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February 13, 2012
Binyamin Rose: Back to the Bunker: How a life-risking act by a Christian family during the Holocaust saved a family and built a thriving community a world away
Menachem Wecker: Business Schools Teach Real Estate Despite Troubled Housing Market
February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
March 5, 2008
/ 28 Adar I 5768
With McCain, think of the GOP before Reagan
By
E. Thomas McClanahan
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
So, what might a John McCain presidency look like? As improbable as this prospect seemed six months ago, it could happen.
Despite all the snarling from the rightward precincts of the electorate, in the general election McCain will draw the lion's share of the conservative vote - given the sort of Supreme Court justices likely to be appointed by Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, or the disaster that would follow either Democrat's defeat-in-Iraq inclinations.
And of course McCain will draw solid support from independents.
But a McCain presidency would be different from any GOP administration since Ronald Reagan. Up to now, he has been largely deaf to the expansive, confident, Reaganesque rationale for tax cuts - and the imperative of economic growth.
Since Reagan, Republicans have put paramount emphasis on spurring the economy.
Reducing the deficit and shrinking government have been part of the to-do list, and received prominent mention in campaign rhetoric. But in practice, deficit reduction has been farther down the list. Reagan re-energized national defense, defeated the Soviet Union and touched off an economic boom. However much he wanted to shrink federal spending and reduce the deficit, he had little success.
McCain seems cut from the mold of pre-Reagan, root-canal Republicanism. Like many former military men, he seems suspicious of the whole process of wealth creation, which he seems to understand only dimly - as indicated by his responses in a recent debate.
In that exchange, McCain noted that when he wore the uniform, he ran the Navy's largest squadron - and "did it out of patriotism, not for profit."
Economics is clearly not McCain's strength. He has admitted as much. But it's the implied sneer that rankles. It doesn't seem to occur to him that at some point, the existence of every business in the American economy depended on the willingness of an entrepreneur or group of gutsy investors to risk scarce capital in an uncertain future. Memo to McCain: Without the profit motive, none of us out here in the private sector would have jobs.
Lacking a real understanding of the process of economic growth, a President McCain would be in a poor position to articulate and defend an effective economic program.
McCain voted against the Bush tax cuts. He says he now supports their renewal, but one senses little real enthusiasm. It's no surprise that the threat the tax cuts will be allowed to expire is now part of the climate of uncertainty dragging down the stock market.
Take the two most important facets of the Bush tax cuts - the reduction in the capital gains and dividends tax to 15 percent. These lower rates are crucial because they reduced the cost of capital and encouraged more investment.
This is especially important as the baby-boom generation nears retirement. To adequately prepare for retirement, workers need to save heavily and invest for the long term in the stock market - the best investment strategy for beating inflation over time.
Our political class should be doing more to encourage people to invest, not threatening to penalize investors with higher rates when the tax cuts lapse at the end of 2010.
Still, there are reasons to look forward to a McCain presidency.
He's a free-trader. His national security credibility is unassailable. On his watch, progress will continue in Iraq and the war on terror won't get short shrift.
And there's no doubt he intends to fight earmarks and hold the line on spending in general. Voters tell pollsters they worry about the deficit, but when push comes to shove many are unwilling to give up something tangible - a transfer payment or an earmark - for the sake of a smaller government and a lower deficit.
If McCain is determined to make real progress on spending, it will mean constant war with Capitol Hill - involving members of both parties. Well, bring it on.
It's fascinating, when you think about it. Over the years, McCain has managed to alienate virtually every segment of the conservative coalition, yet now he's headed for the Republican nomination.
But if it's a choice between Barack and Hillary on the one hand and Mr. Cranky on the other, the choice to me is an easy one.
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.
E. Thomas McClanahan is a member of the Kansas City Star editorial board. Comment by clicking here.
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