Lobbying

My latest @ Opportunity Lives: Meet the Millennial Lobbying for... Millennials!

Geo-Economics

My latest book review @ Washington Free Beacon: Geo-Economics and Statecraft

The McLaughlin Group - May 28th - CBS-NY + PBS Nationwide

FULL EPISODE

My time linked comments:

Assessing President Obama's Legacy: Negative on economic recovery, labor participation, slow tenor of recovery, foreign policy. Positive on engagement of more Americans in politics

Teasing Clarence that he needs a list for Dr. M's list of Obama failures!

Democrats have been annihilated at state level politics. Shows conservative opportunity on notions of government/taxation. Also noting President Obama's failure to reach out to GOP seriously, and failure to reform entitlements

The economy continues to be driven by reliance on debt and deficit spending, and how that affects my generation

Noting that the deficit will spiral into negative territory once again because of the failure to reform entitlements (see CBO budget track from 2017 onwards)

Michelle Obama has a positive record in terms of women's rights, nutrition, and personal conduct

Noting off camera that the US Secret Service respect the First Lady

Michelle Obama will focus on policy issues but not politics

Nice moment. And then noting why I believe conservatives must articulate a new vision of environmentalism in our politics. I explain in the article Dr. M references, here

Even if we disagree on global warming, for example, we should not preclude opportunities for common compromise

PREDICTION: Iraqi government will face uptick in pressure from Iran in coming weeks

Hiroshima Politics

My latest @ National Review: Hiroshima and President Obama's Failed Foreign Policy

Village Underground Debate! Is America in Decline?

Last week, I had the pleasure of debating in New York City. The event took place at the Village Underground bar - sister club to the legendary Comedy Cellar. I was on the side arguing that the US is in decline, and my partner was George Packer from The New Yorker. On the other side, David Rothkopf of Foreign Policy was with conservative author, Kristin Tate. We had a lot of fun! My time linked comments follow below! I'm very grateful to CC owner, Noam Dworman and CC Director Special Events Stephen Calabria for inviting me.

My time linked comments:

First up...

Challenging David's contention of the debate parameters

On Foreign Policy, Entitlements, and Trust

My opening statement on why US power must be rendered into influencing action - not simply statistics - noting China and Mid-East as two key examples. Absent influence, Americans are suffering security and economic related costs. Also emphasizing the domestic fiscal crisis and how that affects the nation's future. Arguing that American decline is proven in the evisceration of American trust in each other and the political system. 

On Hillary Clinton, Trump, and the Nature of American Society

David says Hillary Clinton was be most competent President in last 25 years. I interject to say she's also the most corrupt. Continue by arguing that Trump represents the willing embrace of an anti-unity notion of American society. But that his supporters mustn't be ignored or mis-labelled as somehow unpatriotic.

On Business, College, and Skills

Defending Kristin for her business success at such a young age. Arguing that too many people are going to college, that they are being subsidized by those who don't go to college, and that we need to embrace technical skills training that can produce long-term employment and business skills that afford social mobility.

On Trump and Supporters in the US Military

Arguing that we should be concerned about proven patriots feeling that only Trump offers the legitimate answers.

On Citizens United and Media

David argues that Citizens United is the worst SCOTUS decision since Dred Scott. I suggest that Citizens United was correctly decided because it created equity of access to speech: Prior to the ruling, media outlets (hence my magazine references) had dominion.

On Free Speech

Suggesting that the campus problem with chilling of speech and broader orthodoxies of political correctness are serious. Also, that we need more conservatives Professors in US universities. See 1 of my relevant articles here.

Q from Audience: Answering on Citizens United Ruling and Why it is Correct

Explaining Citizens United ruling and (after about a minute) explaining why liberals are wrong to believe it represents a democratic crisis. Noting why the contrary is proven by the 2016 election. My take on free speech can be found in my article here.

Concluding Comment

Focusing on the movement of wealth and opportunity away from the young to old. How the failure to reform entitlements and the national debt endangers poorer Americans. Noting that the absence of American confidence is a crisis.

If interested, below are some of my other writings on freedom of speech.

• Citizens United Serves Our Democracy
• American Speech Law is Exceptional
• Citizens United and Media Acquisitions
• Comments on McLaughlin Group on student free speech
• Mizzou, Yale, and the Battle of Okinawa
• Alice in Arabia
• The Classroom Plot
• A politician, a tweet and a question of freedom
• The freer the speech, the stronger the democracy
• Free speech in NYC
• We must not censor our entertainment industry
• Britain's speech sickness
• European idiocy on free speech

Rural Establishment

My latest @ Opportunity Lives: 

How to Restore the Rural-Establishment Conservative Alliance

Africa

My latest @ Opportunity Lives: Why America Should Not Abandon Africa

The McLaughlin Group - May 21st - CBS-NY + PBS Nationwide

FULL EPISODE

My time linked comments:

Why we should privatize TSA screening. And why CT will remain with govt. and exchange with Clarence on Dulles Airport security lines vs. Heathrow!

Danger posed by ISIS in Europe and the difficulty of security at airports - terrorists find ways around the existing security envelope

Sometimes the terrorists get through - total security impossible

Why President Obama's newly announced overtime rules are stupid

President Obama's economic recovery is one of the slowest in history

Exchange with Eleanor over declining productivity

That which Pat hath said

Joking with Pat about his time at the 1968 DNC - he has told me the story before

Bernie Sanders anger and populist power in Democratic Party is a big problem for HRC

Agreeing with Bernie Sanders that Wasserman Schultz is in the tank for Clinton

Noting Clinton still has strength over Trump in RCP average of polls

Noting that HUD reforms to restrict bad mortgage buyouts must not restrict profit incentive - or no business will engage! - also exchange with Clarence on the key with mortgage purchases being fostering of upward mobility

Noting Julian Castro is important because he can energize young people

Predicting Fed won't raise interest rates + watch for the surprise appearance during credits!

4 Ways to Deal with China's Island Imperialism

My latest @ National Review: 4 Ways to Deal with China's Island Imperialism
More of my writings on China can be found at this link page

Facebook 2

Discussing ISIL Operations in Europe

Trump

My latest @ Opportunity Lives: 5 Reasons Millennials Don't Like Trump

Paul Ryan

My latest @ Opportunity Lives: Why Paul Ryan must not kneel

The McLaughlin Group - May 14th - CBS-NY + PBS Nationwide

FULL EPISODE

My time linked comments:

Why Paul Ryan is right to challenge Donald Trump - conservatism matters more than Trump

Why Ryan has the right to challenge Trump - he represents GOP constituency more than Trump - arguing with Pat!

Suggesting to Pat that Trump's version of conservatism is a joke because it does not include entitlement reforms! Then arguing with Pat's notion of what entitlement reform looks like!

Challenging Eleanor's notion that raising taxes can pay for entitlement reform see also here: some of my takes on tax reform

Pat says conservatives who don't like Trump can ''take a walk''. I say ''good, let's see!'' aka Hillary will win

Talking about Ohio importance and noting possibility Trump will go for Kasich as VP

In Iraq, Abadi needs US influence and support - which Obama relinquished*

Kurds are trying to take territory from Sunni-Arab communities in northern Iraq/Syria, the example of Ambassador Ryan Crocker, answering Pat's question on how I would deploy - if President! - US Military going forwards. AND then challenging Eleanor and Pat on their willingness to essentially cede US-led international order to China and Russia! (See my NR essay on counter-ISIL strategy)

The media is inherently biased towards the left

Eleanor says WSJ is conservative, I tease her about NY Times

Noting that Eleanor's reporting at The Daily Beast is non-partisan

Popularity of McLaughlin Group (our ratings are very strong) is a reflection of balanced reporting (issue intros) and overt opinion

Most young people on Facebook do not care about politics

President Obama shouldn't visit Hiroshima without saying Truman was right 

(my grandfather is a Pacific Marine)

Noting that the US did not have atomic bomb reserves and the urgency to end WW2 was real

FORCE PREDICTION: Donald Trump will not pick Newt Gingrich as running mate

* I've written two recent pieces on the situation in IRaq, and spoke with NR Facebook on issues.

Tax Reform

A few of my writings on Tax Reform!

Time to End the Tax Code Prejudice Against Self-Employed Americans

The Tax the Rich Myth

On Business Taxes, Liberals Invert Reality

3 Ways to Improve America's Tax System

The Economic Delusions of Bernie

How California Liberals Hurt the Poor

Why High Taxes Don't Cure Poverty

How to Help All Americans Succeed in the Global Economy

(Thanks for reading. As always, many more writing links on right side of this homepage ----)

Women's Rights

My latest @ Opportunity Lives: 3 Ways Conservatives Can Advance Women's Rights

NR

Speaking with National Review fans on my latest piece concerning Iraq!

Iraq ISIS

My latest @ National Review: 3 Observations of Daesh's Evolving Strategy

Blasio

My latest @ Opportunity Lives: Bill de Blasio's NYC, and Conservative Opportunities

The Marines in the Pacific

An article on my grandfather's friend who was killed on Guam.

- SEE ALSO a kind tribute to my grandfather -  
The chart shows the casualty rates my grandfather's battalion, 22nd Regiment, 2nd Battalion sustained on Okinawa.

Syrians

My new @ Opportunity Lives: How Christian, Islamic and Secular NGOs are Saving Syrians

Sexton

Speaking with Buck Sexton of The Blaze and CNN on Daesh and threats to EURO 2016

(59m05s should be time linked above!)

The McLaughlin Group - May 7th - CBS NY + PBS Nationwide

FULL EPISODE

My time linked comments: 

Robert Gates is great, and the US Navy has two standards - one for flag ranks and one for junior officers/POs - and US carriers are increasingly vulnerable

US Navy has European role, but the Germans and EU generally must do more or lose US bases

US Military proficiency is critical blend of both skill and capabilities

Difference between trading with US and China for developing economies - rules

The Chinese economy has lost its low-value foundation, and is dominating S.C Sea

Noting that China's dominion of S.C Sea affects US wallets - and US allies

China doesn't need to fight for S.C Sea because President Obama has relinquished it to them

3Dprinting will not replace shipping, but trade routes in Arctic (as I note just after Pat) represent an element of the new great game!

Challenging Pat on notion that we would threaten Russian ships in Caribbean - we would simply monitor 

Panama will gain big economic benefits from Canal expansion

Millennials should live in low-rent areas and save, we should make construction planning easier, we should avoid wealth transfers from young to old, we should encourage more young people to pursue technical trades

Failing Dr. M test on average age of first home-buyers (guess 30!). But noting statistic (30) must reflect Midwestern locales!

Education is key to social mobility

Dr. M has a funny moment!

Prediction: Expect major uptick in US high-value targets strikes against Daesh

Israel Challenges

My latest @ National Review: Israel 4 Challenges

San Francisco

My latest @ Opportunity Lives: How San Francisco City Leaders are Failing their Residents

My reaction to Trump

Can be viewed by clicking here

Conservative Ideas

A few selected Opportunity Lives pieces relevant to my next upcoming piece

How to Strengthen American Families
Why the National Debt and Deficit Matter

How to Help All Americans Succeed in the Global Economy

The Spanish Left's War on Young People

Detroit, Socialism and Child Poverty

3 Problems with Socialized Medicine

Reforms to Support Convict Rehabilitation

Why High Taxes Don't Reduce Poverty

Why America Remains the Beacon of Global Opportunity

Opportunity vs Poverty
3 Obamacare Reforms to Help Young People

Snowzilla and Liberal Governance

Reforms to Support Prisoner Families

Why Millennials Shouldn't Vote for Hillary Clinton

Why Millennials Shouldn't Vote for Bernie Sanders

3 Bipartisan Ways to Fight Poverty

Big Unions Deserve to Reap the Whirlwind

The Mythology of Liberalism: Deficit and Debt Don't Matter

The Mythology of Liberalism: Liberal Governance = Better Services

5 Ways Liberal Regulations Hurt Workers

Why the Eurozone Economic Model is Collapsing

Education, Hardship and Personal Responsibility

MY FULL OPPORTUNITY LIVES PROFILE CAN BE FOUND HERE!

Debate Demise

I'm excited to announce that I'll be debating at NYC's The Village Underground (sister to The Comedy Cellar) on May 17th. We'll discuss whether the U.S. is in decline. I will be arguing that we are, but I'll suggest structural changes that would put us back on course! 

If you're interested, details on the event can be found here.

TMG

Dr. McLaughlin is 89. His show remains one of the most popular in the nation. I'm lucky.