How Do Americans Rate Their Healthcare?
Obamacare's backers are trumpeting a study suggesting Americans are unsatisfied with health care quality. But a close look, makes it harder to draw this conclusion. News reports are trumpeting a new poll which seems to su g gest that Americans are unhappy with the quality of their healthcare. …A Deficit-Cutting Fight Both Parties Can Win
The best deficit reduction plan may be one every party has issues with. Here's my roadmap to reaching a bipartisan deal. As we wait for President Obama to reveal his proposal for deficit reduction on Wednesday afternoon, I ask readers to consider my debt-cutting proposal. The Ken Silber Plan …Natural Gas: Not as Green as We Thought?
A new study suggests gas is worse for the climate than coal. It's a challenge for the industry and a chance to get ahead of the curve on environmental issues. A forthcoming paper from Cornell University researchers suggests that gas is more of a bad actor in climate change than coal. The gas …The Welfare State Goes Bust
The changes contemplated by Yuval Levin and Paul Ryan won’t be the end of the welfare state. They will however amplify differences between those who receive aid and those who don’t. This is part three. Click here to read the entire series . I doubt that Yuval Levin would disagree …Chris Matthews' Mediscare Won't Work
Chris Matthews claims Ryan's budget will “kill half the people who watch this show.” But why freak out grandma when the burden of reform is falling on the young? On Monday’s Hardball with Chris Matthews , the host made a claim that the Paul Ryan bill would “kill half the people who watch this …The Man Who Beat America to Space
50 years ago today, Yuri Gagarin became the first man to journey to outer space. After his return to earth, the Soviets turned him into a potent propaganda symbol. 50 years ago today, Moscow state radio announced that Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin was the first man to journey into outer space. But his …What Worries Americans: Big Govt or the Economy?
Yuval Levin sees Americans worried our social-democratic model is going bankrupt. But isn’t our anxiety really due to the worst economic downturn since WWII? This is part two. Click here to read the entire series . Yuval Levin founds his case against the welfare state on this descriptio…In the Next Budget Fight: Hope for a Tie
D.C.’s been obsessed with weighing the winners and losers from Friday’s budget deal. But in the larger spending fight to come there’s more at stake than political points. Washington’s been obsessed with weighing the winners and losers from last Friday’s budget deal. But in the larger spending …Ryan Budget: Compassionate Conservatism Goes Kaput
Yuval Levin endorses the Ryan idea of radical reductions in government social insurance. Is this plan the right next step for conservatism? This is part one. Click here to read the entire series . Don't miss Yuval Levin's piece in the current National Affairs , " Beyond the Welfare …The GOP's Romney Problem
If the economy remains depressed into 2012, Romney could well defeat Obama. However, he would also be a very dangerous candidate for the GOP to lose with. So here's my Romney problem, triggered by yesterday's formal announcement (hem, exploration). I think Mitt Romney would make a fine …Swipe Fee Limits Won't Help Consumers
Frum's right: interest groups are twisting the debate over card swipe fees. But it's not banks seeking special help, it's the retailers who want favorable price controls. David Frum is wrong about “swipe” or “interchange” fees. Quite simply, the merchants that take payment cards, not the …The Budget Deal's Biggest Winner
In Friday’s budget deal, Boehner amassed enough credibility with his own caucus that he can now confront the larger fiscal challenges ahead. Conventional wisdom saw House Speaker John Boehner as all tan and no substance. As usual, conventional wisdom got it wrong. In Friday’s budget deal, …Romney Can't Keep Running From Romneycare
Mitt Romney's Presidential announcement video doesn't mention his Massachusetts healthcare plan, but he can't keep avoiding it. Mitt Romney's announcement video leads with jobs. Good. It cites Romney's real world business experience. Good. It treats his healthcare plan as an embarrassing …Big Banks Want a Favor -- At Your Expense
Banks are again asking Congress for another special favor. This time, they want to prevent a limit on the fees you pay every time you swipe a debit or credit card. You might think the big banks would be too embarrassed to ask Congress for more special favors. You think wrong. The big banks …A GOP Game Plan for the Next Budget Fight
Republicans were wise to secure a deal and avert a shutdown. But will they remember what they learned in the coming budget battle? Friday night, the GOP reached a budget deal with Senate Majority Leader Reid and the White House. I’m pleasantly surprised Republicans actually took my advice “to …2012 GOP Favorites: Too Wonky to Win?
Jonathan Chait thinks the GOP has a "Dukakis problem": none of the candidates being drafted to run looks very presidential. Will wonkiness hurt the GOP in 2012? In Sunday's New York Times Magazine , Jonathan Chait argues that the GOP has a "Dukakis problem": none of the candidates being …