"I Couldn't Even Get a Job at Starbucks"
One of the shocks of applying to the harsh post-recession job market has been learning that not even low-skilled, entry level jobs are easy to get. 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 …
Obama's Mandate Waiver Trick
Obama's new proposal would grant waivers to states to create their own health plans. But the economics of healthcare may set the states up for failure. On Monday, President Obama announced to the National Governors Association that he would endorse a waiver for states to create their own health …Can We Cut Our Way to Prosperity?
Monday, a report claiming the GOP budget would cost 700,000 jobs grabbed headlines. But will shrinking government really kill the recovery? One economist from a moderately respected firm has made headlines with a report claiming that reduced government spending along the lines Republicans …Will Taxpayers Gain from Public Workers' Pain?
Governors are fighting hard to curb the power of public sector unions. Taxpayers may benefit, but there's a catch: weakening unions could harm the economy. Across the country, governors are fighting to curb the power of public sector unions. Taxpayers may benefit, but as my latest column for …Judgment Day for Qaddafi's Rights Record
Until the Libyan rebellion began, the world had no trouble shaking Qaddafi's hand and tolerating, if not condoning, his homicidal eccentricities. On Sunday, the Toronto Star ran a headline “Human Rights Council burnished Libya’s image.” Wrong, wrong, wrong. A more accurate headline …How Do the Rich Vote? Follow the Money
The best evidence about the political views of the super-rich comes not from unreliable surveys but from actually tracking their contributions. In response to my recent blogpost arguing that the rich really are more Republican, Frum Forum reader Ken writes that the truly wealthy "vote …And the Oscar Goes To...
As befitting Year 3 of the Great Recession, many of this year's biggest and most acclaimed films had strong and inescapable political messages. In the immortal words of The Electric Company (old-school, thank you -- not the remake), "HEY YOU GUYYYYS!!!" As it is of course our mission to …Fannie & Freddie Reforms Won't Save Taxpayers
Taxpayer aid to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is already more than $150 billion. But don't expect that number to drop even if Congress passes reforms. Freddie Mac, the mortgage-finance company operating under federal conservatorship, reported a loss this week of $14 billion for 2010. No goodwill …Are the Rich More Republican?
Over at PowerLine, conservative blogger John Hinderaker claims that most rich people who are politically active are liberals. The data however shows a different story. I don't want to spend my whole life on this red state/blue state thing, but I recently follow this Instapundit link and came …
Chu's Energy Research Hijack
Energy Secretary Steven Chu's budget would transform his department into a huge government-run research and development firm. Nobel Laureate and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu seems to have taken a page from early 20 th century labor leader Samuel Gompers: at every turn he screams for “more.” …Newt's Obama Impeachment Stunt
This week, Newt Gingrich played up Obama's refusal to defend DOMA, claiming it could thrust us into a "constitutional crisis." Skill-testing question for constitutional conservatives. Suppose you are an elected official. Congress enacts a law you regard as unconstitutional. What do you do? …Europe's Coming Refugee Crisis
The turmoil in Arab North Africa is not only a political crisis: It could soon trigger a global migration crisis. The turmoil in Arab North Africa is not only a political crisis: It could soon trigger a global migration crisis. Already, 5,000 Tunisians have attempted to migrate to Italy since …The Prowl: A Working Man is Hard to Find
Why do so many women who are hugely ambitious and driven end up dating boyfriends who cannot get their lives together? This week, a friend forwarded me this article from the Wall Street Journal . She said that she was dating this guy and the article, which described her predicament, almost …Seniors Gone Mild
Roughly 20 years ago, my wife and I began longing for sunshine, warmth and water to break the long winter months. Roughly 20 years ago my Australian-born wife, Yvonne, began longing for sunshine, warmth and water to break the long winter months. So we rented a place on the Atlantic coast of …Springtime for Poland
Poland may not be the first country you think of to visit in Europe, but with its history and culture, it can hold its own against any destination. Poland may not be the first country you think of to visit in Europe, having to compete as it does with more glamorous places like Italy and France. …