While he spoke about moving forward, and promised change as we look toward the future, in fact President Obama’s inaugural address was firmly entrenched in discredited policies of the past; policies that never worked. For example: “Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions — who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to …
If you thought parts of President Obama’s speech yesterday sounded familiar, or conservative, you may be on to something. Jon Stewart certainly took notice.
President Barack Obama wants us to put away out “childish” disagreements. But there is nothing childish about the very real concerns many economist have about his $800 billion soon to be over $1 trillion stimulus package. Those with very adult doubts about how borrowing another dollars can save our economy when we already have a trillion dollar deficit include: John Bates Clark Medal recipient, Nobel laureate, and University of Chicago economics professor Gary Becker: Perhaps their estimates of the stimulus provided by direct government spending are in the right ballpark, …
Last week both the AFL-CIO and the Center for American Progress claimed that seven out of the top ten countries on our 2009 Index of Economic Freedom do not require secret ballot elections for union organizing elections. Of course, being strong supporters of card check, CAP and big labor don’t call it that. They both called it “majority sign up as an option for workers trying to form a union” (See, it’s just a harmless sign up, like joining a kickball league!). CAP and Big Labor both go on to …
Just like all his other speeches, President Barack Obama’s inaugural address delivered lofty rhetoric yesterday, but as is often the case with Obama, the speech provided more heat than light when it came to tough issues. Seeking to set a tone of accountability, Obama said: Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. … The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and …
After making news earlier this week for promising to make Social Security and Medicare reform a “central part” of his plan to curtail federal spending, President-elect Obama has pledged to hold a “fiscal responsibility” summit focusing on entitlement reform. Although the devil is in the details, facing up to the long-term mess early is a good start. Obama certainly outlined the current situation well: What we have done is kicked this can down the road. We are now at the end of the road and are not in a position …
Washington Post, January 16, 2009: Senate Votes To Release Bailout Funds To Obama In a personal pitch to Democratic senators this week and in two letters sent to lawmakers by his top economic adviser, Lawrence H. Summers, Obama has pledged to focus the rest of the TARP funds on homeowners and credit markets, and to bolster oversight of companies participating in the program. … Summers also vowed to dedicate $50 billion to $100 billion to a “sweeping effort” to reduce foreclosures. And he assured lawmakers that Obama “has no intention …
Flash back to the mid 1990s. You’re the coach of the Chicago Bulls and your team is down by one with seven seconds to go. It’s crunch time. Who do you get the ball to, Michael Jordan or bring in the 12th guy off the bench. This isn’t a trick question; it’s just a no brainer. You get the ball to MJ. Energy policy is no different. When facing an energy crisis and countries face a disruption for one reason or another and they need a lot of energy, are …
It could have been a tragedy, but wasn’t. After yesterday’s dramatic Hudson River crash landing of a US Airways jet, all 155 passengers and crew made it back to shore safely. Much of the credit goes to the plane’s pilot, who managed to maneuver the plane safely down. But the incident also illustrates the breathtaking, long-term improvements in safety that have taken place in the airline industry. It’s exactly the sort of good news that is too often ignored by the media. Despite the vast media coverage given to aviation …
A moving video from the Acton Institute honoring Religious Freedom Day today. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPv9fgqQrYM[/youtube] Heritage fellow Ryan Messmore writes: Religious Freedom in America Today Today there are troubling signs that the ability of people to express their religious beliefs without fear of penalty is eroding. This is especially apparent concerning the traditional belief that marriage is a relationship between one man and one woman. The following examples have arisen in the past few years: Acting on its religious beliefs about marriage, a Christian ministry in New Jersey chose not to rent …
