WASHINGTON — The shortest honeymoon on record is officially over. Normally, newly elected presidents enjoy a wave of goodwill that allows them to fly high at least through their first 100 days. Donald Trump has not yet been sworn in and the honeymoon has already come and gone. Presidents-elect usually lie low during the interregnum. […]
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Arrogance clouds the thinking of today’s ‘stars’
Meryl Streep has played many roles in her long career and holds the record for the most Academy Award nominations of any actor. Among her portrayals was British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. At the Golden Globe Awards Sunday night, Streep behaved as if she actually had been elected to high office, entitling her to mount […]
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President Obama — you did us proud
Dear Mr. President: “Barack Obama is not Jesus.” Those were the first words of the first column I ever wrote about you — a poke in the eye to Democrats who were singing rhapsodic hosannas about a certain highly regarded young senator. “Yes,” I griped, “he has great potential. But is it asking too much […]
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What happened to the productivity dividend?
WASHINGTON — We are in the throes of another round of what the economist Joseph Schumpeter memorably called “creative destruction.” Two icons of American business — Macy’s and Sears — are struggling. Macy’s plans to close 100 stores to improve profitability, and Sears has sold its Craftsman tools line for roughly $900 million to raise […]
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Donald Trump’s not backing down on anything, ever
By Chris Cillizza The Washington Post Donald Trump took questions from the media Wednesday for the first time since he was elected president on Nov. 8. And he quickly put to rest the idea that his rapidly approaching presidency would fundamentally change his tone, style or basic approach to issues and the media. Consider: (1) […]
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Obamacare repeal game a disgrace
The Republican majority in Congress has voted to kill the Affordable Care Act dozens of times. It’s done this knowing that President Obama would veto the bill, thus sparing members from the consequences. So obviously, it was always a game. It was posturing before a public that largely didn’t know what Obamacare did for them. […]
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Mexican gas price war exposes core problems
Since January 1, the great gas price war has rocked Mexico. The turmoil involves the four core problems Mexico confronts in the 21st century: economic adjustment, systemic political change, crime and national distrust. The ostensible match that lit this conflagration was the Mexican government’s December 27 announcement that gasoline and diesel prices would increase from […]
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Trump’s mouth connected to his soul
How about if we let Jesus answer Kellyanne Conway? Donald Trump’s indefatigable apologist was at it again Monday on CNN, defending her boss against, of all people, Meryl Streep. The 19-time Oscar nominee got under Trump’s famously thin skin with a speech at Sunday night’s Golden Globes. In it, she chastised him for, among other […]
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People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones
Many top U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin directed a secret intelligence operation for the purpose of discrediting Hillary Clinton, thereby helping Donald Trump win the 2016 presidential election. Hillary Clinton has done more to discredit herself, going back to her time as first lady of Arkansas, than the Russians could […]
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Protectionism can be bad for economy
WASHINGTON — Jawboning is back in style, courtesy of Donald J. Trump. Those with long memories will recall that “jawboning” is a term that became fashionable in the 1960s. It signified an effort by the government, usually the president, to persuade companies — through intimidation, bullying or shaming — to do what the president asked […]