Overview for News

Sweden's Health Care Pays Off

The people of Avesta, Sweden look much better cared for than their US or UK counterparts. In 24 hours, haven't spotted a single obese person. More casual Swedish empiricism: The people of this industrial town look much better cared for than their US or UK counterparts. I haven't seen a single …

Written by David Frum on Friday June 10, 2011

Sweden's Strong-Handed Urban Planning

Avesta in Sweden, a steel-making town of 15,000 inhabitants, doesn't look much like its American equivalents. The conference I am attending in Sweden does not directly address Swedish issues, so I cannot satisfy those readers who have asked for comprehensive comments on the current state of the …

Written by David Frum on Friday June 10, 2011

Newt's Loss, Perry's Gain

The resignation of Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign staff might turn out to be an epic win for Texas Governor Rick Perry. The big political news on Thursday involved the en masse resignation of Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign staff. It goes without saying that this isn't good news …

Written by Mark R. Yzaguirre on Thursday June 9, 2011

Newt's Implosion

Newt's campaign has collapsed so rapidly, abruptly, and seemingly hopelessly that it seems incredible anybody could ever have thought of his as a serious candidate. The Gingrich campaign has collapsed so rapidly, so abruptly, and so seemingly hopelessly that it seems incredible that anybody could …

Written by David Frum on Thursday June 9, 2011

FF Exclusive: Did Weiner Lie to President Obama?

Rep. Weiner may have lied to Obama directly about his Twitter scandal--denying outright to the president that he tweeted a lewd photo of himself to a college student. Rep. Anthony Weiner may have lied to President Obama directly about his Twitter scandal--denying outright to Obama that he tweeted …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Thursday June 9, 2011

America's Debt Bill Comes Due

Politicians are jockeying for position as the bill comes due on our gaping national debt. But without an agreement soon, we'll all be stuck with the check. Politicians are jockeying for position as the bill comes due on our gaping national debt. As I explain in my latest column for The Week …

Written by David Frum on Thursday June 9, 2011

Thought From Engelsberg

Was Shiite Islam the first ideology when it emerged more than a thousand years ago, promising that justice could be achieved if only the right rulers were installed? The Engelsberg conference takes place in an elegant manor house adjoining the largely shuttered steelworks which made the fortune of …

Written by David Frum on Thursday June 9, 2011

Did Geithner Really Kill The Recovery?

The Left is focusing their ire on Treasury Secretary Geithner, accusing him of pushing austerity measures that have weakened the economic recovery. Zachary Goldfarb’s reporting in the Washington Post has revealed an important piece of information about why the economy is slowing down. Forget …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Thursday June 9, 2011

Are Voters Ready for a Mormon Prez?

Romney is often derided as a flip-flopper. A new poll though reveals that voters' biggest issue with him may be the one belief he's held on to his entire life: his religion. Political watchers claim that the greatest impediment standing between Mitt Romney and the White House is his almost comic …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Thursday June 9, 2011

GOP Rallies Support For Budget Reform

Calls for Congress to adopt a two-year budget process first emerged decades ago. But now Republicans are seriously pushing the idea in the debt limit talks. Republicans in Congress have begun to force talks on budget process reform, starting with instituting a two-year (biennial) budget, …

Written by Steve Bell on Wednesday June 8, 2011

T-Paw Needs More Than Google to Cut Deficit

Tim Pawlenty’s “google test” is a pretty good idea. But it’s not likely to save lots of taxpayer money or significantly cut the size and scope of government. I like Tim Pawlenty’s economic plan a little better than David Frum . Although they aren’t revolutionary, I’m happy to cheer for most of …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Wednesday June 8, 2011

Pawlenty's Blue-Collar Blues

Pawlenty supporters cite his blue-collar origins as reason to hope he can reach more voters. After his economic speech Tuesday those hopes are unlikely to be realized. Tim Pawlenty supporters cite their man's blue-collar origins as reason to hope that he can reach voters unreachable by say Mitt …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday June 8, 2011

Apple's Spaceship Headquarters

When Malaysia and Dubai erected the world's tallest buildings, it didn't prove that the U.S. had been overtaken. It proved that skyscrapers had gone out of style. When Malaysia and Dubai erected the world's tallest buildings, it didn't prove that the U.S. had been overtaken. It proved that …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday June 8, 2011

Librarians Defend Teen Gore

An enormous Twitterstorm has arisen over a WSJ reviewer's expose of the increasingly gruesome and sensationalistic books being targeted at teenagers. An enormous Twitterstorm has arisen over a Wall Street Journal reviewer's expose of the increasingly gruesome and sensationalistic books being …

Written by Tessa Berenson on Tuesday June 7, 2011

GOP's 2012 Choice: Romney... Or Obama

Normally, Barack Obama and Sarah Palin are polar opposites. Today though the two figures have something in common: a new poll shows both on political life support. On the political spectrum, Barack Obama and Sarah Palin are polar opposites. Normally, that is. Today, the two figures have …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Tuesday June 7, 2011

Peru's New Prez: Closet Chavez Fan?

Ollanta Humala says his commitment is to economic growth and social inclusion. Is it possible he changed his ideology and became the pragmatic leader Peru needs? On Sunday, June 5, Peruvians had a difficult election to make. On the runoff for the presidential elections they had to choose between …

Written by Daniela Chacón Arias on Tuesday June 7, 2011

Pawlenty's Tax Cuts Won't Boost Jobs

Tim Pawlenty wants his economic policy to generate jobs, but lower taxes on upper-income earners might not do the trick. During the Q&A session of Pawlenty's economic policy speech Tuesday in Chicago, he was asked a simple question: why do we need even more tax cuts? The questioner noted that …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Tuesday June 7, 2011

Weiner's Digital Flashing

Who finds fulfillment, sexual or otherwise, from a three-year series of sexually explicit electronic-only relationships that never lead to physical intimacy? A quick thought about Rep. Anthony Weiner: if his account is true, it seems pretty obvious that he is an exhibitionist who gets off on …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Tuesday June 7, 2011

Obama Woos Angela Merkel

President Obama has by honoring Angela Merkel’s path and achievement tried to remind Germany to punch according to its heavyweight class. It is hard to judge whether Barack Obama is an avid Spider-Man fan or not, but with his latest humble reception of Angela Merkel, Obama indirectly underlined …

Written by Robin Tim Weis on Tuesday June 7, 2011

Weinergate: It's None Of Our Business

Do any of us really “win” when a public official is disgraced and humiliated? It seems to me that all of us are losers in this sad and sordid affair. They got him, and they are exulting. “Best. Press. Conference. EVAH!” tweeted a jubilant Robert Stacy McCain after Rep. Anthony Weiner’s …

Written by John Guardiano on Tuesday June 7, 2011