It's time to invoke the Buffett Rule. That's Jimmy's, not Warren's. Let us explain why. The Buffett Rule, as put forward by President Obama, was an attempt to raise the minimum tax paid by a person earning more than a million dollars a year to a minimum of 30 percent. The president developed the rule in response to billionaire investor Warren Buffett commenting in writing andinterviews that he thought wealthy folks like him should be willing and required to pay more taxes. Three national … [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.
Manufacturing Matters: Reinvigorating ‘Made in America’ Brand
Ever since Japan began challenging the United States as the leading automobiles and consumer electronics manufacturer in the 1980s, a debate has been raging over whether America's days as the preeminent manufacturing nation in the world are coming to an end. It would only intensify in the next two decades, when another Asian giant, China, emerged as a manufacturing power. In the face of stiff competition from these and other countries, a number of U.S. manufacturing industries that once … [Read more...]
Rush to Judgment
Rush Limbaugh has apparently apologized for his intemperate remarks regarding Sandra Fluke. Or, has he? On March 3, Mr. Limbaugh issued a formal apology to Ms. Fluke after companies such as Quicken Loans, Legal Zoom, and Citrix pulled their sponsorships and groups of citizens from across the country advocated boycotts of both the show and those who advertise on it. With his acknowledgement of misbehavior, it appears that Rush has been called to judgment. Let's freeze frame and examine why and … [Read more...]
Clash Warfare
Class warfare? Not really. What we have had over the past several months -- as frequently happens during political debates and almost always during a national election period -- is the substitution of red-hot rhetoric and hot button phrases for a meaningful discussion on the American condition and what is acceptable or unacceptable. We have had sound bites rather than substance, personal attacks rather than policy arguments, and ideology rather than ideas. While this form of "clash warfare" … [Read more...]
A Diplomat, An Attorney and Age-Old Wisdom
New at Roosevelt House The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has given its stamp of approval to the nomination of Nancy J Powell, who was named by President Barack Obama as the ambassador to India in mid-December. The positive tone set at the beginning by Sen. John Kerry, the committee chairman, largely remained throughout the 65-minute hearing. Terming the ambassador-designate as “one of the foremost South Asia experts” in the US Foreign Service and “one of our best,” the Massachusetts … [Read more...]
Wealthy Indian-Americans backing Barack Obama in US elections
America's presidential elections, right now, are all about Republican presidential hopefuls fighting it out to for the right to challenge Barack Obama in November. But most of the energy and passion and campaign money of the ethnic group that has the highest median income in the US are directed towards the Democratic president. Obama is the hot favourite with the wealthy and influential Indian-American community. Obama is expected to face a tough re-election battle in November. However, … [Read more...]
2011: Walking Into the Sunset, Wobbly
The global economy cannot afford to have another unsteady year like 2011. Perhaps the most apt adjective to describe the state of the global economy in 2011 would be "unsteady." With crisis after crisis casting giant shadows over nearly all major economies, last year, most of the world was more concerned about not falling into another recession than boosting growth. Those crises included a disconcerting impasse over raising debt ceiling in the United States that nearly led to the first‐ever … [Read more...]
In Good We Trust
In God we trust. So proclaimed the United States House in November when it overwhelmingly passed a resolution to reaffirm that statement as the official motto of the United States. Congressman J. Randy Forbes, (R, VA), the resolution's sponsor, said the measure was needed because of a "disturbing trend" of ignorance regarding the motto and to "firmly declare our trust in God" as the nation faces "challenging times." This is another example of misplaced Congressional priorities and … [Read more...]
You Can’t Get There From Here
Our nation's Capitol is a misdirected place. That's true not only on a political but on an experiential level as well. Trying to drive anywhere in or around the city proves that the transportation grid is simply a reflection of the gridlock that dominates the debates or lack thereof in political circles. You can't turn left on a light -- or an issue. You can turn right -- from either side of the aisle, at any time. You can make a U-turn anywhere you want -- that's what's called Washington … [Read more...]
Occupiers or Liberators?
When the United States military invaded Iraq in 2003, many of that nation's citizens looked at and referred to them as "occupiers". We preferred to see and call ourselves "liberators." Today a group in the United States that labels itself "occupiers" has taken up temporary residence on Wall Street and major streets in other cities across the country. In our opinion, these so-called occupiers also deserve the appellation "liberators". Unlike our military, this rag tag army is a motley crew. … [Read more...]