The Shifting Balance of Power
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has just announced a new ambassador to Washington: a member of Canada's left-most party, someone who can speak the language of Pelosi and Obama. Another example of how the implosion of the GOP has implications around the world. Canadian Prime Minister …Gaddafi's Son: Bomber's Release No Surprise to U.S. & U.K.
Some telling comments from Gaddafi's son today in the Glasgow Herald . He anticipates deals between Libya and London, declares Lockerbie bomber Megrahi "an innocent man" and claims that the U.S. knew well in advance about Megrahi's release. Some telling comments from Gaddafi's son today in …A Kennedy Lesson for Obama Critics
Peggy Noonan's Wall Street Journal column today reminds readers of a graceful tribute to John F. Kennedy delivered by President Reagan in 1985. As the nation pays tribute to Jack Kennedy's last brother, we should remember: There are boys and girls who will feel into the 2080s about President …My Opponent, Senator Kennedy
My own feelings about Senator Kennedy are a bit more complicated or nuanced than those of many of my friends and associates, for I have never been able to forget -- nor entirely get over -- Senator Kennedy’s challenge to my old boss, Jimmy Carter, for the 1980 Democratic presidential nomination. …Senator Frum
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today that he will appoint my sister, Linda Frum Sokolowski, to the Canadian Senate. I am so proud of and thrilled for Linda, a woman of unique grace, talent and accomplishment. Linda Frum Sokolowski Canadian Prime Minister Stephen …
Obama's Big Idea: Bankrupt Medicare Faster
The president has spoken repeatedly about how well Medicare works and has promised seniors it will be strengthened by his plans. But Medicare is going bankrupt and is unsustainable: It will be $37 trillion in deficit by the year 2050. How can Medicare avoid bankruptcy? It cannot with the current …The Whole Foods Dilemma
Now two unions are joining the campaign to boycott Whole Foods, in order to punish the company for the free-market healthcare beliefs of its CEO. I know how I will respond: by buying an extra half-gallon of grass-fed milk at the store. But something more is called for here, a counter-boycott. And I …Qaddafi's Gift to Obama
My latest column in The Week tries to analyze what we know - and what we have yet to learn - about the release of the convicted Lockerbie bomber. Luckily for President Obama, nobody is asking many questions on this side of the Atlantic. Or more exactly: nobody is asking any of the questions that …Universal Coverage: Stand Around & Wait
NM SYMPOSIUM: America already has government healthcare: Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, programs for Indians on reservations. The program I’m personally familiar with is Tricare, for military dependants. Go to Clark Clinic on Fort Bragg to see how government medicine works: Not very well. Tens of …Senator Ted Kennedy
I know exactly the hour when my opinion of Sen. Ted Kennedy permanently changed. I had remained very angry at the Massachusetts liberal for many years since his 1986 speech so unjustly vilifying the great conservative justice Robert Bork. Then came 9/11. I know exactly the hour when my opinion of …Electoral Disaster Looms for German Left
With five weeks remaining before the German general elections, all the polling data continues to shows the Social Democrats badly trailing the rival Christian Democrats of Chancellor Angela Merkel. It has not been a good summer for the German Social Democratic party (SPD) and its chancellor …
Instead of Universal Coverage, Reforms that Will Work
NM SYMPOSIUM: In the end, doing nothing and playing the role of obstructionist and defender of the healthcare status quo is not an option for the GOP. By opening up competition and choice and ensuring portability of insurance, Republicans can provide a basic safety net without the need for a vast …Tipping the Scales
This below press release seems unfortunately phrased. This below press release seems unfortunately phrased. As policymakers here in DC continue on the path to health reform, the Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance will hold an open discussion on September 9 regarding …Obamacare Isn't Happening
Five months ago, the conventional wisdom in Washington was that Obama would achieve a transformational healthcare victory by the August recess. Now Senator Feingold is predicting that there will not be a bill before Christmas. Five months ago, the conventional wisdom in Washington was that Obama …The Elderly Say "No"
People on Medicare are often suspicious of expanded government involvement in healthcare, because they see it as competing with Medicare for scarce dollars. Tom Schaller asks : "Why are senior citizens crying "socialism" at town halls?" As we like to say in academia: I don't know the answer, …