Public borrowing is costly these days, true, but interest rates on municipal bonds are still considerably lower than those borne by corporate debt. Thomas Frank bearbondborrow Change image and share on social
Above all else stands the burning question of bipartisanship. Whatever else the politicians might say they're about, our news analysts know that this is the true object of the nation's desire, the topic to which those slippery presidential spokesmen need always to be dragged back. Thomas Frank analystbackbipartisanship share on social
A president aiming for 'Great' or 'Near Great' status must do more. He must give lots of interviews, make records accessible, and heap the flattery on academia - each of which Mr. Bush has signally failed to do. Thomas Frank academiaaccessibleaim share on social
A lot of populists after populism died just became socialists. At the beginning of the 20th century, socialism looked like it was going to take off. It didn't, of course, but a lot of people thought it was going to. Thomas Frank 20thbegincentury share on social
Mr. Obama still has time to reverse course. A great deal depends on it. To fail on health care yet again might well be the 'Waterloo' Republicans dream of. Thomas Frank caredealdepend Change image and share on social
Massive inequality, we have learned, isn't the best way to run an economy after all. And when you think about it, it's also profoundly ugly. Thomas Frank economyinequalitylearn Change image and share on social
What becomes fascinating is the way the culture industry doesn't deny it and doesn't try to mitigate it, but tries to sell its products as a way of liberating oneself. Thomas Frank culturedenyfascinate Change image and share on social
This aesthetic quality, then, is what politics is all about. It's authenticity that separates winners from losers, good politics from bad, and he-man leader-types from consultant-directed puppet-boys. Thomas Frank aestheticauthenticitybad Change image and share on social
Under the administration of George W. Bush, you will recall, federal spending grew pretty significantly. At the same time, the number of people directly employed by the federal government shrank. One of the factors that explained the difference was contracting. Thomas Frank administrationbushcontract share on social
