In the midst of a world embroiled in economic turmoil, a few nations have managed to do surprisingly well—among them, Estonia. After near economic collapse during the 2008–2009 financial crisis, the country has managed to successfully bounce back with substantial GDP growth, a vibrant trade environment, and a notable budget surplus. During the first quarter of this year, Estonia had the highest rate of growth in the EU and the biggest drop in unemployment. In July, its credit rating was raised by Fitch to A+, a reflection of substantial economic …
Neglected news out of the Crazy from the Heat Department is word that the global overpopulists are in a terrific snit because soccer superstar David Beckham and his wife, Victoria, dare to continue producing children. Talk about a crime against nature. Fortunately, as The Wall Street Journal noted, the Beckhams had the good sense not to get hot under the collar after the birth of their fourth child drew a scolding from Population Matters, a tone-deaf British nonprofit. Heritage’s Chuck Donovan quickly rose to the Beckhams’ defense. Donovan penned an …
Last week President Barack Obama praised Presidents Yayi of Benin, Condé of Guinea, Issoufou of Niger and Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire as models of Africa’s democratic progress. Since gaining their independence, many African countries have suffered poor governance and widespread instability due, in part, to the unwillingness of African leaders to leave office or support free and fair elections. President Obama’s remarks imply that African leadership has turned a new leaf and that democracy is enjoying wider support among the region’s leaders. This optimism is premature. As measured by Freedom …
Tune in here at noon ET on Sunday to listen to Heritage Radio. Topics will include the new job numbers, the economy, and a discussion with Heritage expert James Gattuso on the increasing number of government regulations. We will also be answering a number of member questions on air including: When will we know who the 15 members of the IPAB of Obamacare? How long will their terms be? Whom do they answer to? Are the Bush tax cuts responsible for the majority of our deficits today? And how do conservatives …
The Obama Administration’s plan to increase funding for the U.S. nuclear weapons complex has little chance to succeed under the newly negotiated debt ceiling deal. The bill mandates a cut of $44 billion for discretionary budget authority in “security” spending from the President’s FY 2012 requested level. Automatic spending cuts, if triggered, would impose up to an additional $750 billion in spending reductions on defense from FY 2013 through FY 2021. What does it mean for the nuclear weapons complex? There is a little prospect that the Administration will proceed …
Last month, a hyper-aggressive U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent, accompanied by a Virginia state trooper, arrived at Alison Capo’s door to announce that our friendly federal government intended to make her a federal criminal. The reason? Alison’s daughter Skylar rescued a woodpecker from being eaten by a cat. The penalty? A $535 fine and possible incarceration—a maximum of six months to a year in federal prison—because of a dangerously flawed federal law called the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. According to WUSA, eleven-year-old Skylar came upon a baby woodpecker just …
We’re just eight months in, but 2011 has already proven to be the most exciting year for school choice to date. Thirteen states and D.C. enacted or expanded school choice options for families, leading The Wall Street Journal to proclaim 2011 “The Year of School Choice.” But just what is school choice? Heritage’s new education video tells the story of two towns: Choiceville and Districtville. Choiceville has a variety of supermarkets, each specializing in something different. Supermarkets compete to attract customers, increasing quality for everyone. But it’s a different story …
Catching you up on clips, commentary and news of the day. Sign up for the daily email update from Scribe. House forces pro-forma sessions to avoid recess appointments – Pete Kasperowicz The dead remain on Wisconsin voter list – M.D. Kittle Twitter’s ‘Who to Follow’ List Overwhelmingly Promotes Liberal Pundits, Media Outlets – Aubrey Vaughan Another View: Drastic solutions needed for permanent debt fix – William Beach U.N. subsidies: Get the ax – Tribune-Review An unintended consequence of the debt deal? Obamacare cuts could come – Tina Korbe What’s Ailing Wall …
In California, social science instruction in public schools must include study of the “role and contributions” of certain “categories” of persons. A law passed last month updates those categories to include “lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans.” Known as the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act, or SB 48, the law also prohibits schools from adopting instructional materials that contain “any matter” reflecting adversely upon persons because of factors including “sexual orientation.” The new law raises certain questions for parents. For example, some parents might wonder in which …
By the end of August, if Tehran’s plans progress as announced, Iranians going online will find themselves restricted to communicating only with each other—under the watchful eye of Iran’s cyber censors. Plans for an all-Iranian intranet to replace access to the Web were announced in early July by Iran’s Communication and Information Minister (an Orwellian title if ever there was one), Reza Taqipour Anvari. From Tehran’s point of view, a “National Internet”—or “Clean Internet,” as it is also described—would take already considerable efforts at control to a new level. There …
