The tragic shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School have unleashed a torrent of public discussion and legislative proposals on gun control. Nationally, however, unless this debate can be framed as more than a fight about gun rights, it seems unlikely that this will result in much meaningful change. That's because, given the state of our American psyche today, mind control trumps gun control. That's not true just for gun lovers. It's also true for the general public as well. A poll … [Read more...]
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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.
Hope Dies Last: Why Hope Matters for Strategy
Hope may not be a strategy. Nonetheless, hope is a necessary but not sufficient condition for surviving tough times and achieving great things. Hope may not make something so. But, a lack of hope makes accomplishing anything virtually impossible. Hope is the fuel of strivers and doers. If hope disappears, progress ends. Hope is essential. It is what keeps us going against what appear to be overwhelming odds and adversity. The late Studs Terkel, America's greatest oral historian, … [Read more...]
Play Mystified for Me
By the vote of the twitter universe, the most memorable moment of the first Presidential debate was Governor Romney's Big Bird comment. The same group and almost everyone declared the most memorable moment of the Republican convention as Clint Eastwood's appearance. We're not certain what the full impact of Big Bird will be - although it's generated some great tweets and you tubes. We have had sufficient time and distance from the event, however, to reflect on Mr. Eastwood's stage time in … [Read more...]
A Tale of Two Armstrongs
In the past week, two American heroes passed away: One literally -- the other figuratively. Both were household names not only here in the United States but around the world. In the future, both will be remembered but for different reasons. Neil Armstrong, the astronaut who walked on the moon in 1969, died on Saturday, August 25. This Armstrong became famous for declaring "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" as he set foot on the moon's surface. Armstrong traveled … [Read more...]
Donald Trump, Statesman of the Year?
No, it's not a skit for Saturday Night Live -- at least not an intentional one. On August 26, on the day before the Republican Convention officially begins in Tampa, Florida, the Sarasota Republican Party will honor Donald Trump as its Statesman of the Year in an award ceremony in Sarasota. In making the announcement of the award on July 9, Joe Gruters, the Sarasota Republican Party chair, said to Jim Meyer of Newsmax "He is a very sage, skillful, and respected leader. Jobs and the economy … [Read more...]
Lessons from the Olympics
The Olympic Games in London opened on July 27 with a sense of playful wonderment and closed on Sunday evening August 12 with a raucous and irreverent celebration -- participated in by many of those who competed and contributed to making this an awe-inspiring event. As always, these Olympics -- in their 17 days -- taught many lessons. Here are our major takeaways. Great Britain Is Great! Mitt Romney may have had his doubts about whether London and Great Britain were ready to host the … [Read more...]
The Buffett Rule
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...]
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...]
No More Jobs
Steve Jobs died last week and along with him may have passed some of America's hopes, dreams and potential for future jobs. Bur, this need not be the case, if we can learn the key lessons that Mr. Jobs, this quintessential American, provided through his life, leadership and continuous and incredible ability to reinvent himself and his businesses. President Obama described Jobs as "among the greatest of American innovators." Many other articles and tributes characterized Jobs as a … [Read more...]