All Commentary
4 smart ways to rebuild after superstorm Sandy Early estimates of the damage from superstorm Sandy are staggering. In the days ahead, once people's immediate needs are met, we must focus on rebuilding. It is increasingly clear that rebuilding efforts must consider the following four points.
OpinionObama's economy is driving well, considering the hand brake is onSmart choices by President Obama and Congress have saved the economy from another recession and put it on the path to recovery. Policymakers can continue to help the economy by removing the obstacles to faster growth, such as helping struggling states retain teachers.
OpinionTo grow the economy, we must shrink President Obama's big governmentUS unemployment remains high. Job creation is lackluster. GDP growth is sluggish. Each of these measure should be higher. Lawmakers must reverse the harm of Obama's big-government policies by stopping Taxmageddon, eliminating red tape, and reforming entitlement programs.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveWhat America needs most
A Christian Science perspective.
- Readers RespondReaders Write: The real definition and drivers of poverty
Letters to the Editor for the weekly print issue of November 5, 2012: Poverty is American hardly compares to poverty in Africa – in attitude and in hardship. The real cause of poverty in the US is job-killing free trade and oligarchic rule that widens the gap between rich and poor.
Election 2012: the beautiful momentPolitics is messy, expensive, comical, infuriating, and often dispiriting -- especially after an interminable US presidential campaign. But voting itself ... that's the real point of democracy.
- The Monitor's ViewGood riddance, Sandy. Hello sea barriers?
Individuals and government have done much that is praiseworthy in the recovery effort following superstorm Sandy. But what should be done to prevent the next disaster?
Six points where Mitt Romney and his economic advisers are mostly wrong Mitt Romney’s economic plan is largely based on a whitepaper written by several “heavyweight” economists. The problem is, it's riddled with fundamental flaws. Here are six points where Mitt Romney and his economic advisers are mostly wrong about what ails the American economy and how to fix it.- A Christian Science PerspectiveGlimpses of heaven: from grief to comfort
A Christian Science perspective.
Jobs report: 3 views on the best way to create jobs in the US The Labor Department reported Friday that the economy added 171,000 jobs in October, while unemployment rose to 7.9 percent. As the eighth and final installment of our One Minute Debate series for election 2012, three writers give their brief take on the best way to create jobs in the United States.
The Monitor's ViewThe steady gain of humanityBeyond alarming headlines, a deeper look reveals progress – and the prospect of even more if we address the big challenges ahead.
OpinionLack of US, Western intervention in Syria helps jihadistsHillary Clinton heads to Doha, Qatar next week to push for a shakeup in the Syrian opposition. The West must step up its game by providing advanced weapons to Syrian rebels. Fears of such weapons aiding jihadist fighters are overblown, even as Western hesitancy strengthens jihadists.
OpinionTo fight Taliban, US must give Afghanistan schoolsPresident Obama and Mitt Romney both pledge to leave Afghanistan in 2014. But neither discussed the importance of establishing schools for the children of a war-torn nation where nearly half the population is under the age of 15. The Taliban are most scared of books, not bombs.
OpinionNo mandate for either Mitt Romney or President ObamaMitt Romney and President Obama want a strong mandate from voters to support their governing approach. They won't get it. Given the enormity of America's challenges, it might not be such a bad thing if the winner of this election emerged with humility instead of hubris.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveWhich candidate do you love more?
A Christian Science perspective: In an atmosphere teeming with opinions, perhaps our biggest contribution can be a peaceful acknowledgment of divine Love, God’s power beyond the power of people, a heart that sees ourselves and those seeking election ultimately as equal rays of a powerful center, Love itself.
The Monitor's ViewWhen tweets repeat a lieSocial media sites spread a lot of misinformation on superstorm Sandy. But they also helped keep people informed – and even corrected their own mistakes.
OpinionWhat if neither Mitt Romney nor President Obama wins on Nov. 6?What if we wake up on Wednesday, and find out that in several states the outcome is in doubt, and neither President Obama nor Mitt Romney is the clear winner? America could be heading for court battles that will make Florida in 2000 look like a tussle at the local PTA.
OpinionLiving in a swing state like Ohio is good for your self-esteemI live in Ohio, the swing-state capital of the Midwest. Sure, people complain about the incessant political ads, the traffic when Mitt Romney and President Obama are moving around town, and the perpetual knocking on the door. But it's a small price to pay for all this attention.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveHelp after hurricane Sandy
A Christian Science perspective: After the massive damage from hurricane Sandy, what can help the clean-up and restoration process and provide courage and strength to move forward?
The Monitor's ViewAfter superstorm Sandy, is there really a Romney-Obama feud over FEMA?Sandy reopened a debate over government response to disasters. But FEMA and states know their roles pretty well by now – compassion in a crisis is best directed locally, with FEMA as backup.
