As we move into the first month of a new year in these United States, it is a good time to reflect on who the nation lost in the old year and what was gained because of them. Those who come top-of-mind for us are Nichelle Nichols, Michael Gerson, and Mark Shields. All three were good citizens. Each, in their own way, spoke to and influenced citizens of their and future generations to be good citizens as well. They led through words and example. In these still highly polarized and … [Read more...]
Articles
Frank blogs regularly for the Huffington Post and writes occasional columns and articles for publications such as the International Business Times and The Economic Times of India.
Frank writes on a wide variety of topics that are critical to shaping the future of America and the American dream and to making the United States and the world a better place. These include: Business; education; poverty and inequality; politics and public policy; immigration; manufacturing; innovation; leadership; citizenship; and social commentary.
Frank’s most recent blogs are highlighted on this page. To read other blogs or articles by Frank, click on the categories or publications links on the left.
January 6: A Day to Remember the Four Freedoms
January 6, 2021 is a day that will be remembered in American history. This will be so because of the storming of the halls of Congress on that date by a mob of insurrectionists intent on impeding the democratic process in America. January 6, 1941 is also a day that should be remembered in American history. On that date, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt enunciated a commitment to four “essential human freedoms” in America and around the world. President Roosevelt … [Read more...]
G20 presidency: A crucial responsibility
India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1. If activities since then are any indication, it will be quite a ride over the next 11 months. Beginning December 4, New Delhi hosted four back-to-back preparatory meetings in three cities: The G20 Sherpa meeting in Udaipur; the development working group meeting in Mumbai; and meetings of two panels — finance and central bank deputies and framework working group — in Bengaluru. These events, attended by, among others, representatives of … [Read more...]
Word of the Year: Democracy
After a long and hard-fought campaign, it is now my honor to utter the four most powerful words in a democracy: “The people have spoken.” I have often said that a vote is a prayer for the world we desire for ourselves and our children. — Raphael Warnock, victory speech …I don’t want any of you to stop dreaming. I don’t want any of you to stop believing in America. I want you to believe in America, and to continue to believe in the Constitution and believe … [Read more...]
Republicans Trumped: Reflections on the Midterms and Beyond
This guy (Donald Trump) is the best thing for Democrats since FDR. — Former GOP Rep Francis Rooney (R-FL) Going into the mid-term elections, the conventional wisdom espoused by pundits, pollsters, and the media was that the Democrats were going to take a serious shellacking. They were wrong. On November 8, the Democrats did some shellacking of their own. Politicians, analysts, and reporters cited a number of reasons for this including: abortion, democracy, turnout, boots on … [Read more...]
2022 Thanksgiving Thoughts: The Light of Democracy Still Shines
This Thanksgiving we are thankful that the light of our American democracy still shines. Much of the media in the period from Labor Day in September until the midterm elections on November 8 was consumed with politically-related coverage. That coverage featured stories about: an American people who were polls and poles apart; crazies and conspiracy theorists; threats and intimidations of election officials and workers; voter suppression versus voter expression; lawsuits alleging fraud … [Read more...]
Stop Making Sense: America’s New National Anthem?
In 1984, the American rock band Talking Heads released a classic live album titled Stop Making Sense. That album featured songs such as Psycho Killer, Burning Down the House, and Life During Wartime. That album title could be America’s new national anthem as those cuts are emblematic of the politically and socially divided times in which we Americans find ourselves today. We are living in a country in which truth has become fiction, conspiracy theories have … [Read more...]
Economic headwinds are hurting the world
Finance ministers, economists and representatives of 180 countries convened in Washington DC earlier this month for the first in-person annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-World Bank Group since the onset of Covid-19 in 2020. With the global economy on shaky ground, the mood was sombre. Days before the event, World Bank president David Malpass warned, “A series of harsh events and unprecedented macroeconomic policies are combining to throw development into crisis. … [Read more...]
Why Indo-Americans must speak up on race relations
A viral video showing a woman hurling racial abuse at four Indian-American women outside a restaurant in Plano, Texas, sparked outrage on social media. “I hate you f*****g Indians,” the woman, who was arrested later, shouted. “Oh, these f****** Indians! They come to America because they want a better life. They obviously are not leading a great life in India.” The incident happened less than two months after an armed man showed up at the Seattle home of … [Read more...]
What is the Future of Public Education in the U.S.?
Public education is one of the primary pillars on which this American democracy was built during the 19th and 20th centuries. In this 21st century, especially over the past few years, public education has been pilloried. The question becomes what is the future for public education in the U.S.? To determine that let’s examine its history, current status, and the challenges and opportunities for public education going forward. Public Education … [Read more...]