library what the iPod did for my record collection: eliminate it. I belong to that class of person once mocked by The Onion: "If it's shiny and made by Apple, I'll buy it." But I won't be buying the new iPad. I can't see why I need it: an iPhone that cannot make calls, …

Written by David Frum on Sunday April 4, 2010

What Women Don't Want

The social position of women has changed from generation ago. These changes have huge implications for both the substance and the style of politics -- but not always obvious implications. A few days back, Ann Coulter told a Canadian television personality that Canada was welcome to have me back …

Written by David Frum on Saturday April 3, 2010

Drilling Without Illusions

President Obama's flip-flop on off-shore oil drilling is good news. But it won't end our dependence on foreign supplies and it will be accompanied by a new round of regulatory entanglements. There's a better way. As flip-flops go, President Obama’s reversal on offshore drilling earns a AAA …

Written by David Frum on Thursday April 1, 2010

Republicans' Big Hope for 2010

California Republicans are feeling an emotion they have not felt for years: hope. Might the state of Ronald Reagan be returning to its old party loyalty? Even a little? If so, that return will have powerful consequences not just for California, but the country. California Republicans are feeling …

Written by David Frum on Monday March 29, 2010

How Immigration Reform Threatens Health Reform

If immigration reform legalizes the 10-12 million illegal immigrants in the U.S., who pays for their ObamaCare? It’s rumored that President Obama will follow up his health-care success with a push for immigration reform. It’s a bad idea—not least because of the negative impact the latter will …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday March 24, 2010

How GOP can Rebound from its 'Waterloo'

Some Republicans are talking of repealing the whole Democratic health reform bill. That's not very realistic. Even supposing that Republicans miraculously capture both houses of Congress in November, repeal will require a presidential signature. What the hell do we Republicans do now? In the …

Written by David Frum on Monday March 22, 2010

Can Obama Dispel Clouds of Trade War?

Back in the 1980s, the United States and Japan settled differences over currency reasonably amicably. But Japan is a friend and ally. China is something else. Below the excitement over health care and financial reform, Congress has just delivered early notice of the top economic issue of the …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday March 17, 2010

Shame and Anger from York Alumni

Students and former students, alumni and teaching staff agree: York University is a hostile environment for Jewish students. Unlike students of any other background, Jews are required to subordinate or disguise their identity, suppress their views, and avoid cultural expression. Two weeks ago, I …

Written by David Frum on Saturday March 13, 2010

Will Health Reform Cause the Next Bailout?

President Obama has escalated his attacks on insurers. But if reform passes, his harsh words may be the prelude to an embrace. Will health-care reform cause America’s next great financial disaster? Over the past 30 days, health-insurance companies have announced shocking premium increases, …

Written by David Frum on Thursday March 11, 2010

The Glorious Life of Arnold Beichman

Since his death on Feb. 17 at age 96, the tributes have flowed to Arnold Beichman, the legendary anti-communist journalist. Since his death on Feb. 17 at age 96, the tributes have flowed to Arnold Beichman, the legendary anti-communist journalist. But there is one aspect of Arnold's life that …

Written by David Frum on Saturday March 6, 2010

Our Values Paradox

Liberals and conservatives hold distinct values. But for both sides, habitual ideological stands are undermining cherished policy goals. "Keep your laws off my body." It's a slogan that works equally well for the pro-choice left and the anti-nanny-state right. How well does it work for …

Written by David Frum on Thursday March 4, 2010

Blame Yesterday's Reforms for Today's Gridlocked Congress

In the mid-1970s, Congress underwent a revolution. The power of the committee chairmen was broken. The number of subcommittees proliferated. The committees met in public. Amendments multiplied. Congress become more open, more egalitarian, more responsive. And stuff ceased to pass. Again and again, …

Written by David Frum on Monday March 1, 2010