November 20, 2009
Transparency and Accountability at the Federal Reserve
By J.D. Foster, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2342)
Increasing transparency at the Federal Reserve is critical given the breadth of the Fed’s recent activities, but many of these activities involve private parties. Congress ...
November 20, 2009
Taxes Proposed to Pay for Health Care Reform
By Curtis S. Dubay
(WebMemo #2706)
The U.S. Senate's proposal for a government-run hostile takeover of the entire U.S. health care system includes a barrage of higher taxes.
November 20, 2009
High-Income Surtax: How Not to Pay for Health Care
By Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2707)
Congress is proposing a surtax on high-income individuals to help pay for health care reform that would burden the economy and slow its recovery from ...
November 19, 2009
Estate Tax a Killer for Family-Owned Businesses and Their Workers
By Curtis S. Dubay
(WebMemo #2703)
Congress should repeal the estate tax once and for all to remove an unfair burden from the backs of American family-owned businesses and their workers. ...
November 19, 2009
START Follow-On Treaty Could Interfere with Conventional Strike Systems
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #2704)
Early indications are that the successor to the START treaty will limit U.S. options to field conventionally armed missiles -- something Congress warned the Administration ...
November 19, 2009
Discounting and Climate Change Economics: Estimating the Cost of Cap and Trade
By David W. Kreutzer, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2705)
Even using the EPA results shows that the cost of cap-and-trade legislation would be $2,872 per year in 2050. Those are some very expensive postage ...
November 17, 2009
Trade Dispute Undercuts Obama's Korea Trip
By Bruce Klingner
(WebMemo #2702)
It is increasingly obvious that the Obama Administration is willing to sacrifice the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement on the altar of auto-sector protectionism.
November 17, 2009
Welfare Reform and Public Assistance Voter Registrations: A Reply to the Critics
By David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D.
(Center for Data Analysis Report #09-07)
A previous Heritage Foundation report found that declining welfare caseloads contributed substantially to the decline in public assistance voter registrations from 1996 to 2006. Despite ...
November 17, 2009
What Americans Need to Know About the Copenhagen Global Warming Conference
By Ben Lieberman
(Special Report #71)
In December, the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will meet in Copenhagen to work on a ...
November 17, 2009
The "Kyoto II" Climate Change Treaty: Implications for American Sovereignty
By Steven Groves
(Special Report #72)
The Copenhagen conference's proposed "Kyoto II" successor agreement poses a clear threat to American sovereignty.
November 16, 2009
The Legislative Trigger and the Public Health Care Option
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2700)
While the trigger idea may seem like a reasonable compromise, it is unworkable and would actually slow down or undermine creative solutions to coverage gaps ...
November 16, 2009
Swine Flu and Sick Leave: Improvements to the Emergency Influenza Containment Act Would Save Jobs
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2701)
While responding to a genuine public health concern, the Emergency Influenza Containment Act will also cost jobs and encourage employers to keep sick employees at ...
November 16, 2009
Bipartisan Entitlement Commission Needed to Control Spending and Debt
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2698)
A fiscal reform commission is essential to tackling the coming tsunami of entitlement spending and deficit red ink that threaten the economy.
November 16, 2009
Move to Hastily Retire Legacy Fighter Aircraft Puts Air Sovereignty at Risk
By Mackenzie Eaglen
(WebMemo #2699)
Congress must ensure that the final version of the FY 2010 defense appropriations bill prevents the Pentagon from retiring Air National Guard legacy fighter aircraft ...
November 13, 2009
The Three Reaffirms: Suggested Agenda for President Obama's Visit to China
By Dean Cheng
(WebMemo #2697)
President Obama should use this week's trip to China to reaffirm three major American principles.
November 13, 2009
How the Medicare "Doc Fix" Would Add to the Long-Term Medicare Debt
By Andrew J. Rettenmaier and Thomas R. Saving
(WebMemo #2695)
The House will soon take up legislation to "fix" the Medicare physician payment update formula. The likely result: huge new costs on taxpayers.
November 12, 2009
President Obama Has a Full Plate in First Visit to China
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D
(WebMemo #2696)
President Obama's visit to China comes during a period of substantial and possibly growing economic tension.
November 12, 2009
Copenhagen and Beyond: Is There a Successor to the Kyoto Protocol?
By Steve Groves
(Testimony )
As the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen approaches, the United States must determine the definition and limits of American leadership within the context ...
November 10, 2009
Decreasing Union Transparency: A Step Backward for Workers
By James Sherk and Ryan O'Donnell
(WebMemo #2692)
Union members deserve to know how their dues are spent. Congress should act to protect workers if the President will not.
November 10, 2009
The Oberstar Transportation Plan: A Costly Exercise in Lifestyle Modification
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2693)
The Surface Transportation Authorization Act would mark a dramatic, harmful change in federal transportation policy.
November 10, 2009
A Meaningful Agenda for President Obama's Meeting with Southeast Asian Leaders
By Walter Lohman
(WebMemo #2694)
When he meets with ASEAN leaders this week, President Obama needs to make substantive progress on several pressing issues: free trade, Burma, and the rise ...
November 10, 2009
Copenhagen Climate Change Conference Could Threaten National Security
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Special Report #70)
According to Senator Boxer, passage of a cap-and-trade bill is a matter of national security. She is wrong.
November 9, 2009
Dangerous Trajectories: Obama's Approach to Arms Control Misreads Russian Nuclear Strategy
By Ariel Cohen Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2338)
Russia still considers the United States its "principal adversary." Russia also relies on its nuclear weapons to compensate for its inferiority in conventional weapons relative ...
November 9, 2009
The U.N. Human Rights Council: No Better for Obama's Engagement
By Brett D. Schaefer and Steven Groves
(Backgrounder #2339)
The record of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights was a disgrace. Three years ago, the commission was replaced by the Human Rights Council, and ...
November 9, 2009
Japan's Security Policy: Navigating the Troubled Waters Ahead
By Bruce Klingner
(Backgrounder #2340)
The United States's relationship with Japan has just become more complicated. The recent election victory of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has resulted in ...
November 9, 2009
Seven Reasons Why Congress Should Repeal, Not Fix, the Death Tax
By William W. Beach
(WebMemo #2688)
Policymakers should do what their voters want them to do: They should repeal the death tax and kill it, once and forever.
November 9, 2009
TSA Nominee Erroll Southers's Stand on Collective Bargaining Needs Clarity
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2689)
Congress should wait to confirm any nominee to head the TSA until that nominee states his or her position on mandatory collective bargaining over security ...
November 9, 2009
Revenge of the Dirty Dozen: 12 Policies that Undermine Civil Society
By Katherine Bradley and Charles A. Donovan
(WebMemo #2690)
Taken as a whole, these 12 policies serve to undermine traditional families, devalue life and human dignity, and weaken civil society in American life.
November 9, 2009
Taiwan's Economy Needs More Than Cooperation with China
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2691)
More open Taiwanese trade and investment with China fits the principles of American foreign policy. The U.S. should assist Taiwan in this effort, starting with ...
November 9, 2009
Government-Run Health Care Even Without the Public Option
By Robert A. Book, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2686)
The reforms under consideration in Congress would impose such rigid control on private health plans that it amounts to a government-run health care system.
November 6, 2009
Pelosi Health Care Plan: Who Pays the Surtax?
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr., and Guinevere Nell
(WebMemo #2687)
The Pelosi health care plan relies on a large surtax that would gradually encompass all American taxpayers, much like the dreaded Alternative Minimum Tax does. ...
November 6, 2009
A Closer Look at the House Democrats' Health Care Bill
By the Staff of the Center for Health Policy Studies and the Staff of the Center for Data Analysis
(WebMemo #2684)
A Closer Look at the House Democrats' Health Care Bill
November 6, 2009
Heritage Employment Report: October Has Few Treats, Lots of Tricks
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr., and James Sherk
(WebMemo #2685)
As job losses mount, the monthly jobs report continues to demonstrate both the failure of the stimulus bill and the hollowness of the Administration's claim ...
November 6, 2009
The Pakistan-Britain Terror Connection: Lessons and Warnings for the United States
By Ted R. Bromund Ph.D., and Lisa Curtis
(Backgrounder #2337)
The Pakistan-Britain terror connection poses a serious threat to Great Britain and its allies, including the United States. Breaking the personnel, financial, and ideological links ...
November 6, 2009
Executive Summary: The Pakistan–Britain Terror Connection: Lessons and Warnings for the United States
By Ted R. Bromund Ph.D., and Lisa Curtis
(Executive Summary #2337)
The Pakistan-Britain terror connection poses a serious threat to Great Britain and its allies, including the United States. Breaking the personnel, financial, and ideological links ...
November 5, 2009
Union Contracts of Health Care Workers Would Inflate Health Care Costs
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2681)
Widespread unionization of the health care sector would make a government-run "public plan" much more expensive than currently advertised.
November 5, 2009
Doing Health Care Reform Right: The Empowering Patients First Act
By Greg D'Angelo and Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2682)
The Empowering Patients First Act could accomplish needed reforms while minimizing Washington's role in health care.
November 5, 2009
The Pelosi Health Care Plan: Employer Mandate Penalties on Small Businesses
By John L. Ligon
(WebMemo #2683)
The Pelosi health care reform plan would create an employer penalty system that would apply to small businesses--even those with 25 or fewer workers.
November 5, 2009
Prisoner Reentry: A Limited Federal Government Role
By David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
To address the issue of offender recidivism, the federal government should operate reentry programs for offenders formally incarcerated in the federal correctional system. The federal ...
November 4, 2009
Federalization of Medicaid: Health Reform Bill Would Reduce State Authority
By Dennis G. Smith
(WebMemo #2678)
But under H.R. 3962, the ability of states to run Medicaid and SCHIP to reflect state variations and preferences would be substantially diminished.
November 4, 2009
Chemical Security: Separating Risk from Excessive Regulation
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2679)
While ensuring the safety and security of chemical facilities is important, excessive regulation that prevents the private sector from doing business is a poor approach. ...
November 4, 2009
Rethink the Housing Tax Credit: Stimulus Plans Should Think Past the Needs of Special Interest
By Ronald D. Utt Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2680)
Replacing the expiring tax credit with a new one for which most members of America's financial elite would be eligible is a costly and unnecessary ...
November 4, 2009
Why Government Control of Bank Salaries Will Hurt, Not Help, the Economy
By David M. Mason
(Backgrounder #2336)
In response to the recent financial crisis, the Obama Administration and the Federal Reserve Board are capping executive salaries and bonuses, and imposing a host ...
November 4, 2009
School Choice in America 2009: What it Means for Children's Futures
By Lindsey Burke
(Backgrounder #2332)
School choice -- what does it mean for American's daily lives? It means that more and more parents are able to send their children to ...
November 4, 2009
Executive Summary: School Choice in America 2009: What it Means for Children's Futures
By Lindsey Burke
(Executive Summary #2332)
School choice -- what does it mean for American’s daily lives? It means that more and more parents are able to send their children to ...
November 3, 2009
Boxer-Kerry Cap-and-Trade Bill's Nuclear Provision Won't Fuel a Nuclear Revival
By Jack Spencer and Nicolas D. Loris
(Backgrounder #2335)
America needs a clean, safe, and sustainable energy source. Nuclear power could be part of the solution -- with the right set of free-market reforms. ...
November 3, 2009
Senate's Byrd-Hagel Resolution Should Guide Global Warming Discussion in Copenhagen
By Ben Lieberman
(Special Report #69)
The Administration should follow the Byrd-Hagel Resolution in Copenhagen and steer clear of any agreement that violates its provisions.
November 2, 2009
Ten Things about China and Climate Change
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(Special Report #68)
With Copenhagen conference looming, the U.S. must be realistic about carbon emissions and China.
November 2, 2009
Russia's Economic Crisis and U.S.-Russia Relations: Troubled Times Ahead
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., and Richard E. Ericson, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2333)
Russia's revenues from oil and natural gas are enabling its aggressive and often anti-Western foreign policy. Russia's falling economic performance has toned down Russia's rhetoric, ...
November 2, 2009
Executive Summary: Russia's Economic Crisis and U.S.-Russia Relations: Troubled Times Ahead
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., and Richard E. Ericson, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #2333)
Russia's revenues from oil and natural gas are enabling its aggressive and often anti-Western foreign policy. Russia's falling economic performance has toned down Russia's rhetoric, ...
November 2, 2009
How Many Americans Could End Up on the Public Health Plan? A Look at the Estimates
By Greg D’Angelo
(Backgrounder #2334)
Congress will soon vote on massive health care legislation -- and on the amount of power the federal government will have over the entire U.S. ...
November 2, 2009
Health Care Reform and the Threat to the Dollar
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2674)
Health care reform as currently constructed will either weaken the economy or balloon the deficit while it weakens the economy.
November 2, 2009
New Health Care House Bill Has Plenty of New Taxes
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr.
(WebMemo #2675)
The new House health care bill still contains painful tax increases that will affect more and more Americans every year.
November 2, 2009
Congress Wisely Acts to Bring Greater Independence to Pentagon's Quadrennial Defense Review Process
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen and Eric Sayers
(WebMemo #2676)
Congress has wisely appointed an independent panel to critique the analysis underpinning the Pentagon's 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review. The panel should pay particular attention to ...
November 2, 2009
Bomb or Surrender: Not America's Only Options Regarding Iran
By Baker Spring and James Phillips
(WebMemo #2677)
Any long-term strategy to counter the possible emergence of a nuclear Iran must include offensive strike options, defensive systems--including ballistic missile defenses--and diplomatic initiatives.
October 30, 2009
U.S.-China Space Cooperation: More Costs Than Benefits
By Dean Cheng
(WebMemo #2670)
The potential costs of extensive cooperation between the U.S. and Chinese space programs far outweigh the likely benefits.
October 30, 2009
The Wrong Medicare Advantage Reform: Cutting Benefits, Limiting Choices, and Increasing Costs
By James C. Capretta and Robert A. Book, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2671)
The Medicare Advantage program reforms currently being considered by Congress would lead toward a system of less choice, less accountability, and eventually lower-quality health care ...
October 30, 2009
Medicaid Funding of Abortion: Setting the Record Straight
By Dennis G. Smith
(WebMemo #2672)
Unless a specific prohibition on abortion funding is included in the final health care bill, the government will end up funding the procedure.
October 30, 2009
Honduran Handshake: U.S. Policy Still Needs to Be Better
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2673)
Presidential elections will take place in Honduras on November 29. As a result, it is now possible that the Honduran people--not outsiders--will decide who governs ...
October 30, 2009
The Spending, Deficit, and Debt Control Act Would Help Congress Rein in Spending and Deficits
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #2669)
Congress needs a budget framework that promotes responsible budgeting.
October 29, 2009
Tax on High-End Health Insurance Policies Takes the Low Road
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2667)
The Joint Tax Committee recently shed important new light on the proposed "Cadillac excise tax" contained in the Senate Finance Committee’s health care bill.
October 29, 2009
Secretary Clinton's Visit to Pakistan: Into the Crucible
By Lisa Curtis
(WebMemo #2668)
Secretary Clinton's visit to Pakistan could help to calm some of the current tensions in the U.S.-Pakistan relationship. However, it must be followed by concrete ...
October 28, 2009
Health Care Reform: Rational Alternatives to the Congressional Leadership Bills
By Greg D’Angelo and Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D
(WebMemo #2666)
Three major bills sponsored by congressional Republicans contain promising conservative approaches to health care reform.
October 28, 2009
National Security: Not a Good Argument for Global Warming Legislation
By James Jay Carafano, Ph. D.
(Testimony )
The Clean Energy Jobs and America Power Act (S. 1733) has engendered tremendous controversy. Concerns abound about the legislation's adverse economic consequences, and there is ...
October 26, 2009
Islamist Terrorist Plots in Great Britain: Uncovering the Global Network
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D and Morgan L. Roach
(Backgrounder #2329)
Individuals who traveled in Pakistan and received terrorist training there or in Afghanistan are a central part of the challenge of Islamist terrorism in Britain. ...
October 23, 2009
Proposed Global Warming Bills and Regulations Will Do More Harm Than Good
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2665)
The Waxman-Markey and Kerry-Boxer bills, like the proposed regulations, are an expensive and ineffective response to the overstated threat of global warming.
October 22, 2009
The U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement: A Good Deal for America
By James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #2664)
For the past nine months, the Obama Administration and Congress have allowed three free trade agreements --Colombia, Panama, and South Korea --to languish unapproved. This ...
October 22, 2009
Understanding the Great Global Contagion and Recession
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2331)
The Great Global Contagion and Recession was largely the result of a sustained global savings glut combined with excessive monetary accommodation by the Federal Reserve ...
October 22, 2009
Executive Summary: Understanding the Great Global Contagion and Recession
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #2331)
The Great Global Contagion and Recession was largely the result of a sustained global savings glut combined with excessive monetary accommodation by the Federal Reserve ...
October 22, 2009
The Price of Prop 8
By Thomas M. Messner
(Backgrounder #2328)
Supporters of Proposition 8 in California have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, vandalism, racial scapegoating, blacklisting, loss of employment, economic hardships, angry protests, violence, at ...
October 22, 2009
Executive Summary: The Price of Prop 8
By Thomas M. Messner
(Executive Summary #2328)
Supporters of Proposition 8 in California have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, vandalism, racial scapegoating, blacklisting, loss of employment, economic hardships, angry protests, violence, at ...
October 21, 2009
Health Care Bills' Medicaid Expansion: How States Can Lose the Battle Behind Closed Doors
By Dennis G. Smith
(WebMemo #2661)
The President wants federal taxpayers to pick up a greater share of the cost of the Medicaid expansion.
October 21, 2009
Why Congress Wants to Force More Americans into Medicaid
By Dennis G. Smith
(WebMemo #2662)
Congress's response to Medicaid's problems is not to fix them but rather to add another 14 million people to the program.
October 21, 2009
Another Terror Plot Foiled: 27 Since 9/11
By Jena Baker McNeill and Jessica Zuckerman
(WebMemo #2663)
The arrest of Boston resident Tarek Mehanna makes one fact very clear: the need for strong counterterrorism measures has not waned.
October 20, 2009
Obama's $250 Bonus Turns Social Security into Welfare
By David C. John
(WebMemo #2655)
President Obama wants to give each Social Security recipient $250. But this would start converting the program to a welfare program.
October 20, 2009
The Baucus Plan: Implications for Small- and Medium-Sized Firms
By John L. Ligon
(WebMemo #2656)
The Baucus health care plan will have a strong negative impact on small- and medium-sized employers.
October 20, 2009
Fire Grants: Reauthorization of an Ineffective Program
By David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2657)
H.R. 3791 reauthorizes a grant program that has significant shortcomings.
October 20, 2009
Joe Biden's Fence-Mending Mission: Re-Open the Visa Waiver Program
By Helle C. Dale and Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2658)
Joe Biden should use his foreign trip to put pressure on the Administration to open the Visa Waiver Program to America's Eastern European allies.
October 20, 2009
State Department Strategy Review Flawed from Start
By Helle C. Dale and James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #2659)
If the discussions at the kick-off event are an indicator, the final QDDR product will repeat past policy mistakes.
October 20, 2009
Courting Khartoum: The Obama Administration's Sudan Policy
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2660)
On October 19, 2009, the State Department finally unveiled its comprehensive policy for relations with Sudan. Characterized by conciliatory gestures, it remains unclear whether this ...
October 20, 2009
The German Elections: False Dawn for the Obama-Merkel Era
By Sally McNamara
(Backgrounder #2330)
While German-American relations have improved in tone from the thinly veiled hostility of Gerhard Schroeder's chancellorship, all is not perfect between recently re-elected Chancellor Angela ...
October 19, 2009
Baucus Health Insurance Excise Tax Misses the Mark
By Curtis S. Dubay
(WebMemo #2654)
The Baucus plan's excise tax on "Cadillac" health insurance plans would fall mostly on low- and middle-income workers.
October 15, 2009
Adding Insult to Injury: The Baucus Health Plan Imposes New Taxes on the Sick
By Robert A. Book, Ph.D., Guinevere L. Nell, and Paul L. Winfree
(WebMemo #2651)
The Baucus health care plan would harm those it should help and help those who need help the least.
October 15, 2009
The Baucus Medicaid Provisions: The Senate’s Massive Welfare Expansion
By Dennis G. Smith
(WebMemo #2652)
Expanding Medicaid is not reform. Adding more people to a flawed system would only compound the problem.
October 15, 2009
The Obama Administration Makes the Wrong Call on the U.N.'s Arms Trade Treaty
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2653)
The Obama Administration must not allow the desire for a "consensus" to produce an ineffective U.N. arms control treaty that tramples American sovereignty.
October 14, 2009
The Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act: Attempting to Improve Bad Policy
By David C. John
(WebMemo #2650)
Despite honest attempts to improve the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act of 2009, the overall concept is still badly flawed.
October 13, 2009
A Flawed Approach to Arms Control: START Negotiations Will Not Serve U.S. Interests
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #2649)
President Obama is pursuing a rushed approach on arms control with the Russians that President Reagan would recognize is fatally flawed.
October 13, 2009
Time for Congress to Work Under the Same Rules as the Private Sector
By James Sherk and Ryan O'Donnell
(Backgrounder #2326)
All too often, Congress imposes restrictive and burdensome regulations on employers in the private sector--while conveniently exempting itself from these same rules. Many Members of ...
October 13, 2009
Preserving Freedom and Federalism: What's at Stake for Americans in the Health Care Debate
By Thomas C. Feeney
(Backgrounder #2327)
"Federalism" is no outdated concept. The founding fathers of the American Republic are the authors of a brilliant design of the distribution of political power ...
October 9, 2009
Congress's Health Care Reform Bills: The Unknown Costs
By Greg D'Angelo
(WebMemo #2646)
The CBO should produce a comprehensive assessment of the health care reform proposals--similar to the one produced during the Clinton era--before any legislation moves forward. ...
October 9, 2009
Time for Tougher Sanctions on Iran's Terrorist Regime
By James Phillips
(WebMemo #2647)
Growing momentum for further sanctions on Iran should be welcomed by the Obama Administration and integrated into its dual-track strategy for Tehran.
October 9, 2009
Patriot Act: A Chance to Commit to National Security
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2648)
Congress should resist initiatives that would repeal or erode key provisions of the Patriot Act.
October 8, 2009
Freezing Telecom Immunity Would Chill Counterterrorism Efforts
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2645)
Protecting America requires a strong private-public partnership. Telecom immunity is a critical component of this partnership.
October 8, 2009
Examining the History and Legality of Executive Branch Czars
By Matthew Spalding, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
The rise of government by bureaucrats--due to the delegation of power from Congress to administrative agencies, combined with the removal of those agencies from the ...
October 7, 2009
Congress Breaks Obama Promise on Government Role in Health Care
By Dennis G. Smith
(WebMemo #2644)
A government "takeover" in the form of greater government control over health care financing and the practice of medicine is inevitable.
October 6, 2009
50 Examples of Government Waste
By Brian Riedl
(WebMemo #2642)
Here are 50 of the most egregious examples of government waste.
October 6, 2009
The Early Learning Challenge Fund: Increased Federal Role in Early Education
By Lindsey M. Burke
(WebMemo #2643)
SAFRA would significantly increase the federal government's role in preschool education.
October 6, 2009
The Economy Hits Home: Energy and the Environment
By The Heritage Foundation
(The Economy Hits Home Volume #3)
When it comes to energy and the environment, most of us feel conflicted. On the one hand, we depend on affordable energy for almost everything--from ...
October 6, 2009
Another Sarbanes-Oxley: Threatening Small Businesses with the "Beneficial" Ownership Bill
By Hans A. von Spakovsky and Andrew M. Grossman
(Legal Memorandum #48)
The Incorporation Transparency and Law Enforcement Assistance Act (ITLEAA)--currently under consideration in Congress--would subject small businesses to a series of complicated and burdensome reporting requirements. ...
October 5, 2009
Shortsighted U.S. Policies on Afghanistan to Bring Long-Term Problems
By Lisa Curtis and James Phillips
(WebMemo #2640)
President Obama must avoid shortsighted policies that undermine U.S. friends in Afghanistan and Pakistan while encouraging America's enemies.
October 5, 2009
The Baucus Bill: Medicare Advantage and Medicare Savings Lost to Medicare Reform
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2641)
Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) is proposing major changes to the Medicare program under the America's Healthy Future Act of 2009.
October 2, 2009
Obama Jobs Deficit a New Record, Again
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2638)
The President's jobs promise means total employment should be at least 138.6 million by 2010, leaving him with a total deficit to close that now ...
October 2, 2009
Heritage Employment Report: September's Step Back
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr., and James Sherk
(WebMemo #2639)
The continued weakness in the labor market continues to illustrate how flawed the stimulus package was.
October 1, 2009
A Policy Agenda for the U.S.-Russia Congressional Caucus
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2636)
The Congressional Russia Caucus should guard American interests while promoting an agenda which encourages security, freedom, democracy, and economic cooperation with Russia.
October 1, 2009
Will Obama's High-Speed Rail Plan Become a Subsidy for Freight Railroads?
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D
(WebMemo #2637)
Congress should strip costly and ineffective high-speed rail funding from the FY 2010 budget.
October 1, 2009
The Economics of Extending Unemployment Benefits
By Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
A tool meant as a temporary safety net for workers who find themselves involuntarily unemployed is too blunt to address the needs of individuals who ...
September 30, 2009
Sin Taxes on Soda, Alcohol, and Cigarettes: Congress's Latest Vice
By Curtis S. Dubay
(WebMemo #2635)
Congress should drop its efforts to levy sin taxes and targeted taxes. They lead only to higher deficits and higher taxes.
September 30, 2009
The War in Afghanistan: Why Britain, America, and NATO Must Fight to Win
By Dr. Liam Fox, MP
(Heritage Lecture #1136)
We are in Afghanistan out of necessity, not choice. Were we to lose, it would be a shot in the arm for every jihadist, would ...
September 29, 2009
States: Stop Subsidizing FEMA Waste and Manage Your Own Local Disasters
By Matt A. Mayer
(Backgrounder #2323)
All disasters are local. Or so many politicians proclaim. Yet 29 states send their tax money to FEMA only to end up footing the disaster-response ...
September 29, 2009
Social Security's Unexpected Deficits Show Urgent Need for Reform
By David C. John
(WebMemo #2632)
Social Security's deficits are likely to be permanent, and the only way out of this cash crunch is to fix the program.
September 29, 2009
2010 Defense Appropriations Bill: Conference Report Should Defer to Senate Bill on Many Programs
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(WebMemo #2633)
The Senate's version of the 2010 defense appropriations bill provides the funds necessary to meet the needs of America’s military.
September 29, 2009
26 Foiled Terror Plots Show Success of Information Sharing
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2634)
Three thwarted domestic terror attacks: A wake-up call for Congress and the Administration.
September 28, 2009
How Margaret Thatcher Helped to End the Cold War
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2631)
On the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, there are valuable lessons the West can learn from the Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher. ...
September 28, 2009
Global Trade Liberalization Continues, But Risks Abound
By Daniella Markheim and Ambassador Terry Miller
(Backgrounder #2320)
The 2010 rankings of trade freedom in countries around the world, developed by The Heritage Foundation as part of its annual Index of Economic Freedom, ...
September 25, 2009
The Baucus Individual Health Insurance Mandate: Taxing Low-Income and Moderate-Income Workers
By Robert A. Book, Ph.D., Guinevere Nell, and Paul L. Winfree
(Backgrounder #2325)
The individual mandate in the Baucus health care plan would impose punitively high, regressive taxes on low-income and moderate-income working families. Its penalties and additional ...
September 25, 2009
Baucus Plan Increases Out-of-Pocket Costs for Many Families
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr., and Paul L. Winfree
(WebMemo #2628)
The mandates in Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus's health care reform bill will hurt individuals, families, and businesses.
September 25, 2009
The Baucus Health Bill: A Medicare Physician Payment Shell Game
By Dennis G. Smith
(WebMemo #2629)
For all of the bold talk of reform, the Baucus health bill is just another flawed, big-government solution.
September 25, 2009
Defunding ACORN: Necessary and Proper, and Certainly Constitutional
By Hans A. von Spakovsky
(WebMemo #2630)
Barring ACORN from receiving federal funds through the Defund ACORN Act is perfectly constitutional.
September 24, 2009
The American Conservation and Clean Energy Independence Act: A Bipartisan Pro-Energy Bill
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2627)
The ideas contained in American Conservation and Clean Energy Independence Act would produce energy in a way that is environmentally sound and would help the ...
September 24, 2009
Congress's Health Care Bills Would Increase Spending and Federal Budget Deficits
By Brian M. Riedl
(Backgrounder #2324)
Both the House health care reform bill (H.R. 3200) and the bill authored by Senator Baucus would increase government spending by hundreds of billions of ...
September 23, 2009
Current Health Insurance Reform Proposals vs. Real Reform and Economic Growth
By Karen A. Campbell
(Backgrounder #2321)
Current proposals for health care reform would exacerbate existing problems in the U.S. health care system and weaken the economy. In particular, the proposed surtax ...
September 23, 2009
Pittsburgh Should Be the Last G-20 Summit: Leaders Should Promote Free Economies Instead
By James M. Roberts
(Backgrounder #2322)
In the past 10 months, the leaders of the G-8 and G-20 nations have met three times at elaborate and expensive summits to address the ...
September 23, 2009
Missile Defense and the Defense of Freedom
By The Honorable Jim DeMint
(Heritage Lecture #1135)
In any situation, the friend of freedom is the friend of the United States, but the current Administration does not seem to abide by this ...
September 23, 2009
Do DHS Fire Grants Reduce Fire Casualties?
By David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D.
(Center for Data Analysis Report #09-05)
From FY 2001 to FY 2009, Congress appropriated $5.7 billion in funding for fire grants. Using panel data from 1999 to 2006 for more than ...
September 23, 2009
Two Plus Two Equals Five: The Obama Administration's Missile Defense Plans Do Not Add Up
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #2624)
The White House's "Fact Sheet on U.S. Missile Defense Policy," suffers from three serious flaws.
September 23, 2009
Scaling Back in Afghanistan Would Jeopardize Security of U.S. Homeland
By Lisa Curtis
(WebMemo #2625)
While there is a need to carefully review and refine tactics and strategies, President Obama must shun the temptation to believe that the U.S. can ...
September 23, 2009
The Return of Manuel Zelaya and the Honduras Crisis: Time for a U.S. Policy Change
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2626)
The Obama Administration must clarify its incoherent policy toward Manuel Zelaya and the current Honduran crisis. Most importantly, the U.S. must support the November 29 ...
September 22, 2009
Congress Should Stop Playing Politics with E-Verify
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2622)
E-Verify is set to expire on September 30. Unless Congress renews this program, uncertainty over the future of E-Verify will only lead to confusion as ...
September 22, 2009
President Obama at the United Nations: Sending the Wrong Message
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #2623)
In order to protect its interests, the U.S. must continue to take the lead in addressing the many problems plaguing the U.N. system and understand ...
September 22, 2009
President Obama's Agenda Would Bring $13 Trillion in Budget Deficits, Not $9 Trillion
By Brian M. Riedl
(Backgrounder #2319)
President Obama's budget will likely produce $13 trillion in deficit spending over the next 10 years--nearly $4 trillion more than forecast. The White House figures ...
September 21, 2009
Sound Health Care Reform for a Sound Economy: A Response to the CEA Report
By Robert A. Book, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2318)
The President's Council of Economic Advisers correctly notes that fixing several problems with the American health care system would produce substantial economic benefits. However, the ...
September 18, 2009
ENDA and the Path to Same-Sex Marriage
By Thomas M. Messner
(Backgrounder #2317)
A significant body of evidence suggests that sexual orientation nondiscrimination laws like the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) can function as important incremental steps toward same-sex ...
September 18, 2009
Executive Summary: ENDA and the Path to Same-Sex Marriage
By Thomas M. Messner
(Executive Summary #2317)
A significant body of evidence suggests that sexual orientation nondiscrimination laws like the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) can function as important incremental steps toward same-sex ...
September 18, 2009
White House Fact Sheet on Missile Defense Raises More Questions Than It Answers
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #2621)
The White House has released a fact sheet in support of its decision not to field missile defense interceptors in Poland and radar in the ...
September 17, 2009
Obama Administration's New Missile Defense Plan Is a Losing Proposition
By Baker Spring and Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(WebMemo #2620)
Today, President Obama reneged on a long-standing agreement with America's allies and formally abandoned the "third site" missile defense plan.
September 17, 2009
The Baucus Health Bill: A First Look
By the Staff of the Center for Health Policy
(WebMemo #2619)
The Baucus bill still contains the most objectionable features of the liberal health policy agenda.
September 17, 2009
The Economic Role of Government: Focus on Stability, Not Spending
By Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2316)
Is there a role for government in the economy? Yes, says Heritage analyst Karen Campbell--but the government must focus on maintaining economic stability. Fiscal responsibility ...
September 16, 2009
Obama to Spend $10.3 Trillion on Welfare: Uncovering the Full Cost of Means-Tested Welfare or Aid to the Poor
By Robert Rector, Katherine Bradley, and Rachel Sheffield
(Special Report #67)
Means-tested welfare spending nearly rivals the combined cost of Social Security and Medicare, and President Obama's response has been to continue the permanent enlargement of ...
September 16, 2009
The Meaning Of The Constitution
By Edwin Meese III
(WebMemo #2616)
The Constitution is our fundamental law because it represents the settled and deliberate will of the people, against which the actions of government officials must ...
September 16, 2009
The Originalist Perspective
By David F. Forte
(WebMemo #2617)
Written constitutionalism implies that those who make, interpret, and enforce the law ought to be guided by the meaning of the United States Constitution--the supreme ...
September 16, 2009
Rein in Spending by Stopping the Stimulus and Ending the TARP
By Stephen A. Keen and J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2618)
The federal budget deficit is already unsustainable and threatens to balloon further as Congress considers a multitude of new spending initiatives from health care reform ...
September 15, 2009
How Not to Increase U.S. Tourism
By Helle C. Dale
(WebMemo #2612)
If the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 passes the U.S. House, the
number of foreign tourists visiting the U.S. will continue to drop.
September 15, 2009
Retiring Baby Boomers Will Not Cause an Asset Bust
By Nicola Moore
(WebMemo #2613)
Some have argued that baby boomers' retirement poses a threat to working
Americans' savings. However, a new report from the Congressional Budget
Office has found ...
September 15, 2009
President Obama's Medical Liability Reform Proposal: No Silver Bullet
By Randolph W. Pate
(WebMemo #2614)
In an apparent concession to Republicans on health care reform,
President Obama broached the topic of medical liability reform Wednesday
night in his health care ...
September 15, 2009
Student Lending and College Affordability: Alternative Approaches to Reform
By Dan Lips
(WebMemo #2615)
The House of Representatives will soon consider H.R. 3221, the "Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009," legislation that will terminate the Federal Family ...
September 14, 2009
The Lehman Brothers Collapse: Financial Regulation One Year Later
By David C. John
(WebMemo #2610)
One year ago today Lehman Brothers collapsed. President Obama will mark the occasion with an address to Wall Street in which he will likely outline ...
September 14, 2009
The ICC Investigation in Afghanistan Vindicates U.S. Policy Toward the ICC
By Brett D. Schaefer and Steven Groves
(WebMemo #2611)
The Obama Administration is reportedly close to announcing a change in U.S. policy toward the ICC. This decision would jeopardize America's ability to protect its ...
September 10, 2009
School Safety in Washington, D.C.: New Data for the 2007-2008 School Year
By David Muhlhausen, Ph.D., Don Soifer, and Dan Lips
(WebMemo #2609)
This WebMemo is a summary of a CDA Report by The Heritage Foundation and Lexington Institute that presents an analysis of 911 calls originating from ...
September 10, 2009
Alaska's Strategic Role in the Defense of the United States and the Vital Role of Missile Defense
By The Honorable Mark Begich
(Heritage Lecture #1133)
Alaska is sixth among all states and territories in volume of personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and is a very important component in America's ...
September 10, 2009
Maintaining Full-Spectrum Capabilities in an Operating Environment of Hybrid Threats: The Army's Future Requirements
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(Heritage Lecture #1134)
Experience shows that blended warfare will happen more often than expected in one conflict and that hybrid conflict will demand creative approaches to operational problems, ...
September 10, 2009
Swine Flu: What Every American Should Know
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., and Richard Weitz, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2315)
With H1N1 vaccines not becoming generally available until after the U.S. flu season begins, the single greatest contribution that the public can make is to ...
September 9, 2009
Eight Years after 9/11: Analyzing Congress's Homeland Security Agenda
By Jena Baker McNeill, James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., and Matt A. Mayer
(WebMemo #2608)
This Friday makes the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Congress should honor the memory of that tragedy by solidifying its homeland security agenda by ...
September 8, 2009
Critical Reforms Required for U.N. Peacekeeping
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #2313)
The unprecedented pace, scope, and ambition of U.N. peacekeeping operations have led to numerous serious flaws, limitations, and weaknesses that need to be addressed. Peacekeeping ...
September 8, 2009
Executive Summary: Critical Reforms Required for U.N. Peacekeeping
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Executive Summary #2313)
The unprecedented pace, scope, and ambition of U.N. peacekeeping operations have led to numerous serious flaws, limitations, and weaknesses that need to be addressed. Peacekeeping ...
September 8, 2009
How to Protect Consumers in the Financial Marketplace: An Alternate Approach
By David C. John
(Backgrounder #2314)
The Treasury Department has proposed consolidating the existing consumer protection divisions of the various federal financial regulatory agencies into a new and powerful Consumer Financial ...
September 4, 2009
Heritage Employment Report: August Jobs Report Shows Too Soon to Announce "Mission Accomplished"
By Rea S. Hederman Jr. and James Sherk
(WebMemo #2604)
The predictions that were used to promote the stimulus bill have proven false as the August jobs report shows unemployment continues to climb.
September 4, 2009
Why Organized Labor Supports Government Health Care
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2605)
Unions strongly support health care reform and have made supporting a "public plan" that would lead to a government-run single-payer system their top priority.
September 4, 2009
House Health Care Bill Will Hurt Small Businesses: A Reply to My Critics
By D. Mark Wilson
(WebMemo #2606)
Policymakers need to know that the costs and benefits of an employer mandate will not be equally borne by firms and employees.
September 4, 2009
Success in Afghanistan Requires Firm Presidential Leadership, Not Half-Measures
By James Phillips
(WebMemo #2607)
President Obama is expected to launch a new counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan that puts a premium on protecting the Afghan people from Taliban terrorism and ...
September 3, 2009
President Obama Must Not Surrender to Russia on Missile Defense
By Nile Gardiner, Ph.D., and Sally McNamara
(WebMemo #2603)
Abandoning the third site missile defense installation would sacrifice U.S. interests, as well as those of its allies in Europe, on the altar of political ...
September 3, 2009
Controlling Illegal Immigration: What Ohio and Every Other State Can Do
By Matt A. Mayer
(Heritage Lecture #1132)
In order to truly tackle their illegal immigration problems, state and local governments must take a more aggressive approach than simply relying on the federal ...
September 2, 2009
The Perils of Prediction and Unpreparedness in Building the Future Force
By Kim R. Holmes, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #1131)
America can afford to pay more for defense, but we need to be more modest in our strategic assumptions and build that modesty into both ...
September 2, 2009
Soft Despotism, Democracy's Drift: What Tocqueville Teaches Today
By Paul Rahe, James Ceaser, and Thomas West
(First Principles #28)
If we are ever to stop the advance of the administrative state, recover our liberty, and reassert our dignity as citizens rather than as clients ...
September 2, 2009
Defending Those Who Serve: Paying the Legal Costs of CIA Officers
By Edwin Meese III and Hans A. von Spakovsky
(WebMemo #2602)
CIA Director Leon Panetta's decision to use agency funds to pay for the legal defense of case officers targeted by President Obama and Attorney General ...
September 1, 2009
Will Obama's "Livability" Program Bring Britain's "Hobbit Homes" to America?
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph. D.
(WebMemo #2601)
Shortly after taking office President Obama announced his intention to develop federal policies to induce states and local communities to embrace "smart growth" land use ...
August 31, 2009
Japanese Election Poses Challenges for U.S. Alliance
By Bruce Klingner
(WebMemo #2600)
The results of the recent Japanese election are historic.
August 31, 2009
Confronting Unlimited Government: Lessons from the Term Limits Movement
By H. Abbie Erler, Ph.D.
(Special Report #48)
The modern term-limits movement arose in response to the professionalization of politics and growing popular discontent with Congress, but its supporters misunderstood the nature of ...
August 31, 2009
Why Job Creation Matters More than Job Losses
By James Sherk
(Backgrounder #2310)
Job losses have increased, but they are not the largest reason for the 9.4 percent unemployment rate. The main reason unemployment rises during economic downturns ...
August 28, 2009
Economics of Play-or-Pay Mandates in Health Care Reform Bills
By D. Mark Wilson
(Backgrounder #2312)
The play-or-pay mandates in the health care reform bills, which require employers to offer health insurance to their workers or pay a tax to the ...
August 28, 2009
The Trial Lawyers' Earmark: Using Medicare to Finance the Lifestyles of the Rich and Infamous
By Edwin Meese III and Hans A. von Spakovsky
(Legal Memorandum #47)
A proposed amendment to the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 would have generated abusive Medicare litigation on a massive scale to benefit plaintiffs' ...
August 28, 2009
School Safety in Washington, D.C.: New Data for the 2007-2008 School Year
By David Muhlhausen, Ph.D., Don Soifer, and Dan Lips
(Center for Data Analysis Report #09-06)
Many District of Columbia students attend schools where they are too often exposed to crime and violence. Policymakers in the District should recognize that school ...
August 28, 2009
Waxman-Markey's Effect on Gas Prices in Your State
By Nick Loris and Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2598)
The Waxman–Markey energy bill, which would restrict greenhouse gas emissions by creating a cap-and-trade system, was passed by the House in June and will likely ...
August 28, 2009
Five Major Faults with the Health Care Bills
By Nina Owcharenko
(WebMemo #2599)
Current efforts by Congress to “reform” the health care system are centered on several flawed policy initiatives that will transfer more power and decisions to ...
August 28, 2009
Constitutional Amendment Concerning Senate Vacancies
By Matthew Spalding, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
A proposed constitutional amendment to require that all vacancies in the Senate be filled by election is susceptible to insuperable objections. It fails to understand ...
August 27, 2009
Budget Update Shows No Need for Tax Hikes
By Curtis S. Dubay
(WebMemo #2597)
The OMB and CBO budget updates show that spending cuts—not tax increases—are necessary to bring deficits under control.
August 26, 2009
Blaming Oil Speculators: A Costly Diversion from Real Solutions to Rising Oil Prices
By Ben Lieberman and J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2596)
Oil speculation is not the long-term cause of high or volatile oil prices, and ill-advised market restrictions may well prove counterproductive.
August 26, 2009
The Public Health Insurance Option: Unfair Competition on a Tilting Field
By John S. Hoff
(Backgrounder #2311)
Advocates of a "public option" government insurance plan assure us that it would compete with private insurers on a level playing field. In reality, the ...
August 26, 2009
How to Save the U.S.-Japan Alliance
By Bruce Klingner
(Backgrounder #2308)
The U.S.-Japan alliance remains crucial, but it is underperforming and weaker than generally perceived. A failure by America's leaders to understand, appreciate, and take necessary ...
August 25, 2009
The Economy Hits Home: Entitlements
By The Heritage Foundation
(The Economy Hits Home Volume #2)
Why every American born today owes $184,000 and what to do about it
August 25, 2009
Controlling Illegal Immigration: State and Local Governments Must Do More
By Matt A. Mayer
(Special Report #66)
Politicians should focus their efforts on securing the border, deporting apprehended aliens, and increasing the legal avenues for foreign workers to come to the United ...
August 25, 2009
New Budget Estimates Show Unsustainable Spending and Debt
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #2595)
The OMB's new budget spending estimates are alarming and absolutely unsustainable-and are the true cause of these appalling levels of deficit and debt.
August 24, 2009
Why Congress Cares About Engine Competition for the Joint Strike Fighter
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(WebMemo #2594)
Pentagon officials must follow the law and require all major programs and subsystems to compete, including the F136 Joint Strike Fighter alternate engine.
August 24, 2009
E-Verify: Challenges & Opportunities
By Jena Baker McNeill
(Testimony )
An effective immigration policy will be one that has the effect of reducing illegal immigration in the United States. At the same time, policies must ...
August 24, 2009
Captive Nations Past and Present
By Helle C. Dale
(Heritage Lecture #1130)
Captive nations are not a thing of the past. Communist and other totalitarian regimes like China and North Korea violate individual rights and freedoms in ...
August 21, 2009
The U.N.'s Arms Trade Treaty: A Dangerous Multilateral Mistake in the Making
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D., and Steven Groves
(Backgrounder #2309)
The treaty contemplated by the U.N.'s October 2008 arms trade resolution would be a license to almost all states, no matter how irresponsible, to buy ...
August 21, 2009
Executive Summary: The U.N.'s Arms Trade Treaty: A Dangerous Multilateral Mistake in the Making
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D., and Steven Groves
(Executive Summary #2309)
The treaty contemplated by the U.N.'s October 2008 arms trade resolution would be a license to almost all states, no matter how irresponsible, to buy ...
August 21, 2009
Afghan Elections Offer Hope for the Future
By James Phillips and Lisa Curtis
(WebMemo #2593)
The Afghan elections mark an important milestone in Afghanistan's evolving democratic politics that could help stabilize the war-torn country.
August 20, 2009
Extended Republic or Centralized Nation-State? Herbert Croly, Progressivism, and the Decline of Civic Engagement
By Brian Brown
(First Principles #27)
The 20th century transformation of domestic policy in America into a climactic struggle between the national government and every conceivable social ill inherited from the ...
August 19, 2009
Impact of the Waxman–Markey Climate Change Legislation on the States
By David Kreutzer, Ph.D., Karen Campbell, Ph.D., William W. Beach, Ben Lieberman, and Nicolas D. Loris
(WebMemo #2585)
The 1,500-page cap-and-trade climate legislation, also known as Waxman-Markey, passed by a narrow margin late in the day on June 26. Cap and trade is ...
August 18, 2009
No North Korean Thaw from Clinton Trip
By Bruce Klingner
(WebMemo #2591)
It is one thing to point out that former President Bill Clinton's trip to Pyongyang to secure the release of two American journalists was a ...
August 18, 2009
Strengthening U.S. Anti-Narcotics Efforts in Colombia
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2592)
To preserve and strengthen U.S. counter-drug capacity, the Obama Administration is negotiating for the right to use air and naval facilities in Colombia.
August 18, 2009
The U.S. Should Not Join the International Criminal Court
By Brett D. Schaefer and Steven Groves
(Backgrounder #2307)
Unless the ICC's serious flaws are addressed fully, President Obama should continue to insist that the U.S. is not bound by the Rome Statute and ...
August 18, 2009
Executive Summary: The U.S. Should Not Join the International Criminal Court
By Brett D. Schaefer and Steven Groves
(Executive Summary #2307)
Unless the ICC's serious flaws are addressed fully, President Obama should continue to insist that the U.S. is not bound by the Rome Statute and ...
August 17, 2009
Adult Time for Adult Crimes: Life Without Parole for Juvenile Killers and Violent Teens
By Charles Stimson and Andrew Grossman
(Special Report #65)
Adult Time for Adult Crimes: Life Without Parole for Juvenile Killers and Violent Teens by Charles D. Stimson and Andrew Grossman looks at the continued ...
August 17, 2009
Sustain MEADS, the Other European Missile Defense Program
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #2589)
A vital missile defense/air defense cooperation program deserves congressional attention and support: the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) development program.
August 17, 2009
Obama Missile Defense Proposal: Numbers Matter
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #2590)
Congress should examine these implications of the fiscal year 2010 missile defense cuts.
August 14, 2009
A CIA Special Prosecutor: A Wolf in Wolf's Clothing
By Todd Gaziano and Robert Alt
(WebMemo #2588)
Even assuming a criminal investigation of CIA interrogators is warranted, Attorney General Holder most definitely should not appoint a special prosecutor.
August 13, 2009
India's Future in the Balance
By Michelle Kaffenberger and Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2586)
The Indian federal legislature has approved a bill mandating free public education for all citizens.
August 13, 2009
Five Things Congress and the President Are Doing to Bring Back Sky-High Gas Prices
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2587)
A return to $4 a gallon gas--or higher--will be certain if Congress and the President succeed in enacting a host of proposals to crack down ...
August 11, 2009
Democracy in Danger: What States Can Do to Safeguard America's Election System
By Hans A. von Spakovsky
(Heritage Lecture #1129)
In order to have an election process in which we can be confident that everyone who is eligible gets to vote, the vote is counted, ...
August 10, 2009
The Economic Impact of The Waxman-Markey Cap-and-Trade Bill on Western States
By Ben Lieberman
(Testimony )
Cap and trade is very expensive and amounts to nothing more than an energy tax in disguise. The bottom line is that cap and trade ...
August 7, 2009
Health Care Reform in West Virginia: A Lesson from the States
By Dennis G. Smith
(WebMemo #2582)
West Virginia has experimented with Medicaid reform and has learned a lot about what those reforms accomplished.
August 7, 2009
Pakistan Gaining Against Militants
By Lisa Curtis
(WebMemo #2583)
Reports of the death of Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud demonstrate that cooperation between the U.S. and Pakistan against militants located in the tribal border ...
August 7, 2009
Heritage Employment Report: July Jobs Report a Jolt
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr.
(WebMemo #2584)
Policymakers should end their reliance on failed Keynesian economics and concentrate on pro-growth policies such as extending the lower tax rates for dividends and capital ...
August 6, 2009
Heritage Analysis of Waxman-Markey Hits Where Others Miss
By David W. Kreutzer, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2580)
The Waxman-Markey bill forces a bad deal on a generation that does not have the option to turn it down.
August 6, 2009
The North American Leaders Summit: Promoting Economic Freedom and Security
By James M. Roberts and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2581)
By promoting economic freedom and security, President Obama, President Calderón, and Prime Minister Harper can ensure that the North American Leaders Summit is a success. ...
August 6, 2009
Maintaining America's Safety to Build Our Prosperity and Freedom
By The Honorable Newt Gingrich
(Heritage Lecture #1128)
The United States needs a new strategy to counter unforeseen developments in the technology and capability of rivals, competitors, and foes; less bureaucratic red tape ...
August 6, 2009
The Economic Consequences of Waxman-Markey: An Analysis of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009
By David W. Kreutzer, Ph.D., Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D., William W. Beach, Ben Lieberman, and Nicolas D. Loris
(Center for Data Analysis Report #09-04)
The Waxman-Markey bill proposes a new national tax of historic proportions. Though levied directly on carbon-based energy, the tax's impact spreads through the economy, increasing ...
August 6, 2009
Obama's Plan to "Create or Save" Jobs: A Promise Unfulfilled
By James Sherk and Rea S. Hederman, Jr.
(Backgrounder #2305)
President Obama has repeatedly claimed that his economic stimulus bill will "create or save" 3.5 million new jobs by 2011, including 600,000 jobs by the ...
August 5, 2009
Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Authorization Bill: Conference Issues and Recommendations
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(WebMemo #2577)
As the House and Senate conference the FY 2010 defense authorization bill, Members should consider the long-term impact their decisions as a whole may have ...
August 5, 2009
Kerry's Excise Tax on "Gold-Plated" Health Insurance Policies
By Edmund F. Haislmaier
(WebMemo #2578)
Senator John Kerry has suggested a new excise tax on "gold-plated" health insurance policies. But this is not the right way to go.
August 5, 2009
Cash for Clunkers: Just Spinning Wheels
By James L. Gattuso and Nicolas D. Loris
(WebMemo #2579)
Despite its popularity, the cash-for-clunkers program is no success--unless success is defined as spending a lot of money quickly.
August 5, 2009
The Youth PROMISE Act: Outside the Scope and Expertise of the Federal Government
By David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
However well-intentioned, the Youth PROMISE Act will further expand the national government's role in preventing crime into what has been the traditional realm of state ...
August 4, 2009
Bill Clinton in Pyongyang: Bring American Reporters Home, Do Not Let Up on Nukes
By Bruce Klingner
(WebMemo #2573)
While securing the freedom of the two U.S. journalists would be a welcome development, former President Clinton's surprise visit to North Korea risks undermining ongoing ...
August 4, 2009
Foreign Aid: Congress Should Shift USAID Funds to the Millennium Challenge Account
By James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #2574)
When it comes to spending precious U.S. tax dollars on official development assistance to third world countries, the Millennium Challenge Corporation has a better approach ...
August 4, 2009
The Tourism Promotion Act of 2009: Doing What Government Does Not Do Best
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2575)
Instead of promoting tourism through the Tourism Promotion Act of 2009, the government should stick to its current tourism-related responsibilities.
August 4, 2009
Shiprider Program Demonstrates U.S.-Canadian Cooperation
By Dean Lenuik and Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2576)
The Shiprider program is an example of the well-integrated marine defense relationship between the U.S. and Canada. Both nations should seek greater cross-border cooperation.
August 4, 2009
Killing Americans by Stifling Medical Innovation: The Medical Device "Safety" Act of 2009
By Hans A. von Spakovsky
(Legal Memorandum #46)
The misnamed Medical Device Safety Act of 2009 would gut the carefully crafted regulation of medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration, exposing developers ...
August 3, 2009
Seven Myths About Taxing the Rich
By Curtis S. Dubay
(Backgrounder #2306)
Raising taxes on the rich would increase the progressivity of the already highly progressive tax code. It would also damage economic growth by stifling job ...
August 3, 2009
National Security Not a Good Argument for Global Warming Legislation
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2572)
The Waxman-Markey bill's supporters are increasingly making the case that creating a new law is a national security imperative. They are wrong.
July 31, 2009
Pitts Bill Could Be Nuclear Energy Game Changer
By Jack Spencer
(WebMemo #2571)
The market-based policies proposed in the SAFE Nuclear Act would put the U.S. nuclear renaissance on the fast track.
July 30, 2009
House Executive Pay Legislation Puts Pay Czar's Boot in the Door
By David M. Mason
(WebMemo #2570)
The Obama Administration appointed a "pay czar" to oversee compensation at firms receiving substantial government backing. Regrettably, the Administration did not stop with government-aided companies ...
July 30, 2009
A Federal Health Insurance Exchange Combined with a Public Plan: The House and Senate Bills
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2304)
While the national health insurance exchange advocated by President Obama and congressional leaders is sometimes described as a nationwide pool of health insurance providers, its ...
July 29, 2009
Homeowners’ Defense Act Rewards States for Bad Property Insurance Decisions
By David C. John and Matt A. Mayer
(WebMemo #2568)
The newly reintroduced Homeowners’ Defense Act is a dangerous step toward a federal government subsidy of property insurance coverage for natural disasters.
July 29, 2009
State Health Reform: The Significance of Utah Health Insurance Reforms
By Edmund F. Haislmaier
(WebMemo #2569)
Utah will soon offer a working model of how states can design and implement a consumer-centered health insurance market that leverages existing resources with minimal ...
July 28, 2009
Priorities for Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO's New Secretary General
By Sally McNamara
(WebMemo #2567)
At NATO's 60th anniversary summit in Strasbourg-Kehl this past April, the alliance appointed former Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen to succeed Jaap de Hoop ...
July 28, 2009
America's Military Voters: Re-enfranchising the Disenfranchised
By Hans A. von Spakovsky and M. Eric Eversole
(Legal Memorandum #45)
In recent elections, only 5 to 20 percent of eligible military voters cast absentee ballots that were counted. This shockingly low participation rate is as ...
July 27, 2009
The Unlikely Orchid Smuggler: A Case Study in Overcriminalization
By Andrew M. Grossman
(Legal Memorandum #44)
Today, enormously complex and demanding regulations are regularly paired with draconian criminal penalties for even minor deviations from the rules. Minor violations from time to ...
July 27, 2009
Federal Spending by the Numbers 2009
By Brian M. Riedl
(Special Report #63)
Spending and deficits are surging at a pace not seen since World War II. Washington will spend $33,932 per household in 2009--$8,000 per household more ...
July 27, 2009
Ideas Matter: Restoring the Content of Public Diplomacy
By Robert R. Reilly
(Special Report #64)
It is not obvious to much of the world that the United States has the moral high ground against the terrorists. If we truly believe ...
July 27, 2009
Legal Authorities in the Long War
By the Honorable Kenneth L. Wainstein
(Heritage Lecture #1127)
The three counterterrorism authorities that are scheduled to sunset this year have proven to be invaluable in our counterterrorism efforts. They are subject to careful ...
July 27, 2009
Keynesian Fiscal Stimulus Policies Stimulate Debt--Not the Economy
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2302)
The federal government has poured extraordinary amounts of fiscal stimulus into the economy two years running, yet unemployment continues to rise with the national debt. ...
July 27, 2009
The PERI Report on Clean Energy: The Wrong Question and a Misleading Result
By Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2303)
The PERI report does not estimate the economic impact of any policy currently being debated, and the job number finding is not the overall impact ...
July 27, 2009
Joe Biden's Trip to Ukraine and Georgia
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2565)
As Joe Biden visited Kyiv and Tbilisi, the Obama Administration managed to dilute a key message--that Russia should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of ...
July 27, 2009
Honduras's Conservative Awakening
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2566)
The path to resolving the Honduran crisis begins with a genuine understanding of the facts on the ground.
July 24, 2009
The Case for Maintaining Abstinence Education Funding
By Katherine Bradley and Christine C. Kim
(WebMemo #2562)
Before cutting federal funding for abstinence education programs, policymakers should consider all of the evidence that indicates its effectiveness.
July 24, 2009
Compromising the Doctor-Patient Relationship: The Impact of the House Health Care Bill
By John O’Shea, M.D.
(WebMemo #2563)
A growing number of physicians believe that H.R. 3200 is likely to make matters worse.
July 24, 2009
New Taxpayer Subsidies: The Impact of the House and Senate Health Bills
By Dennis G. Smith
(WebMemo #2564)
Under the House and Senate bills, taxpayers are going to pay more for health insurance.
July 24, 2009
Illusions of Cost Control in Public Health Care Plans
By Robert A. Book
(Backgrounder #2301)
The available evidence does not indicate that a public plan modeled on Medicare could provide health care comparable to that offered by existing private plans, ...
July 24, 2009
Executive Summary: Illusions of Cost Control in Public Health Care Plans
By Robert A. Book
(Executive Summary #2301)
The available evidence does not indicate that a public plan modeled on Medicare could provide health care comparable to that offered by existing private plans, ...
July 23, 2009
U.S. Policy Regarding Burma: Making Virtue of Necessity
By Walter Lohman
(WebMemo #2560)
Despite the Obama Administration's desire to "engage" recalcitrant, repressive regimes, three factors--the weight of circumstances, the force of law, and solid American values--dictate that current ...
July 23, 2009
Senator Kerry's Tax on Health Insurance Companies Would Hit Everyone with Insurance
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2561)
Taxing health insurance companies is a bad, backdoor alternative to the more sensible, more transparent policy of capping the exclusion for employer-sponsored health insurance.
July 23, 2009
House Bill to Hit Small Businesses with Surtax
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr.
(WebMemo #2556)
The large tax increases proposed by House Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) would harm over a million small businesses, making them less likely ...
July 23, 2009
Postpone Minimum Wage Increase until Low-skilled Unemployment Falls
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2557)
Congress should postpone the minimum wage increase until the unemployment rates of teenagers and unskilled adults return to historically normal rates.
July 23, 2009
Micromanaging Americans' Health Insurance: The Impact of House and Senate Bills
By Edmund F. Haislmaier
(WebMemo #2558)
Both the pending House health care bill and Senate HELP Committee bill include provisions that would, if enacted, result in sweeping, complex, and highly discretionary ...
July 23, 2009
Undercutting State Authority: The Impact of the House and Senate Health Bills
By Dennis G. Smith
(WebMemo #2559)
The states are being invited into a shaky bargain that trades dollars for control over the administration of Medicaid.
July 21, 2009
Employer Health Care Mandates: Taxing Low-Income Workers to Pay for Health Care
By James Sherk and Robert A. Book, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2552)
Congressional rhetoric to the contrary, much of the burden of paying for an employer mandate will fall on ordinary Americans, and lower-income workers will be ...
July 21, 2009
Waxman-Markey: Homeowners, Small Businesses, and Farmers Hit the Hardest
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2553)
The Heritage Foundation calculates that, by 2035, America would be $9.4 trillion poorer with Waxman-Markey than without it. This is a tremendous burden and one ...
July 21, 2009
Medicaid Expansion: The Impact of the House and Senate Health Bills
By Dennis G. Smith
(WebMemo #2554)
Further expansion of Medicaid would create new inequities among individuals, even within families.
July 21, 2009
The Obama-Maliki Meeting: Security in Iraq Should Be the Priority
By James Phillips
(WebMemo #2555)
When Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki meets with President Barack Obama at the White House tomorrow, one topic deserves particular attention: How to immediately strengthen ...
July 20, 2009
Nuclear Waste: Do Not Rule Out Yucca Mountain Just Yet, Says House of Representatives
By Jack Spencer and Nicolas D. Loris
(WebMemo #2549)
The Senate should follow the House's lead and ensure that Secretary Chu's blue-ribbon commission on nuclear waste be compelled to consider all waste disposition alternatives, ...
July 20, 2009
Cap and Trade: A Comparison of Cost Estimates
By Nicolas D. Loris
(WebMemo #2550)
Three major analyses of the Waxman-Markey climate bill confirm that cap and trade will produce an economy that will perform well under its potential.
July 20, 2009
Time for the Administration to Turn to Substance in Southeast Asia
By Walter Lohman
(WebMemo #2551)
In the next couple of weeks, the Obama Administration will be engaged in high-level diplomacy with America’s treaty allies and friends in Southeast Asia.
July 20, 2009
U.S.-China Trade: Do's and Don'ts for Congress
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2299)
Congress is correct to criticize the PRC as a nonmarket economy, but its proposed remedies are often misguided. Blocking Chinese imports would merely force production ...
July 20, 2009
All a Twitter: How Social Networking Shaped Iran's Election Protests
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2300)
During the recent Iranian election protests, cyber activists organized via social-networking tools to share information and updates about unfolding events around the world, as well ...
July 20, 2009
Executive Summary: All a Twitter: How Social Networking Shaped Iran's Election Protests
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #2300)
During the recent Iranian election protests, cyber activists organized via social-networking tools to share information and updates about unfolding events around the world, as well ...
July 20, 2009
Spending Spree and Cutting Defense Don't Add Up
By Edwin J. Feulner, Ph.D.
(Special Report #62)
Our leaders are cutting back on defense, even in the midst of a war in Afghanistan and ongoing terrorist threats. That's a mistake, because protecting ...
July 17, 2009
The Invisible Secretary of State: Hillary Clinton's Failure of Leadership on the World Stage
By Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2548)
Hillary Clinton's underwhelming performance so far as secretary of state is representative of a U.S. foreign policy that projects weakness rather than strength and is ...
July 16, 2009
China Refuses to Adjust Its Economy
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2546)
For those worried that China is rising to replace a declining America, take heart: If the U.S. is headed in the wrong economic direction, the ...
July 16, 2009
Clinton Visit to India Should Stress Core Strategic Interests
By Lisa Curtis
(WebMemo #2547)
When U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives in India tomorrow, she will need to demonstrate that the Obama Administration has a strategic vision for ...
July 16, 2009
The Middle East, Fragmented Societies, and the Future
By Janice A. Smith
(Heritage Lecture #1126)
The future for the Middle East looks bleak, and many people believe that unless something changes soon, the opportunity for a solution will be gone ...
July 15, 2009
Understanding CBO Health Cost Estimates
By Donald B. Marron
(Backgrounder #2298)
Congressional Budget Office analyses often rely on sophisticated economic modeling and are usually framed in ways that match the specific, sometimes arcane, requirements of the ...
July 15, 2009
Understanding CBO Health Cost Estimates
By Donald B. Marron
(Executive Summary #2298)
Congressional Budget Office analyses often rely on sophisticated economic modeling and are usually framed in ways that match the specific, sometimes arcane, requirements of the ...
July 15, 2009
Income Tax Surtax Should Not Fund Government Health Care Expansion
By Brian M. Riedl and Curtis S. Dubay
(WebMemo #2544)
Congress is reportedly considering raising taxes by at least $540 billion over 10 years to fund President Obama's health care initiative through a "surtax" on ...
July 15, 2009
The Obama Financial Regulatory Reform Plan: Poor Policy and Missed Opportunities
By David C. John
(WebMemo #2545)
The recent financial regulatory reform plan issued by the Treasury Department is a detailed mixture of overreaching policy mistakes, missed chances for real reform, blanks ...
July 14, 2009
Section 287(g) Revisions: Tearing Down State and Local Immigration Enforcement One Change at a Time
By Jena Baker McNeill and Matt A. Mayer
(WebMemo #2543)
The Obama Administration's plans to revise the Memorandums of Agreement that are negotiated under section 287(g) of the Immigration and Naturalization Act will undercut a ...
July 14, 2009
A Defense Budget to Recapitalize the U.S. Military with Next-Generation Platforms
By James Talent
(Special Report #61)
For three years, The Heritage Foundation has been advocating the “4 percent for Freedom” solution as national defense policy. This 10-year commitment would affirm the ...
July 13, 2009
The State Secret Protection Act Is Not Like the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA)
By Andrew M. Grossman
(Legal Memorandum #43)
The proposed State Secret Protection Act would require the disclosure of highly classified information in a variety of contexts, putting at risk the nation’s security ...
July 13, 2009
Reforming and Improving Federal Preschool and Child Care Programs Without Increasing the Deficit
By Dan Lips
(Backgrounder #2297)
In FY 2009, the federal government will spend more than $25 billion on 69 programs for early childhood education and childcare. After more than four ...
July 13, 2009
Congress Should Support the Development of an Allied Variant of the F-22A
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen and Eric Sayers
(WebMemo #2540)
Congress should reward allies like Japan, Australia, and possibly South Korea with the option to purchase the F-22A.
July 13, 2009
India Heads in the Wrong Direction with New Budget
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2541)
The Indian government budget for the next fiscal year puts political gain over long-term economic progress.
July 13, 2009
The U.S.-U.K. Defense Trade Cooperation Treaty Merits Early Consideration
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2542)
The U.S.-U.K. Defense Trade Cooperation Treaty will advance American interests in several important areas.
July 13, 2009
U.S. Air Force Fifth-Generation Fighter: The F-22A Raptor Requirements Retreat
By Mackenzie Eaglen and Eric Sayers
(WebMemo #2539)
Without congressional intervention, the Air Force's ability to conduct air superiority missions will be increasingly at risk over the next three decades.
July 13, 2009
Facing America’s Long-Term Entitlement Challenges Laid Out in the Financial Report of the United States Government
By Brian Riedl
(Testimony )
The most striking part of the 2008 Financial Report of the United States Government is not the balance sheets showing total assets of $2 trillion ...
July 10, 2009
The European Experience with Cap and Trade
By Ben Lieberman
(Testimony )
The economic realities of cap and trade are becoming clear in Europe. If we adopt a similar approach here, expect considerable economic pain for minimal ...
July 10, 2009
Key Questions for Sonia Sotomayor
By Deborah O'Malley and Robert Alt
(WebMemo #2534)
Given concerns about her judicial philosophy, fairness on the bench, and fidelity to the Constitution, Senators should ask Judge Sotomayor the following 10 questions.
July 10, 2009
Homeland Security Department Guts Workplace Enforcement
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2535)
This week the Department of Homeland Security announced it plans to kill some responsible, reasonable workplace verification rules. As a result, the department will likely ...
July 10, 2009
Obama Administration's Plan to Coerce People out of Their Cars
By Ronald D. Utt
(WebMemo #2536)
The Administration has formally embarked on an unprecedented and costly exercise in social engineering to alter the way Americans live and travel.
July 10, 2009
The President's Ghana Trip: Obama Should Advance Freedom in Africa
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #2537)
The key to African development lies in freeing African economies, combating corruption, unleashing the entrepreneurial talents of the people, and embracing competition in the global ...
July 10, 2009
The G-8 and Summitry: Enough Already!
By James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #2538)
The G-8 process has outlived its usefulness. President Obama should insist that the meeting in Italy be the last G-8 event.
July 9, 2009
Why a Federal Interagency History Office Is Needed
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2530)
The U.S. Congress should establish by law a national historian of the U.S. government and a federal interagency office.
July 9, 2009
Fixing the Fighter Gap Facing the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Air National Guard
By Mackenzie Eaglen
(WebMemo #2531)
The ability of America's Air Force to dominate the skies is under attack from a long-standing and widening fighter aircraft gap.
July 9, 2009
Value-Added Tax: No Solution for Health Care or Fiscal Woes
By Curtis S. Dubay
(WebMemo #2532)
Congress should resist calls for a VAT on top of all the taxes Americans already pay.
July 9, 2009
A Third Stimulus? Don't Repeat the Same Failures
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D., and Rea S. Hederman, Jr.
(WebMemo #2533)
Congress and the Administration should jettison their ideology to pursue policies that will help the economy in the short and long term.
July 8, 2009
Cap and Trade Sold under False Pretenses
By Nicolas Loris and Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2528)
Cap and trade is nothing more than a massive energy tax, which is why it has been sold under false pretenses.
July 8, 2009
President Obama Retreats on Third-Site Missile Defenses
By Sally McNamara
(WebMemo #2529)
For the sake of U.S. national security and to prevent another dangerous geopolitical setback in Russia's neighborhood, President Obama should make it clear that he ...
July 8, 2009
From Strategy to Implementation: Strengthening U.S.-Pakistan Relations
By Lisa Curtis
(Testimony )
Containing the global terrorist threat in South Asia will depend largely on the ability of the United States to forge a trusting and cooperative partnership ...
July 8, 2009
Closing Car Dealerships: A Matter of Economics, Not Politics
By James Sherk and James L. Gattuso
(Backgrounder #2296)
Congress should not interfere with the painful but necessary moves being made to bring GM and Chrysler back to profitability.
July 7, 2009
The Growing Air Power Fighter Gap: Implications for U.S. National Security
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen and Lajos F. Szaszdi, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2295)
The immediate threat to America's air power does not originate from foreign nations, but from President Obama's fiscal year 2010 defense budget request that would ...
July 7, 2009
Arms Control with Russia: Senators Should Provide Their Advice to the Obama Administration
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #2526)
Before they are asked to consent to its ratification, prudent Senators should provide advice to the President Obama regarding the prospective U.S.-Russia treaty on strategic ...
July 7, 2009
Crisis in Honduras: A Diplomatic Balancing Act for the United States
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2527)
An internationally coerced and unconditional return of Zelaya to the Honduran presidency will weaken the fundamentals of liberal democracy (limited government, checks and balances, and ...
July 6, 2009
G-8 Can Stimulate Economic Recovery by Restoring Freedom
By Anthony B. Kim
(WebMemo #2523)
The current period of global financial and economic turmoil is a great opportunity to ponder the principles that can revitalize economic growth.
July 6, 2009
An Act to End Trade
By Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2524)
The TRADE Act will erectcostly, protectionist walls around America's economy--sounding the death knell for the international trade system as a whole.
July 6, 2009
Questions for Judge Sotomayor on the Use of Foreign and International Law
By Steven Groves
(WebMemo #2525)
If Judge Sotomayor intends to join her colleagues already on the Court in relying upon something other than U.S. legal precedent and American norms in ...
July 6, 2009
The Economy Hits Home: What Makes the Economy Grow?
By The Heritage Foundation
(The Economy Hits Home Volume #1)
The Economy Hits Home: What Makes the Economy Grow?
July 4, 2009
North Korean Launches Affirm Need for Missile Defense
By Bruce Klingner
(WebMemo #2522)
North Korea's blatant defiance of yet another UN resolution demonstrates the critical necessity for the U.S. and its allies to have robust missile defense systems. ...
July 2, 2009
Obama Jobs Deficit Swells Again by Nearly Half a Million
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2520)
Today's release of the nation's employment figures by the Department of Labor show that the nation is still waiting for even a few of President ...
July 2, 2009
Heritage Employment Report: June Job Market Continues Downward Slide
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr., and James Sherk
(WebMemo #2521)
While the June jobs report is not as bad as some of the previous job reports, the employment situation remains grim.
July 2, 2009
Correcting False Claims about the New False Claims Act Legislation
By Hans A. von Spakovsky and Brian W. Walsh
(Legal Memorandum #42)
Congress's latest amendments to the federal False Claims Act destroy the FCA's prior balance that protected federal taxpayer funds while providing some restraints against abusive ...
July 2, 2009
Terrorist Watch: 23 Plots Foiled Since 9/11
By Jena Baker McNeill and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2294)
Since 9/11, 23 terrorist plots against the U.S. have been foiled. Many of the individuals involved in these plots have been convicted and sentenced to ...
July 2, 2009
Executive Summary: Terrorist Watch: 23 Plots Foiled Since 9/11
By Jena Baker McNeill and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #2294)
Since 9/11, 23 terrorist plots against the U.S. have been foiled. Many of the individuals involved in these plots have been convicted and sentenced to ...
July 1, 2009
A Trade Agenda for the G-8 Summit in Italy
By Daniella Markheim
(Backgrounder #2293)
Time is running out for the world's leaders to strengthen the global trading system. In their July meeting, G-8 leaders should commit to eliminating trade ...
July 1, 2009
This Fourth of July, Keep Cool with Coolidge
By Julia Shaw
(WebMemo #2514)
America's birthday is also that of Calvin Coolidge, the only President to be born on the Fourth of July. This is altogether fitting, as the ...
July 1, 2009
The House Health Care Bill: A Blueprint for Federal Control
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2515)
The incentives built into the House bill would guarantee that millions of Americans would lose their private coverage, regardless of their personal preferences.
July 1, 2009
Senate "Free Rider" Penalties: Taxing the Poor to Pay for Health Care
By Robert A. Book, Ph.D. and Edmund F. Haislmaier
(WebMemo #2516)
Congress's mad scramble to turn health care buzzwords and bumper stickers into legislation last week careened off in yet another direction.
July 1, 2009
How to Design a Tax Cap in Health Care Reform
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2517)
The Obama Administration and congressional Democrats have recently opened the door to a change in the tax treatment of employer-sponsored health benefits as part of ...
July 1, 2009
How Reforms to the Tax Treatment of Health Insurance Benefit the Middle Class
By Greg D’Angelo, Rea S. Hederman, Jr., and Paul L. Winfree
(WebMemo #2518)
Health reform proposals recently introduced in Congress--such as the Patients' Choice Act of 2009--seek to replace the current income tax exclusion with a fairer, flatter ...
July 1, 2009
U.S. Levies Economic Sanctions on North Korea
By Bruce Klingner
(WebMemo #2519)
Hopefully realizing the futility of relying on U.N. actions to constrain North Korean belligerence, on June 30 the Obama Administration imposed unilateral U.S. sanctions on ...
June 30, 2009
What Americans Need to Know About Missile Defense: We're Not There Yet
By Kim R. Holmes, Ph.D., James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., Peter Brookes, and Baker Spring
(WebMemo #2512)
President Obama is cutting missile defense spending by over $1 billion. This makes no sense at the same time that North Korea is testing nuclear ...
June 30, 2009
Ag JOBs Amnesty: The Wrong Way to Help American Agriculture
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2513)
Proving genuine assistance to farmers and other agricultural sectors is important. Amnesty, however, is the wrong answer.
June 30, 2009
Statement on the Tri-Committee Draft Proposal for Health Care Reform
By Robert E. Moffit Ph.D.
(Testimony )
The Committee is considering ambitious and comprehensive legislation. It covers an enormous range of policy items and issues.
June 30, 2009
Entitlement Reform Is Necessary for Long-Term Fiscal Stability
By Douglas Holtz-Eakin and Gordon Gray
(Backgrounder #2291)
Entitlement spending is projected to exceed 20 percent of GDP by 2060. Furthermore, the U.S. will be spending a crushing 22 percent of GDP to ...
June 30, 2009
Executive Summary: Entitlement Reform Is Necessary for Long-Term Fiscal Stability
By Douglas Holtz-Eakin and Gordon Gray
(Executive Summary #2291)
Entitlement spending is projected to exceed 20 percent of GDP by 2060. Furthermore, the U.S. will be spending a crushing 22 percent of GDP to ...
June 29, 2009
Obama Missile Defense Plan Puts America at Risk
By Baker Spring
(Backgrounder #2292)
On May 7, 2009, the Obama Administration announced its FY 2010 defense budget--which reduces missile defense spending by $1.62 billion. The programs that require funds ...
June 29, 2009
Worst-Case Scenario: Dealing with WMD Must Be Part of Providing for Common Defense
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Special Report #60)
The recent Graham-Talent Commission study, A World at Risk, argues that this is no time to be complacent about weapons of mass destruction (WMD). In ...
June 29, 2009
Entitlements Darken Long-Term Outlook for Federal Budget
By Nicola Moore
(WebMemo #2510)
Congress ought to take the warnings issued in the CBO's "Long-Term Budget Outlook" seriously.
June 29, 2009
Honduras Fires Its Runaway President: Constitutional Order Is Preserved
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2511)
While Honduran government institutions may have acted precipitously, the bottom line is that President Zelaya was fired for cause. However, the U.S. can ill afford ...
June 26, 2009
Senate Finance "MedPAC" Health Proposal Needs Savings Guarantee
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2507)
Congress could end creating a large new entitlement, with savings offsets that are phantom rather than real, and adding to the staggering debt burden on ...
June 26, 2009
President Obama and Colombia's Uribe Meeting: A Pivotal Hemispheric Encounter
By James M. Roberts and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2508)
When he meets President Uribe, President Obama should take the following steps.
June 26, 2009
What Is Next in Iran?
By James Phillips
(WebMemo #2509)
The Obama Administration must abandon wishful thinking and deal with Iran as it is, not as how they would like it to be.
June 26, 2009
The Economic Impact of the Waxman-Markey Cap-and-Trade Bill
By Ben Lieberman
(Testimony )
It is clear that cap and trade is very expensive and amounts to nothing more than an energy tax in disguise. The bottom line is ...
June 26, 2009
Unfinished Business at FEMA: A National Preparedness Perspective
By Dennis R. Schrader
(Heritage Lecture #1125)
The nation's preparedness has come a long way in the past 20 years, but there is significant unfinished business. The challenge is to find ways ...
June 25, 2009
Health Information Technology: The Case for a Sound Federal Policy
By Tevi Troy, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2289)
As part of the stimulus bill, Congress is set to spend $20 billion to encourage doctors and hospitals to adopt electronic health records (EHRs). A ...
June 25, 2009
Health Insurance Co-ops: How Congress Could Adopt the Right Design
By Edmund F. Haislmaier
(Backgrounder #2290)
Consumer-owned cooperative, or mutual, health insurers could increase consumer control and choice in health insurance. Member-owned mutual health insurers would return any profits or surplus ...
June 25, 2009
Waxman-Markey Global Warming Bill: Economic Impact by Congressional District
By Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D., and David W. Kreutzer, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2504)
It has become quite clear over the past several months that placing a cap on carbon emission will have major implications for the American economy ...
June 25, 2009
Medicare Administrative Costs Are Higher, Not Lower, Than for Private Insurance
By Robert A. Book, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2505)
Many advocates of a public health plan claim that Medicare has lower administrative costs than private insurance. However, on a per-person basis Medicare's administrative costs ...
June 25, 2009
The U.S. Agenda for the Obama-Medvedev Summit
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2506)
On July 7, Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev will meet for their first full-fledged summit in Moscow. There are many issues President Obama must ...
June 24, 2009
2010 Defense Authorization Bill: Merits and Flaws of House Armed Services Bill H.R. 2647
By Mackenzie Eaglen and Eric Sayers
(WebMemo #2501)
As the Senate Armed Services Committee marks up its version of the 2010 defense authorization bill this week, Members should support and retain many House ...
June 24, 2009
Health Care Reform and Economic Growth: A Critique of the CEA Report
By Robert A. Book, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2502)
The CEA report fails to draw a link between any particular health care reforms and the economic benefits that might theoretically be achieved.
June 24, 2009
CBO Grossly Underestimates Cost of Cap and Trade
By David Kreutzer, Ph.D., Karen Campbell, Ph.D., and Nicolas D. Loris
(WebMemo #2503)
The CBO analysis of Waxman-Markey fails to take into account all the adverse effects that will ripple through the U.S. economy if cap and trade ...
June 24, 2009
Maritime Security: Fighting Piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Beyond
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., Richard Weitz, Ph.D., and Martin Edwin Andersen
(Special Report #59)
This report provides specific recommendations for addressing piracy and other armed criminal acts at sea. It assesses the current threat in the Gulf of Aden ...
June 23, 2009
The Enumerated Powers Act: A First Step Toward Constitutional Government
By Andrew M. Grossman
(Legal Memorandum #41)
The Enumerated Powers Act would be a small step toward reviving the practice of constitutionally limited government. Although it would not stop Congress from passing ...
June 23, 2009
The PASS ID Act: Rolling Back Security Standards for Driver's Licenses
By Janice L. Kephart and Jena Baker McNeill
(Backgrounder #2288)
PASS ID would repeal REAL ID, stripping away the substantive provisions that are already making driver's license more secure, including a repeal of 9/11 commission ...
June 23, 2009
Create a National Defense Panel to Independently Judge Pentagon's Quadrennial Defense Review
By Mackenzie Eaglen and Eric Sayers
(WebMemo #2500)
Congressional authorization for a National Defense Panel is an important step toward forcing a transparent public debate regarding how America’s military should be organized for ...
June 23, 2009
Do DHS Fire Grants Reduce Fire Casualties?
By David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2499)
Fire grants are an ineffective way of reducing fire casualties. Consequently, Congress should eliminate funding for the fire grant program.
June 23, 2009
The Waxman-Markey Global Warming Bill: Is the Economic Pain Justified by the Environmental Gain?
By Ben Lieberman
(Testimony )
My name is Ben Lieberman and I'm the Senior Policy Analyst for Energy and Environment at The Heritage Foundation. I'll be discussing the economics of ...
June 22, 2009
The Senate Health Care Bills: $1.5 Trillion Sticker Shock
By James C. Capretta
(WebMemo #2498)
The government cannot bend the health care cost curve from Washington without resorting to arbitrary caps and price controls that always lead to a reduction ...
June 22, 2009
Moving Forward on Missile Defense
By Baker Spring
(Special Report #58)
On April 6, 2009, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced that the Obama Administration would reduce the ballistic missile defense budget by $1.4 billion to ...
June 19, 2009
Patent Proposal Puts Property and Innovation at Risk
By Honorable Thomas C. Feeney and Andrew M. Grossman
(Legal Memorandum #40)
The Senate's patent "reform" bill would weaken fundamental principles of patent protection. Specifically, it would introduce uncertainty into all patent rights, diminishing the value of ...
June 19, 2009
The FY 2010 Defense Budget Request: Prelude to Another Procurement Holiday?
By Baker Spring
(Backgrounder #2286)
The Obama Administration's core defense budget request for fiscal year 2010 (not including funding for overseas contingency operations) will absorb 3.8 percent of gross domestic ...
June 19, 2009
Obama Administration Must Speak Out Against Iran's Clenched Fist
By James Phillips
(WebMemo #2494)
The Obama Administration must recalibrate its Iran policy and take a tougher public stance in support of the Iranian opposition's campaign for greater freedom.
June 19, 2009
Nuclear Energy Renaissance: Global Supply Chain Critical
By Jack Spencer and Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2495)
With protectionist sentiment on the rise, the DOE should be commended for recognizing the critical role that the global nuclear industrial base must play in ...
June 19, 2009
Stronger Welfare Work Requirements Can Help Ailing State Budgets
By Katherine Bradley and Robert Rector
(WebMemo #2496)
Although the elimination of a state TANF program would not have the disastrous effect that some might expect, there are other less controversial ways for ...
June 19, 2009
The Iranian Elections and Public Diplomacy 2.0: A Tale of Untapped Potential
By Helle C. Dale
(WebMemo #2497)
As demonstrated by the activities coinciding with Obama’s speech, the U.S. government has seized on the possibilities of cutting-edge communication.
June 18, 2009
Obama Gets a Tax Issue Right--Is Congress Next?
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2491)
President Obama's PAYGO proposals suggest the revenue baseline be fixed. Congress should now direct the CBO to reform its procedures for calculating the revenue baseline. ...
June 18, 2009
Promoting U.S. Tourism: Taxes Are the Wrong Approach
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2492)
The Travel Promotion Act of 2009 will make travel to the U.S. more expensive, thereby encouraging would-be tourists to stay at home or spend their ...
June 18, 2009
Health Care Co-Operatives: Doing It the Right Way
By Edmund F. Haislmaier, Dennis G. Smith, and Nina Owcharenko
(WebMemo #2493)
Some key Senators are considering cooperatives as an alternative to a public health plan. Here are several principles that must be a part of any ...
June 17, 2009
The SAFETY Act: Obama Cyber Plans and the Private Sector
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2490)
On May 29, the Obama Administration released the results of its 60-day cyber review. The review correctly emphasized the vital role of the private sector ...
June 17, 2009
U.S. Border Security: Realities and Challenges for the Obama Administration
By Matt A. Mayer
(Backgrounder #2285)
President Obama's initial actions on border security are largely consistent with those of President Bush. The challenges for Obama will come when the economy improves ...
June 16, 2009
Improving U.S. Competitiveness with K-12 STEM Education and Training
By Ethel Machi
(Special Report #57)
The Heritage Foundation, supported by the McCormick Tribune Foundation, convened leading education and national security experts as well as private-sector representatives to discuss methods for ...
June 16, 2009
Energy Cap and Trade Threatens American Prosperity
By Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2488)
Policymakers should maintain the integrity and freedom of global markets as a means to transfer clean technologies, keep international investment flowing, and promote economic growth ...
June 16, 2009
The Death Tax: Another Obama Tax Hike Target
By Curtis S. Dubay
(WebMemo #2489)
President Obama should stop hiking taxes and restrain spending immediately. The economy is in a precarious position and cannot afford the damage tax hikes will ...
June 15, 2009
Republicans' Financial Regulatory Reform Plan a Good Start
By David C. John
(WebMemo #2484)
The House Republican financial regulation plan contains a number of key provisions that Congress should carefully consider in the coming weeks.
June 15, 2009
KORUS FTA Strengthens the U.S. Economy and Alliance with Korea
By Bruce Klingner and Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2485)
Reviving the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement is a critically important issue for both countries.
June 15, 2009
Obama's 2010 Defense Budget: Top Five Worst Choices for National Security
By Jim Talent and Mackenzie Eaglen
(WebMemo #2486)
President Obama has submitted a defense budget request to Congress for fiscal year 2010 that, if implemented, will dramatically reshape America's military.
June 15, 2009
The NATO First Act Would Advance Transatlantic Security
By Sally McNamara
(WebMemo #2487)
With Barack Obama having already visited Europe twice as President, with a third visit scheduled for July, his positioning of the transatlantic alliance in his ...
June 15, 2009
Rogue States and Rising Powers Continue to Pose a Strategic Risk to American Security
By Peter Brookes
(Special Report #56)
The world remains a dangerous place, populated with countries that will compete with the United States for political, economic, and military preeminence and could hold ...
June 15, 2009
Conservative Principles of Health Care Reform: The Road Ahead
By the Honorable Michael B. Enzi
(Heritage Lecture #1124)
Obama health care plan, Expanded health insurance coverage should give every American access to affordable, high-quality health insurance. Patient-focused care provides the highest quality and ...
June 15, 2009
Organized Labor Concedes: Employer Violations Rare in Secret Ballot Elections
By James Sherk
(Backgrounder #2287)
The union movement's own data analysis shows that employer intimidation rarely occurs. Employers win union elections by educating workers about the downsides of unionizing. Kate ...
June 12, 2009
Visa Waiver Program: A Plan to Build on Success
By Jena Baker McNeill, Nathan Alexander Sales, James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., and James Dean
(Backgrounder #2282)
Congress established the VWP to strengthen America's relationship with key allies around the globe. Recent reforms have made the program a better tool for thwarting ...
June 12, 2009
The Confluence of Cyber Crime and Terrorism
By Steven P. Bucci, Ph.D
(Heritage Lecture #1123)
The West has a huge number of intelligence and law enforcement assets dedicated to stopping the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction but does not ...
June 12, 2009
Why the Kennedy Health Bill Would Wreck Bipartisan Reform
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D., and Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2481)
The Affordable Health Choices Act is a setback for bipartisan health care reform.
June 12, 2009
A New Public Health Plan: How Congressional Details Will Impact Doctors and Patients
By Greg D’Angelo
(WebMemo #2482)
Many in Congress are looking to Medicare as a model for a new public health plan, yet millions of Americans would lose the private coverage ...
June 12, 2009
The Obama-Berlusconi White House Meeting: Advancing U.S.-Italian Cooperation
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2483)
The U.S.-Italian relationship will continue to thrive only if it based, as it has been in the past, on a clear vision, held by both ...
June 11, 2009
Iran's Sham Election: Buying Votes with Potatoes
By James Phillips
(WebMemo #2480)
Tomorrow's presidential election in Iran is essentially a referendum on President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's embattled leadership.
June 11, 2009
America's Air Force Is in the Fight
By Mackenzie Eaglen
(WebMemo #2478)
Congress should provide additional modernization funds to the U.S. Air Force.
June 11, 2009
The American Energy Act: An Energy Bill with Some Real Energy in It
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2479)
The American Energy Act seeks to undo many of the mistakes in our current domestic energy policy and allow the free market to provide more ...
June 11, 2009
A Guide to State Health Care Reform
By The Heritage Foundation
(Special Report #55)
The Heritage Foundation's A Guide to State Health Care Reform is a concise summary of actions needed to achieve patient-centered health reform. Successful health care ...
June 10, 2009
Durban II: Lessons for U.S. Engagement with the U.N. on Human Rights
By Brett D. Schaefer and Steven Groves
(Backgrounder #2284)
The Durban II conference is a testament to a fundamental problem of U.N. conferences and other U.N. efforts to advance human rights. The experience of ...
June 10, 2009
Cap and Trade: A Handout for Corporations and a Huge Tax on Consumers
By Nicolas Loris and Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2476)
Waxman-Markey has evolved into a corporate welfare program for businesses interested in protecting their bottom lines, making it that much more painful for the energy ...
June 10, 2009
The American Energy Act Puts Nuclear on the Fast Track
By Jack Spencer
(WebMemo #2477)
The American Energy Act puts forth a pro-market agenda that allows nuclear energy to compete based on its merits, such as being affordable, domestic, and ...
June 10, 2009
Government Intervention: A Threat to Economic Recovery
By Ambassador Terry Miller
(Testimony )
Testimony before The House Committee on Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade
June 9, 2009
One Cheer for the House Republican Budget Cuts
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #2472)
House Republicans get credit for beginning a necessary and overdue conversation about spending restraint. They should go further to offer meaningful cuts.
June 9, 2009
Narco-Terrorism in Peru: The Return of Shining Path
By James M. Roberts and Edwar Enrique Escalante
(WebMemo #2473)
The Shining Path is revitalized and once again threatening the stability and security of not only Peru but Latin America and the U.S. as well. ...
June 9, 2009
Narco-Terrorismo en Perú: El Retorno de Sendero Luminoso
By James M. Roberts and Edwar Enrique Escalante
(WebMemo #2473)
En la década de 1960, un profesor izquierdista de filosofía iniciaría un grupo guerrillero maoísta en la Universidad de San Cristóbal de Huamanga en Ayacucho, ...
June 9, 2009
European Elections 2009: Rising Disillusionment with the EU
By Sally McNamara
(WebMemo #2474)
The disenchantment of the electorate with the European project was demonstrated through non-participation in the 2009 European elections and the elevation of parties opposed to ...
June 9, 2009
Five Free Market Priorities for a Nuclear Energy Renaissance
By Jack Spencer and Nicolas Loris
(WebMemo #2475)
When it comes to nuclear energy, policymakers should reject the subsidies-first mentality that permeates most current thinking and instead focus on the following five free ...
June 9, 2009
Response to the NRDC Critique of The Heritage Foundation's Analysis of the Waxman-Markey Bill
By David W. Kreutzer, Ph.D., Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D., William W. Beach, and Ben Lieberman
(Center for Data Analysis Report #09-03)
Recently, Dr. Laurie T. Johnson of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) critiqued The Heritage Foundation's analysis of the Waxman–Markey bill (H.R. 2454, "American Clean ...
June 8, 2009
Protecting the Protectors by Investing in People and Next-Generation Equipment
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(Special Report #54)
A citizen who volunteers to become a member of the armed forces deserves the best equipment to succeed. The contract that exists between the volunteer ...
June 8, 2009
Federal Transportation Programs Shortchange Motorists: Update of a USDOT Study
By Wendell Cox and Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2283)
In contrast to motorists and commercial airlines, transit users pay no federal taxes or fees and instead benefit by receiving a share of the taxes ...
June 8, 2009
Questions on EPA's Cost Estimates for Waxman-Markey Climate Change Legislation
By David Kreutzer, Ph.D., and Nicolas Loris
(WebMemo #2470)
The EPA's conclusion that Americans will be better shielded from the pain of capping carbon by Waxman-Markey draft legislation is fantasy. Two major independent model ...
June 8, 2009
Financial Systemic Risk Regulators: Congress Is Asking the Wrong Questions
By David C. John
(WebMemo #2471)
Congress may be about to create a new financial regulator without fully understanding exactly what problem it is supposed to solve or how the new ...
June 5, 2009
Heritage Jobs Report: May Report Shows Small Silver Lining
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr., and James Sherk
(WebMemo #2467)
The May employment report revealed a glimmer of sunlight in the recession's stormy clouds.
June 5, 2009
Obama's Cairo Speech Stresses Common Interests but Fails to Identify the Common Enemy
By Lisa Curtis and James Phillips
(WebMemo #2468)
President Obama's speech in Cairo yesterday missed an opportunity to clearly identify the common enemy: Islamist extremists.
June 5, 2009
Cuba in the OAS: Communist Fox in the Democratic Hen House?
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2469)
On June 3, the Organization of American States repealed a 1962 resolution that suspended communist Cuba from membership. What this means for U.S. interests in ...
June 4, 2009
The State Secret Protection Act: Unnecessary, Unconstitutional, and Undemocratic
By Andrew M. Grossman
(Testimony )
The misnamed State Secret Protection Act of 2009 (H.R. 984) is dangerous, in terms of both its effect on national security and the violence it ...
June 4, 2009
RAISE Act Lifts Pay Cap on 8 Million American Workers
By James Sherk and Ryan O'Donnell
(Backgrounder #2270)
Employers may not pay productive workers more than a collective bargaining agreement allows without negotiating with the union. This "seniority ceiling" holds back productive union ...
June 4, 2009
Iran's Nuclear Threat: The Day After
By The Heritage Foundation Iran Working Group
(Special Report #53)
Iran is on the brink of attaining a nuclear weapons capability. The U.S. should immediately put in place the foundations of a strategy to dissuade ...
June 3, 2009
The Care of Freedom
By The Honorable Mitt Romney
(Heritage Lecture #1122)
The current leadership in Washington has passed measures that will add almost $4 trillion to the national debt in the short term and then over ...
June 3, 2009
Effective Counterterrorism: State and Local Capabilities Trump Federal Policy
By Matt A. Mayer
(Center for Data Analysis Report #09-02)
Washington needs to end the dual-headed federal agency fight over which entity should be the primary federal partner of state and local law enforcement. Rather, ...
June 2, 2009
Slouching Toward a "Huddled Masses" Housing Policy: Saving Energy with Higher Densities?
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2281)
If President Obama and his subordinates are to be believed, this Administration is promising to impose unprecedented ("transformational") changes on the way Americans live, work, ...
June 2, 2009
President Obama's Second European Tour: U.S. Priorities for the Transatlantic Alliance
By Sally McNamara
(WebMemo #2464)
President Obama must transform his popularity in Europe into tangible policy gains that advance transatlantic interests.
June 2, 2009
Barack Obama's Top 10 Apologies: How the President Has Humiliated a Superpower
By Nile Gardiner, Ph.D., and Morgan Roach
(WebMemo #2466)
The following is a list of the 10 most significant apologies by the President of the United States in his first four months of office ...
June 1, 2009
Obama's Deficits Put U.S. Credit Rating at Risk
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2465)
The dangers of the U.S.'s credit rating being downgraded are real, and an imminent fundamental policy course correction is inevitable.
June 1, 2009
The Challenge to Religious Liberty in Indonesia
By Richard G. Kraince
(Backgrounder #2279)
The Indonesia that President Barack Obama knew as a child, with its culture of pluralism and constitutional protections for religious freedom, provides an important model ...
June 1, 2009
Executive Summary: The Challenge to Religious Liberty in Indonesia
By Richard G. Kraince
(Executive Summary #2279)
The Indonesia that President Barack Obama knew as a child, with its culture of pluralism and constitutional protections for religious freedom, provides an important model ...
June 1, 2009
Income Tax Will Become More Progressive Under Obama Tax Plan
By Curtis S. Dubay
(Backgrounder #2280)
Tax progressivity discourages hard work, savings, investing, and entrepreneurship. Discouraging these catalysts of economic growth is always counterproductive, but doing so during a severe recession ...
June 1, 2009
Justice, Law, and the Creation of the American Republic: The Forgotten Legacy of James Wilson
By Mark David Hall, Ph.D.
(First Principles #26)
James Wilson was one of six men to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. He was also a ...
June 1, 2009
Sustaining American Leadership with Military Power
By Kim R. Holmes, Ph.D.
(Special Report #52)
Contrary to what many politicians and talking heads tell Americans, a false choice exists between what are often referred to as hard and soft power. ...
May 29, 2009
General Motors Bankruptcy and Nationalization: Exit Strategy Needed
By James L. Gattuso
(WebMemo #2462)
Running auto companies is the wrong road for Detroit, for consumers, and for U.S. taxpayers. America needs to take the nearest exit.
May 29, 2009
Secretary of State Clinton in El Salvador and Honduras: Defining Obama's Latin American Policy
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2463)
Recently, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton specified the three guiding "D's" of U.S. foreign policy: defense, development, and diplomacy. When she heads to El Salvador ...
May 28, 2009
President Obama's Visit to Germany: Mythologies of Dresden Must Be Rejected
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2460)
On June 5, President Obama will visit the German city of Dresden. The President must avoid giving any credence whatsoever to efforts to equate the ...
May 28, 2009
State Employee Health Care as a "Public Plan"
By Robert E. Moffit Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2461)
The President says that Congress can create a “level playing field” nationwide to ensure a fair competition between the newly created public plan and private ...
May 28, 2009
Japan's Economic Failure and America's Economic Risk
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2459)
The Japanese economic policy of the past two decades provides a critical example to an America caught in a financial crisis.
May 28, 2009
How the RESPECT Act Hurts Companies and Employees Alike
By James Sherk and Ryan O’Donnell
(Backgrounder #2277)
Through seemingly minor statutory alterations, the Re-Empowerment of Skilled and Professional Employees and Construction Tradeworkers Act, by redefining the criteria used to determine whether an ...
May 28, 2009
Contracting Out in Defense: Lessons from the British Experience for the U.S. and Great Britain
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2278)
Contracting out is an important instrument and should to be employed effectively. The British method of financing it has encouraged the growth of the state ...
May 28, 2009
Executive Summary: Contracting Out in Defense: Lessons from the British Experience for the U.S. and Great Britain
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #2278)
Contracting out is an important instrument and should to be employed effectively. The British method of financing it has encouraged the growth of the state ...
May 27, 2009
Trustees Reports Highlight Pressing Need to Reform Entitlement Programs
By Nicola Moore
(WebMemo #2458)
The fact that Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are on an unsustainable course was reconfirmed by the latest annual reports from the Social Security and ...
May 26, 2009
North Korea's Nuclear Defiance
By Bruce Klingner
(WebMemo #2457)
The U.S. should respond in several ways to North Korea's continued pursuit of nuclear weapons.
May 26, 2009
China's Military and Security Relationship with Pakistan
By Lisa Curtis
(Testimony )
Pakistan and China have long-standing strategic ties, dating back five decades. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari wrote in a recent op-ed that, "No relationship between ...
May 26, 2009
China Global Investment Tracker
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(White Paper )
The China Global Investment Tracker created by The Heritage Foundation is the only available comprehensive dataset relating to large Chinese foreign investments and construction contracts ...
May 22, 2009
The Tipping Point: The Transportation-Housing Trade-Offs of Suburban, Urban and Rural Living
By Alan E. Pisarski
(White Paper )
The white paper discusses the issue of the relatives costs of housing and transportation, particularly: the transportation-housing trade-offs of suburban, urban and rural living; and ...
May 22, 2009
Bailouts, Abusive Bankruptcies, And the Rule of Law
By Andrew M. Grossman
(Testimony )
The Obama Administration is abusing bankruptcy law to benefit a favored constituency, the United Auto Workers union. This threatens serious consequences.
May 22, 2009
Killing the Entrepreneurial Spirit: Government Is Not a Good Investor
By Karen A. Campbell Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2455)
President Barack Obama calls his stimulus bill and proposed budget an "investment" plan. But this plan is based on the faulty assumption that only government ...
May 22, 2009
Japan's Economic Weakness: A Security Problem for America
By Bruce Klingner and Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2456)
Japan's dismal economic performance is constraining American efforts to induce Tokyo to adopt a larger security role.
May 22, 2009
Maintaining the Superiority of America's Defense Industrial Base
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen and Eric Sayers
(Backgrounder #2276)
America’s defense manufacturing industrial base has given the United States an advanced array of weapons systems and platforms to meet the full spectrum of potential ...
May 21, 2009
What Unions Do: How Labor Unions Affect Jobs and the Economy
By James Sherk
(Backgrounder #2275)
Unions function as labor cartels, restricting the number of workers in a company or industry to drive up the remaining workers' wages. They also retard ...
May 21, 2009
The Results Are In: Stimulus Bill Neither Timely Nor Targeted
By Patrick Tyrrell
(WebMemo #2454)
As The Heritage foundation predicted, the stimulus bill is neither timely nor targeted. Only time will tell if it is temporary.
May 20, 2009
20 Years Later: Professional Military Education
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
The Pentagon is currently undertaking a congressionally mandated Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) of strategy, force structure, missions, and resources. One issue that should be on ...
May 19, 2009
Cuba Solidarity Day 2009: Supporting Cuba's Democratic Movement
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2453)
May 20 is Cuba Solidarity Day--an opportunity to shine a bright light on the abuses of the Castro regime.
May 18, 2009
Son of Waxman-Markey: More Politics Makes for a More Costly Bill
By William W. Beach, David W. Kreutzer, Ph.D., Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D., and Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2450)
The Waxman-Markey bill is a massive energy tax in disguise that promises job losses, income cuts, and a sharp left turn toward big government.
May 18, 2009
Amnesty as an Economic Stimulus: Not the Answer to the Illegal Immigration Problem
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2451)
Repackaging amnesty as an economic stimulus is not an effective means of combating illegal immigration. Nor will it help the economy.
May 18, 2009
2010 Budget Resolution Raises Taxes and Hurts Economic Recovery
By Curtis S. Dubay
(WebMemo #2452)
Congress recently passed the fiscal year 2010 budget resolution, which includes several provisions that will significantly raise taxes and hurt economic recovery.
May 18, 2009
Winston Churchill's Constitutionalism: A Critique of Socialism in America
By Justin D. Lyons
(First Principles #25)
Because of the working relationship between Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt in matters of foreign policy, we tend to assume that they agreed on domestic policy. ...
May 18, 2009
Social Networking and National Security: How to Harness Web 2.0 to Protect the Country
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2273)
Social networking has already profoundly redefined business practices and politics. National security is next. Washington is well behind in its willingness and capacity to adapt ...
May 18, 2009
Who Will Pay for President Obama's Tax Increases?
By Michael G. Franc
(Backgrounder #2271)
The President proposes reinstating the 36 and 39.6 percent rates (up from 33 and 35 percent) for taxpayers earning more than $250,000 (married) and $200,000 ...
May 15, 2009
U.S.-India Relations: Ensuring Indian Prosperity in the Coming Demographic Boom
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D., and Michelle Kaffenberger
(Backgrounder #2274)
The U.S. has not played an important role in Indian economic development, but could help to identify crucial areas for economic liberalization and establish channels ...
May 15, 2009
Executive Summary: U.S.-India Relations: Ensuring Indian Prosperity in the Coming Demographic Boom
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D., and Michelle Kaffenberger
(Executive Summary #2274)
Executive Summary: The U.S. has not played an important role in Indian economic development, but could help to identify crucial areas for economic liberalization and ...
May 15, 2009
The Obama Health Agenda: Impact on the States
By Dennis G. Smith
(WebMemo #2445)
The President's proposal for a Medicaid expansion and a public program expansion would be a step backward.
May 15, 2009
The Obama-Netanyahu Meeting: Finding Common Ground
By James Phillips
(WebMemo #2446)
When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets President Barack Obama at the White House on May 18, two major issues will dominate their agenda: How ...
May 15, 2009
Recommendations for the New U.S. Ambassador to NATO
By Sally McNamara
(WebMemo #2447)
As U.S. ambassador to NATO, Ivo Daalder cannot afford to be so equivocal in the future: In terms of transatlantic security and America's national interest, ...
May 15, 2009
A Principled Path to Rational Health Care Reform
By Nina Owcharenko
(WebMemo #2448)
The health care policies outlined by President Obama during his campaign would centralize control over the health care system in Washington. There is a much ...
May 15, 2009
Australia Surveys Asia's Future
By Eric Sayers and Walter Lohman
(WebMemo #2449)
The clarity Australia has provided with Force 2030 should serve as both a warning and a guidepost for America's future commitments to the region.
May 14, 2009
Capping Carbon Emissions Is Bad, No Matter How You Slice the Revenue
By Nicolas Loris and Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2443)
Cap and trade or any variant thereof would be a drag on the U.S. economy at a time when it can afford it the least. ...
May 14, 2009
Japan's Opposition Buoyed by Leader's Resignation
By Bruce Klingner
(WebMemo #2444)
In the coming months, Japanese politics should garner particular attention from U.S. policymakers who may soon face a new Japanese leadership--one that is willing to ...
May 14, 2009
Does Universal Preschool Improve Learning? Lessons from Georgia and Oklahoma
By Lindsey Burke
(Backgrounder #2272)
While proponents of universal preschool ...
May 13, 2009
Restricting H-1B Visas Is Bad for Business and the Economy
By James Sherk and Diem Nguyen
(WebMemo #2440)
By improving and expanding the H-1B visa program, Congress can ensure that American businesses have the workforces necessary for further economic growth.
May 13, 2009
Time to Get Serious (Again) About Medicare Reform
By Greg D'Angelo and Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2441)
The Medicare Trustees Report shows that reform of the program is of urgent necessity.
May 13, 2009
Strategic Posture Commission's Report Provides Necessary Guidance to Congress
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #2442)
The Strategic Posture Commission reached agreement on a wide variety of issues. Congress would do well, therefore, to pay attention to the commission's areas of ...
May 13, 2009
D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program: Improving Student Safety
By Shanea J. Watkins, Ph.D., and Dan Lips
(WebMemo #2437)
Members of Congress and the D.C. City Council should recognize the persistent problem of school violence and crime in public schools in the nation’s capital ...
May 13, 2009
The Economic Impact of Waxman–Markey
By William W. Beach, David W. Kreutzer, Ph.D., Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D., and Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2438)
The Waxman-Markey bill would have little impact on world temperatures, it is a massive energy tax in disguise that promises job losses, income cuts, and ...
May 13, 2009
2009 Social Security Trustees Report Continues to Show the Urgency of Reform
By David C. John
(WebMemo #2439)
The 2009 Social Security Trustees Report was released on May 12. This paper explains the important facts and answers the frequently asked questions about Social ...
May 12, 2009
Senate Credit Card Bill Would Restrict Credit for Those Who Need It Most
By David C. John
(WebMemo #2435)
While well intentioned, the Senate credit card bill is likely to either make it harder for certain people to find credit cards at all or ...
May 12, 2009
Waxman-Markey Global Warming Proposal's Other Problematic Provisions
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2436)
The main focus of debate over the proposed Waxman-Markey bill has been its cap and trade program. But there are other measures in the proposal ...
May 12, 2009
Byrne JAG and COPS Grant Funding Will Not Stimulate the Economy
By David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
Instead of passing economic stimulus legislation designed to stimulate the economy, Congress treated the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 (P.L. 111-5) as ...
May 11, 2009
The Obama Administration Will Not Make the U.N. Human Rights Council Effective
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #2432)
Having an American representative is unlikely to improve the U.N. Human Rights Council’s dismal record. On the contrary, the U.S. presence will only give undue ...
May 11, 2009
Obama's Dividend and Capital Gains Tax Hike Would Hurt Seniors
By Curtis S. Dubay
(WebMemo #2433)
President Obama's "Budget Blueprint" proposes to raise the tax rate on dividends and capital gains from 15 percent to 20 percent. This tax hike would ...
May 11, 2009
COPS Program: COPS Improvements Act of 2009 Exacerbates Flawed Federal Policies
By David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D., and Brian W. Walsh
(WebMemo #2434)
The COPS Improvements Acts of 2009 would encourage state and local officials to become permanent supplicants for federal COPS funding.
May 8, 2009
Obama Jobs Deficit Grows by Another 563,000
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2430)
The President's policies will more likely decrease employment than help to reach his target.
May 8, 2009
President Obama Must Not Concede to Russian Demands over NATO
By Sally McNamara
(WebMemo #2431)
President Obama's discussions with Minister Lavrov serve as important preparatory talks for his July 2009 meeting with President Medvedev in Moscow. The United States must ...
May 8, 2009
April Employment Report Showers Doubt on Detroit Bailout
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2428)
The April jobs report shows a labor market that continues to weaken. These employment figures also demonstrate that this is the wrong time for the ...
May 8, 2009
Bank Stress Tests: Green Light for Markets
By David C. John
(WebMemo #2429)
Now that there is clear public information about the conditions at the largest U.S. banks, it is time to return their control to the private ...
May 7, 2009
President's Budget Cuts Should Go Towards Deficit Reduction
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #2427)
Congress should go much further than the $17 billion in savings the President has proposed and should make sure these cuts are not transferred into ...
May 7, 2009
The Best Protection for both Colombian and American Workers: Stronger, Market-Based Democratic Institutions in Colombia
By James M. Roberts
(Testimony )
Colombia is one of America's best friends in the Caribbean-Andean region. The Colombian government -- the oldest democracy in South America -- is solidly committed ...
May 7, 2009
The Economic Impact of Cap and Trade
By David W. Kreutzer, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
Carbon dioxide is not a toxin, is not directly harmful to human health, and is not projected to become so--even without legislative or regulatory action. ...
May 6, 2009
Coverage Issues in Health Reform
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
There is broad agreement on the broad goals of health reform. We all want to achieve significant progress this year towards the vision of an ...
May 6, 2009
Correcting the Pervasive Inequities in Gas Tax Spending Should Be a Reauthorization Priority
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2269)
The federal highway program's allocation formula shortchanges states in the South and Great Lakes regions and benefits the slow-growing, high-income Northeast. The most effective remedy ...
May 5, 2009
Why a New Public Plan Will Not Improve American Health Care
By Walton J. Francis
(Backgrounder #2267)
The real reason why a number of policy analysts and politicians favor a public health plan is because they see it as a way to ...
May 5, 2009
Executive Summary: Why a New Public Plan Will Not Improve American Health Care
By Walton J. Francis
(Executive Summary #2267)
The real reason why a number of policy analysts and politicians favor a public health plan is because they see it as a way to ...
May 5, 2009
North Korean Human Rights: Recommendations for the Obama Administration and the U.S. Congress
By Honorable Ed Royce
(Heritage Lecture #1121)
As North Korea marches on with its missile tests, proliferation, and nuclear program, we have muted ourselves on human rights. Morally, that is indefensible, especially ...
May 5, 2009
From Strategy to Implementation: The Future of the U.S.-Pakistan Relationship
By Lisa Curtis
(Testimony )
Developing and implementing an effective U.S. policy toward Pakistan is one of the most complicated yet important foreign policy challenges the Obama Administration faces. Pakistan ...
May 5, 2009
Photo ID Laws Do Not Reduce Voter Turnout
By David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
Americans support voter ID laws for good reasons. First, there is little evidence to suggest that these laws disenfranchise voters. Second, voter ID laws are ...
May 5, 2009
The National and Local Economic Impacts of Cap and Trade
By Ben Lieberman
(Testimony )
We all know that the Waxman-Markey cap and trade proposal will be very expensive and amounts to nothing more than a massive energy tax.
May 5, 2009
Job Corps: An Unfailing Record of Failure
By David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2423)
Given the program's poor performance and President Obama's call for "the elimination of dozens of government programs shown to be wasteful or ineffective," Job Corps ...
May 5, 2009
Not a Zero-Sum Game: Replacing Justice Souter Risks a More Activist Court
By Andrew M. Grossman
(WebMemo #2424)
Justice Souter was no conservative and no originalist, but replacing him with a far-left activist would change the balance of the Court for the worse. ...
May 5, 2009
Independent Panel Needed for Alternative Views to the Pentagon's Quadrennial Defense Review
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen and Eric Sayers
(WebMemo #2425)
A congressionally-mandated National Defense Panel offers a pragmatic way to ensure transparency in the defense strategy process by creating a hedge against the prevailing opinions ...
May 5, 2009
Obama International Tax Plan Would Weaken Global Competitiveness
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D., and Curtis S. Dubay
(WebMemo #2426)
President Obama and Treasury Secretary Geithner unveiled a tax reform plan yesterday that, if enacted, would seriously damage the international competitiveness of U.S. businesses.
May 4, 2009
The Rich Pay More Taxes: Top 20 Percent Pay Record Share of Income Taxes
By Curtis S. Dubay
(WebMemo #2420)
Since the passage of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, critics have claimed incessantly that they disproportionately benefited the rich while burdening the poor. Now ...
May 4, 2009
Union Accountability Reversal Breaks Obama’s Transparency Pledge
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2421)
Congress should prohibit the Department of Labor from spending taxpayer dollars to implement new regulations rescinding the union financial transparency reforms.
May 4, 2009
Panama Bucks Latin America's Left: New President Favors U.S.
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2422)
Panama is an important U.S. ally in the Americas. President-elect Martinelli's victory now offers the opportunity to strengthen this relationship—to the benefit of both countries. ...
May 4, 2009
Reviving Pakistan's Pluralist Traditions to Fight Extremism
By Lisa Curtis and Haider A. H. Mullick
(Backgrounder #2268)
To fend off the growing extremist influence in Pakistan, its leadership should highlight the brutality of the pro-Taliban militants that are gaining ground in the ...
May 4, 2009
Strategic Nuclear Arms Control for the Protect and Defend Strategy
By Andrei Shoumikhin, Ph.D., and Baker Spring
(Backgrounder #2266)
On April 1, 2009, President Obama and Russian President Medvedev issued a joint statement committing both states to arms control negotiations on strategic nuclear weapons. ...
May 4, 2009
Executive Summary: Strategic Nuclear Arms Control for the Protect and Defend Strategy
By Andrei Shoumikhin, Ph.D., and Baker Spring
(Executive Summary #2266)
On April 1, 2009, President Obama and Russian President Medvedev issued a joint statement committing both states to arms control negotiations on strategic nuclear weapons. ...
May 1, 2009
A Tribute to Margaret Thatcher--30 Years On
By Robin Harris, D.Phil.
(WebMemo #2419)
By the time Margaret Thatcher left office, Britain had changed profoundly and overwhelmingly. Just to list the achievements is, yet again, to feel astonished at ...
April 30, 2009
Global Competitiveness and the Corporation Income Tax
By Douglas Holtz-Eakin and Gordon Gray
(Backgrounder #2265)
Over the past several decades, other nations have generally lowered their corporate tax rates, while the U.S. has kept its rate largely unchanged. The U.S. ...
April 30, 2009
Securing the West: The U.S., the U.K., and Present Dangers
By Robin Harris
(Special Report #51)
Current policies of expansive government, centralized control, bailouts, rewarding failure, penalizing thrift, downgrading responsibility, passing the buck to regulators, and empowering international bureaucracies all threaten ...
April 29, 2009
Federal Hate Crimes Statute: An Unconstitutional Exercise of Legislative Power
By Brian W. Walsh
(WebMemo #2416)
The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 is based on serious analytical and constitutional flaws and would actually be counterproductive to prosecuting ...
April 29, 2009
Mexico's Swine Flu Crisis: Expect Political and Economic Fallout
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2417)
A Mexico seriously weakened by fears of pandemic, economic meltdown, or drug violence will adversely impact U.S. domestic politics and this nation's capacity to demonstrate ...
April 29, 2009
The Economic Impact of the Proposed Capital Gains Tax Increase
By Curtis S. Dubay
(WebMemo #2418)
President Obama’s recently released “Budget Blueprint” proposes raising the tax rate on capital gains from 15 percent to 20 percent. In real terms (that is, ...
April 28, 2009
Strategy for Swine Flu Should Focus on Common Sense, Not the Border
By Jena Baker McNeill and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2415)
The United States should remain diligent in its efforts to control the spread of swine flu. Focusing on the border, however, will not stop the ...
April 27, 2009
Mortgage Cramdowns: Problems with Involving Bankruptcy Judges
By Andrew M. Grossman and David C. John
(WebMemo #2409)
The mortgage cramdown proposal would prolong and worsen the banking crisis, delaying economic recovery.
April 27, 2009
Squeezing the Military through the Emergency War Supplemental
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(WebMemo #2410)
As Congress begins consideration of the second emergency supplemental spending bill for Iraq and Afghanistan, Members must scrutinize the request to ensure all of the ...
April 27, 2009
The $64,000 Question: Is President Obama Actually Increasing the Defense Budget?
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(WebMemo #2411)
Although the defense budget proposal may seem to provide a superficial spending increase, a closer examination reveals an increased risk to the military.
April 27, 2009
100 Days of Obama's Presidency: Serious Questions on National Security Strategies
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2412)
Presidents must keep the nation safe, free, and prosperous for four years, not 100 days. The White House has a lot more work to do. ...
April 27, 2009
Obama's 100 Days in Foreign Policy: Triumph of the Personal
By Kim R. Holmes, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2413)
In his first 100 days in office, President Barack Obama completed two whirlwind tours of Europe and Latin America. His message on both continents was ...
April 27, 2009
State Department Legal Adviser Nominee Harold Koh: Questions on the Role of International Law in the U.S. Legal System
By Steven Groves and Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2414)
President Obama has nominated Harold Koh to be the next Legal Adviser, which is the top legal position at the U.S. Department of State. While ...
April 27, 2009
Consequences of the Employee Free Choice Act: Union and Management Perspectives
By Homer L. Deakins, Jr., and Rian Wathen
(Heritage Lecture #1119)
The Employee Free Choice Act would replace secret-ballot organizing elections with card check, take free collective bargaining out of the hands of unions and employers, ...
April 27, 2009
The End of Conservatism?
By Lee Edwards, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #1120)
Through the power and successful political application of its ideas, the conservative movement became a dominant player in America’s political and economic realms. With the ...
April 24, 2009
The Real Price of a Public Health Plan: Less Innovation and Lower Quality
By Dennis G. Smith
(Backgrounder #2263)
Most Americans value their current private health insurance, desire choices in health coverage, and are wary of government plans. Key supporters of a new government ...
April 24, 2009
How Washington Pushes Americans into Low-Quality Health Care
By Jeet Guram and John S. O’Shea, M.D.
(Backgrounder #2264)
President Obama favors an expansion of government health insurance programs as a key component of his health care reform agenda. Because of the "crowd out" ...
April 24, 2009
Climate Policy: Free Trade Promotes a Cleaner Environment
By Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2408)
Regardless of the shape of any final climate change bill, lawmakers should maintain the integrity and freedom of global markets as a means to transfer ...
April 23, 2009
Set the Record Straight: Publish All Key Memos on CIA Interrogations
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2406)
U.S. government officials have a solemn obligation to resist those who want to play political “lawfare” with counterterrorism policies to advance constituent agendas at the ...
April 23, 2009
Five Reasons the EPA Should Not Attempt to Deal with Global Warming
By Ben Lieberman and Nicolas D. Loris
(WebMemo #2407)
Using the Clean Air Act to regulate CO2 would harm everyone who uses energy, especially the poor--all for a change in the Earth's temperature too ...
April 23, 2009
Credit Derivatives: Market Solutions to the Market Crisis
By David M. Mason
(Backgrounder #2262)
Credit default swaps play a productive role in U.S. and international financial markets. The Administration and Congress should encourage continued market improvements rather than imposing ...
April 23, 2009
A Free and Just Society
By Honorable Kevin Andrews
(Heritage Lecture #1118)
The institutions of civil society are important because they are neither created nor controlled by the state. While public funding requires accountability and some services ...
April 22, 2009
People and Platforms: An Agenda for Balanced Defense Forces
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(Special Report #50)
After eight years of warfare, the U.S. military requires considerable recapitalization. Predictable levels of robust defense spending will allow the military to reset and rebuild ...
April 22, 2009
Section 287(g): State and Local Immigration Enforcement Efforts Are Working
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2405)
Congress should recognize the valuable role that state and local law enforcement can and do play in keeping America safe, combating illegal immigration, and protecting ...
April 22, 2009
Coming to Grips with an Expanding Extremist Threat in Pakistan
By Lisa Curtis
(WebMemo #2403)
The Pakistani people have a deep culture of pluralist traditions dating back centuries. In order to stabilize and develop their country, Pakistanis need to nurture ...
April 21, 2009
The Fifth Summit of the Americas: Return of the Good Neighbor Policy?
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2401)
The Fifth Summit of the America’s was characterized by feel-good rhetoric and the resurrection of FDR’s Good Neighbor Policy. However, the real impact of the ...
April 21, 2009
Conservatives Should Have Done More to Increase Long-Term Defense Spending During Budget Resolution Debates
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(WebMemo #2402)
The annual congressional budget debate is over, and the House and Senate have passed one-party budget resolutions. A flat--or, worse, a declining--defense budget will come ...
April 20, 2009
Incompatible Pronouncements on the Future of the U.S. Nuclear Force
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #2400)
In an April 5 speech in Prague, President Barack Obama reiterated his campaign commitment to "seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear ...
April 20, 2009
How Members of the 111th Congress Practice Private School Choice
By Lindsey Burke
(Backgrounder #2257)
A Heritage survey of the Members of the 111th Congress revealed that 44 percent of Senators and 36 percent of Representatives had sent their children ...
April 19, 2009
The U.S. Is Right to Boycott the U.N. Durban II Conference on Racism
By Brett D. Schaefer and Steven Groves
(WebMemo #2399)
On April 18, the U.S officially announced that it would not attend Durban II. The U.S. was right to ignore outside pressure and refuse to ...
April 19, 2009
Canada and the United States: Time for a Joint Threat Assessment
By James Jay Carafano, Sharon Cardash, and Frank Cilluffo
(WebMemo #2404)
A joint U.S.-Canadian threat assessment, conducted and published by the two countries, could be a powerful protective tool on both sides of the 49th parallel. ...
April 17, 2009
Piracy: A Symptom of Somalia's Deeper Problems
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #2398)
A long-term solution to piracy hinges on improving stability and bolstering Somali authorities with which the U.S. can work to advance mutual interests.
April 16, 2009
Complex Systems Analysis-A Necessary Tool for Homeland Security
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., and Richard Weitz, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2261)
Many of the threats the United States faces, and many of the means available to counter them, are embedded in webs of complex systems—from the ...
April 15, 2009
A New Approach to Improving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education
By Dan Lips and Jena Baker McNeill
(Backgrounder #2259)
American leaders have emphasized the need to improve performance in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. Instead of focusing on federal solutions and increasing ...
April 15, 2009
The Summit of the Americas: A Chance to Make the Americas More Secure
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2396)
In order to ensure that the Fifth Summit of the Americas makes considerable progress toward securing a most secure, stable, and prosperous Western Hemisphere, President ...
April 15, 2009
Options for Combating Piracy in Somalia
By Jena Baker McNeill and Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #2397)
U.S. anti-piracy strategy should be applied to the Horn of Africa and surrounding waters, but the uniquely lawless situation in Somalia requires supplementary strategies.
...
April 14, 2009
Keeping Score: Will the Summit of the Americas Make the U.S. More Prosperous?
By James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #2395)
Confronted by serious economic problems domestically and unprecedented foreign challenges to the U.S.’s historically dominant role in Latin America, will President Obama will use the ...
April 14, 2009
President Obama's New Plan to Decide Where Americans Live and How They Travel
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2260)
President Barack Obama’s partnership between the Department of Transportation and Department of Housing and Urban Development reflects an escalation in his apparent intent to re-energize ...
April 13, 2009
Gates' Proposed Missile Defense Cuts: Confusion and Contradictions
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #2394)
In an April 6 press briefing at the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced sweeping changes in a variety of defense modernization. Congress and ...
April 10, 2009
D.C. Opportunity Scholarships Boost Reading Scores, Family Satisfaction
By Dan Lips
(WebMemo #2391)
Now that an evaluation of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program is complete, questions about this program's effectiveness are resolved.
April 10, 2009
The G-20 Summit: Mistakes and Missed Opportunities
By Ted R. Bromund , Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2392)
The G-20 Summit in London promised to bring together the heads of the world’s leading nations to address the global financial crisis. Instead, the summit ...
April 10, 2009
Indonesian President Yudhoyono's Big Decision
By Walter Lohman
(WebMemo #2393)
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is a clear winner in his country’s April 9, 2009 parliamentary elections. Yet he will need to form a governing ...
April 10, 2009
Proposed Decrease in Charitable Tax Deduction Crowds Out Civil Society
By Ryan Messmore
(Backgrounder #2258)
President Barack Obama’s proposal to raise taxes and reduce charitable deductions for the wealthy mistakenly suggests that government bureaucracy can deploy citizens’ resources more effectively ...
April 9, 2009
Renewing Conservatism: Lessons from Britain
By Rt. Hon. Iain Duncan Smith
(Heritage Lecture #1117)
Emphasizing social policy means rediscovering the conservatism of Edmund Burke. There will be no sustainable reduction in the size of the state if civil society ...
April 9, 2009
President Should Merge Homeland Security Council with NSC
By Jena Baker McNeill and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2390)
President Obama should fold the Homeland Security Council into the National Security Council. Doing so would improve interagency policy planning and eliminate gaps between efforts ...
April 8, 2009
Suspend UNDP Activities in North Korea, Again
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #2387)
The U.S. should seek to suspend the U.N. Development Program as a clear signal of international displeasure with North Korea's missile launch.
April 8, 2009
NATO's 60th Anniversary Summit: Unfocused and Unsuccessful
By Sally McNamara
(WebMemo #2388)
In spite of President Obama's high personal approval ratings among Europeans, he did not further American interests at NATO's 60th anniversary summit last weekend.
April 8, 2009
The Dirty Dozen: 12 New Policies That Undermine Civil Society
By Jennifer A. Marshall and Katherine Bradley
(WebMemo #2389)
Within the first quarter of 2009, the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress have advanced a number of policies that will undermine family and religious ...
April 8, 2009
Principles for Reform of Catastrophic Natural Disaster Insurance
By Matt A. Mayer, David C. John, and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2256)
The private sector, state governments, and the federal government could take many actions short of creating a catastrophic hurricane fund (CAT) fund that would provide ...
April 7, 2009
Help the Economy and Federal Deficit by Raising H-1B Caps
By Jena Baker McNeill and Diem Nguyen
(WebMemo #2384)
Raising H-1B caps will provide businesses the professionals and skills they need to develop their business when ready.
April 7, 2009
Protection of Health Care Providers’ Right of Conscience: What Federal Law Says
By Randolph W. Pate
(WebMemo #2385)
The Obama Administration is moving rapidly to overturn federal "conscience clause" regulations protecting health care providers who object to performing procedures that violate their religious ...
April 7, 2009
Where Is Nuclear Energy in the Markey-Waxman Energy Bill?
By Jack Spencer
(WebMemo #2386)
If CO2 reduction is truly the objective, then maximizing America's nuclear resources should be a top priority.
April 6, 2009
Secretary Chu's Blue Ribbon Commission on Nuclear Waste
By Jack Spencer
(WebMemo #2382)
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu is forming a blue-ribbon commission to answer the question of what to do with America's nuclear waste. Here are our ...
April 6, 2009
Obama in Ankara: Turkey's Dangerous Drift
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., and Owen Graham
(WebMemo #2383)
President Obama's visit to Turkey highlights the importance Washington attaches to this country as a key regional player, a veteran NATO ally, and an influential ...
April 4, 2009
North Korea Throws Down Missile Gauntlet
By Bruce Klingner
(WebMemo #2365)
North Korea's launch of a long-range Taepo Dong-2 missile is a direct challenge not just to the United States but to the international community’s resolve ...
April 3, 2009
Obama's Proposal to Reduce Charitable Deductions Would Hurt Civil Society, Expand Government
By Ryan Messmore
(WebMemo #2379)
Congress should resist President Obama's proposal to reduce the tax deduction rate on charitable gifts from high-income earners.
April 3, 2009
March Employment Report: With Grim Jobs Numbers, Not the Time for a Tax and Spend Budget
By James Sherk and J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2380)
March continued the string of dismal employment reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is precisely the wrong time to burden the economy with ...
April 3, 2009
Single Payer: Why Government-Run Health Care Will Harm Both Patients and Doctors
By Robert A. Book, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2381)
The key issue in the emerging national health care debate is the role of the federal government: A concentration of government power over health care ...
April 2, 2009
The 2009 Energy Bill: Anti-Market and Anti-Consumer
By Nicolas Loris and Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2378)
The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 offers nothing more than subsidies and mandates for unsuccessful, unproven energy sources coupled with taxes on ...
April 2, 2009
U.N. Human Rights Council Whitewash Argues Against U.S. Participation
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #2255)
President Barack Obama should think twice before lending the U.N. Human Rights Council the credibility that U.S. participation would provide. A wiser course of action ...
April 1, 2009
The Future of Conservatism: An Argument for a Constitutional Conservatism
By Harvey C. Mansfield
(Heritage Lecture #1115)
Conservatives must defend the liberal regime and its ruling middle class: what Aristotle might call the “interest of the regime.” The liberal form of government ...
April 1, 2009
Budget Proposal Will Raise Taxes, Grow Government, and Cut Defense
By Mackenzie Eaglen
(WebMemo #2373)
The military cannot afford a "modernization depression"—yet that is exactly what is coming.
April 1, 2009
A U.S.-China G-2: Today It's Closer to a G-0
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2374)
The G-20 convenes again this week, once more generating high hopes that progress can be made in addressing the economic crisis. Observers have focused on ...
April 1, 2009
U.S. to Seek Seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council: A Wrong Step for the Obama Administration
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #2375)
The Obama Administration is wrong if it believes that the efforts of countries determined to undermine the aims of the U.N. Human Rights Council will ...
April 1, 2009
Secure Flight Program Creates Safer Skies
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2376)
Yesterday the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the implementation of Secure Flight—a program to screen flight passenger data and flag possible terrorists before they ...
April 1, 2009
House Republican Budget Would Confront Hard Choices and Rein in Budget Deficits
By Brian Riedl
(WebMemo #2377)
The House Republican blueprint provides a strong contrast to President Obama’s plan to saddle Americans with historic tax increases, runaway spending, and a doubling of ...
April 1, 2009
Economic Analysis of the House Republican Budget Alternative (H.R. 85): "Report on the Path to American Prosperity"
By Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D.
(White Paper )
On April 1, 2009, Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI), the ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee, introduced the House Republican Budget Alternative to budget initiatives ...
March 31, 2009
Labor Union Snap Elections Deprive Employees of Informed Choice
By James Sherk and Ryan O’Donnell
(WebMemo #2371)
Snap elections preserve the secret ballot in name only because they compromise the election process: With only a few days to hear both sides of ...
March 31, 2009
The G-20 Summit: Time to Renew Commitment to Economic Freedom
By Anthony B. Kim
(WebMemo #2372)
President Obama and other leaders of the G-20 should be reminded that economic freedom is indispensable in amplifying and cascading the benefits of any plans ...
March 31, 2009
Afghanistan and Pakistan: Understanding and Engaging Regional Stakeholders
By Lisa Curtis
(Testimony )
In his speech last Friday, President Obama provided a clear signal that his Administration intends to dedicate the time, resources, and, most important, U.S. leadership ...
March 31, 2009
The Past, Present, and Possible Futures of the Anglo-American Alliance
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #1116)
In Winston Churchill’s vision, the U.S.-British relationship must and would endure because both are liberal, English-speaking democracies. If Britain is being Europeanized, the U.S. could ...
March 30, 2009
The Implications of the European Contribution to the Global Financial Crisis for the G-20 Summit
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D., and Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2369)
The story that Europe is telling about the global financial crisis is untrue: The crisis is not simply the fault of the United States.
March 30, 2009
Barack Obama's European Tour: The President Must Protect the Transatlantic Alliance
By Nile Gardiner
(WebMemo #2370)
President Obama must project a clear vision for U.S. global leadership, one that is anchored firmly in the transatlantic alliance with Britain.
March 27, 2009
G-20 Summit: Rhetoric and Empty Promises Will Not Protect Free Trade
By Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2366)
With the next G-20 summit only days away, President Obama and other world leaders are once again promising to oppose protectionism as a central tenet ...
March 27, 2009
Three Mile Island and Chernobyl: What Went Wrong and Why Today’s Reactors Are Safe
By Jack Spencer and Nick Loris
(WebMemo #2367)
This Saturday marks the 30th anniversary of the partial meltdown of the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor. This occasion is a good time to consider ...
March 27, 2009
The Obama–Medvedev G-20 Meeting: The Agenda for the First Encounter
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2368)
The United States can explore Russia's willingness to rethink its relationship with Iran, yet Washington should not bargain away its own interests or those of ...
March 27, 2009
Russia and Eurasia: A Realistic Policy Agenda for the Obama Administration
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(Special Report #49)
Russia, seeking a new place in the global architecture, is pursuing an increasingly assertive foreign policy. President Barack Obama and his Administration will need to ...
March 26, 2009
Obama Administration Proposes New Federal Education Spending Increases
By Dan Lips
(WebMemo #2363)
After less than three months, the Obama Administration has approved an unprecedented increase in federal spending for the Department of Education. But if history is ...
March 26, 2009
New Global Currency Proposal: Good Diplomatic Theater but Bad Policy
By Ambassador Terry Miller
(WebMemo #2364)
Recently, both China and Russia have called for the replacement of the dollar as the international reserve currency of choice, suggesting use of IMF Special ...
March 25, 2009
Geithner's Troubling Plan for Troubled Assets
By James L. Gattuso and David C. John
(WebMemo #2360)
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner yesterday released details on his proposal for removing toxic assets from the balance sheets of banks and other financial institutions. Substantively, ...
March 25, 2009
Obama's Energy Budget: More Taxes, Higher Prices
By Nicolas Loris and Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2361)
Obama's Energy Budget: More Taxes, Higher Prices
March 25, 2009
Obama Budget's Tax Proposals: Wrong and Risky
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2362)
President Obama's budget outlines sweeping changes for federal tax policy. A few of these changes are good policy that ought to be accepted by Congress. ...
March 25, 2009
Issues in Health Insurance Market Reform
By Edmund F. Haislmaier
(Testimony )
Mr. Chairman, Representative Deal, and members of the committee, thank you for inviting me to testify before you today on some of the key issues ...
March 25, 2009
The President's Budget And Medicare
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph. D.
(Testimony )
President Barack Obama has outlined an ambitious and far-reaching health care agenda, including major changes in the Medicare program. It should be noted that even ...
March 25, 2009
The Role of Long-Term Care in Health Reform
By Dennis G. Smith
(Testimony )
Long-term care is an important but all too often overlooked component of health care reform. The great challenges we face because of population changes between ...
March 25, 2009
NATO 60th Anniversary Summit: An Agenda for American Leadership
By Sally McNamara
(Backgrounder #2254)
NATO’s 60th anniversary summit will be a critical time for the transatlantic alliance, and it will likely shape the transatlantic relationship for the remainder of ...
March 24, 2009
A First Big Step Toward Medicare Sustainability
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2253)
Medicare is a vital program for seniors, but is fundamentally unaffordable as it is currently structured because it faces an unfunded obligation of $85.6 trillion. ...
March 24, 2009
When Art Becomes a Crime: A Case Study in Overcriminalization
By Andrew M. Grossman
(Legal Memorandum #39)
Prosecutors continue to abuse the federal mail and wire fraud statutes to go after contractual violations, local-government patronage politics, minor regulatory violations, and other conduct ...
March 24, 2009
Elimination of U.S. Pilot Truck Program Triggers Mexican Tariffs
By James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #2357)
The Obama Administration should take immediate steps to restore funding to the pilot truck program, and then expand it and make it permanent.
March 24, 2009
Secretary Clinton's Mexico Trip: Three Benchmarks for U.S.–Mexican Relations
By Ray Walser, Ph.D., James Roberts, and Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2358)
This week, during her inaugural visit to Mexico, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton faces a tough but critical challenge: laying the early foundations for a ...
March 24, 2009
Calling for G-20 Global Action for Economic Recovery: Obama Touches All the Bases but Fails to Score
By Ambassador Terry Miller
(WebMemo #2359)
President Obama’s March 24 call for “bold, comprehensive, and coordinated action” by the G-20 revealed the President’s basic confusion about the role of government in ...
March 23, 2009
Obama's Stimulus Has "Spread the Wealth Around": Are Tax Hikes Next?
By Curtis S. Dubay
(WebMemo #2354)
President Obama famously said during the campaign that he thinks the economy works best when "we spread the wealth around." He is wasting no time ...
March 23, 2009
New Constitution Pushes Bolivian Economy into Socialism
By James M. Roberts and Gonzalo Schwarz
(WebMemo #2355)
The new Bolivian constitution—written by President Evo Morales and approved by voters in late January—is an assault upon the universal ideals of individual and economic ...
March 23, 2009
Can Congress Punish People? Why the Constitution Prohibits Bills of Attainder
By The Heritage Foundation
(WebMemo #2356)
The Framers considered freedom from bills of attainder so important that it is one of only two individual liberties that the original Constitution protects from ...
March 23, 2009
Executive Order on Regulatory Review
By David M. Mason
(Testimony )
The President's Memorandum on Regulatory Review begins by observing that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has reviewed Federal regulations for "well over two ...
March 23, 2009
Requiring Identification by Voters
By Hans A. Von Spakovsky
(Testimony )
Guaranteeing the integrity of elections requires having security throughout the entire election process, from voter registration to the casting of votes to the counting of ...
March 21, 2009
Fighting in Sri Lanka: Protect Civilians to Facilitate Long-term Peace
By Lisa Curtis and Nicholas Hamisevicz
(WebMemo #2353)
The Sri Lankan army's recent military success against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam is being diminished by international concern over the deteriorating human rights ...
March 20, 2009
The Russia–Iran S-300 Air Defense Systems Deal: Beware of Russians Bearing Gifts
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2350)
The Obama Administration should use extreme caution in negotiating Russian cooperation on Iran.
March 20, 2009
The Death of Public Service: Serve America Act Sends Volunteerism to Hooverville
By Brian Brown
(WebMemo #2351)
Serve America is the Senate's attempt to turn into reality President Obama's campaign promises about public service. But in practice, the bill hearkens back to ...
March 20, 2009
The G-20 Summit: Potential Threats to U.S. Interests
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D. and J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2352)
The G-20 should find common ground on defending free trade, opposing further unwise government spending, and reforms to the banking sector that are designed and ...
March 20, 2009
Cracking the Bedrock of Democracy: Destroying the Secret Ballot in Union Elections
By Hans A. von Spakovsky
(Legal Memorandum #38)
The Employee Free Choice Act of 2009 would fundamentally change the nature of the relationship between unions, employers, and employees. The only reason to eliminate ...
March 20, 2009
America's North Korea Policy: Adding Lanes to the Road
By Bruce Klingner
(Backgrounder #2252)
Despite public perceptions of a major U.S. policy shift toward North Korea, President Obama is continuing the Bush engagement strategy. The Six-Party Talks should not ...
March 19, 2009
The AIG Clawback: Possibly Unconstitutional, Doubtlessly Imprudent
By Andrew M. Grossman
(WebMemo #2349)
Congress should realize the prudential limits of its powers and competence and take no action against those receiving deferred compensation for work that they have ...
March 19, 2009
How the Obama Administration Should Engage Russia
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
President Barack Obama has expressed a desire to constructively engage Russia and has also expressed concerns over Russia’s increasingly truculent behavior and the threat it ...
March 18, 2009
FMLN Wins in El Salvador: No Mandate for Revolutionary Change
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2347)
On March 15, citizens of El Salvador elected--for the first time in the nation's history--a president hailing from the political Left. Whether the FMLN charts ...
March 18, 2009
Why the United States Should Not Join the Inter-Parliamentary Union
By Ted R. Bromund , Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2348)
The United States should not join the IPU. To do so would imply the IPU is a respectable international organization, not the friend of dictatorships ...
March 18, 2009
Medicare Reform: Setting Attainable Goals for Sustainability
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2251)
The Treasury Department's general fund subsidizes Medicare by an amount equal to about 1.3 percent of GDP, a large but manageable sum and an apparently ...
March 17, 2009
The EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy: How It Threatens Transatlantic Security
By Sally McNamara
(Backgrounder #2250)
In an effort to create "one telephone line" to Europe, the EU's proposed Lisbon Treaty, successor to the European Constitution, would remove foreign policy from ...
March 17, 2009
A Political Idea That Won't Go Away: Implications of Moral Law for America's Founding and Future
By Greg Forster, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #1113)
The idea of politics based on moral law is not inherently totalist and does not imply an unlimited mandate to impose a total vision of ...
March 17, 2009
A New American Fusionism: Recovering Principles in Our Politics
By Matthew Spalding, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #1114)
The fusion of our ideas and our politics is to be found not as much at the level of ...
March 16, 2009
The Obama Budget: Spending, Taxes, and Doubling the National Debt
By Brian M. Riedl
(Backgrounder #2249)
President Obama has framed his budget as a break from the Bush Administration’s policies. However, Obama’s budget would double the publicly held national debt to ...
March 16, 2009
Health Care Reform: Changing the Tax Treatment of Health Insurance
By Greg D'Angelo and Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2344)
A proposal that gradually phases out the current income tax exclusion while phasing in a more equitable and efficient system is essential to achieving serious ...
March 16, 2009
Obama Jobs Deficit Grows: 651,000 Reasons to Cut Tax Rates
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2345)
President Obama pledged to create 3.5 million new jobs by 2010. The President's jobs promise means total employment should be at least 138.6 million by ...
March 16, 2009
Why a Policy Undersecretary Office for Homeland Security Department Remains Essential
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2346)
The White House and congressional leadership should make establishing an undersecretary for policy and planning in the Department of Homeland Security a priority.
March 13, 2009
G-20: International Cooperation Can Go Only So Far to End the Recession
By Ambassador Terry Miller
(WebMemo #2343)
An announcement by the governments of the G-20 of what they will not do to intervene in markets would probably go a lot further in ...
March 13, 2009
Time for a Real Change: Repeal the Corporate Income Tax
By Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2248)
America's corporate income tax rate is one of the world's highest and imposes indirect costs in the form of reduced investment, lower wages, lower productivity, ...
March 12, 2009
How the Obama Administration Should Deal with Russia's Revisionist Foreign Policy
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2246)
How the Obama Administration Should Deal with Russia's Revisionist Foreign Policy
March 12, 2009
Public Corruption Prosecution Improvements Act: Revising Federal Gratuities Law to Criminalize Innocent Conduct
By Brian W. Walsh
(WebMemo #2340)
The Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a bill that would greatly expand the reach of a key "public corruption" offense, an offense that is already ...
March 12, 2009
EFCA Authorizes Government Control of 4 Million Small Businesses
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2341)
The Employee Free Choice Act does more than take away secret ballot elections: It empowers the federal government to impose contracts on newly organized companies. ...
March 12, 2009
Ailing Automakers Need Bankruptcy, Not Bankruptcy-Lite
By Andrew M. Grossman
(WebMemo #2342)
If GM and Chrysler are to survive and prosper, they must undergo real reorganization in bankruptcy, not anything less.
March 11, 2009
EFCA: High-Pressure Spin Selling and Creative Organizing for Labor Unions
By James Sherk and Ryan O’Donnell
(WebMemo #2335)
Under EFCA, union organizers will be free to use aggressive and emotionally manipulative sales techniques to pressure or mislead employees into joining a union.
March 11, 2009
No Cost Stimulus Expands Energy Supply and Creates Jobs
By Nicolas Loris and Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2336)
The No Cost Stimulus Act of 2009 would open up resources and streamline regulatory, environmental and judicial review processes to provide a real stimulus to ...
March 11, 2009
World Bank's Proposed Vulnerability Fund: A Gimmick for the Poor
By Ambassador Terry Miller
(WebMemo #2337)
The World Bank has proposed a "Vulnerability Fund" to siphon off 0.7 percent of developed countries' stimulus packages for assistance to poor countries.
March 11, 2009
D.C. Voting Rights: No Representation? No Taxation!
By Robert A. Book, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2338)
Simply exempting D.C. residents from federal taxes would help revitalize the District -- and do so in a way consistent with what the Founders had ...
March 11, 2009
Why President Obama Should Not Attend the Alliance of Civilizations Forum
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #2339)
The Alliance of Civilizations' attempt to quell perceived tensions between Muslim and Western nations has little prospect for success due to bias and objectionable proposals ...
March 10, 2009
Card Check Creates Government-Run Workplaces
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2334)
EFCA gives control of the workplace to government bureaucrats.
March 10, 2009
Why Maryland Needs Truth-in-Sentencing
By David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
Maryland faces a serious violent crime problem. Some members of society clearly need to be in prison for the safety of the rest. As long ...
March 9, 2009
E-Verify Expires: Time for Congress to Reauthorize the Program
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2332)
Congress should reauthorize and fully fund E-Verify.
March 9, 2009
The Gaza Aid Package: Time to Rethink U.S. Foreign Assistance to the Palestinians
By James Phillips
(WebMemo #2333)
Congress needs to scrutinize the Obama Administration's aid plans to make sure that there is absolutely no chance that funds provided by American taxpayers end ...
March 9, 2009
15 Steps to Better Border Security: Reducing America's Southern Exposure
By Jena Baker McNeill
(Backgrounder #2245)
The 9/11 attacks raised concerns over the security of U.S. borders. In response, the Bush Administration employed additional Border Patrol agents, deployed new technologies at ...
March 9, 2009
Executive Summary: 15 Steps to Better Border Security: Reducing America's Southern Exposure
By Jena Baker McNeill
(Executive Summary #2245)
The 9/11 attacks raised concerns over the security of U.S. borders. In response, the Bush Administration employed additional Border Patrol agents, deployed new technologies at ...
March 9, 2009
An Analysis of Federal, State, and Local Homeland Security Budgets
By Matt A. Mayer
(Center for Data Analysis Report #09-01)
Despite a rich history in which states and localities have taken responsibility for their own affairs, we are federalizing more and more of the homeland ...
March 6, 2009
Heritage Jobs Report: February Employment Losses Would Be Worse with Card Check
By Rea S. Hederman Jr. and James Sherk
(WebMemo #2330)
February continued the miserable string of poor employment reports by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Consequently, Congress and the President should take action to strengthen ...
March 6, 2009
Enforcing Immigration Laws: State and Local Law Assistance Needed
By Jena Baker McNeill and Diem Nguyen
(WebMemo #2331)
Congress should recognize the valuable role 287(g) plays in keeping America safe, combating illegal immigration, and engaging state and local governments.
March 6, 2009
Obama Administration: Yet to Show Strong Leadership on Trade Policy
By Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2328)
The 2009 Trade Policy Agenda's general lack of specificity leaves much of its content open to interpretation, reducing its transparency and informational value to consumers ...
March 6, 2009
U.S., Canada Working Together on Improving Border Security
By Jena Baker McNeill and Diem Nguyen
(WebMemo #2329)
Initiatives to secure the United States from potential terrorists in Canada should respect both nations’ sovereignty and addresses common concerns without hindering either nation’s economic ...
March 5, 2009
China Will Follow the U.S.: A Climate Change Fable
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2327)
President Obama's emphasis on climate change has notable implications for U.S.-China relations.
March 5, 2009
Don't Regulate the Suburbs: America Needs a Housing Policy That Works
By Wendell Cox and Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2247)
As housing-price trends in the U.S. over the past decade reveal, the intensity of a region’s land-use regulations is a key factor in the region’s ...
March 4, 2009
The Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act (S. 386): Criminalizing Our Way out of the Financial Crisis
By Brian W. Walsh and Tiffany M. Joslyn
(WebMemo #2322)
Members of Congress should not embrace harmful or misguided legislation simply to show they are "doing something" to "solve" the subprime meltdown and resulting financial ...
March 4, 2009
Avoiding a Keynesian Rush to Regulate the Financial Markets
By David M. Mason
(WebMemo #2323)
Poorly designed regulations may have encouraged, rather than curbed, excesses in private markets. A Financial Markets Commission could help identify how regulation may have contributed ...
March 4, 2009
The United Kingdom Must Lead Europe's Withdrawal from the U.N.'s Durban Review Conference
By Ted R. Bromund , Ph.D., and Steven Groves
(WebMemo #2324)
The United Kingdom must withdraw from Durban II immediately and unconditionally and supply the leadership in action that has so far been lacking in Europe. ...
March 4, 2009
U.S. Boycott of U.N. Durban II Conference on Racism: The Right Decision by the Obama Administration
By Brett D. Schaefer and Steven Groves
(WebMemo #2326)
In a welcome recognition of the limitations of multilateral engagement, the Obama Administration announced that it would not participate in the upcoming Durban Review Conference. ...
March 3, 2009
Secretary Clinton's European Tour: A NATO-First Agenda
By Sally McNamara
(WebMemo #2320)
Secretary Hillary Clinton must be proactive on this European trip, requesting European military support in Afghanistan as well as confronting Russian opposition to key U.S. ...
March 3, 2009
A To-Do List for Secretary Chu on Nuclear Energy Policy
By Jack Spencer
(WebMemo #2321)
Washington is starting to recognize that President Obama will not be able to meet his energy objectives without a strong nuclear industry.
March 3, 2009
Prepared Statement before Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment
By Bruce Klingner
(Testimony )
Thank you Mr. Chairman and the distinguished members of the Subcommittee for asking me to testify on “Remaking U.S. Foreign Policy in North Korea.”
March 3, 2009
Testimony before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on China’s Role in the Origins of and Responses to the Global Recession
By Derek Scissors
(Testimony )
Addressing the effect of the current economic crisis on the U.S.-China economic relationship presumes an understanding of the crisis and the relationship. This is plainly ...
March 2, 2009
Omnibus Spending Bill: Huge Spending and 9,000 Earmarks Represent Business as Usual
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #2318)
Even a recession and record $1.4 trillion budget deficit has not altered Congress's business-as-usual culture of spending and pork.
March 2, 2009
Global Warming: Using the Polar Bear to Impose Costly Measures
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2319)
The American people do not need a costly backdoor global warming policy through the misuse of preexisting ESA authority never intended for that purpose.
March 1, 2009
The Obama–Brown White House Talks: The U.S.–U.K. Special Relationship Must Be Maintained
By Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2317)
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown will be the first European leader to meet with President Barack Obama when he visits the White House on March ...
February 27, 2009
The Obama Health Care Budget: Hopeful Savings and Costly Change
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D., Nina Owcharenko, and Dennis Smith
(WebMemo #2314)
President Obama's health care budget proposal is large but surprisingly unimaginative.
February 27, 2009
Barack Obama and Gordon Brown Must Strengthen U.S.–U.K. Defense Cooperation
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2315)
Both President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Gordon Brown should acknowledge the shared values and interests that are at stake and act to continue this ...
February 27, 2009
Restructuring FEMA: Stand-Alone FEMA Would Not Make Cents
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2316)
Given the current economic turmoil and the success of DHS in recent years, taking FEMA out of DHS would be a mistake.
February 26, 2009
Obama's PAYGO Law Would Not Slow Spending or Budget Deficits
By Brian Riedl
(WebMemo #2312)
PAYGO has proven to be more of a talking point than an actual tool for budget discipline.
February 26, 2009
Spratly Islands: The Challenge to U.S. Leadership in the South China Sea
By Walter Lohman
(WebMemo #2313)
On the eve of the annual ASEAN summit this week, an old issue has resurfaced: conflicting claims over the Spratly Islands.
February 26, 2009
Building a Strategic Partnership: U.S.-India Relations in the Wake of Mumbai
By Lisa Curtis
(Testimony )
Last year's November 26–29 terrorist attacks in Mumbai that killed nearly 170 people, including six Americans, have provided new impetus to U.S-India counterterrorism cooperation.
February 26, 2009
Does employer-sponsored health insurance reduce job mobility?
By Paul L. Winfree
(White Paper )
How the health insurance system influences the likelihood of changing jobs and becoming self-employed
February 25, 2009
Bankruptcy Mortgage Cramdowns Would Hurt Housing Market
By David C. John
(WebMemo #2310)
Mortgage cramdowns would further destabilize an already damaged housing market while increasing mortgage costs for future borrowers.
February 25, 2009
12 Problems with the Obama Mortgage Stability Initiative Plan
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D., and David C. John
(WebMemo #2311)
President Obama's Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan is unlikely this plan will provide any relief—short-term or long-term—to the beleaguered housing market.
February 25, 2009
Combating Libel Tourism: Federal Efforts Needed
By Andrew M. Grossman
(Backgrounder #2244)
Congress should adopt a two-step approach to restore American authors’ First Amendment rights. To protect speech rights, abusive foreign libel judgments should be unenforceable in ...
February 25, 2009
Pros and Cons of Multilateral Nonproliferation: Lessons Learned from the Bush Administration
By Ambassador Jackie Wolcott
(Heritage Lecture #1112)
International institutions sometimes fail, and it is not our job to save them from themselves. Failure, on the other hand, could force them to adapt ...
February 24, 2009
Progressivism and the New Science of Jurisprudence
By Bradley C. S. Watson
(First Principles #0024)
Progressivism in its jurisprudential guise is rooted not in constitutional text, tradition, logic, or structure, but in the judge’s view of which necessities are most ...
February 24, 2009
Oil-for-Food Revisited: The U.N. Should Not Pay Benon Sevan's Legal Fees
By Nile Gardiner Ph.D. and Steven Groves
(WebMemo #2308)
The U.N.'s decision to pay Benon Sevan's legal fees should be condemned by both the U.S. Congress and the Obama Administration.
February 24, 2009
The Elements of a Responsible Budget Proposal
By Brian M. Riedl, Mackenzie M. Eaglen, Curtis S. Dubay, J. D. Foster, Ph.D., William W. Beach, and Rea S. Hederman, Jr.
(WebMemo #2309)
The President must ensure that his budget proposal protects America’s security abroad and economic security at home.
February 23, 2009
Two Lost Decades? Why Japan’s Economy Is Still Stumbling and How the U.S. Can Stay Upright
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D. and J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2307)
A weak Japanese economy is again making Americans nervous. The U.S. risks its own prolonged period of weakness if it fails to correct the policies ...
February 20, 2009
D.C. Representation: How Congress Promotes the Interests of the District of Columbia
By Joseph Postell and Nathaniel Ward
(WebMemo #2304)
Congress’s latest attempt to grant representation to the District of Columbia by legislative fiat is not only unconstitutional but potentially contrary to the District’s interests. ...
February 20, 2009
Reviewing DHS: The International Dimension of Homeland Security
By Jena Baker McNeill and Diem Nguyen
(WebMemo #2305)
Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano should ensure that her policy priorities recognize the important role international cooperation plays in U.S. security ...
February 20, 2009
Another Bailout for Detroit Automakers Would Throw Good Money After Bad
By Nicolas Loris
(WebMemo #2306)
It is no surprise that GM and Chrysler are already asking for more money, and it certainly won’t be surprising if they come knocking back ...
February 19, 2009
The Obama Administration Should Not Delay Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2302)
The Obama Administration has taken steps to slow down the process of leasing offshore areas to energy companies, and some fear that expanded offshore drilling ...
February 19, 2009
Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions and U.S. Detainee Policy
By David Rivkin, Lee Casey, and Charles Stimson
(WebMemo #2303)
President Barack Obama ordered the secretary of defense to conduct an immediate 30-day review of the conditions of detention in Guantanamo to "ensure full compliance" ...
February 19, 2009
Appealing to the Judge's Better Angels
By David F. Forte
(Heritage Lecture #1111)
The Constitution made judges independent precisely to give them the power to limit the executive and legislature. The very independence of the courts was to ...
February 19, 2009
Voting Representation for the District of Columbia: Violating the Framers' Vision and Constitutional Commands
By Nathaniel Ward and Andrew M. Grossman
(Legal Memorandum #37)
Lawmakers must reject any legislative proposal granting the residents of the District of Columbia a separate, voting representative in Congress. Providing such a representative would ...
February 19, 2009
What to Do about Hugo Chávez: Venezuela’s Challenge to Security in the Americas
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2243)
Venezuela recently surpassed Mexico as the third-largest supplier of crude oil to the U.S.—after Canada and Saudi Arabia. Hugo Chávez has already demonstrated his willingness ...
February 19, 2009
Executive Summary: What to Do about Hugo Chávez: Venezuela's Challenge to Security in the Americas
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #2243)
Venezuela recently surpassed Mexico as the third-largest supplier of crude oil to the U.S.—after Canada and Saudi Arabia. Hugo Chávez has already demonstrated his willingness ...
February 18, 2009
More Than Hope: Policy for a Free and Just Society
By Robert L. Woodson, Sr., The Honorable Kevin Andrews, Greg Fleming, Philippa Stroud, and The Honorable Monte Solberg
(Heritage Lecture #1110)
Successful solutions to social breakdown are those that engage personal responsibility and mutual responsibility, not through government redistribution, but through relationships. That is why we ...
February 18, 2009
D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program: Study Supports Expansion
By Lindsey Burke
(WebMemo #2297)
A new evaluation of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program highlights how the program is benefiting families, adding to the reasons why Congress and the Obama ...
February 18, 2009
The Brown Government Should Stop Mortgaging the Future of Britain's Defenses
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2298)
The danger facing the U.K. Ministry of Defence is clear: Either the troops in the field will have to go without necessary equipment paid for ...
February 18, 2009
Obama's Visit to Canada: Forging Stronger Alliances and Economic Cooperation
By James M. Roberts and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2299)
When Barack Obama takes the traditional first foreign trip as the new U.S. President to Ottawa on February 19, our northern neighbors will be watching ...
February 18, 2009
The District of Columbia: A Federal City
By Lee A. Casey
(WebMemo #2300)
Statehood is now the clear preference of District of Columbia voting-rights advocates, but the proposal has never, heretofore, excited much support in Congress and would, ...
February 18, 2009
Secretary Clinton's Asia Trip: Getting China Right
By Stephen Yates and Walter Lohman
(WebMemo #2301)
The new Administration should clearly communicate the kind of relationship it seeks from China, what it expects in return, and what it is prepared to ...
February 17, 2009
North Korea's Missile Gambit
By Bruce Klingner
(WebMemo #2295)
North Korea may be preparing to test-launch a long-range Taepo Dong-2 missile from its eastern coast. The U.S. must send a clear message to Pyongyang, ...
February 17, 2009
Expanding Cross-Border Trucking with Mexico Benefits American Consumers
By James Roberts
(WebMemo #2296)
Congress, President Obama, and his new transportation secretary, Ray LaHood, should reject calls by protectionists to end the cross-border trucking program and, instead, take immediate ...
February 16, 2009
Secretary Clinton's Asia Trip: Indonesia's Role in the Spotlight
By Walter Lohman
(WebMemo #2294)
Indonesia is much more than a "Muslim country." It is a developing democracy under assault from a determined Islamist minority.
February 13, 2009
Secretary Clinton's Asia Trip: Imbalances in the U.S.–China Economic Relationship
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2292)
There is new and important context to Secretary Clinton's trip to Asia next week. New data make it clear that the huge imbalances in the ...
February 13, 2009
Secretary Clinton's Asia Trip: Allied Reassurance
By Bruce Klingner
(WebMemo #2293)
Coming only three weeks into the Obama Administration, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Asia trip communicates that Asia matters to the United States and that ...
February 13, 2009
Next Steps for Immigration Reform and Workplace Enforcement
By Diem Nguyen, Matt A. Mayer, and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2241)
Immigration reform will require a sustained, incremental effort to secure the border, improvements in the legal worker programs, and support for economic development in Latin ...
February 13, 2009
Executive Summary: Next Steps for Immigration Reform and Workplace Enforcement
By Diem Nguyen, Matt A. Mayer, and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #2241)
Immigration reform will require a sustained, incremental effort to secure the border, improvements in the legal worker programs, and support for economic development in Latin ...
February 13, 2009
Mortgage Modifications in Bankruptcy Would Undermine Homeownership, Prevent Few Foreclosures
By Andrew M. Grossman
(Backgrounder #2242)
Allowing judges to discharge mortgage debt in bankruptcy and rewrite repayment terms would put homeownership out of reach for many Americans, especially those of lesser ...
February 12, 2009
Note to Congress: Expanding Health Care Entitlements Is Bad Policy
By Dennis G. Smith
(Backgrounder #2240)
Entitlement reform, lowering the cost of both public and private health insurance, and expanding private insurance coverage should be accomplished simultaneously, allowing for a smooth ...
February 12, 2009
Disaster of 100 Percent Maritime Cargo Scanning Not Lost on Napolitano
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2288)
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano pinpointed the problems with scanning 100 percent of cargo entering the U.S. She should now pressure Congress to find ...
February 12, 2009
Power-Sharing in Zimbabwe: Recommendations for the Obama Administration
By Thomas M. Woods
(WebMemo #2289)
If the power-sharing deal brokered by the Southern African Development Community is going to help average Zimbabweans, the political arrangement must hold and resources must ...
February 12, 2009
Growing Instability in Mexico Threatens U.S. Economy and Border Security
By James M. Roberts and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2290)
Mexico is facing trouble on several fronts.
February 12, 2009
Obama's Bank Bailout Plan: Not Ready for Prime Time
By David C. John and James L. Gattuso
(WebMemo #2291)
The Administration's financial bailout strategy announced by Timothy Geithner, despite some positive elements, is filled with incomplete and unsound policy proposals financed by trillions of ...
February 11, 2009
Stimulus Bill Abolishes Welfare Reform and Adds New Welfare Spending
By Robert Rector and Katherine Bradley
(WebMemo #2287)
Both the Senate and House stimulus bills conceal their destruction of the foundation of welfare reform.
February 10, 2009
Consensus Collapsing for the Senate's $838 Billion "Stimulus"
By Brian Riedl
(WebMemo #2283)
Senators should reject a "stimulus" bill that is based on 1933 economics and ignores 75 years of research and evidence about how growth is created. ...
February 10, 2009
Expanded Offshore Drilling should Be a Part of U.S. Energy Policy
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2284)
The Obama Administration should continue with the important effort to expand domestic production of oil and gas.
February 10, 2009
The U.S. and U.K. Must Oppose French Plans to Weaken NATO
By Nile Gardiner, Ph.D., and Sally McNamara
(WebMemo #2285)
The French proposal to build up a separate EU defense structure—i.e., a competitor to NATO sucking up valuable NATO resources—is simply unacceptable and should be ...
February 10, 2009
U.S.-Russia Relations after Manas: Do Not Push the Reset Button Yet
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2286)
Vice President Joe Biden suggested at the Munich international security conference that America push "the reset button" on relations with Russia. The Obama Administration, however, ...
February 9, 2009
Biden's Munich Speech: Obama Administration Foreign Policy Projects Weakness and Confusion
By Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2280)
Vice President Joe Biden's outline of the Obama Administration's foreign policy vision should be viewed as one of the weakest projections of U.S. leadership in ...
February 9, 2009
Iraq's Elections: A Win for Prime Minister Maliki and the United States
By James Phillips
(WebMemo #2281)
Iraq’s January 31 provincial elections were another important milestone on Iraq’s long and difficult journey toward becoming a stable democracy.
February 9, 2009
U.S.–India Homeland Security Cooperation: Moving Forward
By Lisa Curtis and Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2282)
As the U.S. and India both continue to look for strategies that can effectively protect their citizens from terrorism, each country stands to gain considerably ...
February 9, 2009
Abraham Lincoln: Statesman for All Ages
By Edwin Meese III
(Heritage Lecture #1109)
Abraham Lincoln had a great interest in the Founding Fathers, and he was inspired by what they had begun. Lincoln’s leadership, his principles, and his ...
February 6, 2009
Welfare Spendathon: House Stimulus Bill Will Cost Taxpayers $787 Billion in New Welfare Spending
By Robert E. Rector and Katherine Bradley
(WebMemo #2276)
The welfare provisions in the Senate stimulus bill are very similar to those in the House bill. Both bills use the idea of economic stimulus ...
February 6, 2009
The Problem with Increasing Energy Loan Guarantees
By Jack Spencer
(WebMemo #2277)
Despite there already being tens of billions authorized to guarantee clean energy loans, some are pushing to add up to $100 billion more in the ...
February 6, 2009
Stimulus Won't Help Grim Jobs Report
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr.
(WebMemo #2278)
The January jobs report reveals that last month employment opportunities declined by 598,000 and the unemployment rate increased to 7.6 percent.
February 6, 2009
In Defense of Thailand's Democracy
By Walter Lohman
(WebMemo #2279)
One of America’s two treaty allies in Southeast Asia turned the page on a period of intense political instability. America should celebrate and use this ...
February 5, 2009
The Demise of the U.N. Procurement Task Force Threatens Oversight at the U.N.
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #2272)
The first step toward U.N. reform is clearing the way for experts from the Procurement Task Force to be hired by the OIOS.
February 5, 2009
The Economic Stimulus Package and the Limits of Infrastructure Jobs Creation
By Ronald D. Utt
(WebMemo #2273)
Many in Congress have been arguing the need for more government spending to create new jobs to offset those lost and to jumpstart the economy, ...
February 5, 2009
Concerns on Proposed Reduction of U.S. Nuclear Stockpile to 1,000 Weapons
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #2274)
According to press reports, President Obama has directed the U.S. to seek a future strategic arms control treaty with Russia that will reduce the U.S. ...
February 5, 2009
New Stimulus Tax Deductions Just Another Bailout for Detroit Automakers
By Curtis S. Dubay
(WebMemo #2275)
The Senate recently tacked on two new income tax deductions as part of the stimulus bill in yet another attempt to help the ailing auto ...
February 5, 2009
Latin America and the U.S.: Building a Partnership for the Western Hemisphere
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2238)
Responding to challenges in the Western Hemisphere is vital to core U.S. interests. Many programs begun under Bush merit continuation. The Obama Administration should propose ...
February 4, 2009
Comparative Effectiveness in Health Care Reform: Lessons from Abroad
By Helen Evans, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2239)
President Obama’s proposed Institute for Comparative Effectiveness would mean more government control of private medical decisions. It is clear from the British experience and other ...
February 4, 2009
Building a Global Freedom Coalition with a New "Security for Freedom Fund"
By James Carafano, Ph.D., and Henry Brands
(Backgrounder #2236)
A Global Freedom Coalition, a flexible association of free nations whose members have both the will and the means to defeat threats to their security, ...
February 4, 2009
Chinese Foreign Investment: Insist on Transparency
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.,
(Backgrounder #2237)
China holds more than $1 trillion in American bonds. According to the new Heritage Foundation database on recent Chinese foreign non-bond investment, China has invested ...
February 4, 2009
Executive Summary: Chinese Foreign Investment: Insist on Transparency
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.,
(Executive Summary #2237)
China holds more than $1 trillion in American bonds. According to the new Heritage Foundation database on recent Chinese foreign non-bond investment, China has invested ...
February 4, 2009
Stimulus Bill Should Not Bail Out Irresponsible States
By Brian Riedl
(WebMemo #2266)
In response to pleading governors and mayors, the House stimulus bill contains a staggering $200 billion bailout for state and local governments that have spent ...
February 4, 2009
The Stimulus Bill: Why the Senate Must Fix the Health Care Provisions
By Nina Owcharenko
(WebMemo #2267)
Liberals in Congress, under the guise of emergency economic stimulus legislation, are attempting to push forward their radical health care agenda.
February 4, 2009
Senate Stimulus Bill Would Provide 300,000 Jobs for Illegal Immigrants
By Robert Rector
(WebMemo #2268)
If the Senate version of the stimulus bill becomes law, a great number of the workers employed in government construction programs will, in fact, be ...
February 4, 2009
The Senate's Flawed 4 Percent Mortgage Refinance Plan
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D., David C. John, and J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2269)
The Senate Republicans' 4 percent housing stimulus and mortgage relief plan (proposed earlier by Chris Mayer and Glenn Hubbard of Columbia Business School) would be ...
February 4, 2009
Iran's Satellite Launch Underscores Growing Military Threat
By James Phillips and Baker Spring
(WebMemo #2270)
Iran’s satellite launch is another wake-up call that underscores the urgency of building effective missile defenses and ratcheting up international pressure to halt Iran’s nuclear ...
February 4, 2009
Get Out of Jail Free: Why Byrne JAG Grants Should Not Be Part of Economic Stimulus Package
By David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2271)
Not only should Congress be concerned about the pretrial services funded by Byrne JAG grants, but these grants will do virtually nothing to stimulate the ...
February 3, 2009
Sustainable Economic Stimulus: Repeal Capital Gains and Dividend Taxes
By Karen A. Campbell and Guinevere Nell
(WebMemo #2263)
Although policymakers are currently discussing an $825 billion economic stimulus package, completely eliminating capital gains and dividend taxes would be a cheaper and more effective ...
February 3, 2009
An Earmark by Any Other Name Is Still an Earmark
By Karen Campbell, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2264)
An analysis of the "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" shows that it fails to deliver on the economic promises of its authors, ...
February 3, 2009
Reform Collective Bargaining to Enable Hard Working Americans to Get Ahead
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2265)
Congress should allow companies to reward achievement and create incentives for successful employees by paying them more than their union contracts provide.
February 2, 2009
Deputy Attorney General Nominee David Ogden: Questions on Interpretation of the U.S. Constitution
By Steven Groves
(WebMemo #2258)
The Committee on the Judiciary should not ignore David Ogden's opinions on the use of foreign laws in American jurisprudence.
February 2, 2009
Big Gains for the Automakers from Senator Jim DeMint's "American Option"
By William W. Beach
(WebMemo #2259)
Senator Jim DeMint's economic stimulus plan—known as the "the American Option Act"—proposes to aggressively and immediately lower taxes on businesses and individuals.
February 2, 2009
The Stealth Nationalization of Britain's Economy Must Be Reversed
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2260)
As a result of the stealth nationalization of its economy, large portions of Britain are now almost completely dependent upon government spending.
February 2, 2009
The "American Option" Is Good for Small Business
By Guinevere Nell
(WebMemo #2261)
The "American Option," introduced by Senator Jim DeMint (R–SC), avoids the discredited Keynesian consumption-based stimulus and instead follows the tried and true method of cutting ...
February 2, 2009
Stimulus Plan Should Include Pro-Growth Tax Relief for Families in Every State
By Shanea J. Watkins, Ph.D., and Guinevere Nell
(WebMemo #2262)
The stimulus plan scheduled for debate in the Senate should include an extension of the 2001 and 2003 tax reductions and a reduction of tax ...
January 30, 2009
Buy American Hurts America
By Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2256)
Looming large in the stimulus package passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday is the expansion of “Buy American” provisions that discriminate against foreign ...
January 30, 2009
The Global Government Debt Bubble Threatens the Economy
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2257)
The expanding federal deficit is likely to raise interest rates significantly for government debt, thereby increasing interest costs for generations to come.
January 30, 2009
Russia's Drive for Global Economic Power: A Challenge for the Obama Administration
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., and Lajos F. Szaszdi, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2235)
Russia's Drive for Global Economic Power: A Challenge for the Obama Administration
January 30, 2009
Executive Summary: Russia's Drive for Global Economic Power: A Challenge for the Obama Administration
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., and Lajos F. Szaszdi, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #2235)
Russia's Drive for Global Economic Power: A Challenge for the Obama Administration
January 30, 2009
Ensuring "Equal Treatment" in the Minnesota Recount: Bush v. Gore Redux
By Hans A. von Spakovsky
(Legal Memorandum #36)
The carelessness of local election officials, the arbitrary and capricious decisions of the Minnesota Canvassing Board, and the strange decisions of the Minnesota Supreme Court ...
January 29, 2009
Mutual Obligation and the American Social Contract
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #1107)
Simple steps like automatic enrollment in savings plans, incentives to encourage long-term care insurance, and delinking coverage from the workplace would foster long-term, personally owned ...
January 29, 2009
The American Option: A Jobs Plan That Works
By the Honorable Jim DeMint
(Heritage Lecture #1108)
The House stimulus bill does virtually nothing to stimulate the economy while it wastes billions of taxpayer dollars. A better way that will actually stimulate ...
January 29, 2009
Obama's Al-Arabiya Interview: A Naïve Re-Branding of American Foreign Policy
By James Phillips
(WebMemo #2255)
President Obama's first formal televised interview after his inauguration, given to the Arab television network Al-Arabiya, was a glib attempt to address a global Arab ...
January 28, 2009
More Byrne JAG and COPS Funding Will Not Stimulate the Economy
By David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2251)
The inclusion of local law enforcement grants—such as Byrne JAG and COPS—in the economic stimulus package will be exceedingly unlikely to produce any stimulus for ...
January 28, 2009
Economic Stimulus Pushed by Flawed Jobs Analysis
By Curtis Dubay, Karen Campbell, Ph.D., and Paul Winfree
(WebMemo #2252)
The Obama Administration and Members of Congress are relying on a flawed report as evidence of the effectiveness of the stimulus plan. The report should ...
January 28, 2009
Davis-Bacon Wage Provisions Depress the Economy
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2253)
All $188 billion worth of construction projects funded in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1) must pay Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates. This requirement ...
January 28, 2009
Homeschooling Sees Dramatic Rise in Popularity
By Lindsey Burke
(WebMemo #2254)
In view of all the benefits that homeschooling provides to homeschooled children as well as society as a whole, lawmakers should enact policies that give ...
January 28, 2009
Quadrennial Defense Review: Building Blocks for National Defense
By Baker Spring and Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(Backgrounder #2234)
The Obama Administration needs to set the stage for the QDR by creating a buffer between demands of the budget calendar and the strategy policy ...
January 28, 2009
Executive Summary: Quadrennial Defense Review: Building Blocks for National Defense
By Baker Spring and Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(Executive Summary #2234)
The Obama Administration needs to set the stage for the QDR by creating a buffer between demands of the budget calendar and the strategy policy ...
January 27, 2009
Limited Government, Unlimited Administration: Is it Possible to Restore Constitutionalism?
By Gary S. Lawson
(First Principles #23)
The Framers of our Constitution should be venerated in the general culture for what they did. Veneration of the personalities should be linked with veneration ...
January 27, 2009
Adding Visa Waiver Restrictions: The Wrong Course for Congress
By Jena Baker McNeill, James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., and James Dean
(WebMemo #2248)
Congress should not destroy the Visa Waiver Program by instituting unworkable requirements. Doing so would decrease security and alienate our allies while battering America’s already-damaged ...
January 27, 2009
The U.S.–China Economic Relationship: In Need of Counseling, Not Divorce
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2249)
The process of demonizing the U.S.-China economic relationship has begun.
January 27, 2009
U.S.–India Strategic Partnership on Laser-Based Missile Defense
By Lisa Curtis and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2250)
Working together on directed-energy developments offers a significant opportunity to strengthen the U.S.-India strategic partnership.
January 26, 2009
"Making Work Pay" Credit Will Not Stimulate the Economy
By Curtis S. Dubay
(WebMemo #2240)
President Barack Obama's "Making Work Pay" tax credit is a major piece of the fiscal stimulus plan currently being debated in Congress. The new credit ...
January 26, 2009
Homeland Security Secretary Asks—Here Are Answers!
By James Jay Carafano, PhD.
(WebMemo #2241)
New Secretary for Homeland Security Janet Napolitano issued a directive requiring her staff to report to her by the end of the month on five ...
January 26, 2009
The Stimulus Bill: $825 Billion in Forgone Family Spending
By Shanea J. Watkins, Ph.D., and Patrick Tyrrell
(WebMemo #2242)
House Democrats have proposed $825 billion in stimulus spending. To put it into perspective, $825 billion is worth approximately $10,520 for each family in the ...
January 26, 2009
4 Percent of GDP Defense Spending: Sustained Spending, Not Economic Stimulus
By Baker Spring, Mackenzie Eaglen, and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2243)
Congress should insist on adequate defense spending in order to create a strong military.
January 26, 2009
SCHIP Bill: Top 10 Changes for Congress to Consider
By Dennis G. Smith
(WebMemo #2244)
In Congress's mad dash to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), it fails to correct the serious flaws buried in last year's SCHIP ...
January 26, 2009
Green Stimulus: Tying Economic Package to Energy and Environment Plan Is Not Workable
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2245)
There is plenty of reason to believe that Congress's proposed stimulus package will not work. This misallocation of resources is only worsened with the attempt ...
January 26, 2009
The New SCHIP Bill: The Senate Must Protect Private Coverage
By Paul L. Winfree and Greg D’Angelo
(WebMemo #2246)
When the Senate considers the House legislation or a companion proposal to expand SCHIP to children in families with higher incomes, it should recognize that ...
January 26, 2009
Building a Better Stimulus Bill
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr., and Ryan Tang
(WebMemo #2247)
The tax cuts that are currently part of the stimulus bills and supported by President Obama rely on increased consumer spending instead of boosting investment ...
January 26, 2009
Ten Reasons Why the "Economic Stimulus" Should Not Include Education Spending
By Dan Lips
(Backgrounder #2233)
The draft American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 calls for an unprecedented increase in federal education funding, which will not improve economic growth. Instead ...
January 23, 2009
Holding Terrorists Accountable: A Lawful Detainment Framework for the Long War
By Charles D. Stimson
(Legal Memorandum #35)
Military detention is a necessary and lawful tool with a long history of use, and whatever President Obama does, he is extremely unlikely to end ...
January 23, 2009
Key Questions for Ron Kirk, Nominee for United States Trade Representative
By Daniella Markheim and Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2239)
In order to determine where the next U.S. Trade Representative stands on crucial issues, these questions should be put to the nominee during his confirmation ...
January 22, 2009
Making Ledbetter Better, or at Least Less Bad
By Andrew M. Grossman
(WebMemo #2236)
If Congress is serious about protecting workers from discrimination, it should consider more thoughtful proposals than effectively eliminating Title VII’s limitations period.
January 22, 2009
How the House Stimulus Bill Undercuts Parental Authority
By Dennis G. Smith
(WebMemo #2237)
Buried in the economic stimulus legislation is a provision further undercutting parental authority and expanding control of taxpayer dollars by family planning clinics.
January 22, 2009
The Truth About China's Growth
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2238)
China just announced its economic results for 2008. The only thing certain about these figures is that they are wrong.
January 22, 2009
Can the ILO Be Saved from Itself?
By Charlotte M. Ponticelli
(Heritage Lecture #1106)
The International Labor Organization is veering far from its core mission. The new Administration, which has given much attention to labor issues, should use its ...
January 22, 2009
Time for a New International Game Plan
By Kim R. Holmes, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2231)
The United States cannot remain a global leader unless it modernizes its alliances and international associations. America needs international institutions, alliances, and a multilateral diplomacy ...
January 22, 2009
Will Lobbyists Turn the Stimulus Package Into a Festival of Fiscal Greed?
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2232)
As Congress and President Obama try to devise a fiscal stimulus package, and as the proposed spending for this package has risen from $300 billion ...
January 21, 2009
Key Questions for Timothy Geithner, Nominee for Treasury Secretary
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2232)
The United States Senate will soon consider the nomination of Timothy Geithner to be Treasury secretary of the United States. The following are a few ...
January 21, 2009
The House Stimulus Bill and Health Care Assistance for Unemployed Workers
By Nina Owcharenko
(WebMemo #2233)
If Congress is poised to extend health care assistance for unemployed workers as part of its economic stimulus proposal, it should do so in a ...
January 21, 2009
President Obama's Inaugural Speech: Tough Road Ahead for U.S. Foreign Policy
By Helle C. Dale
(WebMemo #2234)
In the days ahead, Mr. Obama's foreign policy will take shape. There is no doubt that philosophically, Mr. Obama differs from his predecessor. Yet, how ...
January 21, 2009
Bailing Out Medicaid: A Bad Solution
By Dennis G. Smith and Nina Owcharenko
(WebMemo #2235)
Congress should not throw good money after bad. But if Congress insists on writing bigger Medicaid checks for state officials—again—then it should take very specific ...
January 16, 2009
President Bush Is Right to Recognize the Value—and Values—of the Anglosphere
By Ted R. Bromund
(WebMemo #2230)
On January 13, President Bush presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, and ...
January 16, 2009
The Fallacy of Health Care Reform as Economic Stimulus
By Robert A. Book, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2231)
After spending decades trying reduce health care costs, some commentators and policymakers now argue that health care costs should be increased to stimulate the economy. ...
January 16, 2009
The Paycheck Fairness Act: The Heritage Foundation 2009 Labor Boot Camp
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2212)
Under the current Equal Pay Act, once employees have provided prima facie evidence of sex discrimination, the burden of proof shifts to the employer to ...
January 16, 2009
Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act: The Heritage Foundation 2009 Labor Boot Camp
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2213)
The consequences of extended unemployment benefits are some of the most conclusively established results in labor economic research. Extending either the amount or the duration ...
January 16, 2009
The RESPECT Act: The Heritage Foundation 2009 Labor Boot Camp
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2214)
The Re-Empowerment of Skilled and Professional Employees and Construction Tradeworkers (RESPECT) Act would limit which workers the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) classifies as supervisors. ...
January 16, 2009
Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act: The Heritage Foundation 2009 Labor Boot Camp
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2215)
The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act would require all state and local governments to collectively bargain with public safety employees’—police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical ...
January 16, 2009
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act: The Heritage Foundation 2009 Labor Boot Camp
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2216)
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act would allow pay discrimination lawsuits to proceed years or even decades after alleged discrimination took place.
January 16, 2009
Religious Freedom Day: A Timely Reminder
By Ryan Messmore
(WebMemo #2225)
Since 1993, the President has annually proclaimed January 16 “Religious Freedom Day.” This proclamation is timely, as religious freedom faces new challenges in current public ...
January 16, 2009
President Bush’s Farewell Address
By James Phillips
(WebMemo #2226)
President George W. Bush used his farewell address to reflect on his Administration’s record and outline some of the challenges the nation will face in ...
January 16, 2009
Fiscal Challenges for Government at All Levels: How Economic Stimulus Drives Up Deficit and Debt
By William W. Beach
(WebMemo #2227)
The 111th Congress begins its work with a war against an enemy that is as intractable as it is illusive and with an economic crisis ...
January 16, 2009
Bush Farewell Addresses Homeland Security
By Jena Baker McNeill and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2228)
In his farewell address to the nation, President George W. Bush reflected on one of the central challenges of his Administration—responding to the threat of ...
January 16, 2009
U.S. Partnerships with Canada, Mexico, and the E.U. to Streamline Trade Regulations Should Continue
By Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2229)
The SPP and TEC demonstrate that effective mechanisms can be found to improve the coherence, consistency, and effectiveness of regulation, enhance regional and transatlantic competitiveness, ...
January 16, 2009
Sudan: From the Diplomatic Front Line in Search of Peace
By Ambassador Richard S. Williamson
(Heritage Lecture #1105)
The most effective way to end Sudan’s continuing murder, mayhem, and misery is to strengthen Southern Sudan. Regarding Darfur specifically, the international community should test ...
January 16, 2009
Promoting Innovation with Patent Reform: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Andrew M. Grossman
(Special Report #0047)
President-elect Obama, you are right to recognize that our intellectual property system is absolutely essential to the global competitiveness of America and its leading industries. ...
January 15, 2009
Religious Liberty in America: An Idea Worth Sharing Through Public Diplomacy
By Jennifer A. Marshall
(Backgrounder #2230)
Religion defines the worldview of many whom U.S. policy seeks to influence. To win hearts and minds, advance freedom, and promote stability, U.S. public diplomacy ...
January 15, 2009
How Americans Can Provide Real Public Service
By Brian Brown
(WebMemo #2222)
If President-elect Barack Obama truly wishes to see the American people mobilized in real, effective public service, rather than marching in lockstep for ulterior motives, ...
January 15, 2009
Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA): The Heritage Foundation 2009 Labor Boot Camp
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2210)
The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) would alter the employee-employer relationship in three fundamental ways.
January 15, 2009
Extended Unemployment Insurance Benefits: The Heritage Foundation 2009 Labor Boot Camp
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2211)
The consequences of extended unemployment benefits are some of the most conclusively established results in labor economic research. Extending either the amount or the duration ...
January 15, 2009
Ban on the Permanent Replacement of Strikers: The Heritage Foundation 2009 Labor Boot Camp
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2207)
Currently, U.S. labor law allows employers to hire replacement workers during a strike on the same terms as last offered to the strikers, including permanent ...
January 15, 2009
Mandatory Paid Sick Leave: The Heritage Foundation 2009 Labor Boot Camp
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2208)
The Healthy Families Act (HFA) and similar legislation before Congress would require employers to provide employees with paid sick leave benefits. The HFA would require ...
January 15, 2009
Extension of the Davis-Bacon Act: The Heritage Foundation 2009 Labor Boot Camp
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2209)
The Davis-Bacon Act requires federal construction contractors to pay at least the wage rates prevailing on non-federal construction projects in the same locality. Although Davis-Bacon ...
January 15, 2009
Key Questions for Ken Salazar, Nominee for Department of Interior
By Nicolas Loris and Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2224)
The U.S. Senate will soon render its advice and consent on the nomination of Ken Salazar for Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. ...
January 14, 2009
Key Questions for Incoming Senior Department of Defense Nominees
By Mackenzie Eaglen
(WebMemo #2219)
The United States Senate will soon render its advice and consent on the nominees for Pentagon officials. As part of this process, the Senate should ...
January 14, 2009
10 plus 2: A Flexible Alternative to 100 Percent Scanning
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2217)
“10 plus 2” would require shippers to provide certain information before a container can be shipped to the United States. Congress and DHS should allow ...
January 14, 2009
TARP: Frank's Bill Underscores Weaknesses of This Bailout Program
By David C. John
(WebMemo #2223)
Efforts by Chairman Barney Frank of the House Financial Services Committee to "improve" the Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in the TARP Reform and ...
January 14, 2009
Key Questions for Eric Holder, Nominee for United States Attorney General
By Robert Alt
(WebMemo #2220)
The United States Senate will soon render its advice and consent on the nomination of Eric Holder as the new United States Attorney General. In ...
January 14, 2009
Key Questions for Susan E. Rice, Nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
By Steven Groves and Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #2221)
On January 20, 2009, the incoming Administration will confront a multitude of international issues. The primary challenge facing the new Representative of the United States ...
January 14, 2009
Adding COPS Funding to the Economic Stimulus Package Will Not Stimulate the Economy, Nor Will It Effectively Combat Crime
By David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
While Congress is developing legislation intended to stimulate the economy, interest groups, including governors, big city mayors, and other local officials, are lining up for ...
January 14, 2009
Iran and the Next Administration: Policy Challenges
By The Honorable John R. Bolton
(Heritage Lecture #1104)
The threat posed by Iran's effort to acquire deliverable nuclear weapons is urgent, and there is not much room for error. Five years of failed ...
January 13, 2009
Reforms Needed for a More Effective United Nations: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Brett D. Schaefer and Steven Groves
(Special Report #41)
President-elect Obama, while we may disagree with your view that the United Nations is "indispensable," we do agree that it is imperfect and in need ...
January 13, 2009
How to Reform Entitlement Spending: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Brian M. Riedl and Alison Acosta Fraser
(Special Report #43)
President-Elect Obama, you based much of your presidential campaign on the promise of a better future for all Americans. A better future must be one ...
January 13, 2009
Reforming Financial Regulation: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By David C. John and David M. Mason
(Special Report #44)
President-elect Obama, during the campaign, you recognized the need to update America's outdated regulatory framework to meet the needs of the 21st century. You laid ...
January 13, 2009
Reducing Poverty by Revitalizing Marriage in Low-Income Communities: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Robert Rector
(Special Report #45)
President-elect Obama, the collapse of marriage is the most important social problem facing the nation. When the War on Poverty began in the 1960s, 7 ...
January 13, 2009
Defending Marriage: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Thomas M. Messner and Jennifer A. Marshall
(Special Report #46)
President-elect Obama, you have stated on more than one occasion that marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman. You have also explained ...
January 13, 2009
Contracting in Combat: Advice for the Commission on Wartime Contracting
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2228)
The Commission on Wartime Contracting is due to issue an interim report in 2009, which should focus on specific priorities in order to provide a ...
January 13, 2009
Real Immigration Reform Needs Real Temporary Worker Program
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2229)
An innovative temporary worker program is a helpful tool for improving the legal means by which foreigners can fill important niches in the national workforce. ...
January 13, 2009
Cut Tax Rates and Create 2.5 Million—No, 3.5 Million New Jobs
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2218)
President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to create 3.5 million new jobs by the end 2010. But he only quick, and effective, remedy is to cut ...
January 13, 2009
Key Questions for Janet Napolitano, Nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2204)
The United States Senate will soon render its advice and consent to the nomination of Governor Janet Napolitano (D-AZ) as the new secretary of the ...
January 12, 2009
U.S. Labor and Employment Report: Jobs Report for December Underscores Need for Pro-Growth Economic Policies
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr., and James Sherk
(WebMemo #2205)
The jobs reports of the previous two months have been the worse in decades. Congress should enact policies aimed at bolstering employment opportunities by reducing ...
January 12, 2009
Key Questions for Lisa Jackson, Nominee for EPA Administrator
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2206)
The U.S. Senate will soon render its advice and consent on the nomination of Lisa Jackson for administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. In their ...
January 12, 2009
Key Questions for Senator Hillary Clinton, Nominee for Secretary of State
By Steven Groves
(WebMemo #2201)
On January 20, 2009, the incoming Administration will confront a multitude of international issues. In order to determine where the next secretary of state stands ...
January 12, 2009
Calderon and President-elect Obama Meet: A New Start in the Neighborhood
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2202)
During his January 12 meeting with Mexican President Felipe Calderon, President-elect Obama has an opportunity to set a tone for U.S. relations with Mexico that ...
January 12, 2009
Key Questions for Steven Chu, Nominee for Secretary of Energy
By Ben Lieberman and Jack Spencer
(WebMemo #2203)
It is an important part of the secretary of energy's job to act as a pro-energy counterweight to EPA rather than as a redundant anti-energy ...
January 12, 2009
How Medicare's Drug Pricing Can Hurt R&D
By Cheryl S. Smith and Laura L. Summers
(Backgrounder #2225)
Research and development is critical to the pharmaceutical industry. If drug prices increase, firms have more revenue—and more incentive to invest in R&D. Allowing the ...
January 12, 2009
Executive Summary: How Medicare's Drug Pricing Can Hurt R&D
By Cheryl S. Smith and Laura L. Summers
(Executive Summary #2225)
Research and development is critical to the pharmaceutical industry. If drug prices increase, firms have more revenue—and more incentive to invest in R&D. Allowing the ...
January 9, 2009
CEDAW: How U.N. Interference Threatens the Rights of American Women
By Grace Smith Melton
(Backgrounder #2227)
CEDAW is an ineffective and inappropriate instrument for advancing women’s rights. It has accomplished little to improve women’s rights in some of the most oppressive ...
January 9, 2009
Enacting Principled, Nonpartisan Criminal-Law Reform: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Brian W. Walsh
(Special Report #42)
President-elect Obama, during your campaign, you promised to improve the administration of criminal justice for all Americans without limitation. This promise is vital because criminal ...
January 9, 2009
Any Stimulus Legislation Must Include Budget Reforms to Address Long-Term Challenges
By Alison Acosta Fraser
(WebMemo #2199)
If President-elect Obama insists on a huge spending bill, he must ensure it does not result in huge permanent new government programs and thus potentially ...
January 9, 2009
Key Questions for Arne Duncan, Nominee for Secretary for U.S. Department of Education
By Dan Lips
(WebMemo #2200)
Senators should ask these questions of Education Secretary-designate Arne Duncan as they consider his confirmation.
January 8, 2009
European Security and Russia's Natural Gas Supply Disruption
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., and Owen Graham
(WebMemo #2194)
On January 1, 2009, Russia’s state monopoly OAO Gazprom began reducing gas supplies to Ukraine. Moscow and Kiev had failed to negotiate the price for ...
January 8, 2009
Europe Should Reduce Dependence on Russian Energy and Develop Competitive Energy Markets
By Sally McNamara
(WebMemo #2195)
Europe's over-reliance on Russian energy is a fundamental strategic weakness. In the event that Europe continues to increase its dependence on Moscow, it will once ...
January 8, 2009
Key Questions for Hilda Solis, Nominee for Secretary of Labor
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2196)
The United States Senate will soon render its advice and consent to the nomination of Representative Hilda Solis (D–CA) as the new secretary of the ...
January 8, 2009
Europe and the European Union Are Not One and the Same
By Sally McNamara
(WebMemo #2197)
The new Administration must take a hard-headed look at U.S.-EU relations if it is to fashion a transatlantic relationship which serves American interests.
January 8, 2009
10 Points for President-Elect Obama's Latin America Strategy
By James M. Roberts and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2198)
As a host of appointees and would-be ambassadors jockey for selection and Senate confirmation, the time is right to set down a list of 10 ...
January 7, 2009
Mandatory Paid Sick Leave Need Not Cut Workers' Pay
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2189)
Early in its first session, the new 111th Congress will likely debate legislation that would require employers to provide their employees with at least seven ...
January 7, 2009
The Constitutional Requirement to Seat the Senator from Illinois: Upholding the Rule of Law
By Hans A. von Spakovsky
(WebMemo #2190)
Senator Roland Burris has no choice but to immediately assert his right to be seated and to file suit if the Senate continues to unlawfully ...
January 7, 2009
Economic Recovery: How Best to End the Recession
By J.D. Foster, Ph.D., and William W. Beach
(WebMemo #2191)
The new Administration and new Congress are developing a stimulus program to soften the recession and accelerate the recovery. Given the high level of economic ...
January 7, 2009
Key Questions for Senator Tom Daschle, Nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2192)
The United States Senate will soon render its advice and consent to the nomination of former Senator Tom Daschle (D–SD) as the new secretary of ...
January 7, 2009
CBO Budget Baseline Shows Historic Surge in Spending and Debt
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #2193)
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently released its annual 10-year budget baseline. A realistic baseline shows that historic spending increases are projected to drive the ...
January 7, 2009
The Ledbetter Act: Sacrificing Justice for "Fair" Pay
By Andrew M. Grossman
(Legal Memorandum #34)
Congressional leaders have said that they will fast-track the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a bill that would allow pay discrimination lawsuits to proceed years ...
January 7, 2009
How 'No Child Left Behind' Threatens Florida's Successful Education Reforms
By Matthew Ladner, Ph.D., and Dan Lips
(Backgrounder #2226)
Like previous federal education initiatives, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), which increased federal authority over schools, has failed to deliver meaningful improvement in America's public ...
January 7, 2009
Executive Summary: How "No Child Left Behind" Threatens Florida's Successful Education Reforms
By Matthew Ladner, Ph.D., and Dan Lips
(Executive Summary #2226)
Like previous federal education initiatives, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), which increased federal authority over schools, has failed to deliver meaningful improvement in America's public ...
January 6, 2009
Rising Unemployment: Caused by Less New Job Creation, Not by More Layoffs
By James Sherk
(Backgrounder #2223)
U.S. unemployment has risen sharply over the past 18 months to 6.7 percent. Unemployment is rising because employers are creating fewer jobs. Workers entering the ...
January 6, 2009
Securing U.S. Objectives in North Korea: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Bruce Klingner and Walter Lohman
(Special Report #37)
President-elect Obama, during the campaign you stressed the need for "sustained, direct, and aggressive diplomacy" with North Korea in order to achieve "the complete and ...
January 6, 2009
Promoting the General Welfare Through Civil Justice Reform: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Hans A. von Spakovsky and Andrew M. Grossman
(Special Report #38)
President-elect Obama, you argued forcefully as a candidate that we need a regulatory and business landscape in which businesses, entrepreneurs, and investors can thrive and ...
January 6, 2009
Reforming and Revitalizing NATO: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Sally McNamara
(Special Report #39)
President-elect Obama, during the presidential election campaign, you highlighted NATO as a valuable global partnership, and you have repeatedly made statements in support of NATO ...
January 6, 2009
Protecting Property Rights to Preserve Freedom and Prosperity: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Andrew M. Grossman
(Special Report #40)
President-elect Obama, you have been a strong and eloquent defender of property rights and the rule of law, recognizing that they undergird Americans' freedoms and ...
January 6, 2009
Conflict in Gaza: Another Case for Directed Energy Defenses
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2186)
The new Administration has opportunity to introduce a "game changer" in the current Middle East conflict by helping speed the fielding of prototype directed-energy defenses ...
January 6, 2009
Economic Stimulus: Dos and Don'ts
By Nicola Moore
(WebMemo #2187)
The first order of business for the President-elect and the new Congress is to get the American economy back on track. To that end, Democratic ...
January 6, 2009
End Hamas Hostage Strategy to Bring Peace to Gaza
By James Phillips
(WebMemo #2188)
International efforts to resolve the Gazan crisis should be aimed at shaping a postwar situation that restricts the ability of Hamas to threaten Israel or ...
January 5, 2009
Bangladesh Election: Major Milestone for Democracy in South Asia
By Lisa Curtis and Nicholas Hamisevicz
(WebMemo #2185)
Bangladeshis went to the polls on December 29 in record numbers and elected the secular Awami League party headed by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ...
January 2, 2009
Toward an Alternative Strategic Security Posture
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #2183)
On December 12, the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States released its interim report. If the tentative and general recommendations in ...
January 2, 2009
Gaza Cease-Fire Must Halt Hamas Rockets
By James Phillips
(WebMemo #2184)
It is important that the current crisis in Gaza be resolved in a manner that undercuts the capacity of Hamas to continue its cynical and ...
December 31, 2008
Time to End "Zeroing" in Trade Dumping Calculations
By Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2180)
America's refusal to eliminate its practice of "zeroing" in anti-dumping investigations erodes U.S. credibility in multilateral trade negotiations. With the new year should come a ...
December 31, 2008
Indonesian President's Praise of Natsir Raises Questions
By Walter Lohman
(WebMemo #2181)
Indonesian President Bambang Susilo Yudhoyono designated M. Natsir a national hero with a speech in the Indonesian province of West Sumatra. But what did the ...
December 31, 2008
National Security Resolutions for 2009
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2182)
The United States should resolve to help make the world a better place with initiatives that keep Americans safe, free, and prosperous in the coming ...
December 22, 2008
America Should Support the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership
By Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2178)
In March 2009, the U.S., Australia, and Peru will sit down with member countries of the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (P-4) to negotiate the potential ...
December 22, 2008
The Future of the WTO Doha Round
By Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2179)
On December 12, the director-general of the World Trade Organization, Pascal Lamy, announced that he would not convene a ministerial meeting in December to conclude ...
December 22, 2008
How a Public Health Plan Will Erode Private Care
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2224)
President-elect Obama's rationale for a new public health plan is that it would give Americans who are not enrolled in employment-based health insurance coverage, or ...
December 22, 2008
Executive Summary: How a Public Health Plan Will Erode Private Care
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #2224)
President-elect Obama's rationale for a new public health plan is that it would give Americans who are not enrolled in employment-based health insurance coverage, or ...
December 18, 2008
The Oil-Price Roller Coaster: Global Challenges for the Obama Administration
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., and Owen Graham
(Backgrounder #2216)
The U.S. should increase pressure on OPEC and non-OPEC countries, which are failing to meet production forecasts, to open access to IOCs while authorizing oil ...
December 18, 2008
Executive Summary: The Oil-Price Roller Coaster: Global Challenges for the Obama Administration
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., and Owen Graham
(Executive Summary #2216)
The U.S. should increase pressure on OPEC and non-OPEC countries, which are failing to meet production forecasts, to open access to IOCs while authorizing oil ...
December 18, 2008
Sovereign Wealth Funds: New Voluntary Principles a Step in the Right Direction
By Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2175)
The rise of sovereign wealth funds carries implications for global financial market stability and the national interests of countries receiving these funds. Newly released principles ...
December 18, 2008
New CFIUS Regulations Support U.S. National and Economic Security Concerns
By Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2176)
Only time and practice will reveal the actual effectiveness of the new regulations in carrying out FINSA legislation while preserving the open investment climate the ...
December 17, 2008
Diplomacy in an Age of Faith: How Failing to Understand the Role of Religion Hinders America's Purposes in the World
By Thomas Farr, Ph.D., and Ambassador Terry Miller
(Heritage Lecture #1099)
The American foreign policy establishment has failed to grasp the significance of the resurgence of religion around the world. It has missed the opportunity to ...
December 16, 2008
Fixing Border Security and Immigration: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Jena Baker McNeill and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Special Report #33)
President-elect Obama, we applaud your commitment to secure our nation's borders, but securing our borders is simply one step toward protecting America and fixing our ...
December 16, 2008
Stiffening Pakistan's Resolve Against Terrorism: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Lisa Curtis and Walter Lohman
(Special Report #34)
President-elect Obama, developing an effective policy toward Pakistan will be one of the most immediate challenges facing your Administration.
December 16, 2008
Fulfilling Your Budget Reform Promise of a Net Spending Cut: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Brian M. Riedl and Alison Acosta Fraser
(Special Report #35)
President-elect Obama, you campaigned on fiscal discipline and the need to make tough choices. Although your budget blueprint specifies large new spending hikes, you also ...
December 16, 2008
Protecting and Strengthening Religious Freedom: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Ryan Messmore and Thomas M. Messner
(Special Report #36)
President-elect Obama, you spoke truthfully when you said that "[o]ur law is by definition a codification of morality, much of it grounded in the Judeo–Christian ...
December 16, 2008
Building Cyber Security Leadership for the 21st Century
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., and Eric Sayers
(Backgrounder #2218)
A cyber-strategic leadership program is necessary for constructing a resiliency strategy (methods for ensuring that basic structures of global, national, and local economies remain strong ...
December 16, 2008
Protectionism Won't Fuel a Nuclear Renaissance
By Jack Spencer and Daniella Markheim
(Backgrounder #2221)
Expansion of nuclear power will result in increased demand for uranium. Growing fuel markets will create the environment that can sustain new enrichment capacity; artificially ...
December 16, 2008
Learning from Japan: Infrastructure Spending Won't Boost the Economy
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2222)
The Japanese government implemented a massive program of infrastructure-focused stimulus spending during the 1990s, and the result was two decades of economic stagnation. Less ambitious ...
December 15, 2008
Time to End the TARP Bailout Program
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2174)
To the extent that new financial crises materialize, recent experience suggests that the Federal Reserve Board is best able to handle them and would do ...
December 12, 2008
Free Trade: The Fairest Trade Policy for America
By Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2169)
By keeping America open to trade, the new Administration can ensure that U.S. workers, consumers and companies really get a fair shot to earn and ...
December 12, 2008
TARP: Now a Slush Fund for Detroit?
By Andrew M. Grossman and James Gattuso
(WebMemo #2170)
With the Senate’s rejection of a bailout for Detroit’s ailing automakers, there comes word that President Bush is actively considering using funds allocated by Congress ...
December 12, 2008
Federal Education Bailout Is Not the Answer
By Dan Lips
(WebMemo #2171)
Earlier this week, leaders of the Miami-Dade school system and Broward County school board in Florida called on the federal government to provide a “bailout” ...
December 12, 2008
The Coming U.S.–China Trade Conflict
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2172)
A storm is brewing and the media and public are starting to hear the first rumbles of thunder. The American economic slump is running into ...
December 12, 2008
Abandoning Third-Site Missile Defenses Would Threaten Transatlantic Security
By Sally McNamara
(WebMemo #2173)
When President-elect Barack Obama finally makes his decision about whether to proceed with deployment of U.S. missile defenses in Poland and the Czech Republic, he ...
December 12, 2008
Pass Pending Trade Agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea in 2009
By Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2167)
A trade agenda that includes timely ratification of the pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea would demonstrate a solid economic and strategic ...
December 12, 2008
The Quadrennial Homeland Security Review: A Vital Tool for the Obama Administration
By Jena Baker McNeill
(Backgrounder #2215)
The Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR) will occur for the first time next year and is a valuable tool to ease the transition from one ...
December 11, 2008
Principles and Proposals for NATO Reform
By Sally McNamara
(Backgrounder #2220)
In the post-9/11 world, NATO faces an evolving set of challenges and threats, including terrorism, ballistic missile attack, cyberterrorism, and proliferation of weapons of mass ...
December 11, 2008
Executive Summary: Principles and Proposals for NATO Reform
By Sally McNamara
(Executive Summary #2220)
In the post-9/11 world, NATO faces an evolving set of challenges and threats, including terrorism, ballistic missile attack, cyberterrorism, and proliferation of weapons of mass ...
December 11, 2008
Poznan Conference: America Should Take Notice as Europe Backs Away from Costly Global Warming Measures
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2168)
A global warming conference is currently underway in Poznan, Poland, with representatives from 190 countries debating a new treaty to succeed the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. ...
December 11, 2008
Britain's Armed Forces: Victorious Abroad, Imperiled at Home
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2166)
The British budget crisis threatens severe harm to Britain's armed forces and the strength of the NATO alliance. Britain and the United States must not ...
December 10, 2008
Lessons from Mumbai: Assessing Armed Assault Threats to the United States
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2219)
The best defense against organized armed assaults is to stop them before they occur by developing and maintaining effective counterterrorism, intelligence, and information-sharing programs. If ...
December 10, 2008
How to Think About the Foundations of American Conservatism
By James W. Ceaser, Ph.D.
(First Principles #22)
The Culture-Creed distinction that some commentators apply to the conservative movement favors the Cultural category and attempts, with no basis in principle or fact, to ...
December 9, 2008
Transforming and Improving American Education: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Dan Lips and Jennifer A. Marshall
(Special Report #32)
President-elect Obama, your comments during the campaign show that you recognize the urgent need to transform and improve American education for the 21st century.
December 9, 2008
After Mumbai: Time to Strengthen U.S.–India Counterterrorism Cooperation
By Lisa Curtis
(Backgrounder #2217)
The November terrorist attacks in Mumbai highlighted the urgent need for U.S.–Indian cooperation to counter regional and global terrorist threats, but the U.S. should avoid ...
December 9, 2008
Saving Detroit Automakers with an Advance Purchase of Cars and Trucks
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2163)
While bankruptcy is still the best bet for fundamental reform of the Big Three automakers, if Congress and the President insist on "helping" Detroit, the ...
December 9, 2008
Auto Bailout Bill: Nationalizing Detroit?
By James L. Gattuso
(WebMemo #2164)
Would Washington do a better job running the automobile industry than Detroit would? Taxpayers may be about to find out. Detroit needs to change to ...
December 9, 2008
Bankruptcy Is Best: Responding to Automakers’ Arguments against Chapter 11 Restructuring
By Andrew M. Grossman
(WebMemo #2165)
Though a bailout may be better for the automakers' current executives and shareholders, restructuring in bankruptcy remains the best choice for the automakers' continued viability ...
December 8, 2008
Bankruptcy of Detroit’s Big Three Automobile Companies: New Economic Impact Estimates
By Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D., and Paul L. Winfree
(WebMemo #2160)
Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler rely heavily on a study by the Center for Automotive Research in making their case for a financial bailout. This ...
December 8, 2008
Successful Missile Defense Test Shows Technology Not "Unproven"
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #2161)
On December 5 the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) performed a successful intercept test of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) missile defense interceptor. President-elect Obama should ...
December 8, 2008
UAW Workers Actually Cost the Big Three Automakers $70 an Hour
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2162)
Some observers argue that the $70/hour figure includes the cost of benefits paid to current ...
December 8, 2008
Electromagnetic Pulse Attacks: The Heritage Foundation's Research
By The Heritage Foundation
(WebMemo #2159)
An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack on the United States could wreak havoc on the nation's electronic systems. Yet, despite the tremendous threat EMPs pose to ...
December 8, 2008
Strengthening the Visa Waiver Program: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Jena Baker McNeill, James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., and James Dean
(Special Report #30)
President-elect Obama, your comments on the Senate floor regarding the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) demonstrate that you recognize the program's substantial public diplomacy benefits.
December 8, 2008
Making Domestic Energy Affordable: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Ben Lieberman and Jack Spencer
(Special Report #31)
President-elect Obama, throughout the campaign, you pledged to find ways to provide relief for the rising energy prices that affect millions of American households and ...
December 5, 2008
Employer-Based Health Insurance: Why Congress Should Cap Tax Benefits Consistently
By Jason Roffenbender
(Backgrounder #2214)
Too many Americans do not fully understand how the health insurance they receive through their employer is financed. Formal premium payments to health insurance companies ...
December 5, 2008
Assessing Plans to Deploy U.S. Military on the Homeland Security Front
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2156)
The next Administration should undertake a more deliberate and structured effort to enhance the National Guard and military reserves capabilities for domestic response. Such transformation ...
December 5, 2008
Heritage Employment Report: November's Weak Thanksgiving Jobs Numbers
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr.
(WebMemo #2157)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that in November, 533,000 jobs were lost and the unemployment rate increased from 6.5 percent to 6.7 percent. Despite ...
December 5, 2008
U.S. South Asia Regional - Not Kashmir - Envoy Needed
By Lisa Curtis
(WebMemo #2158)
President-elect Barack Obama rightly recognizes the need for the U.S. to engage in more robust regional diplomacy in south Asia. But he must avoid appointing ...
December 4, 2008
Cabinet-Level FEMA Not Needed
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2153)
By taking FEMA out of DHS, Congress would turn a blind eye to the lessons learned on 9/11. Putting constituent politics over effective disaster response ...
December 4, 2008
The Concept of a Federal Health Board: Learning from Britain's Experience
By Jeet Guram and Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2154)
Tom Daschle, President-elect Barack Obama's pick for secretary of health and human services, has recently been advocating the creation of an independent "Federal Health Board." ...
December 4, 2008
How a Federal Health Board Will Cancel Private Coverage and Care
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2155)
President-elect Barack Obama,Senator Max Baucus, and former Senator Thomas Daschle (D-SD)—Obama’s choice for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—have outlined policy ...
December 3, 2008
Growth, Deficits, and the Future
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2150)
Paul Krugman, in his article in The New York Times on December 1, “Deficits and the Future,” discusses deficit spending reflecting both the weakening state ...
December 3, 2008
Mumbai Massacres Prove Threat of Small Boats to National Security
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2151)
Mumbai Massacres Prove Threat of Small Boats to National Security
December 3, 2008
Permanent Tax Relief - Not Tax "Holidays" - Stimulates Economic Growth
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2152)
Fiscal policy in the form of short-term tax holidays, or temporary spending jolts, will not rekindle economic growth; only long-term reductions in marginal tax rates ...
December 3, 2008
Transportation Policy: Getting the Facts Straight
By Wendell Cox and Ronald D. Utt
(WebMemo #2148)
Many are recommending a substantial increase in federal transportation spending that would be funded by an equally substantial increase in the federal fuel tax. But ...
December 3, 2008
Constitutional Ineligibility: What Does the Emoluments Clause Mean?
By David F. Forte
(WebMemo #2149)
Determined to avoid corruption and self-dealing in the legislative process, the Framers kept all appointive powers out of the hands of Congress. (See Article II, ...
December 3, 2008
Moving Forward with Ballistic Missile Defense: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Baker Spring, Peter Brookes, and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Special Report #26)
President-elect Obama, during the campaign you said you were committed to protecting the United States and its allies against attacks that employ weapons of mass ...
December 3, 2008
Ensuring Access to Affordable Health Insurance: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D., and Nina Owcharenko
(Special Report #27)
President-elect Obama, during the campaign you pledged to build a health care system in which Americans can be as-sured of access to affordable health insurance. ...
December 3, 2008
Yes, a Nuclear Iran Is Unacceptable: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By James Phillips and Peter Brookes
(Special Report #28)
President-elect Obama, you are right that the United States cannot allow Iran to attain a nuclear weapon. Your statement during the second presidential debate indicates ...
December 3, 2008
Cutting Taxes to Promote Growth and Restore Fairness: A Memo to President-elect Obama
By Alison Acosta Fraser and Curtis S. Dubay
(Special Report #29)
President-elect Obama, a centerpiece of your campaign was your pledge to cut taxes for 95 percent of American workers. Middle-class voters, especially, connected strongly with ...
December 3, 2008
U.S. Farm Policy: Subsidizing Poor Health?
By Patrick Johnson
(White Paper )
The law of unintended consequences holds that even well intentioned policies can have adverse effects.
November 28, 2008
India Terror Attacks Point to Need for Stronger U.S.-India Counterterrorism Cooperation
By Lisa Curtis
(WebMemo #2146)
Wednesday's terrorist strikes in Mumbai should lead to greater counterterrorism cooperation between Washington and New Delhi, two nations whose interests in countering regional and global ...
November 28, 2008
After Mumbai: Could It Happen Here? What to Do
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2147)
There are dos and don’ts that should be followed in thinking about the unthinkable—armed assaults in America.
November 26, 2008
Challenges in Latin America: Russians in Caracas, Misrule in Managua
By Ray Walser Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2145)
As 2008 comes to a close, the recent developments in Latin America are raising anxiety levels in the U.S.
November 25, 2008
Homeland Security Oversight Reform Requires Leadership
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2143)
On November 12, senior House Republican leaders sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging her to amend the rule that governs how committees ...
November 25, 2008
Pentagon Should Battle Pirates and Terrorists with Laser Technology
By James Jay Carafano
(WebMemo #2144)
Directed Energy Weapons, particularly those powered by lasers, have long been the stuff of science fiction. Due to recent innovations in commercial solid-state lasers and ...
November 25, 2008
U.S.–India Relations: The China Factor
By Lisa Curtis
(Backgrounder #2209)
While on the surface Indian–Chinese relations appear to be improving, both sides harbor deep suspicions of the other's strategic intentions, and it is likely that ...
November 24, 2008
The True Costs of EPA Global Warming Regulation
By Ben Lieberman
(Backgrounder #2213)
The EPA's Clean Air Act is ill suited to address global warming, which would almost certainly unleash a costly and impractical regulatory scheme that would ...
November 24, 2008
Why the World Still Needs America's Military Might
By Peter Brookes
(Heritage Lecture #1102)
As one American statesman said, diplomacy without the credible threat of military force is nothing but a prayer. America should seek consensus before making a ...
November 24, 2008
Experiencing America: Public Diplomacy at Its Best
By Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, Ambassador Christopher R. Hill, and Ambassador Said T. Jawad
(Heritage Lecture #1103)
The Department of State's Office of Protocol created a new outreach division to give as many of the 180 foreign ambassadors in Washington as possible ...
November 24, 2008
Fighting the Odds: Venezuela's Opposition Scores Key Victories
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2142)
On November 23, Venezuela's previously fragmented opposition scored key victories in state and municipal elections. President Hugo Chávez's march to create a socialized economy and ...
November 21, 2008
The Next SCHIP Debate: The Case for Honest Numbers
By Dennis G. Smith
(WebMemo #2140)
Reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) will take on new and heightened importance early next year. Congress cannot deliver last year's legislation ...
November 21, 2008
Anti-Piracy Initiatives Should Reflect U.S. Maritime Interests
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2141)
It is important that the U.S. government continues to monitor these developments and support anti-piracy initiatives through already-established international forums.
November 20, 2008
Does Detroit Really Need a Bailout? Lessons from Britain
By Nigel Hawkins
(WebMemo #2137)
Britain's experience with two major industries—shipbuilding and automobiles—shows why governments should hesitate to provide heavy subsidies in an effort to "save" firms with serious management ...
November 20, 2008
Inaugural Tickets for Sale? Overcriminalization Strikes Again
By Andrew M. Grossman
(WebMemo #2138)
A new bill introduced by Senator Diane Feinstein (D–CA) would criminalize the sale of inaugural tickets. This sort of knee-jerk criminalization has led to the ...
November 20, 2008
Europe Anti-Missile Defense System: Standing Up to Russia's Threats
By Ariel Cohen
(WebMemo #2139)
The Obama Administration should reject Russia's missile threats and resist Russian pressure, if only to avoid the appearance of weakness and to discourage Russia's strategic ...
November 20, 2008
Reforming U.S. Public Diplomacy for the 21st Century
By Tony Blankley, Helle C. Dale, and Oliver Horn
(Backgrounder #2211)
U.S. government institutions tasked with strategic communications have lacked the leadership and resources necessary to do their job and have operated with virtually no interagency ...
November 20, 2008
Executive Summary: Reforming U.S. Public Diplomacy for the 21st Century
By Tony Blankley, Helle C. Dale, and Oliver Horn
(Executive Summary #2211)
U.S. government institutions tasked with strategic communications have lacked the leadership and resources necessary to do their job and have operated with virtually no interagency ...
November 20, 2008
Defense Spending Fraud, Waste, and Abuse: Hype, Reality, and Real Solutions
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., and Eric Sayers
(Backgrounder #2212)
Government should take every responsible measure to eliminate fraud, waste, and ...
November 19, 2008
Auto Bailout Ignores Excessive Labor Costs
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2135)
Detroit autoworkers have substantially more benefits than most Americans. These benefits have been a major force driving the Detroit automakers' current fiscal woes.
November 19, 2008
China Gets Greener? Power and Growth Data Cannot Be Trusted
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2136)
In October, China's power consumption declined for the first time this decade. The data supporting such a conclusion are slippery, to say the least. Consequently, ...
November 18, 2008
British Defense Cuts Threaten the Anglo-American Special Relationship
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2210)
The Blair and Brown governments have reduced British defense spending as a share of GDP to its lowest point since 1933. The forces are being ...
November 18, 2008
Executive Summary: British Defense Cuts Threaten the Anglo-American Special Relationship
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #2210)
The Blair and Brown governments have reduced British defense spending as a share of GDP to its lowest point since 1933. The forces are being ...
November 18, 2008
Extended Unemployment Insurance--No Economic Stimulus
By James Sherk and Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D.
(Center for Data Analysis Report #08-13)
Many Members of Congress support a second economic stimulus package, including extending the time period over which workers can collect unemployment insurance (UI). A comprehensive ...
November 17, 2008
The Automaker Bailout: Questions Congress Must Ask the Automakers
By Andrew M. Grossman
(WebMemo #2134)
For Congress to be a wise steward of the public purse and responsibly evaluate the need for a bailout, it requires an unvarnished account of ...
November 16, 2008
The Detroit Bailout: Unsafe at Any Cost
By James L. Gattuso and Nicolas D. Loris
(WebMemo #2133)
Should Washington bail out the Big Three automakers? A far better approach is to restructure through a formal bankruptcy process if necessary. Bankruptcy—and the prospect ...
November 15, 2008
Automakers Need Bankruptcy, Not Bailout
By Andrew M. Grossman
(Legal Memorandum #33)
For the Big Three, staying the course (the only alternative to reorganization in bankruptcy) guarantees failure. Outside of bankruptcy, the automakers will have neither the ...
November 14, 2008
The Relationship Between Family Structure and Adolescent Sexual Activity
By Samuel W. Sturgeon
(Special Report #25)
Families remain one of the most powerful socializing influences on the sexual attitudes and behaviors of adolescents. Adolescents from intact family structures are less likely ...
November 14, 2008
Omnibus Lands Bill Restricts Energy Exploration
By Nicolas D. Loris
(WebMemo #2130)
The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2008 would result in a huge expansion in ownership of land in the United States. This would restrict ...
November 14, 2008
TARP and the Treasury: Time to Allow Markets to Work
By James L. Gattuso, David C. John, and J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2131)
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson recently announced yet another change in direction of the “Troubled Asset Relief Program” (TARP), sowing more uncertainty and confusion in the ...
November 14, 2008
The Baucus Health Reform Plan: A Starting Point for Serious Discussion
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2132)
Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) has just unveiled a comprehensive health plan. This is a welcome development in that it puts some flesh on ...
November 13, 2008
Consumer Direction in Medicaid and Opportunities for States
By Dennis G. Smith
(WebMemo #2129)
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services published a final Medicaid rule that permits Medicaid recipients to self-direct their own health care and supportive services. ...
November 13, 2008
Getting the Big Ideas Right: The Strategic Concepts that Helped Achieve Substantial Progress in Iraq
By General David Petraeus
(Heritage Lecture #1101)
U.S., coalition, and Iraqi forces have made substantial and durable progress in providing security and stability for the Iraqi people; but security alone is an ...
November 12, 2008
Why Government Spending Does Not Stimulate Economic Growth
By Brian M. Riedl
(Backgrounder #2208)
Washington has already spent hundreds of billions of dollars on economic stimulus bills that have failed to revive the economy. Tax rebates do not help ...
November 10, 2008
Why the U.S. Should Oppose "Defamation of Religions" Resolutions at the United Nations
By Steven Groves
(Backgrounder #2206)
The U.N. has passed several "defamation of religions" resolutions over the past 10 years seeking to establish an international ban on speech that disparages religion. ...
November 10, 2008
Washington Subsidies Not Necessary to Rebuild U.S. Nuclear Industry
By Jack Spencer and Nicolas D. Loris
(Backgrounder #2207)
The private sector has already begun to invest in the nuclear industry without federal government subsidies. Congress should take steps that promote industrial independence, not ...
November 10, 2008
The Global Response to a Terror-Generated Energy Crisis
By William W. Beach, James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., David W. Kreutzer, Ph.D., Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D., and Hopper Smith
(Center for Data Analysis Report #08-11)
In June 2008, The Heritage Foundation invited energy scholars and policy experts to participate in a computer simulation and gaming exercise assessing the economic effects ...
November 10, 2008
EPA-Mandated CO2 Reductions Will Lower U.S. Industries' Return on Equity
By Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D.
(Center for Data Analysis Report #08-12)
The global warming policy debate is increasing the calls for reduction of carbon-dioxide and other greenhouse-gas emissions. The proposal to allow the EPA to broadly ...
November 10, 2008
Emergency Spending: $333 Billion Tab Busted the Budget in 2008
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #2127)
Congress and President Bush enacted at least $333 billion in "emergency" spending in the just-completed 2008 fiscal year. While some of this spending may have ...
November 10, 2008
China's Stimulus Plan: Repackaged and Misdirected
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D
(WebMemo #2128)
On November 9, China launched a widely anticipated stimulus program comprising no less than 16 percent of China’s annual GDP, or $586 billion. This percentage ...
November 9, 2008
Stand by Indonesia in its Struggle for a Just and Civilized Humanity
By Walter Lohman
(WebMemo #2126)
The executions of the 2002 Bali Bombers are a grim milestone in Indonesia’s struggle against extremism and terrorism. The decision to impose capital punishment was ...
November 7, 2008
Crisis in Congo and the Challenge for the International Community
By Thomas M. Woods
(WebMemo #2124)
African leaders are heading to Nairobi to discuss Congo's troubles. Continued failure to address the root causes of the crisis in eastern Congo only ensures ...
November 7, 2008
Heritage Employment Report: October Report Shows Fall in Jobs
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr.
(WebMemo #2125)
The October jobs report shows the American economy is in bad shape. Consequently, the federal government should take steps to improve the economy with policies ...
November 5, 2008
Impact of CO2 Restrictions on Employment and Income: Green Jobs or Gone Jobs?
By David W. Kreutzer, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2122)
Those pushing restrictions on carbon dioxide have tried to repackage global-warming legislation as jobs bills. As appealing as the repackaging seems on the surface, the ...
November 5, 2008
The Importance of Reviving the Doha Round
By Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2123)
Now that the economic storm has spread from the U.S. to much of the world, the need to keep the nation's trade and investment barriers ...
November 4, 2008
Low Expectations for Secretary of State Rice's Middle East Trip
By James Phillips
(WebMemo #2121)
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is slated to travel to Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Jordan, and Egypt November 5–9 in another effort to reinvigorate the ...
October 31, 2008
North Korea Nuclear Verification: Has the U.S. Blinked?
By Bruce Klingner
(WebMemo #2120)
A rigorous verification protocol is of critical importance to ensuring that North Korea does not again cheat on an international denuclearization agreement.
October 31, 2008
Into Africa: Bush Initiatives That Deserve Continuing Support
By Thomas M. Woods
(Backgrounder #2204)
The U.S.–Africa partnership in the fight against HIV/AIDS created a historic precedent that will inform the scope and scale of future global health and development ...
October 31, 2008
Approaching the "Invisible Red Line": Why Congress Must Act Now to Restore Military Readiness
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(Backgrounder #2205)
All branches of the military are experiencing reduced readiness levels after seven years of major combat operations overseas and increased homeland defense missions in the ...
October 30, 2008
Same-Sex Marriage and the Threat to Religious Liberty
By Thomas M. Messner
(Backgrounder #2201)
Judicial decisions redefining marriage to include same-sex unions state that limiting marriage to men and women is a form of unacceptable dis-crimination against homosexuals. Individuals ...
October 30, 2008
Executive Summary: Same–Sex Marriage and the Threat to Religious Liberty
By Thomas M. Messner
(Executive Summary #2201)
Judicial decisions redefining marriage to include same-sex unions state that limiting marriage to men and women is a form of unacceptable discrimination against homosexuals. Individuals ...
October 30, 2008
The New Cold War: Reviving the U.S. Presence in the Arctic
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., Lajos F. Szaszdi, Ph.D., and Jim Dolbow
(Backgrounder #2202)
U.S. Arctic policy is moribund and needs a comprehensive revival. The USGS estimates that the Arctic might hold up to 13 percent of the world’s ...
October 30, 2008
Executive Summary: The New Cold War: Reviving the U.S. Presence in the Arctic
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., Lajos F. Szaszdi, Ph.D., and Jim Dolbow
(Executive Summary #2202)
U.S. Arctic policy is moribund and needs a comprehensive revival. The USGS estimates that the Arctic might hold up to 13 percent of the world’s ...
October 30, 2008
How the Obama and McCain Tax Plans Will Affect America's Small Businesses
By Guinevere Nell
(Backgrounder #2203)
While Senator Obama claims to raise taxes only on the "rich," the group he is targeting is mostly entrepreneurs. More than a third of small ...
October 30, 2008
The Idea of Change in American Politics: Meaningful Concept or Empty Promise?
By Wilfred M. McClay
(First Principles #21)
The current presidential campaign provides us with an opportune moment to revisit our misconceptions and replace them with better and more fully grounded ones, or, ...
October 30, 2008
Tackling Fraud in H–1B: Work Visas Need Sensible Oversight
By Diem Nguyen and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2119)
Congress and the Administration must work together to improve the management of the H1-B visa program and adopt reforms that will allow the program to ...
October 29, 2008
CO2-Emission Cuts: The Economic Costs of the EPA's ANPR Regulations
By David W. Kreutzer, Ph.D., and Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D.
(Center for Data Analysis Report #08-10)
The EPA's Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) proposes an unprecedented expansion of federal ability to regulate CO2 emissions. Its limits on CO2 emissions would ...
October 28, 2008
Democracy in Danger: Case Studies of Election Fraud
By Hans A. von Spakovsky
(Special Report #24)
The right to vote in a free and fair election is the most basic civil right, on which depends all of the other rights of ...
October 27, 2008
OPEC Redux: Responding to the Russian–Iranian Gas Cartel
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2118)
On October 21 in Tehran, the Gas Exporting Countries’ Forum (GECF) agreed to form a cartel. Russia, Iran, and Qatar announced that they intend to ...
October 24, 2008
How to Successfully Stimulate the Economy
By William W. Beach
(WebMemo #2113)
Serious work by the Congress in tax, energy, and spending policy will create greater predictability for investors and business owners and assure workers that they ...
October 24, 2008
The Obama Health Care Plan: A Closer Look at Cost and Coverage
By Greg D'Angelo and Paul Winfree
(WebMemo #2114)
Barack Obama's health care plan would reduce the number of insured, but it would not control costs in any significant way. In fact, it would ...
October 24, 2008
The McCain Health Care Plan: A Closer Look at Cost and Coverage
By Greg D'Angelo and Paul Winfree
(WebMemo #2115)
John McCain’s health care plan would reduce the number of uninsured and help control costs, yet it would, as currently designed, require considerable increases in ...
October 24, 2008
Renegotiating NAFTA and Other U.S. Trade Agreements: Fixing What Isn't Broken
By Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #2116)
The argument that NAFTA has brought nothing but woe to the U.S. economy and America’s workers is based on anecdotes and distorted data—and has gone ...
October 23, 2008
Treasury's Bank Capital Purchase Program: Avoiding a Dangerous Legacy
By David C. John
(WebMemo #2110)
Last week, the Treasury Department announced the direct purchase of equity stakes in U.S. banks in order to increase the capital levels of those institutions. ...
October 23, 2008
Is America's Infrastructure "Crisis" Just Another Crisis for Socialism?
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2111)
As the recent history of both federal and state transportation policy reveal, government’s ownership and operation of roads and transit have contributed to deteriorating service ...
October 23, 2008
Why an Independent Financial Markets Commission Is Needed Now
By David M. Mason
(WebMemo #2112)
An Independent Commission on Financial Markets—similar to the 1987 Brady Commission, but chartered by Congress—could provide Congress and the next Administration with the information necessary ...
October 23, 2008
Economic Recovery: Options and Challenges
By William W. Beach
(Testimony )
The stock market turmoil that has captured everyone's attention is rooted in the ongoing crisis in credit markets and aggravated by the slowdown in general ...
October 23, 2008
Protecting Against the Terrorist Threat: Continuing the Fight and Confronting the Challenges Ahead
By the Honorable Kenneth L. Wainstein
(Heritage Lecture #1100)
The counterterrorism changes we have implemented under the President’s strong leadership over the past seven years have been comprehensive and deep. They have established a ...
October 23, 2008
The 2008 Index of Government Dependency
By William W. Beach
(Center for Data Analysis Report #08-08)
The first wave of baby boomers began to retire in 2008. We find ourselves on the eve of the largest retirement of people in world ...
October 22, 2008
Meltdowns and Myths: Did Deregulation Cause the Financial Crisis?
By James L. Gattuso
(WebMemo #2109)
Easy answers are seldom correct ones. That principle seems to be at work as the nation struggles to discover the causes of financial crisis now ...
October 21, 2008
Visa Waiver Reform Ready for Next Step
By Jena Baker McNeill and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2108)
On October 17, President Bush announced that seven countries had met the requirements for admission into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This announcement is a ...
October 21, 2008
U.S.—China Economic Dialogue: In Need of Tough Love
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2200)
The importance and multifaceted nature of the U.S.–China economic relationship call for an overarching institutional mechanism, such as the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED). China’s market ...
October 21, 2008
U.S.—China Economic Dialogue: In Need of Tough Love
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #2200)
The importance and multifaceted nature of the U.S.–China economic relationship call for an overarching institutional mechanism, such as the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED). China’s market ...
October 20, 2008
Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack: A Preventable Homeland Security Catastrophe
By Jena Baker McNeill and Richard Weitz, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2199)
A major threat to America has been largely ignored by those who could prevent it—the U.S. Congress and the President. They should conduct research on ...
October 17, 2008
Finding Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas
By Daniella Markheim and James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #2103)
Beleaguered supporters of market-oriented democracies can take some solace from the announcement by the Bush Administration of “Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas,” an attempt ...
October 17, 2008
Bridge Repair Mismanagement Undermines Highway Safety
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2104)
In the months since the fatal collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis, safety concerns about the nation’s 600,000 bridges have become a leading symbol ...
October 17, 2008
Job Creation from the Obama and McCain Tax Plans: A State-by-State Analysis
By Shanea J. Watkins, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2105)
A recent Heritage Foundation Center for Data Analysis report describes the economic outcomes that can be expected based on the presidential candidates' proposed tax plans. ...
October 17, 2008
Falling Oil Prices: Useful Lessons from the Slump at the Pump
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2106)
Last summer’s record-breaking oil and gasoline prices received plenty of attention in Washington and sparked a host of proposed responses from Congress. However, the real ...
October 17, 2008
Gordon Brown's Financial Folly: The Global Economy Does Not Need More Regulation
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #2107)
Gordon Brown's proposal to create a new Bretton Woods system with greatly enhanced powers over international financial markets may be aimed at boosting his flagging ...
October 15, 2008
Obama's and McCain's Tax Plans: A Mixed Bag
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2101)
Senators John McCain (R–AZ) and Barack Obama (D–IL) have released tax plans indicating their priorities when one of them becomes President of the United States. ...
October 15, 2008
Obama's and McCain's Budget Proposals Lack Detail
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #2102)
Both Barack Obama and John McCain have produced budget plans that focus on short-term goals, and both their plans lack detail on how to achieve ...
October 15, 2008
The Obama Health Care Plan: More Power to Washington
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D., and Nina Owcharenko
(Backgrounder #2197)
Senator Barack Obama's health care plan is laden with new regulations and government authority that would leave Americans with even less control of their health ...
October 15, 2008
Executive Summary: The Obama Health Care Plan: More Power to Washington
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D., and Nina Owcharenko
(Executive Summary #2197)
Senator Barack Obama's health care plan is laden with new regulations and government authority that would leave Americans with even less control of their health ...
October 15, 2008
The McCain Health Care Plan: More Power to Families
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D., and Nina Owcharenko
(Backgrounder #2198)
Senator John McCain has proposed an ambitious health care reform agenda that focuses on four key objectives: making health insurance innovative, portable, and affordable; ensuring ...
October 15, 2008
Executive Summary: The McCain Health Care Plan: More Power to Families
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D., and Nina Owcharenko
(Executive Summary #2198)
Senator John McCain has proposed an ambitious health care reform agenda that focuses on four key objectives: making health insurance innovative, portable, and affordable; ensuring ...
October 15, 2008
The Obama and McCain Tax Plans: How Do They Compare?
By William Beach, Karen Campbell, Ph.D., Rea S. Hederman, Jr., and Guinevere Nell
(Center for Data Analysis Report #08-09)
The results in this paper are based on the specific tax policy proposals of Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain. The economy improves under ...
October 9, 2008
Forging a New Era in the U.S.—Japan Alliance
By Bruce Klingner
(Backgrounder #2196)
Bilateral U.S.—Japan security ties have expanded significantly during the past 10 years, resulting in more integrated military operations and a broader international role for the ...
October 9, 2008
Highway Trust Fund Inequities Will Get Worse in Future Years
By Ronald D. Utt
(WebMemo #2100)
As a consequence of flaws in the highway trust formula, many states consistently receive less than they pay in while others consistently receive more. There's ...
October 9, 2008
Securing Global Supply Chains: 10 Plus 2 Container Security Ruling Needed
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2099)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is about to issue a rule implementing its “10 plus 2” security initiative. It is about time. This rule ...
October 8, 2008
Don't Let E-Verify Perish in the Next Congress
By Jena Baker McNeill and Matt A. Mayer
(WebMemo #2097)
On September 27, Congress voted to fund E-Verify through March 2009. This is certainly a positive step for the program, but it has put the ...
October 8, 2008
Taiwan Arms Sales: Less Than Meets the Eye
By John J. Tkacik, Jr.
(WebMemo #2098)
After more than seven years of waiting, there is reason to celebrate the final approval of a $6.4 billion U.S. arms sale to Taiwan. Unfortunately, ...
October 8, 2008
Shaping the NATO—EU Relationship: What the U.S. Must Do
By Sally McNamara
(Backgrounder #2195)
The threat of traditional military confrontation in Europe has not disappeared. Key European allies must rebuild their militaries to undertake both conventional and asymmetric military ...
October 8, 2008
Executive Summary: Shaping the NATO—EU Relationship: What the U.S. Must Do
By Sally McNamara
(Executive Summary #2195)
Executive Summary: The threat of traditional military confrontation in Europe has not disappeared. Key European allies must rebuild their militaries to undertake both conventional and ...
October 7, 2008
Reducing Illegal Immigration Through Employment Verification, Enforcement, and Protection
By Robert Rector
(Backgrounder #2192)
The E-Verify system accurately authenticates the personal information given by prospective employees. In most cases, verification occurs almost instantly. Congress should reauthorize E-Verify in its ...
October 7, 2008
Executive Summary: Reducing Illegal Immigration Through Employment Verification, Enforcement, and Protection
By Robert Rector
(Executive Summary #2192)
Executive Summary: The E-Verify system accurately authenticates the personal information given by prospective employees. In most cases, verification occurs almost instantly. Congress should reauthorize E-Verify ...
October 7, 2008
Changing Course on Navy Shipbuilding: Questions Congress Should Ask Before Funding
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(Backgrounder #2193)
After a decade designing and testing the DDG-1000 Zumwalt multimission destroyer as a “warfighting imperative,” Navy officials now recommend that Congress limit Zumwalt procurement because ...
October 7, 2008
Executive Summary: Changing Course on Navy Shipbuilding: Questions Congress Should Ask Before Funding
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(Executive Summary #2193)
Executive Summary: After a decade designing and testing the DDG-1000 Zumwalt multimission destroyer as a “warfighting imperative,” Navy officials now recommend that Congress limit Zumwalt ...
October 7, 2008
Teen Sex: The Parent Factor
By Christine C. Kim
(Backgrounder #2194)
The statistics on teen sexuality in the United States are troubling. Two-thirds of 12th graders have engaged in sexual activity and one in five will ...
October 3, 2008
Averting Disaster in Argentina: The Case for Economic Freedom
By James M. Roberts
(Backgrounder #2191)
The Kirchner government has pursued irresponsible economic policies since Argentina's 2001–2005 sovereign debt default and restructuring, as illustrated in Argentina's steadily declining scores in the ...
October 3, 2008
Executive Summary: Averting Disaster in Argentina: The Case for Economic Freedom
By James M. Roberts
(Executive Summary #2191)
Executive Summary: The Kirchner government has pursued irresponsible economic policies since Argentina's 2001–2005 sovereign debt default and restructuring, as illustrated in Argentina's steadily declining scores ...
October 3, 2008
Heritage Employment Report: September's Job Report is Grim
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr., and James Sherk
(WebMemo #2096)
The September jobs report is not surprising in light of the overall downturn of the economy. The economy is slipping off the edge and could ...
October 2, 2008
SEC Makes Mark-to-Market Accounting Markedly Better
By David C. John and James L. Gattuso
(WebMemo #2095)
The SEC and FASB clarifications on mark-to-market accounting rules both address shortcomings in the application of the existing rule and will help to ensure that ...
October 1, 2008
Congress Should Support the U.S. Africa Command
By Brett D. Schaefer and Mackenzie Eaglen
(WebMemo #2092)
Africa is increasingly important to U.S. economic, military, and political interests. AFRICOM is a critical step in recognition of the region's rising stature among U.S. ...
October 1, 2008
The Economic Case for Drilling Oil Reserves
By David W. Kreutzer, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2093)
Energy is critical to the operation of our economy and the maintenance and improvement of our standard of living. Restricting access to energy hurts the ...
October 1, 2008
Action on Financial Rescue Plan Urgently Needed
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D., and Edwin Meese III
(WebMemo #2094)
A revised so-called "bailout" package is being readied for a Senate vote and subsequent action in the House. Action on this rescue package is urgently ...
September 30, 2008
Next Steps for Immigration and Border Security Reform: Restructuring the Work Visa
By James Sherk and Diem Nguyen
(Backgrounder #2190)
True immigration reform should include: enforcing the law, regaining control of the southern border, supporting economic development in Latin America, and emphasizing legal immigration opportunities. ...
September 30, 2008
The Nature of Rights in American Politics: A Comparison of Three Revolutions
By Charles R. Kesler, Ph.D.
(First Principles #18)
Conservatives should not be wary of adherence to the natural rights creed of the American Founders, moderated as it was by the temperamental virtues of ...
September 29, 2008
Reforming State Transportation Policy: Washington State’s Efforts to Implement Performance-Based Policies
By Michael Ennis
(Backgrounder #2189)
In 2005, voters in Washington State passed an initiative authorizing the State Auditor’s Office to conduct independent performance audits on several major aspects of the ...
September 29, 2008
The Defense Trade Cooperation Treaties with the United Kingdom and Australia Advance the American Interest
By Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D
(WebMemo #2090)
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) announced last week that it was delaying consideration of bilateral defense trade cooperation treaties between the United States and ...
September 29, 2008
The Bailout Package: Vital and Acceptable
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D., and Edwin Meese III
(WebMemo #2091)
Financial markets in the United States and around the world face a dire emergency requiring urgent and decisive action. The package of emergency steps now ...
September 28, 2008
An Initial Review of the Bailout Agreement
By Alison Acosta Fraser and Todd F. Gaziano
(WebMemo #2089)
Administration and congressional negotiators reached agreement early Sunday on a package of actions to address the alarming financial situation facing the U.S. economy. Although several ...
September 27, 2008
Taiwan’s Defense Hobbled by U.S. Arms "Freeze"
By John J. Tkacik, Jr.
(WebMemo #2088)
As Taiwan engages Beijing directly with new initiatives across the Taiwan Strait, its leaders now lack the single most important asset they need to negotiate ...
September 26, 2008
Chinese Investment (Mostly) Welcome
By Derek Scissors Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2081)
If transparency can be achieved, China’s outward investment could be a large net positive for business, reintroducing capital otherwise tucked away. Without transparency, the world ...
September 26, 2008
Putin's Navy, Chávez's Ambition, and the Caribbean Adventure
By Ray Walser, Ph.D., and Mackenzie Eaglen
(WebMemo #2082)
Almost half a century after the Cuban missile crisis, the Russian navy is coming to the Americas. While the mood in Washington is far from ...
September 26, 2008
State Medicaid Reform First - Before Payment Increases
By Dennis G. Smith
(WebMemo #2083)
Congress needs to get serious about Medicaid. To borrow a medical analogy: If a state is the patient, and Congress is its doctor, giving states ...
September 26, 2008
House Tax Extenders Bill Is Bad for Business and the Economy
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr., and Nicolas Loris
(WebMemo #2084)
The tax extenders legislation that passed the House 257–166 on September 26 has significant problems. The tax cuts and increased spending in the bill are ...
September 26, 2008
Mbeki's Ouster Opens the Door for Enhanced U.S.–South Africa Cooperation
By Thomas M. Woods and Ray Walser, PhD
(WebMemo #2085)
South African President Thabo Mbeki has finally been ousted by his political rivals in the ruling African National Congress, and for many the move comes ...
September 26, 2008
The Housing Bailout: Constitutional Infirmities Remain, but a Ray of Hope
By Andrew M. Grossman, Robert Alt, Todd Gaziano
(WebMemo #2086)
Congress can put together a plan that does not violate our fundamental law. Those who, for reasons of economic policy, favor the leadership/White House proposal ...
September 26, 2008
U.S. Strategy Must Address Afghan-Pakistan Tension
By Lisa Curtis
(WebMemo #2087)
Heightening tensions between U.S. and Pakistani forces along the Afghan-Pakistani border threaten to play into al-Qaeda’s agenda of fueling anti-American sentiment among the Pakistani population ...
September 26, 2008
COPS Reform: Why Congress Can't Make the COPS Program Work
By David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D., and Brian W. Walsh
(Backgrounder #2188)
The COPS program has an extensive track record of poor performance and should be eliminated. Some Members of Congress propose resuscitating it with COPS 2.0. ...
September 26, 2008
Executive Summary: COPS Reform: Why Congress Can't Make the COPS Program Work
By avid B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D., and Brian W. Walsh
(Executive Summary #2188)
Executive Summary: The COPS program has an extensive track record of poor performance and should be eliminated. Some Members of Congress propose resuscitating it with ...
September 25, 2008
Europe, Missile Defense, and the Future of Extended Deterrence
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #2080)
During the Cold War, the U.S. supported the security of its allies by threatening a possible nuclear response to an attack on them by the ...
September 25, 2008
Understanding and Reducing Poverty in America
By Robert Rector
(Testimony )
In FY2008, federal, state and local governments will spend $679 billion on means-tested welfare programs. Means-tested welfare programs provide: cash, food, housing, free or subsidized ...
September 24, 2008
Visa Waiver Program Hearing Should Consider DHS Progress toward Increased Security
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2076)
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report criticizing the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) implementation of the new congressional security measures aimed at ...
September 24, 2008
President Bush's Farewell to the U.N.: A Call for Reform and Action
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #2077)
The President's final speech before the General Assembly was a call for the U.N. and the member states to take the steps necessary to make ...
September 24, 2008
Under Aso, Prospects Bright for U.S.-Japan Strategic Relationship, but Challenges Remain
By Bruce Klingner
(WebMemo #2078)
On September 24, Taro Aso became the new Japanese prime minister and the country's fourth ruler in three years. Aso’s foreign policy views are more ...
September 24, 2008
All Deliberate Speed: Constitutional Fidelity and Prudent Policy Go Hand in Hand in Fixing the Credit Crisis
By Todd F. Gaziano and Andrew M. Grossman
(WebMemo #2079)
For sound policy and constitutional reasons, Congress should not recess until it acts on a solution to the credit crisis, but it should also be ...
September 23, 2008
China: Wealthy State, Strong Army—and a Powerful Party
By John J. Tkacik
(WebMemo #2073)
Unless the next president of the United States adopts greater skepticism towards China’s future intentions; reaffirms America’s commitment to like minded economic, political, and security ...
September 23, 2008
Iranian President Ahmadinejad's Vexing Visit Exposes U.N. Failures
By James Phillips
(WebMemo #2074)
The impending visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to address the opening of the U.N. General Assembly dramatically underscores the weakness of the U.N. in ...
September 23, 2008
Financial Cleanup Steps for Congress—The Next Steps and Beyond
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2075)
Congress is working toward passage of legislation requested by the Administration that would create a new financial entity as part of the federal government to ...
September 23, 2008
Building Infrastructure Resiliency: Private Sector Investment in Homeland Security
By Jena Baker McNeill
(Backgrounder #2184)
America’s infrastructure is in desperate need of repair and lacks resiliency—the ability to keep the country running after a disaster has struck. Rather than spending ...
September 23, 2008
The Perils of Judicial Policymaking: The Practical Case for Separation of Powers
By Joshua Dunn, Ph.D.
(First Principles #20)
Critics of the judiciary’s ever-growing role in American politics usually focus on how it erodes self-government or, most severely, leads to judicial tyranny. If, as ...
September 22, 2008
Academic Success Begins at Home: How Children Can Succeed in School
By Christine C. Kim
(Backgrounder #2185)
Social science research demonstrates a strong link between the intact family structure, parental involvement, and educational outcomes, from school readiness to college completion. The intact ...
September 22, 2008
State Health Reform: How States Can Control Costs and Expand Coverage
By Dennis G. Smith
(Backgrounder #2183)
The rising cost of health care for states and their citizens is often assumed to be a problem solely in search of a federal solution. ...
September 22, 2008
Removing FEMA from DHS Would Be a Terrible Mistake
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2071)
It’s déjà vu all over again: People are arguing that the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) should be taken out of the Department of Homeland Security. ...
September 22, 2008
The Financial Bailout (and the New Resolution Trust Corp.) Must Restore the Markets and Protect the Taxpayer
By David C. John
(WebMemo #2072)
The House and Senate must have two objectives when putting together their versions of the financial bailout proposal made by the Treasury and Federal Reserve: ...
September 19, 2008
Lower Home Heating Bills by Increasing Domestic Energy Supplies
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2067)
Gasoline prices have fallen a bit since hitting $4.00 a gallon last summer, but America’s total energy bill is going to increase in the months ...
September 19, 2008
Time to Move Iraq and Afghanistan Funding into the Regular Budget Process
By Brian Riedl and Baker Spring
(WebMemo #2068)
The U.S. military has been engaged in major combat operations overseas for seven years in Afghanistan and five in Iraq. Congress has provided annual funding ...
September 19, 2008
First Thoughts on the New Resolution Trust Corporation
By David John and J.D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2069)
Perhaps the most important and most controversial measure amidst the financial turmoil is the suggestion that Congress create an entity similar to the Resolution Trust ...
September 19, 2008
What Should Be Done About the Financial Markets?
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D., Alison Acosta Fraser, and James L. Gattuso
(WebMemo #2070)
Lawmakers have just been presented with the outline of an expansive and potentially costly package of proposals said to be needed to bring a permanent ...
September 19, 2008
Trade Liberalization Continuing Despite Doha Impasse
By Daniella Markheim and Ambassador Terry Miller
(Backgrounder #2187)
The 2009 trade freedom rankings developed for the Index of Economic Freedom show many countries moving ahead to lower tariffs and other barriers to trade. ...
September 18, 2008
A Second Economic Stimulus Bill Will Fail—Just Like the First
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr., Stephen Keen, and Brian M. Riedl
(Backgrounder #2186)
The new economic stimulus proposals rely on increased government spending, which is a proven failure. Highway and infrastructure projects take too long and do not ...
September 18, 2008
United Nations Peacekeeping: The U.S. Must Press for Reform
By Brett D. Schaefer
(Backgrounder #2182)
The Bush Administration and Congress need to consider carefully any U.N. requests for additional funding for a system in which procurement problems have wasted millions ...
September 18, 2008
Homeland Security 3.0: Building a National Enterprise to Keep America Safe, Free, and Prosperous
By David Heyman and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Special Report #23)
This task force chaired by homeland security experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and The Heritage Foundation (and consisting of representatives ...
September 17, 2008
The MySpace Suicide: A Case Study in Overcriminalization
By Andrew M. Grossman
(Legal Memorandum #32)
Lori Drew faces charges under a federal anti-hacking statute and could wind up in jail, but her behavior, while obviously wrong, was not criminal. Overcriminalization ...
September 17, 2008
Time Is Ticking: Congress Must Re-Authorize E-Verify Now
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2066)
If Congress does not reauthorize E-Verify by November, the program will expire and will no longer be available to employers. There is no reason why ...
September 16, 2008
Free-Market Philanthropy: The Social Aspect of Entrepreneurship
By Guinevere Nell, James Sherk, and Paul L. Winfree
(Center for Data Analysis Report #08-07)
An enduring criticism of free markets is that they are based on self-centered greed. However, the philanthropic actions of entrepreneurs, measured by the size of ...
September 16, 2008
State Health Reform: Converting Medicaid Dollars into Premium Assistance
By Dennis G. Smith
(Backgrounder #2169)
State policymakers can improve Medicaid by using the flexibilities provided by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) to redesign coverage of low-income working families ...
September 16, 2008
Executive Summary: State Health Reform: Converting Medicaid Dollars into Premium Assistance
By Dennis G. Smith
(Executive Summary #2169)
Executive Summary: State policymakers can improve Medicaid by using the flexibilities provided by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) to redesign coverage of low-income ...
September 15, 2008
Reforming Health Care to Protect Parents' Rights
By Daniel Patrick Moloney, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2181)
Medicaid, SCHIP, Title X, and other government health care programs deny parents the right to know which medical services their children receive, even when the ...
September 15, 2008
Mongolia's Current Political Situation: Implications for the OSCE
By John J. Tkacik, Jr.
(Heritage Lecture #1098)
An independent Mongolia is the best way to help keep China and Russia apart, and the best way to ensure that Mongolia’s two neighbors respect ...
September 15, 2008
Time to Fast-track New Nuclear Reactors
By Jack Spencer
(WebMemo #2062)
Many in Congress have begun to realize that the nation’s energy, economic, security, and environmental objectives cannot be met without nuclear power. Instituting a program ...
September 15, 2008
Congress Should Establish EMP Recognition Day
By Jena Baker McNeill and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2063)
The threat of an Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP) attack against the United States is credible. Such a strike could have a devastating impact on the nation ...
September 15, 2008
Chávez, Venezuela, and Russia: A New Cuban Missile Crisis?
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2064)
On Sunday, September 7, Hugo Chávez announced that Russian and Venezuelan warships would hold joint maneuvers in late 2008. On Wednesday, September 10, he welcomed ...
September 15, 2008
High Corporate Taxes Undermine U.S. Global Competitiveness
By Ambassador Terry Miller and Anthony Kim
(WebMemo #2065)
High tax rates deprive companies of both the means and the incentive to take advantage of new market opportunities or technological changes that can improve ...
September 11, 2008
Putting the Brakes on the Automaker Bailout
By James L. Gattuso and Nicolas D. Loris
(WebMemo #2060)
Having the government, and ultimately the taxpayer, finance a transition to more fuel efficient cars is simply bad policy rooted in election-year politics. Policymakers should ...
September 11, 2008
Reflecting on 9/11: What the Next Administration Should Do About Terrorism
By Kim Holmes
(WebMemo #2061)
There are certain enduring truths or facts about fighting terrorism that will persist regardless of who becomes president or what the candidates have said during ...
September 11, 2008
On the Anniversary of 9/11, Where Is Homeland Security as an Election Issue?
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2058)
This November’s presidential election has already turned into a heated confrontation involving issues that are important to the American public. Yet one critical concern—homeland security—continues ...
September 11, 2008
Planning for a North Korea without Kim Jong-il
By Bruce Klingner
(WebMemo #2059)
Rumors that Kim Jong-il suffered a stroke have triggered concerns over the ramifications of instability and regime change in North Korea, particularly in regards to ...
September 10, 2008
New CBO Budget Baseline Shows Entitlements Driving Budget Deficits Higher
By Brian Riedl
(WebMemo #2057)
The Congressional Budget Office’s new 10-year baseline shows steep Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid spending costs driving the budget deficit upwards.The best way to get ...
September 9, 2008
U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Deal: A Sprint to the Finish
By Lisa Curtis
(WebMemo #2054)
The U.S.-India civil nuclear deal cleared its toughest international hurdle this past weekend when the 45-nation Nuclear Supplier’s Group developed a consensus on approving civilian ...
September 9, 2008
Fannie and Freddie: Time to Clean up the Mess and Move Forward
By J.D. Foster, Ph.D., David A. John, and Stephen C. Keen
(WebMemo #2055)
Decades of policy mistakes creating and protecting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac finally led the predicted system risk to become a dangerous financial reality. However, ...
September 9, 2008
The Return of History: Confronting the Russian Bear after the Georgian War
By Ryan O’Donnell and Sally McNamara
(WebMemo #2056)
Through its actions in Georgia, Russia has made clear that it has little faith in—or respect for—the West’s diplomatic, military, or economic resolve. Thus far, ...
September 9, 2008
SCHIP: How Congress Can Avoid Repeating Last Year's Mistakes
By Dennis G. Smith
(Backgrounder #2180)
Congress can return SCHIP to its original focus on uninsured low-income children by setting a firm cap on eligibility that applies to both SCHIP and ...
September 9, 2008
Executive Summary: SCHIP: How Congress Can Avoid Repeating Last Year's Mistakes
By Dennis G. Smith
(Executive Summary #2180)
Executive Summary: Congress can return SCHIP to its original focus on uninsured low-income children by setting a firm cap on eligibility that applies to both ...
September 8, 2008
Ten Myths About Budget Deficits and Debt
By Brian M. Riedl
(Backgrounder #2178)
The Bush tax cuts did not cause the budget deficit because the budget would have still fallen into deficit due to national security, runaway spending, ...
September 8, 2008
Does Spending More on Education Improve Academic Achievement?
By Dan Lips, Shanea J. Watkins, Ph.D., and John Fleming
(Backgrounder #2179)
Since 1985, real federal spending on K–12 education has increased by 138 percent. Long-term NAEP reading scale scores and high school graduation rates show that ...
September 8, 2008
The Gang of 10's Energy Bill: Just More Bad Energy Ideas
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2052)
On Friday, September 5 the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its employment estimates for August 2008. Government data shows that employers continued to shed jobs ...
September 8, 2008
Grading the Gang of 10's Nuclear Energy Proposal
By Jack Spencer and Nicolas Loris
(WebMemo #2053)
Although the Gang of 10's energy plan has been subject to a great deal of criticism, they should be applauded for their bipartisan efforts to ...
September 5, 2008
High Energy and Food Prices: Driving the August Employment Report Slowdown
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2051)
On Friday, September 5 the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its employment estimates for August 2008. Government data shows that employers continued to shed jobs ...
September 5, 2008
Absentee Ballot Fraud: A Stolen Election in Greene County, Alabama
By Hans A. von Spakovsky
(Legal Memorandum #31)
The 1994 Greene County, Alabama, election fraud case shows how easily crooked politicians can abuse absentee ballots to disenfranchise voters. Because the risk of fraud ...
September 5, 2008
Executive Summary: Absentee Ballot Fraud: A Stolen Election in Greene County, Alabama
By Hans A. von Spakovsky
(Executive Summary #31)
Executive Summary: The 1994 Greene County, Alabama, election fraud case shows how easily crooked politicians can abuse absentee ballots to disenfranchise voters. Because the risk ...
September 4, 2008
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: Avoiding the Next Big Mistake
By David C. John
(WebMemo #2050)
Politically, Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac’s financial woes are coming at the worst possible time. However, strong leadership within the Treasury Department and the new ...
September 4, 2008
100 Percent Cargo Container Scanning: A Global Disaster
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2047)
A new Government Accountability Office report found that blanket scanning is not only bad for trade but hinders the ability of the international community to ...
September 4, 2008
Olympic Invasion: China, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Russia's Aggression
By John J. Tkacik, Jr.
(WebMemo #2048)
In light of President Hu Jintao's assertion immediately after Russia's invasion of Georgia that Beijing and Moscow are "advancing across the board precisely in accordance ...
September 4, 2008
CBO's Social Security Projections Differ from Trustees—but We're Still in Trouble
By Nicola Moore
(WebMemo #2049)
Given the uncertainty involved in long-term economic projections, the fact that CBO and Trustees estimates of the year of deficits and insolvency are actually fairly ...
September 3, 2008
The Eighth Defense Ministerial of the Americas: End of the Line?
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2044)
The Canadian government will host the 8th Defense Ministerial of the Americas (DMA) September 2–6 at Banff in the scenic Canadian Rockies. The purpose of ...
September 3, 2008
Fukuda's Resignation Reflects Japan's Political Gridlock
By Bruce Klingner
(WebMemo #2045)
Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's abrupt resignation has again thrown Japan’s political landscape into uncertainty.
September 3, 2008
Congress Undermines America's Infrastructure by Looting the Highway Trust Fund
By Ronald D. Utt
(WebMemo #2046)
Recent projections by the Office of Management and Budget and the Congressional Budget Office reveal that the highway trust fund will run out of money ...
September 2, 2008
Textbook Appeasement: The State Department and the Islamic Saudi Academy
By Ryan O’Donnell and James Phillips
(WebMemo #2042)
Pop quiz: Murder is permissible if the victim is:
(a) An apostate
(b) An adulteress
(c) A polytheist
(d) All of the above
September 2, 2008
Job-to-Job Transitions: More Mobility and Security in the Workforce
By James Sherk
(Center for Data Analysis Report #08-06)
Many Americans are understandably worried about their job security, but policymakers should understand that American jobs are more secure today than in past years. Employers ...
September 2, 2008
Medicare's Financial Woes: Bigger Than Official Estimates
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2174)
Medicare is financially unsustainable in its current form. The Medicare Trustees’ 2008 estimate of the program’s total excess costs is $85.6 trillion. The Trustees acknowledge ...
September 1, 2008
As Gustav Lands, There Are Lessons to Be Learned
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D
(WebMemo #2041)
In the wake of Katrina, the federal government received withering criticism. These initial impressions did much to shape public perceptions, leading Congress to push for ...
August 29, 2008
Beijing's Olympic Message: China Will Do What It Wants
By John J. Tkacik, Jr.
(WebMemo #2040)
The most frightening aspect of China’s approach to the Olympics was that the communist country did not care what foreigners thought. The message of the ...
August 29, 2008
Increasing Job Security in the Workforce
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2038)
How secure are American jobs? Conventional wisdom holds that Americans are more likely to be laid off today than they were a generation ago and ...
August 29, 2008
Industry v. Environment: China May Choke on Its Own Growth
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2039)
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) must improve its environment in order to sustain growth. The Chinese economy is far more efficient than it was ...
August 29, 2008
State Health Care Reform:
Retargeting Medicaid Hospital Payments to Expand Health Insurance Coverage
By Christopher J. Meyer
(Backgrounder #2177)
State officials must decide whether to use existing government health care funding to help individuals and families buy health insurance or continue funneling taxpayer dollars ...
August 29, 2008
Executive Summary: State Health Care Reform: Retargeting Medicaid Hospital Payments to Expand Health Insurance Coverage
By Christopher J. Meyer
(Executive Summary #2177)
State officials must decide whether to use existing government health care funding to help individuals and families buy health insurance or continue funneling taxpayer dollars ...
August 29, 2008
Making It a Federal Case: An Inside View of the Pressures to Federalize Crime
By Rachel Brand
(Legal Memorandum #30)
A lack of public understanding of the problem of over-federalization results in political pressures that make it difficult for the executive branch to combat the ...
August 28, 2008
The Quest for Arab-Israeli Peace: The Bush Administration Should Avoid a Rush to Failure
By James Phillips
(Backgrounder #2176)
The Arab–Israeli problem is too complex to resolve during the waning days of the Bush Administration. The best outcome that the Administration can achieve in ...
August 28, 2008
Russia's Recognition of Independence for South Ossetia and Abkhazia Is Illegitimate: They Are Not Kosovo
By Sally McNamara
(WebMemo #2037)
Russia has signaled its intention to continue escalating the crisis in Georgia by unilaterally and illegally recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Unless ...
August 27, 2008
Census Bureau Shows Income Gains in 2007, but Poverty Remains Flat
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr.
(WebMemo #2035)
On August 26, the Census Bureau released the report "Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007." While this report contains good ...
August 27, 2008
The EU Must Express Solidarity with Georgia at Its Emergency Summit
By Sally McNamara and Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2036)
Violent conflict is not a thing of the past for Europe, and the sooner Europe equips itself to confront the challenges of a resurgent Russia, ...
August 27, 2008
Employee Free Choice Act Effectively Eliminates Secret Ballot Organizing Elections
By James Sherk
(Backgrounder #2175)
Organized labor’s highest legislative priority is the deceptively named Employee Free Choice Act. EFCA replaces secret ballot elections—the method by which most workers join unions—with ...
August 26, 2008
Real Solutions for Challenges on the Mexico-U.S. Border: The Mérida Initiative
By Honorable Arturo Sarukhan
(Heritage Lecture #1095)
The Mérida Initiative should provide Mexico and the United States an opportunity to think strategically and to understand how enhanced cooperation and security will provide ...
August 26, 2008
Challenges on the U.S.–Mexico Border: A Panel Discussion
By Helen E. Krieble, James M. Roberts, Marcus Brubaker, and Mario Loyola
(Heritage Lecture #1096)
Challenges on the U.S.–Mexico border include economic, immigration, and security challenges for both countries. The Mexican government should take the painful but necessary steps to ...
August 22, 2008
Exploring Concepts of Liberty in Islam
By Kim R. Holmes, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #1097)
The Heritage Foundation has established a long-term project to explore the question of whether the ideas and practice of Islam are compatible with Western notions ...
August 22, 2008
Constitutional Discourse and American Government
By Andrew E. Busch, Ph.D.
(Special Report #22)
Constitutional rhetoric in the process of governing educates America's citizens and serves as a barometer of what is on the national mind. Most important, constitutional ...
August 22, 2008
U.S. Should Ensure That Georgia's Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity Are Not Undermined by the United Nations
By Sally McNamara and Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #2034)
As diplomatic efforts intensify at to the United Nations (UN) to resolve the conflict in Georgia, the United States must unambiguously define its redlines and ...
August 21, 2008
People, Growth, And Reform: China's Uncertain Future
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2032)
With the wrong policies, the much-heralded era of Chinese economic leadership could stop almost before it starts.
August 21, 2008
Europe's Catalogue of Failures in Georgia
By Sally McNamara
(WebMemo #2033)
In both its symbolism and reality, the war in Georgia is a signal of Russia’s geo-strategic ambitions and a preview of what the West can ...
August 21, 2008
Who Serves in the U.S. Military? The Demographics of Enlisted Troops and Officers
By Shanea J. Watkins, Ph.D., and James Sherk
(Center for Data Analysis Report #08-05)
The men and women of America’s all-volunteer military do not come disproportionately from ...
August 20, 2008
Russian Forces in the Georgian War: Preliminary Assessment and Recommendations
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., James Carafano, Ph.D., Lajos Szaszdi, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2031)
After an almost 20-year hiatus, the United States and NATO allies may once again prioritize Russia as a potential threat to the common European security. ...
August 19, 2008
Russia-Georgia War Highlights Need for Directed-Energy Defenses
By James Jay Carafano, Ph. D.
(WebMemo #2030)
For the second time in recent years, the United States has witnessed another wake-up call for the importance of fielding directed-energy weapons capable of shooting-down ...
August 18, 2008
Hugo Chávez's Andean Offensive
By Ray Walser Ph.D. and James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #2027)
Exploiting the U.S. leadership and media's preoccupation with the Caucasus conflict, as well as the Beijing Olympics, elections, and high gas prices, President Hugo Chávez ...
August 18, 2008
The Senate's ADA Amendments Act: Only Half Bad
By Andrew M. Grossman
(WebMemo #2028)
Now is not the right time to expand ADA coverage, but if legislation is inevitable, Congress should still reject approaches that muddy the meaning of ...
August 18, 2008
The Sound of Silence: The Decline of the Voice of America in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia
By Helle C. Dale and Oliver Horn
(WebMemo #2029)
U.S. international broadcasting, and in particular Voice of America, is needed now more than ever. In its annual report on press freedom, Freedom House described ...
August 18, 2008
Fighting for Freedom in Rural Peru: "ALBA Houses" Threaten Democracy
By James M. Roberts and Edwar Enrique Escalante
(Backgrounder #2173)
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is spreading his toxic "21st Century Bolivarian Socialism" through "ALBA houses" in Peru that are aimed at subverting market-based democracy and ...
August 18, 2008
How Do U.S. Foreign Aid Recipients Vote at the U.N.? Against the U.S.
By Brett D. Schaefer and Anthony B. Kim
(Backgrounder #2171)
Most major recipients of U.S. assistance vote against the U.S. more often than they vote with the U.S. Forging freedom coalitions in the U.N. is ...
August 15, 2008
100 Percent Air Cargo Screening Continues to Infect Homeland Security
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2025)
Congress has taken a completely wrong path with regards to cargo screening and should reverse course immediately.
August 15, 2008
Polish-U.S. Missile Defense Deal Makes Sense
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2026)
The current deal with Poland may be only a child of fortune, made possible by the sudden turn of events in Georgia. Perhaps it will ...
August 14, 2008
Weighing Chinese Manufacturing Strength
By Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2023)
On August 10, The Financial Times reported a forecast by Global Insight projecting that the People's Republic of China would surpass the U.S. in 2009 ...
August 14, 2008
Government as "Competitor": The Latest Prescription for Government Control of Health Care
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2024)
Proponents of government competition in a "national health insurance exchange" claim that it would enhance personal choice and health plan competition. That is highly unlikely. ...
August 14, 2008
Congressional Commission Should Recommend "Damage Limitation" Strategy
By Baker Spring
(Backgrounder #2172)
The Strategic Posture Commission will need to choose from three options (nuclear disarmament, multilateralized deterrence, and damage limitation strategy) in making its recommendation to Congress. ...
August 14, 2008
Executive Summary: Congressional Commission Should Recommend "Damage Limitation" Strategy
By Baker Spring
(Executive Summary #2172)
Executive Summary: The Strategic Posture Commission will need to choose from three options (nuclear disarmament, multilateralized deterrence, and damage limitation strategy) in making its recommendation ...
August 13, 2008
When Electrons Attack: Cyber-Strikes on Georgia a Wake-Up Call for Congress
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2022)
Washington needs to get serious about systematically developing the cyber-strategic leaders in the public and private sector who are skilled in dealing with the complex ...
August 12, 2008
Saving Georgia
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2021)
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has announced that Moscow is putting on hold hostilities in Georgia, apparently due to the pleas from Washington as well as ...
August 11, 2008
Immigration: Congressional Miscue Could Compromise Federal-State Cooperation
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2020)
Congress should fully fund the 287g program and allow federal and state authorities to shape assistance compacts in manner that best suits the needs of ...
August 11, 2008
The Russian-Georgian War: A Challenge for the U.S. and the World
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2017)
The U.S. and its European allies should communicate to Moscow that Russia has much to lose, including hosting the 2014 winter Olympics in the Black ...
August 11, 2008
Congress Should Pass a 2009 Defense Authorization Bill This Year
By Mackenzie Eaglen
(WebMemo #2018)
The legislative calendar is quickly running out on the 110th Congress, and many competing priorities await the U.S. Senate upon return from recess. However, the ...
August 11, 2008
Obama to CBO Revenue Baseline: Nuts—and He's Right!
By J. D. Foster Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2019)
Perhaps to his own surprise, Barack Obama has apparently joined forces with conservatives to correct the CBO revenue baseline. Maybe this also demonstrates that Washington ...
August 8, 2008
Congressional Moratorium on Offshore Drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf Should Be Allowed to Expire
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #2016)
Congressional restrictions are the only thing standing between 19 billion barrels of additional domestic oil and the citizens who need it. If Congress does not ...
August 8, 2008
Rethinking the Summit of the Americas and Advancing Free Trade in Latin America
By James M. Roberts
(Backgrounder #2170)
Since the U.S. created the Summit of the Americas process in 1994 the summits have been burdened by international bureaucrats pushing for taxpayer-funded, statist development ...
August 7, 2008
The Inequities of the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
By Steven Groves
(Backgrounder #2168)
By ignoring U.S. reports and submissions in favor of the baseless accusations of a highly ideological NGO, the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial ...
August 7, 2008
The Turkish Constitutional Crisis: Resolved—for Now
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2013)
Washington is facing several difficult choices with respect to its friend Turkey. On the one hand, the U.S. supports democracy worldwide, particularly in the Middle ...
August 7, 2008
Land Use Deregulation Should Be Part of Any Housing Reform Plan
By Wendell Cox and Ronald Utt
(WebMemo #2014)
In a time when there are increasing concerns about the rising cost of living over everything from gas prices to food prices, policymakers should hasten ...
August 7, 2008
Avoiding Return to Military Rule in Pakistan
By Lisa Curtis
(WebMemo #2015)
The announcement by Pakistan’s civilian government that it will pursue impeachment proceedings against President Pervez Musharraf could help end months of political paralysis in the ...
August 6, 2008
Congress Should Reassess the Allocation of Homeland Security Grants
By Matt A. Mayer
(WebMemo #2011)
On Friday, July 25, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the allocations for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) ...
August 6, 2008
Don't Let the Good Die Young: Strengthening Homeland Security's Policy Office
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #2012)
The Office of Policy is an example of the right direction for the Department of Homeland Security. The office is forward thinking and tasked with ...
August 5, 2008
Alexander Solzhenitsyn: The Passing of a Titan
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2010)
Alexander Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008) was a titan of twentieth century Russian literature and politics. He survived the Stalinist purges, World War II, eight years in the ...
August 4, 2008
Reducing Illegal Immigration: How Congress Can Support Federal Initiatives
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #2009)
Congress should learn from current federal initiatives and take responsible measures to help reduce the unlawfully present population in the United States in a manner ...
August 1, 2008
July Job Losses Lighter than Expected
By Rea S. Hederman Jr and James Sherk
(WebMemo #2008)
The July jobs report is not one that would be expected if the economy were in a recession. Job losses are relatively light and contained ...
August 1, 2008
The Difference One Church Can Make
By Ryan Messmore
(Backgrounder #2167)
That a single congregation can make a great difference is demonstrated by the First Baptist Church of Leesburg, Florida. Its members' faith touches all areas ...
July 30, 2008
Enumerated Powers Act Brings the Constitution to Capitol Hill
By Andrew M. Grossman
(Legal Memorandum #29)
The Enumerated Powers Act would be a small step toward reviving the practice of constitutionally limited government. Although it would not stop Congress from passing ...
July 30, 2008
Senate Tax Extenders: Another Sneaky Tax Hike
By J. D. Foster, Ph.D and Stephen Keen
(WebMemo #2006)
The "Jobs, Energy, Families, and Disaster Relief Act of 2008" is set for a cloture vote in the Senate. The legislation includes an Alternative Minimum ...
July 30, 2008
Paycheck Fairness Act Unfairly Burdens Employees and Employers
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #2007)
The Paycheck Fairness Act will do little to combat discrimination, but will heavily burden both employers and employees. Congress should not expose employers to frivolous ...
July 29, 2008
Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security of the United States House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary
By David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security of the United States House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary
July 29, 2008
Saving the NPT and the Nonproliferation Regime in an Era of Nuclear Renaissance
By Jack Spencer
(Testimony )
Testimony before the
House Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade
July 28, 2008
Energy Policy: Let's Not Repeat the Mistakes of the '70s
By Ben Lieberman and Nicholas D. Loris
(WebMemo #2004)
America is currently facing energy challenges reminiscent of the 1970s. Unfortunately, rising gas prices have policymakers repeating the mistakes from that decade-mistakes that took a ...
July 28, 2008
Prime Minister Gilani Visit: Shoring up Democratic Pakistan to Deal with Terrorist Challenge
By Lisa Curtis
(WebMemo #2005)
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s visit to Washington this week occurs at a time when Pakistan faces political and economic uncertainty and a rising ...
July 28, 2008
How States Can Improve Their Transportation Systems and Relieve Traffic Congestion
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2165)
Voters' refusal to support tax increases to fund more road spending reflects, in part, their lack of confidence that federal and state officials would use ...
July 28, 2008
State Health Care Reform: A Brief Guide to Risk Adjustment in Consumer-Driven Health Insurance Markets
By Edmund F. Haislmaier
(Backgrounder #2166)
Risk adjustment addresses the concern that health plans that do a better job of managing care for sicker patients would be disadvantaged because they would ...
July 24, 2008
Economic Freedom as a Human Right
By Kim R. Holmes, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #1094)
Economic freedom is more than a path to prosperity. It also is a condition that opens up opportunities to enjoy freedom in the largest sense ...
July 24, 2008
India Wins Big Bet on U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Deal
By Lisa Curtis
(WebMemo #2002)
In a vote Tuesday, the Singh government maintained the confidence of the Indian parliament by a surprisingly comfortable margin, clearing the way for the landmark ...
July 24, 2008
Oil Speculators Help Consumers at the Gas Pump
By David Kreutzer
(WebMemo #2003)
A 2006 study by the Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations is used by those claiming a causal link from futures market speculation to higher petroleum ...
July 23, 2008
Mexico, Drug Cartels, and the Merida Initiative: A Fight We Cannot Afford to Lose
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2163)
As a drug-consuming nation and major source of arms, cash, and precursor chemicals, the U.S. shares responsibility with Mexico for combating the drug trade. The ...
July 23, 2008
Executive Summary: Mexico, Drug Cartels, and the Merida Initiative: A Fight We Cannot Afford to Lose
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #2163)
As a drug-consuming nation and major source of arms, cash, and precursor chemicals, the U.S. shares responsibility with Mexico for combating the drug trade. The ...
July 22, 2008
The Higher-Education Bill: The Unnoticed Budget Buster
By Brian M. Riedl
(Backgrounder #2164)
The College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2008 represents one of the largest authorized discretionary spending hikes in American history. Lawmakers should strongly question its ...
July 22, 2008
No Taxpayer Bailout for the Earmarked Highway Bill
By Ron Utt
(WebMemo #2001)
With the highway trust fund expected to be empty when the current highway legislation expires next year, the current spending gap should be filled by ...
July 21, 2008
The Russia-Venezuela Axis: Using Energy for Geopolitical Advantage
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D. and Ray Walser, Ph.D
(WebMemo #2000)
A Russian-Venezuelan axis is a 21st-century throwback to the Cold War Soviet-Cuban alliance. Such a partnership bodes ill for energy security, for freedom in both ...
July 18, 2008
Testimony Before the Texas Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security and Committee on International Relations and Trade
By Matt A. Mayer
(Testimony )
Testimony Before the Texas Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security and Committee on International Relations and Trade
July 18, 2008
In Defense of Liberty: The Relationship Between Security and Freedom
By Victor Davis Hanson, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #1093)
Consensual governments can, in extremis, craft security legislation consistent with constitutional principles that will protect citizens without eroding their rights. However, government has no remedy ...
July 17, 2008
Oil Speculators: A Marginal (at Best) Cause of High Energy Prices
By J. D. Foster
(WebMemo #1998)
To deflect attention from high energy prices, Congress has joined in the finger-pointing, and the easiest targets are "speculators." Yet surprising voices are rising to ...
July 17, 2008
Indonesia Holds Up ASEAN Charter Ratification for Burmese People
By Walter Lohman
(WebMemo #1999)
Legislators in Indonesia are holding out not for political or personal gain but to fight for the rights of one of their neighbors. Their most ...
July 16, 2008
SCHIP Reauthorization: Preparing for Another Round in Congress
By Dennis G. Smith
(WebMemo #1994)
In the coming weeks, Congress may once again debate the reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). By doing so, Congressional leaders would ...
July 16, 2008
Grants Should Not Be the Pork to Feed State Homeland Security Spending
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #1995)
States' use of homeland security grants to supplant state homeland security spending is widespread even in the rosiest of economic times. In the current fiscal ...
July 16, 2008
North Korea Denuclearization Requires Rigorous Verification System
By Bruce Klingner
(WebMemo #1996)
Pyongyang cannot be allowed to play a nation-wide shell game on its nuclear programs. The U.S. must learn from the shortcomings of the 1994 Agreed ...
July 16, 2008
Zimbabwe’s Enabler: How Chinese Arms Keep Mugabe in Power
By Brett D. Schaefer and John J. Tkacik, Jr.
(WebMemo #1997)
Robert Mugabe's sham re-election is only the most recent example of the detrimental role China plays in Africa as the protector of despots and enabler ...
July 15, 2008
Combating Terrorism in Pakistan: Going on the Offensive
By Lisa Curtis
(WebMemo #1991)
Pakistan’s lack of an effective strategy against al-Qaeda militants is directly undermining coalition efforts in Afghanistan.
July 15, 2008
Economic Freedom and the African Growth and Opportunity Act
By Anthony B. Kim
(WebMemo #1992)
America should encourage AGOA-eligible countries to adopt policies that promote economic freedom and lasting prosperity in Africa.
July 15, 2008
Congress Should Fix the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Mess
By David C. John
(WebMemo #1993)
Sunday's announcement by the Bush Administration and the Federal Reserve seems to have cooled the immediate crisis concerning Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. However, their ...
July 15, 2008
Defining Disability Down: The ADA Amendments Act's Dangerous Details
By Andrew M. Grossman
(Testimony )
Testimony before The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions,
United States Senate
July 14, 2008
Congress Set to Open the Air Cargo Security Sore
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #1989)
Congress should use tomorrow’s hearing on the 9/11 Commission Act to reexamine the feasibility of the 100 percent screening mandate.
July 14, 2008
Lifting the Offshore Drilling Ban: A Positive Step in the Fight against High Energy Prices
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #1990)
The President took a positive step today by rescinding the executive moratorium on exploration and production in American waters. However, Congress still needs to act ...
July 14, 2008
Congressional Oversight of Homeland Security in Dire Need of Overhaul
By Jena Baker McNeill
(Backgrounder #2161)
Congress has done little to implement the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that it consolidate oversight of the Department of Homeland Security, and this commitment to the ...
July 14, 2008
How Rising Gas Prices Hurt American Households
By Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2162)
Higher gas prices lower employment, income, and spending. To the extent that the high price of gasoline is not a clear signal because of excessive ...
July 11, 2008
Congress Should Not Permit Negative GAO Report to Curtail Weapons Programs
By Baker Spring
(Backgrounder #2160)
The Government Accountability Office recommends an additional layer of bureaucracy to review acquisition programs under a "knowledge-based acquisition approach." But this course, if adopted, could ...
July 11, 2008
Colombia v. Venezuela: An Endgame for the FARC?
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1986)
The recent rescue of 15 Colombian hostages struck a major blow to the FARC. While the fat lady has not yet begun to sing, she ...
July 11, 2008
EPA Should Not Ignore Congress on Global Warming Restrictions
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #1987)
The proposed regulations in the ANPR would result a vast expansion of the EPA's power, giving it unprecedented regulatory oversight into all sectors of the ...
July 11, 2008
"A Glorious Mess": EPA Notice Would Have Dramatic Impact on U.S. Military
By Mackenzie Eaglen
(WebMemo #1988)
The EPA's proposed new rules could put more obligations on our already-burdened military.
July 10, 2008
Iranian Missile Tests Boost International Tensions and Proliferation Concerns
By James Phillips
(WebMemo #1985)
Iran’s missile-rattling provides one more reminder-if any were needed-that the United States and its allies need to cooperate more effectively to contain Iran's rising power, ...
July 10, 2008
The Threat of Non-Citizen Voting
By Hans A. von Spakovsky
(Legal Memorandum #28)
Americans disagree on many areas of immigration policy, but not on the basic principle that only citizens should be able to vote in elections. To ...
July 9, 2008
The Roots of Modern Conservative Thought from Burke to Kirk
By Edwin J. Feulner, Ph.D.
(First Principles #19)
If we had to pick the thinkers more responsible than any other for planting the intellectual roots of modern conservative thought, I believe we would ...
July 9, 2008
The 2008 Index: How to Escape the "Curse of Oil"
By James M. Roberts and Daniel J. Leahy
(WebMemo #1983)
An examination of the rankings of oil-rich counties in the 2008 Index of Economic Freedom reveals that, for the most part, citizens of oil-producing countries ...
July 9, 2008
Europe and Israel: Strengthening the Partnership
By Nile Gardiner Ph.D
(WebMemo #1984)
The United States, NATO and key European allies must work together to defend Israel in the face of growing intimidation from Iran and an array ...
July 8, 2008
Keep Wind Coverage out of Flood Insurance Conference Report
By David C. John and Stephen Keen
(WebMemo #1982)
The conference report on the reauthorization of the NFIP should not be bogged down by irresponsible expansion into coverage of wind damage.
July 7, 2008
Davis-Bacon Flaws Hurt Nebraska's Workers
By James Sherk and Patrick Tyrrell
(Backgrounder #2157)
The Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division uses highly inaccurate methods to estimate prevailing wages for the Davis-Bacon Act. Davis-Bacon rates in Nebraska average 13 ...
July 7, 2008
Davis-Bacon Flaws Hurt South Dakota's Workers
By James Sherk and Patrick Tyrrell
(Backgrounder #2158)
The Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division uses highly inaccurate methods to estimate prevailing wages for the Davis-Bacon Act. Davis–Bacon rates in South Dakota average ...
July 7, 2008
Davis-Bacon Flaws Hurt Virginia's Workers
By James Sherk and Patrick Tyrrell
(Backgrounder #2159)
The Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division uses highly inaccurate methods to estimate prevailing wages for the Davis-Bacon Act. Davis-Bacon rates in Virginia (except for ...
July 3, 2008
No Celebration for June Jobs Report
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr., and James Sherk
(WebMemo #1980)
The American economy continues to stall, making the atmosphere even less conducive for tax increases.
July 3, 2008
Hostage Rescue Major Blow to the FARC: U.S. Support for Colombia Increasingly Effective
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1981)
The safe rescue of Ingrid Betancourt and three Americans is a stunning success that symbolizes the huge gains made under the U.S.-funded Plan Colombia program ...
July 2, 2008
Nuclear Energy: What We Can Learn From Other Nations
By Nicolas Loris and Jack Spencer
(WebMemo #1977)
With energy supplies at a premium, it's even more imperative that the U.S. look overseas for ideas on how to use nuclear energy safely and ...
July 2, 2008
Health Care Reform in Massachusetts: Medicaid Waiver Renewal Will Set a Precedent
By Greg D’Angelo and Edmund F. Haislmaier
(WebMemo #1979)
As the Medicaid waiver for Massachusetts's health care reform is up for debate again, federal and state officials should remember the intent of the original ...
July 2, 2008
The ADA Restoration Act: Defining Disability Down
By Andrew M. Grossman and James Sherk
(Legal Memorandum #27)
The ADA Restoration Act would water down the definition of disability, potentially allowing the bulk of American workers to claim disability status and the protections ...
July 1, 2008
Colombia and Mexico: Vitally Important U.S. Allies and Trading Partners
By James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #1978)
The positions put forth by John McCain and Barack Obama reflect the sharply different approaches each would take in shaping future U.S. policy toward Latin ...
July 1, 2008
Getting Better All the Time: Improving Job Quality in the United States
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #1975)
The best estimates indicate that despite the current weakness in the economy, long-term job growth will continue to occur in higher-paying occupations. Today, the typical ...
July 1, 2008
The Iraq War Bill Was the Wrong Place to Create a Permanent New Entitlement
By Brian Riedl
(WebMemo #1976)
Once again, Congress and President Bush have turned legislation intended to fund American troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan into a Christmas tree for domestic ...
June 30, 2008
NATO in Afghanistan: A Special Address by the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe
By General Bantz John Craddock
(Heritage Lecture #1092)
NATO is succeeding in Afghanistan, and we will continue to succeed, but we in the international community can and must do more. We need to ...
June 30, 2008
Terrorism, Insurgency, and Drugs Still Threaten America's Southern Flank
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2152)
The United States faces a continued security challenge in the Western Hemisphere from terrorism, political violence, and organized crime. Establishing effective security in the Hemisphere ...
June 30, 2008
Executive Summary: Terrorism, Insurgency, and Drugs Still Threaten America's Southern Flank
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #2152)
Executive Summary: The United States faces a continued security challenge in the Western Hemisphere from terrorism, political violence, and organized crime. Establishing effective security in ...
June 30, 2008
U.S. Should Defy Chinese-Russian Attack on Missile Defense
By Baker Spring
(Backgrounder #2154)
China and Russia need to recognize that the more defensive strategic policies that have been formulated by the Bush Administration, including support for missile defense, ...
June 30, 2008
Transforming the U.S.-South Korean Alliance
By Bruce Klingner
(Backgrounder #2155)
The U.S.-South Korea security alliance must evolve to respond to a changing threat environment, an evolving U.S. military strategy, and South Korea’s desire to assume ...
June 27, 2008
CBO's Warning on Raising Taxes to Pay for Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2153)
Three former CBO directors and other budget analysts from across the political spectrum have urged a fundamental restructuring of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security to ...
June 26, 2008
Addressing the Global Food Crisis
By Brett D. Schaefer, Ben Lieberman, and Brian M. Riedl
(Backgrounder #2151)
Measures to deal with the food crisis should include eliminating the artificial demand created by ethanol and other biofuel mandates, making food assistance more effective ...
June 26, 2008
The U.S. Position in Asia: Stronger Than Ever
By The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
(Heritage Lecture #1091)
The rise of Asia is a profound geopolitical trend that is reshaping our world today, and the United States is in a stronger position in ...
June 26, 2008
More Energy Supplies, Not More Taxes and Regulations, Are What We Need
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #1969)
Congress should be opening up energy resources instead of looking for scapegoats.
June 26, 2008
Africa Must Confront the Growing Crisis in Zimbabwe
By Thomas M. Woods and Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1970)
Morgan Tsvangirai's withdrawal puts the onus on the U.N. and African leaders to control Robert Mugabe's campaign of terror.
June 26, 2008
Seismic Suppression: Chinese Censorship After the Sichuan Earthquake
By John J. Tkacik, Jr.
(WebMemo #1971)
Those who thought that the devastating Sichuan earthquake of May 12 brought out the best in the Chinese government should think again.
June 26, 2008
Hurricane Insurance: Forcing All to Subsidize the Few
By Matt A. Mayer
(WebMemo #1972)
Congress's involvement in insurance in the hurricane-prone South distorts the markets and forces us all to subsidize the risk of those who choose to live ...
June 26, 2008
European Levels of Taxation: Barack Obama's Tax Plan
By Rea S. Hederman and Patrick Tyrrell
(WebMemo #1973)
Barack Obama's tax plan would give the United States one of the highest tax rates in the industrialized world.
June 26, 2008
Limited Progress on North Korean Denuclearization: Critical Questions Lie Ahead
By Bruce Klingner
(WebMemo #1974)
Pyongyang's June 26 delivery of a data declaration regarding its nuclear weapons programs and the anticipated destruction of the cooling tower at the Yongbyon nuclear ...
June 25, 2008
AMT Patch Bill Disguises a Tax Hike, Again
By J.D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1968)
There they go again. The House of Representatives passed another huge tax increase. Earlier in the year they passed a big, economically harmful tax hike ...
June 25, 2008
Risk and Resiliency: Developing the Right Homeland Security Public Policies for the Post-Bush Era
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
Testimony before the Sub-Committee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection Committee on Homeland Security United States House of Representatives
June 25, 2008
Border Inspection "Search" Strategies: Managing Risk and Focusing Resources
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
Testimony before Committee on the Judiciary United States Senate
June 25, 2008
The SAFE Commission Act (H.R. 3654) and the Long-Term Fiscal Challenge
By Alison Acosta Fraser
(Testimony )
Testimony before the Committee on the Budget, United States House of Representatives.
June 25, 2008
How Will Freedom Succeed?
By The Reverend Robert A. Sirico
(Heritage Lecture #1090)
Human freedom is insufficient in itself to provide a good and prosperous life for people. It is not its own safeguard. Rather, it requires institutions ...
June 24, 2008
Resiliency and Public-Private Partnerships to Enhance Homeland Security
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2150)
To make it easier for the U.S. government, state and local jurisdictions, and America’s allies to adopt strategies of resiliency, Congress and the Administration should ...
June 24, 2008
Missile Defense in Europe: The Window of Opportunity Is Closing
By Sally McNamara and Baker Spring
(WebMemo #1966)
Despite a number of positive signals regarding America’s plan to field a U.S. missile defense system in Europe, two setbacks now threaten the possibility of ...
June 24, 2008
Fidel's Propaganda Victory? European Union Removes Cuba Sanctions
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1967)
The EU's decision to lift sanctions on Cuba represents a retreat from the hard-line stance the world should be taking on the Castro regime.
June 23, 2008
Naturalization, Citizenship, and Presidential Elections: Lessons for 2008
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2147)
Any undue pressure to speed up naturalization processing before the 2008 national elections would likely repeat the failures of the 1996 Citizenship USA (CUSA) program. ...
June 23, 2008
Why NATO Must Win in Afghanistan: A Central Front in the War on Terrorism
By Sally McNamara
(Backgrounder #2148)
NATO members cannot afford to underestimate the threat that al-Qaeda continues to pose to the West and its values of freedom, liberty, human rights, equality, ...
June 23, 2008
Why NATO Must Win in Afghanistan: A Central Front in the War on Terrorism
By Sally McNamara
(Executive Summary #2148)
Executive Summary: NATO members cannot afford to underestimate the threat that al-Qaeda continues to pose to the West and its values of freedom, liberty, human ...
June 23, 2008
A Free-Market Approach to Managing Used Nuclear Fuel
By Jack Spencer
(Backgrounder #2149)
A Free-Market Approach to Managing Used Nuclear Fuel
June 20, 2008
Safer Kids, Better Test Scores: The D.C. Voucher Program Works
By Shanea J. Watkins, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1965)
In January 2004, Congress passed the District of Columbia School Choice Incentive Act of 2003, the first federally funded school voucher program in the United ...
June 20, 2008
Discussion of the Costs of the Iraq War
By William W. Beach
(Testimony )
Testimony before the Joint Economic Committee United States Senate
June 19, 2008
Guidelines for Structuring Health Insurance
By Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
The way in which Americans access health care is uniquely different from any other major country. As an immigrant to this country, I was immediately ...
June 19, 2008
Courageous Reforms in Ryan's Entitlements Road Map: Where Is the Democratic Response?
By J. D. Foster
(WebMemo #1958)
For years, political deadlock has stymied pressing reforms from health care to taxes to entitlements. Congressman Paul Ryan (R–WI), ranking member of the House Budget ...
June 19, 2008
Critics of Nuclear Power's Costs Miss the Point
By Jack Spencer and Nick Loris
(WebMemo #1961)
Carbon-capping legislation and recent studies that conclude that a massive build-up of nuclear power is needed to minimize the negative economic impact of CO2 caps ...
June 19, 2008
American Companies, Taiwan, and U.S. Anti-boycott Law
By John J. Tkacik, Jr.
(WebMemo #1962)
The recent news that China threatened Boeing Aircraft because of the company's dealings with Taiwan only sharpens the sense of cynicism prevalent among critics of ...
June 19, 2008
Opening America's Waters to Energy Production: A Positive Step in the Fight Against High Energy Prices
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #1963)
Washington, D.C., must do something about the increasing price of gasoline, now topping $4.00 per gallon. One important step would be to tap our own ...
June 19, 2008
Electronic Travel Authorization: Important for Safer and More Secure Overseas Travel
By Jena Baker McNeill
(WebMemo #1964)
On June 3, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took the next step toward mandatory implementation of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). ...
June 19, 2008
Taiwan's "Unsettled" International Status: Preserving U.S. Options in the Pacific
By John J. Tkacik, Jr.
(Backgrounder #2146)
The U.S. should publicly reaffirm that Taiwan's sovereignty is unsettled. Current U.S.-China relations make it impossible to declare that Taiwan is a state, but nothing ...
June 19, 2008
Executive Summary: Taiwan's "Unsettled" International Status: Preserving U.S. Options in the Pacific
By John J. Tkacik, Jr.
(Executive Summary #2146)
Executive Summary: The U.S. should publicly reaffirm that Taiwan's sovereignty is unsettled. Current U.S.-China relations make it impossible to declare that Taiwan is a state, ...
June 18, 2008
The Tax Relief Program Worked: Make the Tax Cuts Permanent
By . D. Foster, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2145)
The 2001 and 2003 tax reduced tax burdens and got the economy growing again: lowering tax rates, reducing the tax bias against saving and investment, ...
June 18, 2008
Medicare: Congress Is Poised to Block Competitive Bidding for Medical Supplies
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1959)
Members of Congress, under pressure from industry lobbyists, are poised to block competitive bidding for durable medical equipment and supplies in the Medicare program.
June 18, 2008
Beltway-Centric Approach to Disaster Response Is a Recipe for Disaster
By Jena Baker McNeill, J.D.
(WebMemo #1960)
On June 11, 2008, the House Homeland Security Committee (HHSC) held a hearing to examine whether the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is ready to ...
June 17, 2008
U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Relationship
By Lisa Curtis
(Testimony )
Despite a successful election four months ago, Pakistan’s political and security situation remains highly unstable and demands close attention from U.S. policymakers.
June 17, 2008
Paying for America's All-Volunteer Military: Reform Is Not a Dirty Word
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(Backgrounder #2144)
Military compensation reform should not be treated as a "third rail" of annual budget submissions or as an effort to cut benefits. A serious discussion ...
June 17, 2008
A Good Job Is Not So Hard to Find
By James Sherk
(Center for Data Analysis Report #08-04)
Good jobs are at least as common today as in the past. Rather than addressing a nonexistent crisis by, for example, depriving workers of the ...
June 16, 2008
Revisiting the Explosive Growth of Federal Crimes
By John S. Baker, Jr.
(Legal Memorandum #26)
Congress has enacted 452 new crimes over the eight-year period between 2000 and 2007—a rate of about 57 new crimes per year—for a total of ...
June 16, 2008
Ending Pervasive Inequities in Gas Tax Burdens
By Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2143)
Halfhearted efforts to fix the federal highway program’s allocation formula have yielded little or no benefit to losing states. With its original goals fulfilled in ...
June 16, 2008
Hugo Chávez, Colombia, and the FARC: A Change of Heart?
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1956)
For months, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) were the darlings of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. He urged the public to consider the FARC ...
June 16, 2008
LOST in the Arctic: The U.S. Need Not Ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty to Get a Seat at the Table
By Steven Groves
(WebMemo #1957)
Last month at the Arctic Ocean Conference (AOC) in Ilulissat, Greenland, high-level diplomats from the United States and the other four nations that border the ...
June 13, 2008
Scanning for Common Sense: Congressional Container Security Mandate Questioned
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1955)
Yesterday, in a hearing before a subcommittee of the Senate Science, Commerce, and Transportation Committee, Homeland Security officials briefed legislators on the results of the ...
June 13, 2008
The Success of Medicare Advantage Plans: What Seniors Should Know
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2142)
Medicare Advantage is a success and can serve as the first stage of reform, but Congress will have to change the existing payment system and ...
June 13, 2008
Executive Summary: The Success of Medicare Advantage Plans: What Seniors Should Know
By Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
(Executive Summary #2142)
Executive Summary: Medicare Advantage is a success and can serve as the first stage of reform, but Congress will have to change the existing payment ...
June 13, 2008
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: An Effective Tool for Winning Hearts and Minds
By Jeffrey Gedmin, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #1089)
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has changed in terms of technology and medium, but its core principles, philosophy, and guidelines remain the same as they were ...
June 12, 2008
Congress Again Lards Iraq War Spending Bill
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1953)
Despite vowing to rein in spending, cut the budget deficit, and implement pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rules, the Democratic Congress recently voted to cast these promises aside. ...
June 12, 2008
Giving Employees Free Choice in the Workplace
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #1954)
Workplace relations and the economy have changed substantially since the 1930s, but federal labor law has not evolved with these changes. The National Labor Relations ...
June 11, 2008
Medicare: Drifting Toward Disaster
By The Honorable Michael O. Leavitt
(Heritage Lecture #1088)
Medicare is based on the cost of seniors' health care being borne primarily by younger workers. The demographic reality is there are diminishing numbers of ...
June 11, 2008
Welfare Reform a Factor in Lower Voter Registration at Public Assistance Offices
By David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D., and Patrick Tyrrell
(Center for Data Analysis Report #08-03)
While voter registrations at welfare offices have declined, this does not mean that former welfare recipients are not registering to vote. Low-income Americans have numerous ...
June 10, 2008
President Bush's Transatlantic Tour: The U.S. Must Pressure Europe on Afghanistan and Iran
By Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1952)
The war in Afghanistan and the looming Iranian nuclear threat will be priority issues for the United States as President Bush crosses the Atlantic this ...
June 9, 2008
H.R. 6003 Would Be the Costliest Bailout in Amtrak's 40 Years of Federal Subsidies
By Ronald D. Utt
(WebMemo #1949)
This June, Members of the House of Representatives will be asked to support or reject the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (H.R. ...
June 9, 2008
What Is Driving the High Oil Prices?
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., and Owen Graham
(WebMemo #1951)
As oil and gasoline prices surpass $134 per barrel and $4 per gallon, respectively, it is clear that significant change is underway in global energy ...
June 9, 2008
The Pentagon's Balancing Act: A Special Address by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
By Admiral Michael G. Mullen
(Heritage Lecture #1087)
U.S. military challenges are highlighted by incredible uncertainty about the future and the incredibly dangerous time that we're living in. It's a very delicate balance ...
June 9, 2008
The Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008 Will Only Increase Gas Prices and Energy Costs
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #1950)
ood energy policy is easy to distinguish from bad energy policy: Good policy leads to ...
June 6, 2008
May Employment Report Reveals that School Is Out Early
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr., and James Sherk
(WebMemo #1948)
Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the May employment report, which showed that the labor market has continued to weaken.
June 5, 2008
Congress's Budget Resolution Promises Spending Hikes Now and Tax Hikes Soon
By Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1946)
Disregarding their promise to restore fiscal responsibility in Washington, the House is about to follow the Senate in passing a budget resolution conference report that... ...
June 5, 2008
War Funding Bill: PAYGO Awry, Surtaxing Toward GI Benefits
By J.D. Foster, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1947)
The Congress is readying legislation to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and threatening to load up the bill with unrelated related programs and ...
June 4, 2008
The Local Role in Disaster Response: Lessons from Katrina and the California Wildfires
By Matt A. Mayer, Richard Weitz, Ph.D., and Diem Nguyen
(Backgrounder #2141)
The federalization of disaster responses continues to accelerate. further stretching FEMA's already strained resources and encouraging state and local governments to divert their disaster-response resources ...
June 3, 2008
Congress Should Reform Flawed Wage Determinations Before Expanding Davis-Bacon in the Lieberman-Warner Bill
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #1945)
Three sections of the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008 (S. 3036) would extend the reach of the Davis-Bacon Act into private-sector construction. Under Davis-Bacon, ...
June 2, 2008
The Dodd-Shelby Housing Bill: A Bad FHA Refinance Plan Hijacks Good GSE Reforms
By David C. John
(WebMemo #1941)
The Senate Banking Committee’s housing package contains some very important reforms and one very bad idea. Chairman Chris Dodd’s (D–CT) version of legislation to use ...
June 2, 2008
U.S. Air Force Guard and Reserves Are Force Multipliers that Deserve Support
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen and Samuel C. Mahaney
(WebMemo #1942)
While Congress continues debate on the fiscal year (FY) 2009 defense bills, the services continue their work on the Pentagon’s 2010 budget proposal in consultation ...
June 2, 2008
Workers' Compensation Growing with Their Productivity
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #1943)
Americans frequently hear that workers work harder than ever, but do not reap the fruits of their labor. A simple comparison of productivity and wage ...
June 2, 2008
Nuclear Power Needed to Minimize Lieberman-Warner's Economic Impact
By Jack Spencer
(WebMemo #1944)
Anxiety over human-induced global warming is driving the debate over energy policy. The Lieberman–Warner climate change bill (S. 2191) is the political manifestation of this ...
June 2, 2008
The Lieberman-Warner Climate Change Act: A Solution Worse Than the Problem
By Ben Lieberman
(Backgrounder #2140)
America's Climate Security Act of 2007 requires significant emissions reductions before the technologies capable of achieving them affordably are available. The science points away from ...
May 30, 2008
The Proposed Iran-Pakistan-India Gas Pipeline: An Unacceptable Risk to Regional Security
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., Lisa Curtis, and Owen Graham
(Backgrounder #2139)
The Iran–Pakistan–India pipeline would be contrary to U.S. strategic interests, would destabilize the Persian Gulf, and would strengthen Russia’s grip over Central Asia, decreasing both ...
May 30, 2008
Executive Summary: The Proposed Iran-Pakistan-India Gas Pipeline: An Unacceptable Risk to Regional Security
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., Lisa Curtis, and Owen Graham
(Executive Summary #2139)
The Iran–Pakistan–India pipeline would be contrary to U.S. strategic interests, would destabilize the Persian Gulf, and would strengthen Russia’s grip over Central Asia, decreasing both ...
May 30, 2008
Five Myths About the Lieberman-Warner Global Warming Legislation
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #1940)
On June 2, the United States Senate will begin debate on America’s Climate Security Act (S. 2191), sponsored by Senators Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and John ...
May 29, 2008
Strategizing Strategic Communication
By Tony Blankley and Oliver Horn
(WebMemo #1939)
The United States can and must improve in strategic communications. There is no national security strategy for strategic communications seven years into the War on ...
May 27, 2008
Argentina Farmers Strike: Refusing to Foot the Bill for the Kirchners’ Populist Politics
By James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #1938)
Peronists Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, the presidential couple who have ruled Argentina since 2003, have exploited record-high commodity prices to finance their ...
May 23, 2008
International Trade as an Engine for Development
By Ambassador Terry Miller
(WebMemo #1936)
International trade is fulfilling its promise as the most significant source of external financing for development, surpassing all other external sources combined. In the first ...
May 23, 2008
The United States Must Increase the Pressure on Zimbabwe
By Thomas M. Woods
(WebMemo #1937)
The second round of Zimbabwe’s presidential elections will be held on June 27 according to Zimbabwe’s Electoral Commission. The runoff pits the first round winner, ...
May 22, 2008
Effect of the Lieberman-Warner Global Warming Legislation on States
By William W. Beach, Ben Lieberman, David W. Kreutzer, Ph.D., and Nicolas D. Loris
(WebMemo #1930)
Workers and families in the United States may be wondering how climate change legislation before Congress will affect their income, their jobs, and the cost ...
May 21, 2008
Preserving Coalition Government Key to U.S. Objectives in Pakistan
By Lisa Curtis
(WebMemo #1935)
A power struggle is underway between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman (and widower of Benazir Bhutto) Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League/Nawaz (PML/N) leader Nawaz ...
May 21, 2008
Fighting Terrorism, Addressing Liability: A Global Proposal
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2138)
The SAFETY Act provides protections to manufacturers, distributors, and providers of anti-terrorism technologies for cases under the jurisdiction of U.S. courts, but terrorism is a ...
May 21, 2008
U.S. International Broadcasting on the Frontlines of Freedom
By James K. Glassman
(Heritage Lecture #1086)
U.S. international broadcasting is by far the largest public diplomacy program, reaching the largest number of people—some 175 million per week. Its language services are ...
May 20, 2008
Cuba Solidarity Day 2008: Remembering Our Totalitarian Neighbor
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1928)
May 21 is Cuba Solidarity Day. The day seeks to remind Americans that 90 miles away from the United States is an island nation controlled ...
May 20, 2008
Bolivia: Santa Cruz Voters Stand Firm-Against Morales and for Democracy
By James M. Roberts and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1929)
President Evo Morales is intent upon gathering unchallenged and unending power to impose “21st Century Bolivarian Socialism” in Bolivia. Although pro-democracy, free-market forces appear to ...
May 20, 2008
Ending the Physician Payment Crisis: Another Reason for Major Medicare Reform
By John S. O’Shea, M.D.
(WebMemo #1931)
Under existing congressional formulas, Medicare payment rates for the services that physicians provide to Medicare beneficiaries will be reduced by 10 percent in July of ...
May 20, 2008
California Court's Judicial Activism Threatens the Institution of Marriage
By Jennifer A. Marshall, Daniel Patrick Moloney, Ph.D. and Matthew Spalding, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1932)
On May 15, 2008, the California Supreme Court overturned California voters' 61 percent majority, expressed in 2000's Proposition 22, in favor of affirming marriage as ...
May 20, 2008
SCHIP: The Bush Administration's Effort to Preserve Children's Private Health Coverage
By Nina Owcharenko
(WebMemo #1933)
In August of 2007, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid released a directive on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The directive keeps the ...
May 20, 2008
Congress Should Not Attach Extended UI Benefits to Troop Funding
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #1934)
The U.S. House of Representatives recently voted to attach a provision extending unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to H.R. 2642, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs ...
May 19, 2008
The Good and Bad Approaches to Affordable Energy Policy
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #1927)
Good energy policy is easy to distinguish from bad energy policy: Good policy leads to ...
May 16, 2008
Homeland Security in the Next Administration
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #1085)
The Department of Homeland Security has received disparate and, at times, contradictory direction from Congress, which has resulted in a plethora of unrealistic mandates. Congress's ...
May 16, 2008
No-Match Immigration Enforcement: Time for Action
By Charles D. Stimson and Andrew M. Grossman
(Legal Memorandum #25)
The next Administration is unlikely to take workplace immigration enforcement seriously. Now is the time to put employers on notice that they cannot bury their ...
May 15, 2008
'Sunshine' Should Not Trump Privacy in Civil Litigation
By Andrew M. Grossman
(Legal Memorandum #24)
The Sunshine in Litigation Act would limit judges' discretion to approve and enforce litigants' confidentiality agreements. In many cases, discovery would grind to a halt ...
May 15, 2008
Federal Funds and State Fiscal Independence
By Sven R. Larson, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2136)
If the present trend in federal aid to states continues, federally sponsored programs will soon eclipse state budgets and turn the federal government into the ...
May 15, 2008
Time to Repeal the Ethanol Mandate
By Ben Lieberman and Nicolas Loris
(WebMemo #1925)
Though intended to help consumers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the ethanol mandate has done just the opposite, contributing to high food and gas prices ...
May 15, 2008
Russia 123 Agreement: Not Ready for Primetime
By Jack Spencer
(WebMemo #1926)
Though intended to help consumers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the ethanol mandate has done just the opposite, contributing to high food and gas prices ...
May 14, 2008
Blocking Medicaid Rules: Hurting Families and Taxpayers Alike
By Daniel Patrick Moloney, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1924)
Congress is about to make a bad decision on Medicaid that will affect taxpayers and families alike. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), ...
May 14, 2008
Improving Education in the Nation's Capital: Expanding School Choice
By Dan Lips and Evan Feinberg
(Backgrounder #2137)
Over the past decade, the District of Columbia has made strides in offering families greater choice about which schools their children attend, thanks to a ...
May 13, 2008
How Reforms in Mexico Could Make the U.S. More Secure
By James M. Roberts and Israel Ortega
(Backgrounder #2135)
Failures in Mexico's economic model have pushed millions of unemployed workers toward the U.S., creating a crisis on both sides of the border. President Felipe ...
May 13, 2008
Executive Summary: How Reforms in Mexico Could Make the U.S. More Secure
By James M. Roberts and Israel Ortega
(Executive Summary #2135)
Executive Summary: Failures in Mexico's economic model have pushed millions of unemployed workers toward the U.S., creating a crisis on both sides of the border. ...
May 13, 2008
From Good Intentions to Bad AIDS Policy: The Moral Hazards of Redesigning PEPFAR
By Daniel Patrick Moloney, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1921)
The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has received praise from across the political spectrum, both for its principles and for its successes in ...
May 13, 2008
The U.S. Should Oppose Hezbollah and its Iranian and Syrian Masters in Lebanon
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1922)
As President Bush prepares to travel to the Middle East, Lebanon's survival as a multi-ethnic, multi-denominational state is at stake. Hezbollah, the Shi'ite terrorist army ...
May 13, 2008
Mandatory Public-Safety Collective Bargaining Could be Made Less Onerous
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #1923)
Many Members of Congress want to require state and local governments to bargain collectively with police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. Congress should not deny ...
May 13, 2008
Individual Income Tax Reform
By J. D. Foster
(Testimony )
Mr. Chairman, Senator Grassley, Members of the Senate Finance Committee, my name is J.D. Foster. I am the Norman B. Ture Senior Fellow in the ...
May 12, 2008
Congress Should Not Tamper with the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1920)
Congress is about to legislate that the U.S. government stop purchasing oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Some believe that this would bring gasoline ...
May 12, 2008
Seven Reasons to Veto the Farm Bill
By Brian M. Riedl
(Backgrounder #2134)
Since the enactment of the last farm bill in 2002, crop prices and net farm income have more than doubled. Yet the new farm bill ...
May 12, 2008
The Economic Costs of the Lieberman-Warner Climate Change Legislation
By William W. Beach, David W. Kreutzer, Ph.D., Ben Lieberman, and Nicolas D. Loris
(Center for Data Analysis Report #08-02)
The Lieberman-Warner climate change bill is, in many respects, an unprecedented proposal. Its limits on CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions would impose significant costs ...
May 12, 2008
Just War and Endgame Objectives in Iraq
By Joseph Capizzi, Ph.D., and Kim R. Holmes, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #1081)
The just war theory connects the use of military force to politics, reminding statesmen that war and politics serve the same goals—namely, justice, order, and ...
May 8, 2008
China's Undervalued Currency Benefits Americans
By Ambassador Terry Miller
(WebMemo #1919)
Politicians looking for quick fixes to perceived U.S. economic ills have focused yet again on trade. The China Currency Manipulation Act of 2008 was introduced ...
May 7, 2008
The Rulemaking Process and Unitary Executive Theory
By James L. Gattuso
(Testimony )
The Rulemaking Process and Unitary Executive Theory
May 7, 2008
NATO: "Finding a Way Ahead"
By Dr. Liam Fox, MP
(Heritage Lecture #1083)
The controversy surrounding the Lisbon Treaty should be viewed as a warning. It must be very clear on both sides of the Atlantic that NATO ...
May 7, 2008
The Best U.S. Export-Promotion Strategy: Free Trade
By Daniella Markheim
(Heritage Lecture #1084)
U.S. government programs that subsidize risk offer above-market returns by privatizing gains while socializing losses. Advancing freer trade through a comprehensive and substantive conclusion to ...
May 6, 2008
The Bucharest Summit: NATO and the Future of the Transatlantic Alliance
By Kurt Volker
(Heritage Lecture #1082)
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) faces diverse threats, such as terrorism, proliferation, and the consequences of failed states. NATO must sharpen its focus on ...
May 6, 2008
Meeting Energy Challenges in the Western Hemisphere
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #1079)
Meeting the nation’s petroleum needs from affordable and secure sources is vital for national security. The best guarantee for future energy security remains a stable, ...
May 6, 2008
The FCC's Cross-Ownership Rule: Turning the Page on Media
By James L. Gattuso
(Backgrounder #2133)
Critics of the FCC’s decision to allow newspapers to be owned jointly with TV and radio stations under certain limited circumstances argue that cross-ownership would ...
May 6, 2008
Consumer Product Safety Database Poses Risks
By Andrew M. Grossman
(WebMemo #1915)
The panic over lead-contaminated toys revealed a serious shortcoming in safety efforts: Consumers, particularly parents, lack trusted sources to turn to for detailed information on ...
May 6, 2008
H-1B Workers: Highly Skilled, Highly Needed
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #1916)
H-1B visas enable businesses to temporarily hire highly skilled immigrants to fill vital positions. Immigration opponents argue that workers on H-1B visas are not especially ...
May 6, 2008
Russia's Presidential Transition: Vladimir Putin Remains in Charge
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1917)
Amid Kremlin pomp and circumstance, Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev will be inaugurated the third president of Russia on May 7. His presidency, however, is likely to ...
May 6, 2008
H.R. 5830, the Frank–Dodd FHA Refinance Plan, Is Still the Wrong Policy for the Housing Mess
By David C. John
(WebMemo #1918)
Chairman Barney Frank (D–MA) of the House Financial Services Committee has proposed H.R. 5830, which would use the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to refinance at-risk ...
May 3, 2008
April Jobs Report Provides a Glimmer of Sunlight
By Rea S. Hederman, Jr., and James Sherk
(WebMemo #1914)
The American economy continued to shed jobs in April due to the housing market crash, but according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ payroll survey, ...
May 2, 2008
The U.S. Is Right to Shun the U.N. Human Rights Council
By Brett D. Schaefer
(WebMemo #1910)
The U.N. Human Rights Council is a sham that does not effectively promote or protect human rights. Until the Council takes its responsibilities seriously--censuring major ...
May 2, 2008
The Medicaid Regulations: Stopping the Abuse of Taxpayers' Dollars
By Nina Owcharenko
(WebMemo #1911)
Congress may soon undermine efforts to instill integrity into the Medicaid program by weakening important safeguards against its abuse. These safeguards are embodied in seven ...
May 2, 2008
Ethanol and Other Biofuels: A Global Warming Solution Worse Than the Problem
By Ben Lieberman
(WebMemo #1912)
There are risks to global warming policy as well as risks to global warming, and although the former could be costlier than the latter, they ...
May 2, 2008
Magnequench: CFIUS and China's Thirst for U.S. Defense Technology
By John J. Tkacik, Jr.
(WebMemo #1913)
One of Senator Hillary Clinton's Asia policy advisers quit her presidential campaign several days ago, complaining that the candidate was engaging in "gratuitous China bashing." ...
May 2, 2008
Free Trade Agreements: Promoting Prosperity in 2008
By Daniella Markheim
(Backgrounder #2132)
Congress has an opportunity to help America reap the rewards of free trade. If lawmakers can separate myth from fact and assess upcoming trade initiatives ...
May 2, 2008
The Crisis in the Andes: Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela
By Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #1080)
On March 1, 2008, the Colombian military eliminated a key leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia in a raid on a camp in ...
May 1, 2008
The U.S. Should Reject the U.N. "Responsibility to Protect" Doctrine
By Steven Groves
(Backgrounder #2130)
Advocates of "responsibility to protect" believe that the international community has an obligation to intervene, militarily if necessary, in another country to prevent acts of ...
May 1, 2008
Executive Summary: The U.S. Should Reject the U.N. "Responsibility to Protect" Doctrine
By Steven Groves
(Executive Summary #2130)
Executive Summary: Advocates of "responsibility to protect" believe that the international community has an obligation to intervene, militarily if necessary, in another country to prevent ...
May 1, 2008
Yucca Mountain Remains Critical to Spent Nuclear Fuel Management
By Jack Spencer and Nicolas Loris
