David Frum's Blog, page 35

Friendly Reminder: It's Tax Day

Remember that today is the day to file and pay your taxes. When you're done, and after you've paid someone like the people behind TurboTax some of your hard-earned money to file for you, re-read Ilana's post on the people making it harder for you to file your taxes:

Governance Can Be Good

The Senate is pushingthe initial immigration reform hearings back a couple days to allow senators (i.e. senate staffers) more time to read the actual bill.

America's Taxes are the Most Progressive in the Developed World

Something to keep in mind as we debate taxes, the budget, and fairness: America's wealthiest 10% pay the highest share of taxes in the developed world.

Bloomberg's Soda Ban Might Not Have Worked

Aaron Carroll highlights the findings of a study on limiting the sizes of sugary drinks.

This is America, But We Don't All Speak the Same English

Clearly, if you were raised in Jackson, Mississippi, you are going to sound very different from someone who was raised in Boston, Massachusetts. However, Americanspeaking styles are much more nuanced than just a deep south to northeast comparison.



For example, my home state of New York is home to approximately 3 different styles of speaking: eastern north, north, and greater New York City. Another, Justin’s home of Nebraska, is also a state with multiple accents; ranging from the midland, we...

Long-Term Unemployed and Job-Hunting? Good Luck

The Atlantic's Matthew O'Brien with a terrifying look at the reality faced every day by the long-term unemployed:

Can Justin Trudeau Bring Canada's Liberals Back to Power?

Justin Trudeau, son of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, just won the leadership race for the Liberal Party of Canada. Canada's next national election will be in 2015, giving Trudeau plenty of time to consolidate his grip over the party apparatus.

Venezuela Votes Today

Venezuelans vote on Hugo Chavez's successor today. The American Enterprise Institute's Roger Noriega with a brief summary of what to expect:

Is That Pipe Tobacco Locally Grown?

I really want to make fun of Wil Hylton's New York Times Magazine essay on the wonders of Belgian pipe tobacco, but for some reason I'm craving said pipe tobacco. Mission accomplished, Wil.

Palestinian Prime Minister Fayyad Resigns

News you can use: