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May 25, 2012
Mark Clayton: Is Hillary's State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite
Erika Bolstad: Temple cancels Wasserman Schultz speech
The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman: The former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with contemporary Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread
May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
Feb. 1, 2006
/ 3 Shevat, 5766
GOP needs changes, but it can't forget the big picture
By
William McKenzie
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
House Republicans are stumbling over one another as they rush into the nunnery, hoping to distance themselves from the corrupt lobby culture they helped create. You can bet on this truth: The candidate they elect to succeed Tom DeLay as majority leader this week will push all sorts of lobby reforms while Mr. DeLay and his running buddy Jack Abramoff are stuck in the courtroom.
But here's another truth to bank on: It's a mistake for House Republicans to get so deep into their nunnery that they miss the additional issues that could alienate them from everyday voters — and their Republican base. Cleaning up Washington is important, but other problems affect Americans more directly and could impact the 2006 and 2008 elections. Let me offer three examples:
The Greenspan challenge
House conservatives like GOP Rep. John Shadegg of Arizona are hep on ending earmarked spending requests. Fine. No more special funding items that lobbyists get legislators to slip into bills. Earmarks run up the deficit and encourage a bribery culture.
But what about gutting up to Alan Greenspan's challenge?
The retiring Fed chairman asked Congress last fall to return to its old practice of paying for spending hikes and tax cuts by reducing spending elsewhere. Congress employed pay-as-you-go rules in the 1990s to help balance the budget. With Katrina and Iraq pressuring the budget, Mr. Greenspan thinks the deficit's reached the place where Congress needs to reinstate these rules. (The deficit stands around $325 billion.)
You'd think House Republicans would take the fiscal conservative of all fiscal conservatives at his word. Mr. Shadegg and others, including Dallas GOP Rep. Jeb Hensarling, pride themselves on being stewards of the nation's purse.
So far, they haven't. In fact, House Republicans will soon consider cutting taxes by up to $95 billion over five years — without offsetting them with enough spending cuts. The Congressional Budget Office projects that the tax cuts will swell the deficit.
Here's to hoping they wise up and meet Mr. Greenspan's challenge, which, by the way, the conservative budgetmeisters at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget and Concord Coalition support wholeheartedly. Reductions like lowering capital gains taxes can stimulate the economy, but they don't make sense if the expense worsens the deficit.
Alternative minimum tax
Talk about a threat to many Americans. Congress set up the alternative minimum tax in 1969 to make sure the super-wealthy pay some taxes, instead of escaping them through loopholes. Now, the so-called AMT is about to snare middle- and upper-middle-class taxpayers. When it does, Republicans running the House will hear bellowing across the land, including from the professionals they depend upon for votes and contributions.
To be fair, you can't really blame Congress for postponing this problem until now. A real fix, one that would change complicated formulas that are pushing the tax down to the middle class, could cost $375 billion over 10 years.
But if House Republicans want to govern, they've got to tackle the big ones. They don't get much bigger than this.
Immigration
The House passed legislation in December that would erect a wall between parts of the U.S. and Mexico and put more agents on the border. The Senate and President Bush want a broader plan. They advocate a guest worker program that would allow foreign workers, including illegal immigrants, to apply for three-year visas.
If the Senate passes such a plan in the next two months, will House Republicans go along with it? Or will they only scream about a fence and more agents?
Some House Republicans probably think they need to play to the talk-show crowd that's demanding a fence. But their new majority leader should encourage them to review a survey last fall by the conservative Manhattan Institute.
It reveals that likely Republican voters don't — repeat don't — want an immigration bill that only toughens up the borders. They also want a plan that allows illegal immigrants to earn citizenship while working here. Otherwise, we'll never get a handle on the immigration mess.
There are plenty of smart Republicans who know there's more to governing than taking on the lobby. But will they step up to the challenges? They'll have a lot riding on their answer in November.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
William McKenzie is an editorial columnist for The Dallas Morning News. Comment by clicking here.
03/31/05: Mexico fixes problems when it wants to
12/06/04: Bush's new team has a Texas feel
11/08/04: Second chances shouldn't be wasted
08/25/04: Bush could profit from being like Ike
© 2006, The Dallas Morning News Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
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