Story repair
Recent reforms leave Denmark’s welfare state firmly in place
Danish experts said the changes are generally modest and broadly consistent with the longstanding welfare state model.
A promise is a promise…unless it’s inconvenient
In a Rhode Island lawsuit, the state’s argument that the pension promises made to public workers were not contracts is a “radical shift” from legal norms.
Exaggerating harm of Treasury’s continued GM stock ownership
Does the fact that the Treasury Department still has a significant stake in GM stigmatize the company? Give it a negative “Government Motors” reputation among investors or consumers? There’s lot of chatter but little evidence. And analysts say that the company’s reputation hinges more on it’s product line-up and profit outlook.
Senator Lugar a moderate? Not by a long shot.
Though major press outlets have been describing Senator Richard Lugar as a “moderate," a review of his record shows that the label lacks factual basis: while not the most conservative Senate Republican, Lugar — who lost last week's GOP primary election — has been deeply and reliably conservative, often stymieing initiatives by Democrats now praising him.
Beware of trade associations bearing gifts?
A recent article in The New York Times about proposed ethics rules on federal employees gave opponents of the rules the run of the article, without ever probing their claims. In this Story Repair, the voices of opponents of the regulation continue to be heard, but they are situated in a firmer and broader news context.
New labor regs for non-agricultural guest workers around the corner
Department of Labor rules promote higher standard of living for workers, hold employers to promises of full-time work. DOL, worker advocates say rules will create incentive for Americans to take jobs, but employers say that the changes will be "catastrophic," insist they need low-wage, flexible-hour environment.
For a handful of lawmakers on Capitol Hill, some deals are too costly
Compromise is constantly lauded, and hold-outs derided. But what if the particular package offered does reflect lawmakers’ vision for the country’s future?