Opinion and commentary on news, politics, culture, and policy impact.
Since we reported that Obamacare architect Jonathan Gruber admitted to purposely deceiving the American people—and then calling them “stupid”—the story has been trending nonstop on social media. We gathered some of the best tweets about the infamous man with a microphone. Pelosi In 2009: Americans Should Read Jonathan Gruber’s ObamaCare …: http://t.co/BaDvBfdz7y via @YouTube @GenGSPatton…
After 10 months of serving his country in Afghanistan, Joey Johnson, 27, met his soulmate, Michelle. Four months later, while riding his motorcycle (an adrenaline rush that helped him manage his post-traumatic stress disorder) he was in a tragic accident. The accident left Joey with a severe spinal injury. But it didn’t end the love…
With news reports surfacing about President Obama’s 10-step plan to take executive action on immigration, it appears the president has decided to ignore the American people, Congress and current law in order to push through some sort of amnesty. While the details are not yet clear, this administrative amnesty will likely shield as many as 5 million…
The Congressional Budget Office released its annual study of the distribution of income and federal taxes. It tells us what we’ve long known: The rich pay a lot of federal taxes, much more than the middle class and the poor. President Obama for many years pushed his infamous Buffett Rule, which said that the highest-earning Americans…
Officials of the Export-Import Bank continuously justify apportioning billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies as necessary to the very survival of America’s small businesses. But an investigation by the Reuters news agency has found that potentially hundreds of the subsidy recipients categorized as “small businesses” by Ex-Im are actually very large enterprises or units of…
In last Tuesday’s elections, voters in four states made their voices heard on two high-profile food and agricultural issues: “soda taxes” on sugar-sweetened beverages and restrictions on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Regrettably, in some instances misinformation won out at the expense of people’s freedom to manage one of the most basic aspects of life: eating….
Ah, the individual mandate. In 2015, if you don't have health insurance, get ready to fork over $325 or a whopping 2 percent of your income (up from 1 percent in 2014), whichever is higher. Health insurance companies are fully aware of this new reality—and the ka-ching opportunities the individual mandate provides. At least one…
The early signs are that Loretta Lynch may share some of the same troubling views as outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder. That makes it even more important the Senate do a thorough review and vetting of her nomination by President Obama to be the new attorney general. This is particularly true for those who understand…
What’s the takeaway from President Obama’s meetings with Chinese president Xi-Jinping? While the Obama administration has been trumpeting an agreement by both sides to limit greenhouse gas emissions, news reports suggest that an agreement also was reached to limit the prospects of military confrontation. This would entail prior notification to each other of military exercises,…
Education can–and should–see a major shake-up in the new Congress. Conservatives have a chance to advance policy proposals that shift education toward student-centered policies that empower families and limit federal meddling in education. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., has offered one such proposal—the Creating Hope and Opportunity for Individuals and Communities through Education, or CHOICE, Act….
Thirty-two years ago today, after a week of honoring American veterans, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C. With more than 4 million visitors each year, the Vietnam Memorial is a beautiful tribute to the heroes of the Vietnam War. On the anniversary of the memorial's dedication, check out our collection of photos…
The White House is preparing to announce a 10-point immigration plan that President Obama would implement with an executive order. Details of the proposal were shared with Fox News today and could be announced as early as next week. The plan could spare 4.5 million illegal immigrant adults from deportation. >>> Heritage’s Alternative: 10-Step Checklist…
On October 20, two female ministers in Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet, Yuko Obuchi and Midori Matsushima, resigned over alleged improper use of campaign funds. Their resignations raise questions about the viability of one of the Prime Minister’s central social and economic policies: “womenomics.” The essence of womenomics is to increase the number of…
Four veterans of some of America’s greatest tax reform successes spoke at Heritage on October 21 about lessons to be learned from those legislative victories. Richard Rahn, Mark Bloomfield, Dan Mitchell, and Heritage’s Steve Moore shared some key insights from the reforms of 1978, 1981, and 1986 that may once again put lawmakers on the…
Today, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals announced that the full court will not rehear an appeal brought by Abigail Fisher challenging the University of Texas at Austin’s admissions policy that uses racial and ethnic preferences to achieve “diversity” on campus. Students who graduate in the top 10 percent of Texas high schools are automatically…
President Obama has announced what he calls “an historic agreement” in a climate change deal with China. In his commitment to reduce carbon emissions 26 percent to 28 percent below 2005 levels, the president is committing Americans to higher energy prices, a weaker economy and a lost competitive advantage. China’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas…
Eleven women have died after undergoing laparoscopic tubectomies as part of a mass sterilization campaign in Chhattisgarh, India. Of the more than 80 women who underwent the procedure, 62 have been hospitalized, with many in critical condition. Unfortunately, this is just the latest in India’s long string of attempts to reduce its population of nearly…
Three years ago, Congress passed the Budget Control Act (BCA) in an attempt to curb spending and begin reducing the deficit. Sequestration was included in the BCA to motivate lawmakers to agree to additional deficit-reduction measures, including reductions in entitlement spending. Regrettably, the super committee squandered the opportunity to address the key drivers of spending…
When the new Republican-led Congress convenes in January, unraveling the Benghazi scandal should be a top priority. The House Select Committee on Benghazi started its work this summer. Soon the Senate will be in position to contribute. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., one of the most vocal critics of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and…
The leaders of the 21 countries represented at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings concluded their annual talks with the following declaration concerning a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP): We will take concrete steps toward realization of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), which is a major instrument to further APEC’s…