Overview for News

Fighting the Deficit with Tax Reform

Congress is once again considering revamping the tax code. While real reform is years off, a few easy reforms could make a good dent in the deficit. Congress is once again considering revamping the tax code, starting with corporate taxes.  It may be heresy to say, but there was never a worse …

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Written by Hank Adler on Monday February 28, 2011

Judgment Day for Qaddafi's Rights Record

Until the Libyan rebellion began, the world had no trouble shaking Qaddafi's hand and tolerating, if not condoning, his homicidal eccentricities. On Sunday, the Toronto Star ran a headline “Human Rights Council burnished Libya’s image.” Wrong, wrong, wrong. A more accurate headline …

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Written by Peter Worthington on Monday February 28, 2011

How Do the Rich Vote? Follow the Money

The best evidence about the political views of the super-rich comes not from unreliable surveys but from actually tracking their contributions. In response to my recent blogpost arguing that the rich really are more Republican, Frum Forum reader Ken writes that the truly wealthy "vote …

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Written by Andrew Gelman on Sunday February 27, 2011

And the Oscar Goes To...

As befitting Year 3 of the Great Recession, many of this year's biggest and most acclaimed films had strong and inescapable political messages. In the immortal words of The Electric Company (old-school, thank you -- not the remake), "HEY YOU GUYYYYS!!!"  As it is of course our mission to …

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Written by Telly Davidson on Sunday February 27, 2011

Fannie & Freddie Reforms Won't Save Taxpayers

Taxpayer aid to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is already more than $150 billion. But don't expect that number to drop even if Congress passes reforms. Freddie Mac, the mortgage-finance company operating under federal conservatorship, reported a loss this week of $14 billion for 2010.  No goodwill …

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Written by Steven Trowern on Sunday February 27, 2011

Why the Industrial Revolution Hit Britain First

Gregory Clark's new book, A Farewell to Alms: A Brief Economic History of the World, makes an important point about why England industrialized first. Last month I (belatedly) read Gregory Clark's, A Farewell to Alms: A Brief Economic History of the World . One of the key assertions in …

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Written by David Frum on Sunday February 27, 2011

Are the Rich More Republican?

Over at PowerLine, conservative blogger John Hinderaker claims that most rich people who are politically active are liberals. The data however shows a different story. I don't want to spend my whole life on this red state/blue state thing, but I recently follow this Instapundit link and came …

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Written by Andrew Gelman on Saturday February 26, 2011

Chu's Energy Research Hijack

Energy Secretary Steven Chu's budget would transform his department into a huge government-run research and development firm. Nobel Laureate and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu seems to have taken a page from early 20 th century labor leader Samuel Gompers:  at every turn he screams for “more.” …

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Written by Eli Lehrer on Saturday February 26, 2011

Newt's Obama Impeachment Stunt

This week, Newt Gingrich played up Obama's refusal to defend DOMA, claiming it could thrust us into a "constitutional crisis." Skill-testing question for constitutional conservatives. Suppose you are an elected official. Congress enacts a law you regard as unconstitutional. What do you do? …

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Written by David Frum on Saturday February 26, 2011

Europe's Coming Refugee Crisis

The turmoil in Arab North Africa is not only a political crisis: It could soon trigger a global migration crisis. The turmoil in Arab North Africa is not only a political crisis: It could soon trigger a global migration crisis. Already, 5,000 Tunisians have attempted to migrate to Italy since …

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Written by David Frum on Saturday February 26, 2011

The Prowl: A Working Man is Hard to Find

Why do so many women who are hugely ambitious and driven end up dating boyfriends who cannot get their lives together? This week, a friend forwarded me this  article from the Wall Street Journal .  She said that she was dating this guy and the article, which described her predicament, almost …

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Written by Vivian Darkbloom on Friday February 25, 2011

Seniors Gone Mild

Roughly 20 years ago, my wife and I began longing for sunshine, warmth and water to break the long winter months. Roughly 20 years ago my Australian-born wife, Yvonne, began longing for sunshine, warmth and water to break the long winter months. So we rented a place on the Atlantic coast of …

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Written by Peter Worthington on Friday February 25, 2011

Springtime for Poland

Poland may not be the first country you think of to visit in Europe, but with its history and culture, it can hold its own against any destination. Poland may not be the first country you think of to visit in Europe, having to compete as it does with more glamorous places like Italy and France. …

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Written by Yvonne Crittenden on Friday February 25, 2011

The Fat Diaries: McDonald's Turns Oatmeal into Junk Food

McDonald's has just added oatmeal to their lineup. But if you're expecting a healthy, low-sugar, high-fiber meal, guess again. The world of fast-food breakfast has altered under our yellow sun. McDonald’s, in an effort to embrace the money of health-conscious individuals, has added oatmeal …

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Written by Monica Marier on Friday February 25, 2011

Wanna Lose to a Girl?

Last week, high school wrestler Joel Northrup was ridiculed nationally for refusing to wrestle a girl. Sadly, he is taking the fall for our own prejudices. Last week, high school wrestler Joel Northrup made national news for refusing to wrestle against a girl in the Iowa state tournament.  Citing …

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Written by Alan Hirsch on Friday February 25, 2011

Why Do Female Co-Workers Get More Office Gifts?

Eddie hears from a reader miffed that his female co-workers get lots of office gifts while he doesn't. Does he have a legit grudge? This week, David Eddie hears from a reader miffed that his female co-workers get office gifts while he doesn't. I recently got married. At my workplace, I …

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Written by David Eddie on Friday February 25, 2011

Fannie, Freddie Fix Won't Stop Next Housing Crisis

The news about Fannie and Freddie's losses will add more urgency to the push for reform. Obama's current plan however may only delay the next housing crisis. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae’s smaller but still enormous recently reported losses aren’t a surprise. The very structure of the two massive …

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Written by Eli Lehrer on Friday February 25, 2011

Qaddafi's Last Stand?

Usually after a brief attempt to quell an uprising, most dictators will recognize reality and quit. Qaddafi however isn't your "normal" dictator. Interesting – and appalling – is Muammar Gaddafi’s fight to survive. Ever since World War II (and perhaps before that), when revolutions erupt, …

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Written by Peter Worthington on Friday February 25, 2011

GOP Cuts Hit Border Security

The House GOP has talked tough about the need for more border security, but they don't seem to be backing up that rhetoric with financial support. I've written about border security previously here at Frum Forum and I'm not going to pretend that border security issues are simple ones.  …

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Written by Mark R. Yzaguirre on Friday February 25, 2011

Libya's Oil Shock Wake Up Call

With Libya in turmoil, the U.S. is getting another reminder of the dangers of tying our economy to unstable, uncontrollable petro nations. With Libya’s rancid Qaddafi regime coming apart at the seams, the U.S. is getting another reminder – as if one were needed – of the dangers of tying the U.S. …

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Written by Jim DiPeso on Friday February 25, 2011