The Real Trust Deficit
Jon Huntsman's standard pitch, whether on the stump, in a debate, or being interviewed includes mention of a trust deficit. Near as I can tell, he is referring to the lack of trust Americans have in their institutions and politicians. His solution includes congressional term limits and an end to the revolving door between high political office and K Street lobbying firms. If politicians can't make holding office a career and don't have the option to cash in, it would theoretically create a different type of office holder. While you might question the odds of implementing such a far-reaching reform, on the surface it sounds like it would make a big difference. Though term limits have taken effect on the state level without commensurate improvement in trust, they are not combined with the lobbying ban and additional financial disclosures. Would this change Washington as we know it? Probably not. Though cracking down on spendthrift legislators sounds good, Huntsman is … [Read More...]
Wanted: One Iron Lady
Welcome to the winter of Republican discontent. Democrats and Independents aren’t super excited either, but the GOP is particularly grouchy. What angers many of them most is general spinelessness on the part of their elected officials and presidential candidates. President Obama is vulnerable, Republicans won a sweeping House victory in the 2010 midterms, but deficit spending continues unabated and many think Obama will win a second term. … [More...]
Florida Schools Discriminate Against Disabled Children! (And Other Tales of Education Reform)
Here is a “life isn’t fair” story. Tres Whitlock has had enough outsized challenges thrown his way. Born with cerebral palsy, he doesn’t have the use of his vocal cords. As a result, he has to speak through a DynaVox. He feels ignored in school because he can’t raise his hand fast enough. Add to that his disappointment after being rejected by a charter school in Florida that he thought would be the perfect environment for … [More...]
School Daze
I have no doubt that all those engaged in education want what is best for our children. However, I cannot say that I am confident that they are all doing their best. For this reason, I want to share enlightening research on how some schools are succeeding, because no time should be lost in reforming and improving the education of our children. Mr. Will Dobbie and Dr. Roland G. Fryer Jr. of Harvard University have written a paper for the … [More...]
The Presidential Economy
The United States economy is slowing after expanding for a few years, perhaps having already slipped into recession. Excess capital from European investors and institutions has flooded the economy for the past couple of years, often leading to additional risk taking. Banks have moved away from focusing on basic lending and are now looking to partnerships with the speculators to earn a better return. Finally, the bell tolls for Wall … [More...]
Why the Government that Put a Man on the Moon Can’t Deliver the Mail
The United States Postal Service is back in the news, and as usual all is not well at the Citadel of Snail Mail. For at least a couple generations now, the USPS is more punch line than delivery service, having given birth to Cliff Clavin and Newman, and that was before email took over the world. Lest you think this is a fluke, an outlier in a sea of general pseudo-government agency competence, spend a couple hours on Amtrak. If that doesn’t … [More...]
The Forgotten Lesson of December 7
FDR famously said December 7, 1941 was “a date which would live in infamy.” By the time you read this on December 8 (or later), America will have completed another Pearl Harbor Day in the usual fashion. Newspapers included tributes to the remaining survivors, encomiums to the Greatest Generation. Perhaps you saw a clip or short story on cable news, heard a reminder on the radio. We are supposed to remember Pearl Harbor, think about the … [More...]
