Author: Andrew Solomon
That Buzzing in My Ear
If you’re like me, you can’t stand an hour or two without stimulation. (Yes, I know that I have a problem.) So, I figured that I’d take a break from heavy-duty blog posts for a few days and recommend some good podcast companionship for the gym or the subway. These are a few of my favorites — all provocative, all free.
The Problem with “American Jobs”
As the opening to his re-election campaign, President Obama’s rousing State of the Union address laid out a vision for a renewed American social compact, one in which hard work and responsibility offer everyone a decent life. It was a stirring message, aptly crystallizing the central theme of the 2012 campaign: Does our economy work for everyone? Or does it just work for the lucky, wealthy, or unusually talented few? One of the reliable applause lines in the speech – and in … Read More
Global Risks 2012
One of the more interesting items circulating around Wharton this week is the Global Risks 2012 report, co-written by the Wharton Center for Risk Management. Though directed primarily at the financial industry, the report aggregates and analyzes the thinking of “469 experts and industry leaders” from government, corporations, NGOs, and international organizations. It’s valuable reading for anyone who wants to know what the world’s elite is worried about in 2012. Most interesting is the prominence of “Severe Income Disparity” as … Read More
Newt Gingrich: Occupy New Hampshire
By the looks of it, Newt Gingrich may start an Occupy group if he loses the New Hampshire primary today. He’s just that concerned about the power of the 1%. And, by the 1%, I mean Mitt Romney. Back in October, I suggested that the most compelling electoral strategy to defeat Romney was to make the election about Wall Street, with Romney as its plunderer-in-chief. “The only viable option is to turn the very name ‘Romney’ into a synonym for … Read More
My Forecast: This Thing is Done
I’m penning this just before results from the Iowa caucuses start to roll in. Why? Because I don’t think that they matter much at all. (Don’t worry: I have no plans to visit Iowa in the near future.) I’ve been saying it for several months (since October 28th to be precise): the GOP race is already wrapped up for Mitt Romney. There’ve been twists and turns along the way, including the stunning rise and fall of Newt. Like many people, … Read More
From the Office of Presidential Spam
I’m in a giving mood these days. But I can’t say that I’m ready to give to Obama 2012 yet. Certainly, the most recent email that I got “from” the President can’t help. What in the world are they thinking at Obama HQ? from: Barack Obama to: Andrew Solomon date: Sat, Dec 31, 2011 at 9:41 AM subject: Hey Friend – About the deadline tonight: It matters. If you can, please give $375: https://donate.barackobama.com/Midnight To 2012, Barack
Corporate Christmas
Who needs a gift this holiday season? Multinational corporations. After all, they’re people, too. That’s the logic behind the unlikely marriage of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R) and New York’s own senior senator, Chuck Schumer (D), who are jointly leading the charge to grant American corporations a “tax holiday.” And their effort is “gaining momentum,” according to Roll Call, with 73 congressional co-sponsors. (I feel like all I do these days is bash New York Democrats.)
Presidential Suicide Bomber
It looks like Rick Perry isn’t the only one with an “oops” moment these days. Like many primary-watchers, I completely misread the Newt Gingrich situation. Just a month ago, I referred to Intrade’s seemingly overstated forecast of Gingrich’s 11% chances of winning the nomination as “madness.” Now, his Intrade odds stand at 35% and he leads in most polls, including those in Iowa, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Oops. At the very least, I’m in good company. According to … Read More
This Drives Me Crazy
While the world watches the Euro-zone crisis with a mix of fascination and horror, Congress is once again at work, making the next financial crisis more likely. Who can you thank this time? Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, who represents swathes of the East Side and Queens, and her colleague, Rep. Scott Garrett, Tea Party zealot and one of the most conservative Republicans in the Northeast. What bi-partisanship! Their bill, the impenetrably named “Swap Execution Facility Clarification Act,” recently passed a … Read More
Interns: Facebook, Twitter & Blog for Progress
Tired of everyone telling you that you’re wasting your life engaging in silly political debates on Facebook and Twitter? Sick of people who sigh when you check your smartphone again for yet another update on the latest idiotic Michelle Bachmann quote? Well, we can help! We’re looking for someone just like you to help us transform the growing progressive on-line community into an on-the-ground activist community that makes a real impact on the elections and issue campaigns that matter most. That means, … Read More
