The growth and immersion of our government is not only felt by the people in our daily lives, but by the government itself. The states, each and every one of them, have felt the burden of new laws and regulations. Federalism, by rough definition, is a contract between several pre-existing groups or states that are … Continue reading
Yearly Archives: 2012
Reverse Teacher Crisis
You heard it all over the Democratic Convention 2012 last night. President Obama calling for the hiring of “100,000 new math and science teachers.” He also said, “I don’t believe that firing teachers or kicking students off financial aid will grow the economy, or help us compete with scientist and engineers coming out of China.” … Continue reading
The Absence of Saleh: Dealing With AQAP in a Post-Arab Spring Yemen
With the emergence of the Al-Qaeda branch Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Yemen, the next American administration needs to increase aid and public support for the current Yemeni president as he navigates a volatile domestic situation to combat the growing terrorist threat. Since the beginning of the Arab Spring, the foreign policy discourse … Continue reading
Lagging Behind: Healthcare Information Technology
As is painfully clear and obvious there are many aspects of the United States healthcare system that need reform, but at what is arguably the very heart of the issue is a need for better health information technology (HIT). At a panel sponsored by Health Affairs, Sam Nussbaum, the executive Vice President and Chief Medical … Continue reading
Too Little, Too Late: The SEC attempts to enact the JOBS Act
The SEC has finally taken action on the JOBS Act, passed in April, 2012. The JOBS Act requires the SEC to amend Rules 506, and 144A of Regulation D of the Securities act of 1993. Rule 506 contains a provision prohibiting the “general solicitation or general advertising” by issuers trying to sell securities. Rule 144A … Continue reading
Bigger Isn’t Always Better?
From a young age Americans are taught through numerous outlets that bigger is better. Bigger Tonka truck. Bigger stuffed animal. Bigger house. Bigger car. Bigger TV. Bigger engagement ring. The list goes on. In some circumstances bigger may be better. In some cases it is not. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act The President’s Affordable … Continue reading
DNC 2012: The “Things You Shouldn’t Say Out Loud” Department
Watching the Democratic National Convention, I’ve been struck by one overarching thought: whatever you believe about the issues discussed, many of them are not things that should be said out loud, at least if you’re trying to attract votes. It’s obvious that the Democratic Party has taken this opportunity to speak to their base. The … Continue reading
What’s for Lunch, Mommy? Ask Mayor Bloomberg.
We all became aware of Mayor Bloomberg’s war on obesity this May, when he proposed a ban for New York City on sugary drinks larger than 16 oz. This was an extreme response to the ongoing obesity epidemic that plagues our nation, and worst of all, our children. Although the soda ban was overly paternalistic, … Continue reading
For Egypt’s Mohammed Morsi, Pragmatics Outweigh Ideology
It’s a familiar story in democracies – a politician runs for office and is elected on a particular platform. Soon after taking office the realities of leadership force him to reign in his promises and govern more pragmatically. The story, it seems, translates into Arabic. AN IDEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND Egypt’s President, Mohammed Morsi, ran and was … Continue reading
Fact-Based Opinions: The User’s Manual
The game of politics. Some wish they could win it; everyone wishes they could understand it. Naturally, the game involves playing. (It is a game, after all.) So, it comes as no surprise when, during this political season, “Fact Checkers” pop up left and right. We laypeople need the plain truth, not the politicized version … Continue reading
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