Froma Harrop

Recent stories written by Froma Harrop

Ohio's casino gamble a risky bet (11/14/2009)

In Las Vegas, house prices have dropped 55 percent since peaking in August 2006, and the foreclosure rate is seven times the national average. Gigantic new condo towers sit nearly empty (real-estate pros call them "see-through buildings"), and unemployment tops 13 percent. The recession has sent casino revenues plunging 20 percent from two years ago.

Republicans' recipe for ruination (11/7/2009)

The Tea Party wing of the Republican Party had the perfect strategy for upstate New York's 23rd Congressional District:

Expect to bail out the FHA next (10/31/2009)

Exactly who made Bernadine Shimon think that she could buy a new house shortly after declaring bankruptcy and losing another home to foreclosure? The American taxpayer, that's who.

Social Security 'raise' unwarranted (10/24/2009)

Social Security is a glossy piece of paper on which nearly every politician wants to finger-paint an agenda. But Social Security has no need of ornament. It is a very grown-up program. Put some other toy into the political playpen.

Nobels undermine sexism of science (10/17/2009)

The recent award of Nobel prizes in biology and chemistry to three women dredges up Larry Summers' suggestion in 2005 that differences in the female brain may account for the dearth of top women scientists. Now President Barack Obama's economic adviser, Summers was then speechifying as president of Harvard.

Health care reform good for all ages (10/10/2009)

In terms of health coverage, one date separates the most secure Americans from the least secure: a person's 65th birthday. Age 65 is when one qualifies for Medicare, the government insurance program for the elderly and disabled. It's become a source of intergenerational strife – not so much between the old and young as between the old and the nearly old.

Pass plan, then fix the flaws (10/3/2009)

"Rome was not built in a day," Montana Democrat Max Baucus said with resignation after the Senate committee he heads voted to reject a "public option." A government-run health plan that would compete with private insurers' offerings, the public option is a means to curb spiraling health care costs.

Wrong moves in women's fashion (9/26/2009)

Every time the economy swoons and the racks groan with the weight of unsold women's clothing, purveyors of fashion talk up "investment dressing." Investment dressing entails buying a few well-constructed garments that will endure both physically and stylistically for several years.

Numbers firm, back health reform (9/19/2009)

"Obama's Speech Doesn't Turn the Tide," reads an ABC News headline about new poll results on public reaction to the president's address on health care reform. An interesting take, given that the tide doesn't need turning.

Reform foes' scare tactic wrong (9/12/2009)

In their tireless efforts to kill health care reform, right-wingers have fanned fears that it would attract illegal aliens. This sideshow is rather twisted because, actually, the reforms would do the opposite. They would help curb illegal immigration.

Garrido parole exposed justice's flaws (9/5/2009)

Many astounding details surround the story of the California rapist who kidnapped an 11-year-old and kept her captive for 18 years. None shocks more than the raw fact that Phillip Garrido was not locked up, the key lost.

Privilege tempers Kennedy legacy (8/29/2009)

They called him "The Liberal Lion." Ted Kennedy deserved that title, though with some asterisks added. There's no reconciling Kennedy worshippers with the Kennedy haters. But those who can deal with shades of gray will pay tribute to the legendary Massachusetts senator who championed landmark legislation through bipartisan cooperation – but whose sense of family privilege didn't always serve the interests of democracy.