The Fat Diaries: Why Are We Proud of Our Fast Food?
Americans have contributed many things to the world that we can be proud of. Our fast food lifestyle though isn't one of them. I mention Christine O’Donnell these days and all air seems to disappear from the room. I don’t really get that incensed by her, but I realized this morning that it was …
GOP Plays Mediscare in West Virginia
The NRSC's new ad in West Virginia's senate race targets seniors with fears about Medicare while ripping the only responsible part of Obama's health reform bill. The NRSC has a message for West Virginia voters: Joe Manchin supports getting Big Government in your Medicare! A new ad opposing …Why O'Donnell Isn't the New Scott Brown
O'Donnell supporters keep comparing her campaign to that of Sen. Scott Brown. But upon closer look, O'Donnell faces some challenges Brown avoided. I have a few doubts about the electoral applicability of comparisons between Scott Brown and Christine O'Donnell . Yes, they're both outsiders with …Open Up Our Financial Watchdogs
With future taxpayer bailouts of financial entities likely, there is no reason for the SEC to hide information about the financial enterprises it regulates. A bill limiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s freedom of information act exemption just passed the Senate overwhelmingly and seems …What the GOP Pledge Left Out
The GOP pledge may have avoided the Tea Party's nuttiness, but a platform without specifics won't attract the new voters the party needs. I have mixed feelings about the Pledge to America. I am relieved that the House GOP did not surrender to nuttiness and there’s nothing in the pledge about …GOP Pulls Ahead in Race for Byrd's Senate Seat
Republicans were ready to write-off W. Virginia's Senate race, but a new poll shows GOP challenger John Raese ahead of popular Dem governor Joe Manchin. The West Virginia Senate seat is looking to be winnable for Republicans, despite the popularity of the Democratic nominee, Governor Joe …One Good Thing About Obamacare
Six months after passing, Obamacare's changes are kicking in. Despite all its mistakes, the bill did take one important step both parties can back. Six months ago, the President signed his healthcare legislation into law. The conventional wisdom at the time was that most – if not all – of the …Soaking the Super Rich
Democrats are considering a new tax which will target the super rich. It's a bad idea. Democrats are considering a new tax which will target the super rich. My latest column for The Week explains why this is a bad idea. There's gathering interest on the Democratic side in a new extra-top …A GOP Pledge to Do Nothing
The GOP is cruising to a handsome election victory. Did conservatives believe they would jeopardize that with promises to do unpopular things? I had a good chuckle at Erick Erickson's enraged piece on the Republican pledge , now being circulated by Democratic spinmeisters. Question for …Why NY's Conservatives Take Paladino Seriously
The support for Carl Paladino in NY's governor's race isn't a vote for the Tea Party's social conservatism but a protest against the Republican establishment. Many are looking at the recent Tea Party victories in states like Delaware and seeing the emergence of aggressive social conservative …Who's Really Writing the GOP's New Contract with America?
The ideas in the new “Contract with America” are meant to be from suggestions on a website, but Republicans can't use many of them. Tomorrow, Republican House Leader John Boehner’s office plans to unveil a new “Contract with America” in Virginia. The ideas behind the contract will be pulled …Bush's Reputation Rebounds
Recently, Democrats as well as once critical Republicans have begun to offer praise for former president George W. Bush. This morning, the Washington Post previewed Bob Woodward’s upcoming book Obama’s Wars , including this quote from a Woodward Obama interview in July, in which the …Cuba Flirts with Economic Reform
Cuba is planning to layoff 500,000 state employees and push them into private enterprise. But will this attempt to modernize work? The announcement that Cuba is laying off something like 500, 000 state employees begs the question if the system is about to change? While it’s a revolutionary …How Reid Killed the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal
Don’t blame the GOP for the fact that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is still in place; blame Harry Reid for blocking repeal in order to promote his own reelection chances. As overtly unsympathetic as the Republican party has been to the gay community for almost as long as one can remember, don’t blame …Fate of Sweden's Center-Right Coalition Up in the Air
PM Fredrik Reinfeldt's center-right government could win a majority of votes in the general election yet still fail to obtain a majority in parliament. By media reports, it may appear that the outcome of the Swedish general election has been settled. In reality the election is still up in the …Is the Recession Killing Economic Freedom?
A new report by the Fraser Institute shows that world economic freedom declined between 2007 and 2008, the first drop in three decades. The 2010 Economic Freedom of the World report , released annually by the Fraser Institute, shows that world economic freedom declined between 2007 and 2008, …
No Signs is a Bad Sign for Giannoulias
Judging from the lawn signs in the Illinois 10th, things aren't looking good for Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias. Judging by the lawn signs in my general vicinity here in the swinging Illinois 10th congressional district, there is tepid support for GOP Senate candidate Rep. Mark …