Overview for debt-crisis

One Continent, Under France and Germany

Looks like the EU has found an alternative to German domination of everybody else. It's French-German domination of everybody else . The grand "deal" announced earlier this week has something for both France and Germany. For the Germans, France will temporarily stop talking about eurobonds and …

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Written by Jeff Cimbalo on Wednesday December 7, 2011

The EU's Plan: Raise Taxes With Bailouts

The past two weeks have seen a dizzying array of proposals from virtually every organ of the EU claiming that they can make the eurozone more efficient, durable, and solvent. If you noticed that no one is saying that they will make the eurozone more democratic, you’re not the only one . The …

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Written by Jeff Cimbalo on Thursday December 1, 2011

Poland to Germany: We Need You to Act!

In an important speech in Berlin, Poland's Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski expressed a thought maybe has never been heard before on German soil from a Polish leader: What, as Poland’s foreign minister, do I regard as the biggest threat to the security and prosperity of Poland today, on 28 th …

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Written by David Frum on Monday November 28, 2011

The Euro? Um, Next Question Please

Last night, the CNBC anchors addressed the most urgent economic question of the moment - the fate of the euro - to four of the Republican presidential candidates: Herman Cain, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman. I want to begin with what we saw today, another rough day for our money, for …

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Written by David Frum on Thursday November 10, 2011

Europe's Greatest Deficit is its Democracy

Though his actions quickly descended into farce, soon-to-be-former Greek Prime Minister Papandreou had the right instinct calling for a referendum on the austerity package that European negotiators are imposing on his country. There has been a long-stranding “democratic deficit” within the …

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Written by Jeff Cimbalo on Monday November 7, 2011

Will Britain Pay to Save the Euro?

David Cameron also has a referendum problem. Britain’s current government uneasily combines euro-skeptics and euro-enthusiasts. Two weeks ago, 81 Conservative backbenchers broke with party leaders to vote in favor of a new referendum on Britain’s EU membership. Cameron had promised such a …

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Written by Jeff Cimbalo on Thursday November 3, 2011

Alan Greenspan: Wrong on the Euro

Former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan has been reenforcing the conventional wisdom that the current eurozone debt crisis can be traced to a strong> north-south cultural divide

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Written by Jeff Cimbalo on Wednesday October 26, 2011

Debt Crisis? Really?

As of this morning, international investors stood ready to lend money to the US government for 10 years at a rate of 2.94%. They would lead for 2 years at a rate of 0.41%. And we're supposed to believe that it's markets that are forcing this borrowing crisis?

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Written by David Frum on Friday July 29, 2011

Hoover Event Draws Crowd Amid Debt Crisis

Despite the  apocalyptic debt crisis, Friday's launch of Margaret Hoover's book American Individualism drew a large crowd from the D.C. political scene. The event, held at the Hotel Monaco, was co-sponsored by GOProud. Margaret Hoover [left] with FrumForum's manager-of the editor, …

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Written by Nicole Glass on Saturday July 23, 2011

GOP Message of the Day: Retreat!

The McConnell plan offered Republicans an ingenious exit from the debt-ceiling confrontation, but conservatives in the media are reviling the plan. The McConnell plan offered Republicans an ingenious exit from the debt-ceiling confrontation: the debt ceiling would be raised in exchange for a …

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Written by David Frum on Wednesday July 13, 2011

Debt Talks Don't Need an Ambitious Solution

If the debt talks produce only (i) an increase in the debt ceiling and (ii) a framework for cutting federal spending over the medium term - well, there are worse ways to resolve the crisis. If the debt talks produce only (i) an increase in the debt ceiling and (ii) a framework for cutting …

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Written by David Frum on Monday July 11, 2011

The Jobs Report is Awful, but a Default is Worse

While the latest jobs report is dismal, it is no excuse for Republicans to have no plan or their own or to push for a default. The latest jobs report is truly dismal in that it shows a slight gain in jobs. However, it isn't the "death blow" or sure sign of a double-dip recession that might send …

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Written by Eli Lehrer on Friday July 8, 2011

Here's the Way to a Deal!

Eric Cantor’s recent declaration that Republicans will look at “loopholes”is a step in the right direction but Cantor is wrong to insist that any loophole closing be met with an equal cut in taxes. Eric Cantor’s recent declaration that Republicans will look at “ loopholes ”is a step in the right …

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Written by Eli Lehrer on Thursday July 7, 2011

Democrats Should Offer to Extend the Bush Tax Cuts

In my column for The Week, I argue that Democrats can get a deal on the debt ceiling if they offer to bring back to the Bush tax cuts. In my column for The Week , I argue that Democrats can get a deal on the debt ceiling if they offer to bring back to the Bush tax cuts: Here's one Democrati…

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Written by David Frum on Wednesday July 6, 2011

The Real Debt Debate Sticking Point?

Politico insinuates that a big sticking point for the GOP in the debt-ceiling negotiations is a demand that the earnings of hedge funds continue to be taxed at the 15% capital-gains rate rather than income-tax rates. Politico insinuates this morning that a big sticking point for the GOP in the …

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Written by David Frum on Wednesday July 6, 2011

Obama's Weakness Made Debt Crisis Worse

In my latest column for CNN, I discuss how Obama's weakness in his negotiations over the debt ceiling have made the debt crisis worse. In my latest column for CNN, I discuss how president Obama's weakness in his negotiations over the debt ceiling have made the debt crisis worse: Why aren't …

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Written by David Frum on Tuesday July 5, 2011

Can the Debt Crisis Lead to Impeachment?

The debt-ceiling crisis is growing into an impending constitutional crisis. The debt-ceiling crisis is growing into an impending constitutional crisis. Imagine this scenario: * House Republicans and the president fail to reach a budget agreement. * House Republicans refuse to raise the …

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Written by David Frum on Monday July 4, 2011

Obama Puts Congress on Notice

Obama has taken off the gloves in his fight with Congress over the debt ceiling increase. In his statement and news conference yesterday, President Obama decided to take off the gloves in his fight with Congress over the debt ceiling increase. His performance should stand as a reminder to …

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Written by Steve Bell on Thursday June 30, 2011