Overview for News

A Politics That Will Kill Us

Conservatives famously champion what we call a “culture of life.” But how about a politics that is concerned with ensuring that as many Americans as possible are healthy? Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney often joked during the primaries: “Being a conservative Republican in Massachusetts …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday August 11, 2009

Obama's Medicare Cuts

Byron York in the Examiner today digs deeper into a point made yesterday by FF's Gusher : President Obama's healthcare scheme rests heavily upon Medicare cuts. For conservatives battered by years of Democratic Medi-scare campaigns, it's tempting to repay the Democrats with a taste of their own …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday August 11, 2009

Moderate Voters: We've Been Punked by Obama

An increasing number of independents, moderate Democrats and Republicans who voted for Obama are very uncomfortable with his radical left of center agenda. Yikes, it looks like the bloom is withering off the Obama fairytale of change . Many Americans are starting to feel …

Written by Crystal Wright on Monday August 10, 2009

Now It’s the Dems Turn to Experience Mediscare

The Dems are finally discovering what should have been obvious from the sea of gray and white heads in evidence in all those town hall videos: senior citizens loathe Obamacare. The Washington Post finally discovers what should have been obvious from the sea of gray and white heads in evidence …

Written by Gusher on Monday August 10, 2009

Limbaugh: No Retraction on Nazi Comment

The American voter dislikes and punishes intemperate talk. When Rush Limbaugh calls President Obama a Nazi, that does not hurt Obama. It hurts every Republican who by remaining silent, seems to assent. On "Meet the Press" this weekend, David Brooks used the word "insane" to characterize Rush …

Written by David Frum on Monday August 10, 2009

Get a Grip

So let me get this straight: Sarah Palin used her first public appearance (since she showed the world what a fighter she is by quitting because people were being mean to her) to call the Obama Administration’s health plan “truly evil”? So let me get this straight. Sarah Palin used her first …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Sunday August 9, 2009

The Headlines Review

Napoleon Linardatos comments on the headlines. Napoleon Linardatos comments on the headlines. “California city shuts down girl's lemonade stand” - Fresno Bee , August 6, 2009 The era of corporate excess and greed is over. * * * “White House Cybersecurity Chief Quits” - Wall …

Written by Napoleon Linardatos on Sunday August 9, 2009

A Dissent on Comparative Effectiveness

Contra David Frum , I’m not sure we need “government bodies to compare the effectiveness of different healthcare practices”. In fact, my biggest worry is that government will stifle innovation. Contra David Frum , I’m not sure we need “government bodies to compare the effectiveness of different …

Written by Andrew Pavelyev on Sunday August 9, 2009

Reforms Conservatives Can Favor

As healthcare passions rise, let's keep in mind there are reforms that Republicans and conservatives can and should support. As healthcare passions rise, let's keep in mind reforms that Republicans and conservatives can and should support. Here's my (non-exhaustive) list: * We should favor …

Written by David Frum on Saturday August 8, 2009

Obamacare’s Victims and Targets Speak Out

The healthcare debate is arousing passions unseen since the 1960s. Many Americans rightly fear that their medical care and the medical care of their elderly parents is about to be diminished. The healthcare debate is arousing passions unseen since the 1960s. Not even Iraq War II evoked the …

Written by Lloyd Green on Saturday August 8, 2009

The Lunacy of the Birthers

The birthers claim that President Obama is not legally entitled to occupy his office because he is not in fact a “natural-born citizen” of the U.S., as the federal Constitution requires. This claim rests on two assertions, one wrong, one crazy. It used to be tough and unrewarding to be a crank. …

Written by David Frum on Saturday August 8, 2009

What if We Win the Healthcare Fight?

If we win the healthcare fight, we’ll still have the present healthcare system. We will have entrenched and perpetuated some of the most irrational features of a hugely costly and under-performing system, at the expense of entrepreneurs and risk-takers, exactly the people the Republican party …

Written by David Frum on Friday August 7, 2009

Manson and Me

The last time I saw “Squeaky” Fromme, she was 21 and squatting outside the courtroom in Los Angeles where Charlie Manson and his “family” of girls were on trial for conspiracy and murder. Next week, she will be paroled from prison for her 1975 attempt to assassinate President Gerald Ford. The last …

Written by Peter Worthington on Friday August 7, 2009

Mel Martinez Tiptoes Out the Back Door

This week’s Friday afternoon bombshell has been delivered by Florida Senator Mel Martinez, who apparently will be resigning. Since it’s not often that politicians just up and quit (unless Sarah Palin is involved), there will undoubtedly be speculation as to why the senator is resigning. At 9:55 …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Friday August 7, 2009

How Much Will Iran Charge for Its American Hostages?

With N. Korea's release of the captive American journalists, now attention can turn to the three American hikers caught and detained in Iran. They may become pawns in the diplomatic standoff over Iran's nuclear program or in the internal power struggle between Ahmadinejad and his opponents. The …

Written by Brad Schaeffer on Friday August 7, 2009

Marry the Father? ROFL!

The first thing I ask a student of mine who tells me she’s pregnant is, “Are you going to marry the father?” The kids laugh hard when I bring up the concept. And yet: weak, broken or non-existent family structures are among the major reasons for failed schools. The first thing I ask a student of …

Written by Thomas Gibbon on Friday August 7, 2009

Talk Radio Gets Angrier as its Revenues Drop

With ad revenues declining precipitously, some conservative radio shows are feeling pressured to sound angrier, appeal more to the fringe, and hyperbolize the already outrageous. Conservative talk radio has never been more angry and extreme than today. You might think that’s a response to the Obama …

Written by Tim Mak on Thursday August 6, 2009

The Electric Car: Environmental Disaster

A few billions in taxpayer funds were thrown at the plug-in electric car industry yesterday. Yet, if we want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we have to consume less petroleum on our roads and reduce electric consumption. Plug-in electric cars take us in exactly the opposite direction. A few …

Written by Sunil Somalwar on Thursday August 6, 2009

Don't Let Abortion Derail Needed Health Reform

On Capitol Hill, Senators are tirelessly working together to tackle the behemoth that is “comprehensive health care reform.” However one issue yet to be navigated, abortion, could impede both sides from reaching an agreement. This would be a shame. Somewhere on Capitol Hill, six Senators (3 …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Thursday August 6, 2009

The Next Expensive Entitlement: Long Term Care Costs

It has been amazing to watch the evolution of the healthcare debate – including the willingness of Congress to push forward with a price tag over $1 trillion. Even worse, the bills are riddled with gimmicks that disguise the reality of a much higher price tag. It has been amazing to watch the …

Written by Douglas Holtz-Eakin on Thursday August 6, 2009