Confused about the federal role in education? A simple analogy will help. This new Heritage video tells the story of Steve, the president of the local homeowners’ association. Steve decides to centralize the yard care decisions for the entire neighborhood to achieve uniformity. Unfortunately, not all lawns are the same. Soon, the landscaping companies are answering directly to Steve, not the homeowners. Any plan Steve devises becomes the rule, and homeowners are forced to try to keep up with endless new regulations. Sound familiar? America’s public school system is facing …
A half-dozen Republicans are lobbying Senate leaders to make the newly created Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction transparent in its operations and accessible to the American public. Their proposal includes public attendance at meetings and live television broadcasts. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the six Republicans ask the leaders to “allow this process to unfold before the American people through an open debate.” The effort was spearheaded by Sen. Dean Heller (NV) with the backing of Sens. Kelly Ayotte …
Catching you up on clips, commentary and news of the day. Sign up for the daily email update from Scribe. Pity the debt-paying generation – Bill Beach and Dustin Siggins Unhealthy Debt – James C. Capretta and Yuval Levin Debt deal could endanger health care law – Jennifer Haberkorn After Debt Deal, The Tea Party Has Staying Power – Liz Halloran Don’t Hollow Out the Military – Frank J. Gaffney Jr. A dangerous world – Peter Brookes Wisconsin’s Walker touts job growth, defends his record – M.D. Kittle The Spoilsmen: How …
According to public employees’ unions, federal employees are substantially underpaid, and this year’s pay freeze is just one more slight against workers who could easily earn much more outside the government. It is curious, then, that so many people without federal jobs are lining up for them, apparently hoping to become “underpaid” themselves. Even out in the southern Maryland region, where farm fields predominate and fresh fish is usually on the menu, interest in federal jobs is apparently high. The College of Southern Maryland offers continuing education for adults, and …
Here’s a simple test for whether the President is serious about jobs and the economy: Does he rein in the Environmental Protection Agency? With the debt ceiling issue resolved for the time being, President Obama has stated his intention to “pivot” to focus on jobs and the economy. Economic growth is stagnant, and unemployment is at unacceptable levels—and that’s not even including millions of discouraged people who have dropped out of the workforce altogether. Jobs and economic growth are the right focus. But there is, understandably, some skepticism that the …
In late July, the Department of Education held a reading event as part of it’s “Let’s read! Let’s move!” initiative. During the event, D.C. schoolchildren were given free copies of SpongeBob Goes Green, a book based on the Nickelodeon cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants. According to the publishers: SpongeBob decides to speed up the warm weather by pumping carbon dioxide into the environment. Little does SpongeBob know, he’s messing with Mother Nature in a big way and bringing global warming to Bikini Bottom! Soon it’s sweltering hot, and everyone has to pack …
Every summer, thousands of high school and college students flock to Washington, D.C., to learn about our government and meet senior government officials. These invaluable internships give tomorrow’s leaders an up-close-and-personal experience they could never get from mere classroom work. As a former senior official, I often participate in debates and panel discussions convened for the benefit of these interns. Last week, I found myself on stage in a debate entitled: “After Bin Laden: What Next for the Fight against Terror?” After the opening remarks, students asked questions about issues …
A recent article in WORLD Magazine highlights the work of a New York City faith-based organization that is helping women escape poverty and achieve self-sufficiency. The Bowery Mission, known primarily for its historic men’s shelter, is one of the few faith-based charities in Manhattan that also houses a center dedicated to helping homeless women. Through the distinctive red doors of the Bowery Mission Women’s Center, women of all backgrounds—including prostitutes, drug dealers, and addicts—can find a second chance at independence and a flourishing life. During a 9- to 18-month program, …
Americans are paying more for gasoline today than they were six weeks ago when President Obama released 30 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. In the Gulf of Mexico, meanwhile, 10 drilling rigs — more than one-third of the fleet — have left on Obama’s watch. This incomprehensible energy policy is not only costing Americans more money at the pump. Bureaucratic delays in Washington are also stunting job growth and adding to the budget deficit. As the Obama Administration pivots to a new jobs agenda — at …
President Obama jetted out of town to celebrate his 50th birthday in Chicago last night, an event that doubled as a fundraiser for his re-election campaign. With the debt deal behind him, expect to see Obama on the road to build his war chest for 2012. Tickets to the birthday bash reportedly ranged from $50 a person to whopping $35,800 per couple. Back in the nation’s capital, reporters who were so preoccupied by the deal negotiations noticed that Congress hadn’t approved the Federal Aviation Administration funding bill. Despite the fact thousands of …
