Liberals in Congress pushed forward with an unsustainable new entitlement program, internal emails show, and dismissed repeated warnings from federal health care experts that it would be an “insurance death spiral,” as one official put it. The emails, released by congressional investigators, reveal that proponents of the Community Living Assistance Services and Support (CLASS) program pushed to include it in the president’s health care bill despite warnings that it would require either a sizable federal bailout, or another insurance mandate. The program’s advocates publicly insisted, meanwhile, that it would be …
A recent WORLD magazine article highlights the success of a Springfield, Missouri faith-based organization committed to “eliminating poverty from the inside out.” The Victory Trade School and Victory Mission equip men with the job training, work ethic, and personal confidence necessary to achieve sustained self-sufficiency. Victory Trade School (VTS) prepares previously unemployed men with skills to enter the culinary arts industry by certifying students in seven areas of food production and restaurant management through a one-year program. Unlike many traditional trade schools, VTS students leave the program debt-free, with a …
“The power and influence of education unions has a significant effect on schools today. But is that good for American students?” Education Unions: Made Simple, the fourth in a series of short videos, explains the stifling effect of unions on the nation’s schools using a simple analogy. Sunny, a talented musician who is adored by his fans, is suddenly forced to join a musicians’ union. While the union provides perks, it also pushes rules upon him, such as restricting how long he can meet with fans and the time he …
It’s been one week since President Barack Obama announced his latest “stimulus” plan, and despite a cross-country road show aimed at selling his proposals to the American people, the commander in chief is finding that his message of more taxes and spending isn’t hitting home. Meanwhile, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) has outlined a markedly different way to help the U.S. economy get back on track. According to a new National Journal/United Technologies poll, only one in six Americans think that the President’s plan will decrease unemployment “a lot,” while …
The House of Representatives is poised to pass legislation today that prohibits the National Labor Relations Board from interfering in the business decisions of U.S. companies. The bill would effectively end the NLRB’s complaint against Boeing’s expansion plans in South Carolina. Boeing came under attack from the NLRB in April after constructing a plant in South Carolina to build its 787 Dreamliner. The case is currently before an administrative law judge in Seattle. South Carolina Rep. Tim Scott wants to put an end to the matter now. The freshman Republican …
Malcolm Wallop was a great American… and a firm believer in American greatness. He was, moreover, a clear-sighted analyst of our nation’s role in global affairs. In 1995, while serving as a Distinguished Fellow at The Heritage Foundation, he delivered a wonderful speech entitled “Keeping America Great” at a policy symposium. The cautionary words he spoke then ring just as clear and true today: No great nation can remain great, free, and prosperous without strength, purpose, and courage. Today America has the latter, some of the former, and none of …
Yesterday, I wrote about the House-passed bill H.R. 2887, which would reauthorize expiring aviation and surface transportation programs for a few months. Senator Tom Coburn (R–OK) is expected to offer an amendment to remove a mandate that forces states to waste 10 percent of all Federal Highway Administration money on something called Transportation Enhancements (TE). TE is a program run by the Department of Transportation to force states to build bike paths, “highway beautification,” and transportation museums. From my blog post: In the past, federal funds have been used by …
While some of the press stories might make one think that Bernie Madoff ran Social Security, the reality is quite different. Although Social Security does bear a resemblance to a Ponzi scheme in that it has promised much more in benefits to younger Americans than it can possibly pay, these shortcomings can be fairly easily fixed if political leaders are willing to face up to the challenge. Ponzi schemes cannot be fixed, since they are criminal enterprises designed to fleece participants. However, rhetorical flourishes aside, the recent Social Security debate …
Let’s take a closer look at how the Obama Administration demonstrates “efficiency” and “economy” in actual practice. Fair warning: It ain’t pretty. New rules (supposedly) intended to maximize the services of government contractors require such firms to give first preference in hiring to the workers of the company that lost the contract. That is, when a government contract is awarded to a different firm, this new contractor must first offer employment to the workers of the previous contractor before hiring anyone else. As delineated in the Federal Register of August …
Venezuela’s authoritarian populist President Hugo Chávez announced that presidential elections will take place on October 7, 2012. Chávez, who continues to battle an unspecified cancer, is convinced he will win. In office since 1999, Chávez argues he must have another six years in order to install Socialism of the 21st Century, i.e. a slightly modernized version of Cuban communism. Chávez remains the Western Hemisphere’s most active backer of Iran, the world’s most dangerous sponsor of terrorism. As Muammar Qadhafi’s No. 1 friend in the Americas, Chávez continues to side with the …
