By Douglas Holtz-Eakin
The young drop coverage to avoid higher premiums
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
Mitt Romney won Round 1 decisively. Wednesday's presidential debate marked the beginning of the end for President Obama. His Republican challenger was articulate, polished, substantive and on the offensive.
In the crimes-against-humanity department, applying a dab of pine tar to a baseball doesn't rank terribly high on the list. I'd put it somewhere between Internet pop-ups and Khloe and Lamar's reality show. So the fact that Tampa Bay Rays setup man Joel Peralta was discovered with "a significant amount" of the sticky stuff in his glove Tuesday night at Nationals Park is no great cause for outrage, especially given Peralta's pedestrian 3.81 ERA.
Mitt Romney has won a major victory in New Hampshire. He is the first non-incumbent Republican to capture both Iowa and the Granite State - a historic achievement. He has the money, momentum, organization and - perhaps most importantly - the air of inevitability going into South Carolina. Barring an unexpected development, the former Massachusetts governor is poised to be the Republican presidential nominee.
There are limousine liberals, and now limousine Occupiers.
Capitalism is the most powerful engine for prosperity in the history of humankind. Though imperfect, as are all human constructs, the free market is still the most effective antidote to poverty and, what's more, it's the most moral method for allocating scarce resources. As we were reminded by the late Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, titan of industry and unapologetic capitalist, it's pretty darn cool, too.
Now in its 23rd year, the "Madden NFL" football video game franchise has become nearly as much of a national obsession as the sport it simulates, with cumulative sales exceeding 70 million copies, a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a branded ESPN television series and numerous NFL players among the title's devoted followers. Nevertheless, within the gaming community, there are hundreds - maybe thousands - of dissidents, united by a rejection of all things "Madden."
In their quest to prevail, politicians spar with strategic sound bites, then pray for good press. But what about their sartorial demeanor? Canny politicos should also be aware that a power suit renaissance is under way. The inspiration? We're talking old school suits with vests, pleated pants, substantial tie and wide lapels once sported by the likes of Michael Douglas as he portrayed Gordon Gekko in the original "Wall Street," movie. Yes, in 1987.
Stop the presses, folks! You know we're in campaign season when the White House plays defense and plans a road show any time some person, company or Tea Party member says something publicly about the short-term outlook for - as so fittingly described by Gordon Gekko - the dysfunctional corporation known as the U.S.A.
"Back to Our Future: How the 1980s Explain the World We Live in Now _ Our Culture, Our Politics, Our Everything" (Ballantine Books), by David Sirota: Ah, the 1980s. Those carefree years spent spinning the gears of Rubik's Cubes, popping Pac-Man cartridges into Atari consoles, slipping on legwarmers or parachute pants, and checking out the latest episodes of "Family Ties," "Diff'rent Strokes" or "Knight Rider."
"Practical, universal lessons: Don't marry someone whom you already know has a history of marrying people solely to make a crush object jealous. Also, when you walk out for good, make sure you have a killer exit line," writes AV Club staffers.
Director Oliver Stone said Tuesday he is worried about the health of actor Michael Douglas, who is battling throat cancer.
Conservatives who love hating moviemaker Oliver Stone - one who has never found a particular reason to love America - won't find enough venom to abet their passion against him during his latest movie, "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps." He has gone soft, mushy and sentimental.
Movie fans are investing in Michael Douglas and Oliver Stone's "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps," which opened as the No. 1 weekend movie with $19 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Michael Douglas has channeled the confidence of ruthless corporate raider Gordon Gekko while walking the red carpet at the New York City premiere of his latest film, "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps."
Michael Douglas has channeled the confidence of ruthless corporate raider Gordon Gekko while walking the red carpet at the New York City premiere of his latest film, "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps."
Or, he says, witness President George W. Bush swooping down on an aircraft carrier "Top Gun"-style to proclaim victory in his dogfight against a squadron of Soviet warplanes _ er _ the Iraqi army.
Michael Douglas reprised his Oscar-winning role as no-holds-barred financier Gordon Gekko, who famously declared "greed is good," in "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps."
