Topic: Heritage Foundation

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

How can Congress cut $2.4 trillion? Here are three places to start.

Finding $2.4 trillion in spending cuts is not easy, but Congress's search is beginning to show some signs of promise. In particular, three programs long protected by big, bipartisan majorities in the past now appear vulnerable.

All Content

Another sign of Myanmar reform? Aung San Suu Kyi's visit to Thailand.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi was welcomed in Thailand on Wednesday by crowds of migrant workers from Myanmar waiting to catch even a glimpse of her.
Afghan insurgent attacks down: A sign of widening Taliban fractures?

An independent monitoring group says insurgent attacks in Afghanistan are down 43 percent compared with this time last year.
Student loan bill? Not so fast.

Student loan bill, which would keep graduates' interest rate costs from doubling, gets caught up in election free-for-all. House passes student loan bill, despite Obama veto threat.
A Rodney King moment, as US tries to restart talks with the Afghan Taliban

Marc Grossman, US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, met with senior Afghan and Pakistani officials this week. 'The shared goal is to open the door for Afghans to sit down with other Afghans to talk about the future of their country,' Mr. Grossman said.
Diplomacy flowers with cherry blossoms

At the close of the 100th anniversary celebration of Tokyo's gift of cherry blossoms to Washington, it's worth remembering the story of diplomacy behind the trees. Like most diplomatic initiatives, this one had to overcome indifference, opposition, and many setbacks before it could flower.
'Fiscal cliff' threatens economy on Dec. 31, Bernanke warns Congress

At year-end, a range of tax cuts are set to expire, potentially dampening consumer spending. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said Wednesday there's not much he can do if Congress doesn't act.
Afghanistan attacks: Were signs of improved US-Pakistan ties just a mirage?

Despite optimism relations were rebounding, the attacks bore the signature of a Pakistan-based group, a reminder, as the US plans to exit Afghanistan, that Pakistan is at best a fickle partner.
Decoder Wire
Enjoy tax day 2012, next year could be 'Taxageddon'

Sure, this tax day won't be fun, but a raft of tax cuts are set to expire this year, and with Congress preoccupied by Election 2012, Americans face the prospect of a much bigger tax bill in 2013.
Hey SCOTUS, we already have a federal mandate for health care

US law requires emergency rooms to treat patients regardless of their ability to pay. As a hospital CEO, I assure you, we already have a form of universal health care. We simply fund and supply it in an exorbitantly expensive way. Obamacare's individual mandate provides the solution.
If Supreme Court scraps health-care law, who wins politically?

Harsh questioning from the Supreme Court majority has touched off new political calibrations over President Obama's health-care law. In some ways, Democrats could be the winners.
Individual mandate in Obama's health care law: good for freedom, bad for free-riders

The Supreme Court begins hearings today on the constitutionality of President Obama's health care law, often called Obamacare. Critics say its 'individual mandate' threatens freedom. It actually protects it.
Vox News
Rush Limbaugh: Rudeness aside, did he have a point?

Well, yes and no. In the case Rush Limbaugh raised, taxpayers would not have to pay for a college student's contraception. But in the future, Obama reforms mean taxpayer money could go subsidize insurance plans that include contraception.
North Korea nuclear moratorium: Will it last?

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the US “still has profound concerns” about the North Korea nuclear moratorium, even as it considers the agreement “a step in the right direction.”
The Circle Bastiat
Half of Americans don't pay income tax. So what.

The increase in reliance on government assistance is the problem, not a lack of people who pay income tax.
Syria stalemate: Is Russia pushing Mideast into cold-war style conflict?

Russia is refusing to attend an Arab League-hosted meeting on Syria, and experts warn its stance could embolden Iran to stand firm against the West. The US meanwhile softened its stance on arming the opposition.
Explainer: What is the Heartland Institute?

Leaked documents from the Heartland Institute, which seeks to promote global warming skepticism, show an array of unlikely donors.
Tax VOX
Obama's budget means retirement savings for all

With its Automatic IRA and extra incentives for employers to offer a 401(k) plan, the president's budget will enable almost all Americans to save for retirement.
The Daily Reckoning
Why US job creation heats up in the winter

The Labor Department routinely adjust jobs upward in winter, to make up for bad weather. So when there isn’t any bad weather in January, the job numbers go up automatically.
Can birth-control flap rekindle 'repeal ObamaCare' crusade?

Republicans see the surge in support for religious freedom as an opening to overturn President Obama’s signature health-care reform. Conservatives are not likely to let the issue go lightly.
Mitt Romney taxes show 'very high' charitable giving tied to Mormon church

Mitt Romney's tax returns reveal that he gives significant amounts of money to charity, partially because of his ties to the Mormon church, whose members are expected to tithe 10 percent.
State of the Union: Obama to double down on taxing the rich

The State of the Union will be an opportunity for President Obama to press his plan to tax the rich more, which could become a major issue in the 2012 campaign.
China reports solid economic growth. Should we believe it?

China announced that GDP growth in the last quarter of 2011 was 8.9 percent, which suggests China will have a soft landing as its economy cools. But what's behind the numbers?
Justice Dept says recent recess appointments legal

The department released a 23-page legal opinion Thursday summarizing the advice it gave the White House before the Jan. 4 appointments. GOP leaders have argued the Senate was not technically in recess when Obama acted so the regular Senate confirmation process should have been followed.
US drone strikes again. Is Pakistan's military angling for a favor?

Outwardly, US-Pakistan relations still look tense. But with Tuesday's US drone strike into Pakistan, ending a hiatus of nearly two months, some experts see some resumed cooperation – and say Pakistan's military may have good reason.
Donald Marron
The devolution of America's think tanks

Over the past 50 years, America's poltical think tanks have shifted towards political combat and away from nonpartisan research.