Overview for FF Spotlight

Employers Wonder: "Is Something Wrong With You?"

Being one of the longer-term unemployed is especially dangerous: the longer one is without a job, the harder it is to get one. With the release of new employment numbers on Friday March 4th, we at Frum Forum decided that it was time to listen to the voices of the young as they face the …

Written by Richard Fair on Friday March 4, 2011

To Save a Generation

Today's job report brings good-ish news, but it will still be months before we hit full employment. For young people that could mean a lost half-decade of life. Bruce Bartlett's excellent column today offers another glimpse of the economic path not taken by the GOP: instead of pressing for …

Written by David Frum on Friday March 4, 2011

Can Rahm Tame Chicago's Unions?

As he enters office, new Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel faces a $1 billion budget deficit, a gap he won't be able to cover without public union concessions. Rahm Emanuel's victory in Chicago's mayoral election marked a number of firsts. He is Chicago's first Jewish mayor, some would argue the first …

Written by Gavin E. Campbell on Friday March 4, 2011

Hold Off on the Budget Back-Slapping

While Washington congratulates itself over the two-week budget deal, one fact's been forgotten: this budget showdown should never have happened. Legislation appropriating funds to keep the federal government open for business for the next two weeks has passed the House and Senate and been signed …

Written by Les Francis on Thursday March 3, 2011

"How Can I Pay Back My Loans Without a Job?"

After starting my expensive law school education, I've realized the job market is over-saturated. There are too many graduates and not enough jobs. With new employment numbers due Friday, March 4th, we at Frum Forum decided that it was time to listen to the voices of the young as they face …

Written by Allison on Thursday March 3, 2011

Talk Radio's Love Affair with Christie

Why is New Jersey Governor Chris Christie the heartthrob of the talk radio right while Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels is suddenly an intolerable RINO? Laura Ingraham this week criticized New Jersey Governor Chris Christie for his apparent intention to sit-out the 2012 presidential campaign. She …

Written by Jay Gatsby on Thursday March 3, 2011

Tea Partiers Still Hooked on Handouts

A new WSJ/NBC News poll provides a glimpse of just how dependent on big government benefits Americans have become - even amongst the Tea Party. The anti-government “throw-the-bums-out” crowds have had their chance to speak out on how to curtail the deficit and what to do with those hated entitleme…

Written by Brad Schaeffer on Thursday March 3, 2011

Let Libyans Fight Their Own Revolution

A Canadian warship carrying special forces is joining an allied flotilla off Libya. Any actions other than evacuating foreign civilians though will be a mistake. Right now a Canadian warship – HMCS Charlottetown -- is heading for the Mediterranean to join an allied flotilla off Libya. It …

Written by Peter Worthington on Thursday March 3, 2011

"I Wonder if Going to College Was Worth It"

I have a masters degree, spent six years in the Army Reserve and was a teacher before grad school. Yet the only job I've found is as a security guard. With new employment numbers due Friday, March 4th, we at Frum Forum decided that it was time to listen to the voices of the young as they face …

Written by Pablo on Thursday March 3, 2011

Lobbyists Cashed in on Qaddafi

In an important piece today, David Corn looks more closely at Qaddafi's Western enablers. Guess what? They weren't working for free. David Corn has more today on Qaddafi's Western enablers. And guess what? They weren't working for free. Libya hired Monitor group, a Boston-based consulting …

Written by David Frum on Thursday March 3, 2011

Post-Westboro: Palin Plays the Victim

Yesterday, Sarah Palin spun the Supreme Court's ruling in the Westboro Baptist case, calling for courts to allow more religious expression in public life. Following the Supreme Court's decision in the Westboro Baptist case, Sarah Palin reacted with characteristic thoughtfulness. She tweeted, …

Written by Henry Clay on Thursday March 3, 2011

"The American Dream Is For Suckers"

So I listened to my parents, to my teachers, and to my elders and I studied hard. What was the point? With new employment numbers due Friday, March 4th, we at Frum Forum decided that it was time to listen to the voices of the young as they face the challenges of this economic crisis. Over the …

Written by Gregg Neville on Thursday March 3, 2011

Newt's Old Allies Warn Against Shutdown

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich continues to defend the 1995 government shutdown. But many of his closest allies from that era see the episode as a mistake. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich is expected to announce a run for president soon, but if he is to continue to defend the government shutdown that …

Written by Tim Mak on Wednesday March 2, 2011

I Was "Too Qualified" to Work

Some accuse my generation of disdaining jobs "beneath" us. In reality, employers won't hire overqualified applicants. With new employment numbers due Friday, March 4th, we at Frum Forum decided that it was time to listen to the voices of the young as they face the challenges of this …

Written by Tucker Slosburg on Wednesday March 2, 2011

Fox's 2012 Presidential Bracket

Today, Fox News decided to suspend Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum until they decide on presidential bids. But why only single out these two contributors? It would be fascinating to know the process by which Fox News decided that Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum are running for president, and …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday March 2, 2011

Budget Fight: GOP & Dems Dig in For Round Two

While the media is focused on the House GOP CR and the coming debt ceiling fight, there's another battle that's been forgotten: the 2012 fiscal year budget. The Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio Rivers converge in Pittsburgh. Most readers will find that fact neither new nor particularly insightfu…

Written by Steve Bell on Wednesday March 2, 2011

Pakistan's Only Christian Minister Assassinated

Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's minister for minorities, had bravely opposed Pakistan's blasphemy laws. Today he was assassinated in Islamabad. Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's minister for minorities, has apparently been assassinated in Islamabad. Bhatti, a Roman Catholic, had publicly opposed Pakistan's …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday March 2, 2011

"I Learned How Desperate People Are..."

During my job search, I learned how desperate people are these days: there were many more people than me in the job market and many more qualified. With new employment numbers due Friday, March 4th, we at Frum Forum decided that it was time to listen to the voices of the young as they face …

Written by Robert Wilson on Wednesday March 2, 2011

Washington's Shutdown Double Dare

Each party's hoping to avoid a shutdown. Unfortunately, knowing that makes each side more willing to use a shutdown threat to shakedown their opponents. If you're a Democrat, you think shutting down the government could crash the economy. If this happens and there's no time for a recovery by …

Written by Andrew Gelman on Wednesday March 2, 2011

Boehner's Budget Truce Averts Shutdown

Boehner's two-week spending bill may have avoided a shutdown for now, but the GOP's budget woes may just be beginning. As Congress dithers on the federal budget, the states have taken the bull by the horns. Sometimes, as in the case of Wisconsin Gov. Scott, maybe too close to the horns. …

Written by Steve Bell on Wednesday March 2, 2011