Articles 2026
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Dropping the SATs Is an Excuse to Drop Standards
Los Angeles Times, February 25, 2001
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Smaller classes don't necessarily equal better education. Do the math!
("Why Smaller Classes..." would be a more accurate headline.)
The New York Times, "Economic Scene", February 22, 2001
President Bush has been on the road this week, promoting the education package that is a centerpiece of his policy agenda. His plan, whose broad outlines enjoy bipartisan support, ties federal funds to minimum performance standards on regular tests. But it also gives states a lot of flexibility in how they set and achieve their educational goals.
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The roots of stable expansion extend well beyond the Greenspan era.
The New York Times, "Economic Scene", January 25, 2001
As Alan Greenspan testifies in Congress today, nervous investors and business executives will be looking for any hint of future Federal Reserve policy. From populist talk show hosts to Wall Street traders, many Americans believe Mr. Greenspan, as chairman of the Fed, almost single-handedly controls the economy of the United States.
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Electric Blues in La-La Land: Don't Blame Deregulation
The New York Times, "Week in Review", January 13, 2001
CALIFORNIANS are facing electricity blackouts, and the state's investor-owned utilities warned they are about to go bankrupt. Electricity-dependent industries, notably in Silicon Valley, are scrambling to buy generators. Consumers are up in arms over rising prices and disrupted service. -
Like It or Not, Appearance Counts in the Workplace
The New York Times, "Economic Scene", December 28, 2000
From Al Gore's earth-tone suits to Katherine Harris's makeup to George W. Bush's post-election boil, the 2000 presidential race was filled with commentary on how the players looked. For the first time, the Gallup Organization even polled people on which candidate was better-looking. (Mr. Gore beat Mr. Bush, 44 percent to 24 percent.) The question was worth asking because the answer was not obvious. Both candidates were way above average.
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An Economic Model for Bad Ballots
If voters could select the machines, there would be a president-elect by now.
The New York Times, "Economic Scene", November 30, 2000
For three weeks, the question has been nagging Americans: how can the most technologically advanced nation on earth have such antiquated, unreliable, confusing voting technology? How can the outcome of the presidential race dangle with the chads left on 1975-style punch cards?
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When the "Cool" Look Is Illegal
Forbes, November 26, 2000
FROM MANHATTAN'S TRENDY NEW HUDSON HOTEL to the Westin chain's pristinely white "heavenly beds," hotel design is hot. It's as indicative of the burgeoning esthetic economy as candy-colored iMacs and Michael Graves toasters. Hotel style has become both a competitive weapon and a cultural marker.
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Tax System Discourages Married Women From Working
The New York Times, "Economic Scene", November 01, 2000
The single women of "Sex and the City" read the New York Times wedding announcements and mock a bride who was "until recently" employed as an account executive. Now that she's found an investment banker to marry, they scoff, she doesn't have to pretend to be interested in her career. These independent women are contemptuous of such behavior. They're looking for love, not a meal ticket. But maybe the new Mrs. Investment Banker doesn't deserve their scorn. Maybe she's just a rational "economic woman," responding to incentives.
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Ironic Processing
How Al Gore's pursuit of "central organizing principles" winds up slicing us into ever-narrowing interest groups.
Reason, November 2000
When I give a speech about the big-picture political and cultural ideas in my book The Future and Its Enemies, the question and answer period almost always starts with a down-to-earth query: "What do you think of George W. Bush and Al Gore?"
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The Region Bashers
Forbes, October 29, 2000
NO NEW TEXANS" HAS BECOME A FAVORITE SLOGAN of Democrats, especially since George W. Bush picked then-Dallasite Dick Cheney as his running mate. The slogan sounds nasty—and it's surely intended that way. Its real message is simply "No Texans."