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CPPA Newsletter
The University of Utah's Center for Public Policy & Administration has posted its latest Policy Perspectives newsletter. This month's edition looks at educational attainment, productivity, and wages in part 3 of CPPA's Utah Economy series.
Book: U.S. Economy Will Stay Strong
Utah economist Jeff Thredgold has published a new book, called econAmerica, “an optimistic roadmap to our economic future,” and a guide to understanding today’s economy. This week’s Tea Leaf economic update provides an overview of the book, which predicts that the U.S. economy will stay strong for years to come, thanks especially to four “silver bullets” that will drive the economy.
Today in Political History
June 28, 1978: The Supreme Court orders the medical school at the University of California at Davis to admit Allan Bakke, a white man who argued he had been a victim of reverse discrimination. (Source: NBC5)
Wise Words
“I believe that the first test of a truly great man is his humility. Really great men have a curious feeling that the greatness is not in them but through them. And they see something divine in every other man and are endlessly, incredibly merciful.”
- John Ruskin (1819-1900) English art critic & essayist (Famous Quotes.com)
Political Trivia
Professions of the Utah congressional delegation members before being elected to Congress:
Sen. Orrin Hatch: Attorney
Sen. Bob Bennett: Business
Rep. Rob Bishop: High school teacher
Rep. Jim Matheson: Energy consultant
Rep. Chris Cannon: Attorney and business
National Politics
Best Stories From …
-- Washington Post: "Key Republican senators, signaling increasing GOP skepticism about President Bush's strategy in Iraq, have called for a reduction in U.S. forces and launched preemptive efforts to counter a much-awaited administration progress report due in September" (see also related Joe Conason column).
-- The Hill: Columnist Dick Morris: "Will George W. Bush try to steal a page from Richard Nixon and, reading the handwriting on the wall after a dismal showing in the congressional elections, begin to pull troops out of Iraq by the end of the year? If he does, will it save the Republican Party?"
-- City Journal: Columnist Fred Siegel explains why Michael Bloomberg is the anti-Ross Perot.
-- Bloomberg: "The most comprehensive overhaul of immigration law in two decades was revived in the U.S. Senate and now faces votes on amendments that could shatter the fragile bipartisan coalition backing the legislation. Supporters of the measure ... overcame a procedural hurdle [Tuesday] and cleared the way for debate on about two dozen amendments this week in the Democratic-controlled Senate" (see also related Wall Street Journal editorial).
Blog Watch
-- At The Senate Site, Sen. Pete Knudson says: "I was absolutely thrilled when I heard that Governor Huntsman had asked the United States Congress to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). I was the original sponsor of this legislation when I served in the Utah State House of Representatives and have been very involved in the CHIP program ever since. I cannot think of many battles of which I am more proud, or any program more beneficial to the health of children across this country."
-- Utah Taxpayer says "[t]he need for transportation reform becomes more obvious every day," and explains why "it's time for Gov. Huntsman and the Utah Legislature to step up to the plate and make it happen."
-- At Utah State Democratic Party, Craig Axford condemns Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett for voting against the Clean Energy Act of 2007.
Lighter Side
Best of Late Night Humor
David Letterman: Top Surprising Facts About Dick Cheney: Every morning eats a case of Slim Jims; Shares three heart attack anniversaries with Larry King; Sent Paris cigarettes and nylons while she was in stir; Went bald at age 12; Banned from D. C. area IHOPs; Spends bulk of his time yelling at White House visitors to “get off the lawn!”
Jay Leno: The New York Times says Ralph Nader is thinking about running for president again. Nader says he rejects the term “spoiler.” Still a lot better than “loser.” ... Hillary Clinton has finally picked a theme song for her campaign. Now if she could just pick out a position on Iraq. That would be great. ... Hillary has picked “You and I” by Celine Dion as her campaign theme song. And in a related story, John McCain’s campaign song is also by Celine Dion—it’s the theme from “Titanic.” ... For his campaign, John Edwards has chosen a theme song from “Hair.” And Giuliani chose “All My Exes Live In Texas.” ... In a campaign ad that is a spoof of the big “Sopranos” finale Hillary Clinton plays the part of Tony Soprano in the diner. You know what the difference is between Hillary Clinton and Tony Soprano? Tony Soprano goes to the strip club to get away from his spouse. Hillary goes to the strip club to find her spouse. ... Bill Clinton appears in the ad too, along with the actor who played “Johnny Sack.” Johnny Sack, which, coincidentally, was also Clinton’s Secret Service codename. ... Congress now has a 14 percent approval rating, the lowest in the history of poll taking. You know what that means? George Bush is now the popular guy.
Conan O’Brien: According to a new poll, 15 percent of Americans say that Hillary Clinton gives them the creeps. The other 85 percent say she gives them the willies or the heebie jeebies.
CBS’s Bob Schieffer: I have let you down, and I think it’s best to just admit it and move on. ‘Face the Nation’ did not get the big interview with Paris Hilton. I feel terrible about it. I haven’t felt so low since one of our competitors broke into programming to report that the embalming of Anna Nicole Smith’s body had begun... There’s nothing left for me to do but stop making excuses and ‘fess up. The truth is I never asked Paris Hilton to be on ‘Face the Nation’, and for one reason: I couldn’t think of anything I wanted to ask her. Can you? (Source: Patriot Post)
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