Entries
Bailouts Forever
Senator Mitch McConnell has criticized the new financial regulation reform bill, arguing that it commits the government to permanently bailing out Wall Street. In truth, even if the bill does not pass, future government bailouts are now inevitable. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has …Obama's Muddled Nuke Strategy
One year into his presidency, Obama still lacks a clear strategy for halting Iran's nuclear weapons program. President Obama’s policies on nuclear disarmament and Iran suffer from a dangerous flaw: they are not clear. As former CIA director Michael Hayden notes, “deterrence only works with …Will China's Rich Thwart Democracy?
My latest column for CNN.com examines the continuing support for Communist one-party rule amongst China's rich and middle-class. My latest column for CNN.com examines the continuing support for Communist one-party rule amongst China's rich and middle-class. While China's wealthy seem reluctant …Media to Tea Partiers: Can You be More Racist?
Many in the media have accused the tea party protests of being motivated by racism. The most troubling critiques though actually seem to fault the tea partiers for not discussing race enough. You don't have to be a Tea Partier yourself (which I emphatically am not) to be disturbed by the …Pataki for Prez?
Former New York state Governor George Pataki's decision to head to Iowa to speak against President Obama's healthcare bill has raised speculation in GOP circles that he is considering a run for president in 2012. Many in the GOP, including the Senate's point man for recruiting candidates, Senator …Getting Conservatives To Care About Community
Conservatives need to adopt a more proactive policy for helping people instead of just leaving them alone to the barren marketplace. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Frank Meyer of National Review pioneered the idea of fusionism which sought to reconcile the philosophical differences between …Obama Writes Off the Tea Party
President Obama's decision to insult the independent Tea Party movement will only push them into the Republican fold. The Tea Party phenomenon does not yet comfortably fit in either party. The Tea Partiers could even split the Republican vote should they so choose. Overall though, I would say …Blame Outdated Bank Regs Not Goldman
The facts of the SEC's civil fraud case against Goldman Sachs will take time to emerge, but one thing is clear: our current legal structures simply don’t fit the type of business that Goldman and kindred firms engage in. The SEC has sued Goldman Sachs for civil fraud; the company says it’s not …How Democracy May Come to China
It's a grim ironic paradox of modern China: China's vast new middle class -- not to mention its estimated 600,000 millionaires -- look to one-party rule by Mao Zedong's communists as the best protectors of private property. "Why do you assume that we want Western democracy?" The question was put …Beijing's Mean Streets
At dinner Sunday night, two filmmakers passing through Beijing tell a shocking story: They had witnessed a woman collapse as she crossed an intersection. Nobody came to her aid. Click here to read all of David Frum’s blogposts from China. At dinner Sunday night, two filmmakers passing …Globalization in China
I just watched a swing dancing competition at the Great Wall of China. On the other hand, here's something we should learn from them: favorite snack for teens at the ultra-touristy Summer Palace: baked sweet potatoes and grilled corn. Click here to read all of David Frum’s blogposts from China. …At the Great Wall
I visited the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, super-scenic and very mountainous. The crowds at the entrance fell away as I climbed uphill. After passing a few overly restored guard towers, I came to a big warning sign: further entry prohibited. Click here to read all of David Frum’s …Chinese Nationalism
A veteran American China watcher assesses: "If they ever did have a free election here, the Chinese Communist Party would win 70% of the vote." Click here to read all of David Frum’s blogposts from China. A veteran American China watcher, fluent in the language, many years in the …Sarah Palin’s Regional Tour
It’s useful to glimpse celebrities doing the regional circuit: Away from the flattering lights of Broadway or Hollywood, you see what kind of performer they are. I was thinking this as I watched Sarah Palin “perform” Thursday in Hamilton, Ontario. It’s useful to glimpse celebrities doing the …Communism with Chinese Characteristics
One of the early surprises for an English-speaking visitor to China is how little enthusiasm for democracy - how much outright mistrust - is expressed by the highly educated, sophisticated, and globalized people he meets. Click here to read all of David Frum’s blogposts from China. I …Did MoveOn Crash the Tea Party?
Yesterday’s Tea Party at the Washington Monument attracted a counter-protest of Obama supporters. While these protesters denied any official backing, some comments by members suggested there were MoveOn.org members in the mix. Yesterday’s Tea Party at the Washington Monument attracted a counter-pr…