Entries

Bartlett: Low Taxes Not Enough for Growth

Bruce Bartlett writes : When Republicans talk about economic growth, they tend to talk as if there is only one factor that affects it: tax rates. Thus, last week former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, put forward an economic plan that he …

Written by FrumForum News on Friday June 10, 2011

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

Obamacare's Tough Day In Court

Before the 11th Circuit panel heard the case, opponents of Obamacare had been told they would be laughed out of court. Instead, they have made a fight of it. The 11th Circuit has heard argument on the constitutionality of Obamacare. The duelists were Neal Katyal for the government (on loan from …

Written by John Vecchione on Friday June 10, 2011

Palin's PAC Piggy Bank

The release of Stephen Bannon's movie is prompting conservatives to wonder if Palin might after all run for president. But the Edwards indictment may give her pause. The release of Stephen Bannon's movie is prompting some conservatives to wonder hopefully or worriedly that Sarah Palin might …

Written by David Frum on Friday June 10, 2011

Blago Corruption Case Goes To Jury

The Chicago Sun-Times reports: For the second time, Rod Blagojevich’s fate is in the hands of a federal jury. Jurors are to begin their deliberations in Blagojevich’s retrial Friday morning, after the former governor faced blistering criticism by prosecutors in closing arguments …

Written by Frum Forum Editors on Friday June 10, 2011

WH Wants Debt Deal By July 4

Politico reports: Picking up the pace, the White House wants three meetings a week with lawmakers for the remainder of June in hopes of hammering out a deficit-reduction agreement by the July 4th recess. The accelerated schedule reflects both the political and very practical challenges …

Written by Frum Forum Editors on Friday June 10, 2011

Focus On Jobs, Dems Urge Obama

The Hill reports: Senior Senate Democrats are growing frustrated by what they see as President Obama’s passivity on the economy, and are beginning to discuss a large infrastructure package funded by tax increases. Some Democrats, such as Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, who serves as chairman of …

Written by FrumForum Editors on Friday June 10, 2011

AT&T Donated To Merger Backers

Politico reports: AT&T is lining up support for its acquisition of T-Mobile from a slew of liberal groups with no obvious interest in telecom deals — except that they’ve received big piles of AT&T’s cash. In recent weeks, the NAACP, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against …

Written by Frum Forum Editors on Friday June 10, 2011

Thatcher 'Snub' Enrages Far Right

The Daily Telegraph reports: US right-wingers have voiced anger at claims that Baroness Thatcher’s aides vetoed a meeting with Sarah Palin because they think the former Alaska governor is “nuts”. Rush Limbaugh, the talk show host, denounced the suggestion that the former Prime Minister …

Written by Frum Forum Editors on Friday June 10, 2011

What Swedes Really Think About Their Health Care

Even affluent Swedes find it shocking a society could abandon a seventh of its population with no guarantee of care. But as Sweden shifts to the right, changes could be ahead. The audience at the conference is about half Swedish, half not. The Swedish attendees are as you would expect drawn from …

Written by David Frum on Friday June 10, 2011

Gingrich Vows To Soldier On

Politico reports: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich plans to tell supporters in an email this morning that he will overcome the upheaval in his campaign and “carry the message of American renewal to every part of this great land, whatever it takes.” A day after losing nearly all of his …

Written by Frum Forum Editors on Friday June 10, 2011

Man Who Exposed Sext Scandal

The Daily Beast reports: When reports first surfaced of a mysterious group of Twitter users who had been tracking Anthony Weiner’s apparent obsession with following young women, the story was filled with more questions than answers. Who exactly were they? A story by The New York …

Written by FrumForum Editors 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

Egypt's Resurgent Islamists

The Washington Post reports: Islamists who are emerging from the fringes of Egyptian society with zeal and swagger. Their graffiti and billboards calling for a more conservative Egypt have become pervasive here in recent months, part of a rapidly growing debate about what should emerge from …

Written by Frum Forum Editors on Friday June 10, 2011

NY Constituents Back Weiner

Talking Points Memo reports: While lawmakers from Rep. Anthony Weiner's (D-NY) own party have now begun to call for his resignation, a Marist poll released Thursday night finds that his constituents think he should stay. In the poll, 56% of registered voters in Weiner's NY-9 district …

Written by Frum Forum Editors on Friday June 10, 2011

Libya Rebels Win Financial Support

The New York Times reports: The nations intervening in Libya pledged as much as $1 billion in support for the opposition there on Thursday as senior officials continued to predict that the collapse of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi’s government could be imminent. As the NATO military alliance …

Written by Frum Forum Editors on Friday June 10, 2011

Gates' Parting Shot At NATO Allies

The Associated Press reports: America's military alliance with Europe — the cornerstone of U.S. security policy for six decades — faces a "dim, if not dismal" future, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday in a blunt valedictory address. In his final policy speech as Pentagon …

Written by Frum Forum Editors on Friday June 10, 2011

Chicago Man Guilty In Mumbai Plot

Reuter reports: A jury on Thursday found a Pakistani-born Chicago businessman guilty of supporting an Islamic militant group blamed for the 2008 attack in Mumbai but not guilty of the more serious charge of helping plot the attack that killed 166. The jury also found Tahawwur Rana, 50, a …

Written by Frum Forum Editors on Friday June 10, 2011

Turkey Condemns Syrian 'Atrocities'

The BBC reports: The Syrian army has begun operations to "restore security" to the town of Jisr al-Shughour and the surrounding area, state TV says. Earlier in the week, the Syrian government said 120 security personnel were killed in the north-western town. The announcement, and the …

Written by Frum Forum Editors on Friday June 10, 2011

Iraq May Ask Troops To Stay On

Reuter reports: President Barack Obama's pick to lead the Pentagon said on Thursday he expected Iraq to eventually ask Washington to keep U.S. troops in the country beyond an end-2011 deadline for their withdrawal. When it does, the United States should say "yes," outgoing CIA chief Leon …

Written by FrumForum Editors on Friday June 10, 2011