The Economist (September 27)
With the Scottish issue solved, the UK now turns to the sticky English question which gives Scottish representatives votes on English issues, without any reciprocity. “It is simply not fair to disadvantage English voters in this way. The system must be changed, ideally in a way that enhances democracy, buttresses the union and does not increase bureaucracy. Sadly, these aims clash.”
Tags: Bureaucracy, Democracy, Disadvantage, England, Reciprocity, Scotland, UK, Union, Voters
New York Times (May 22)
With nearly 400 million voters registered, the European Parliament elections “are second only to India’s in size.” Yet low turnout may result in the election of “fringe parties whose ultimate goal is to dismantle the very union they’re supposed to be serving.” This would be regrettable. “The problems that Europe has endured in the past five years demonstrate that the need for European unity is greater than ever, and despite what the nationalists and populists argue, these elections matter all the more.”
Tags: Elections, EU, Europe, Fringe, India, Nationalists, Parliament, Populists, Registered, Turnout, Union, Voters
The Economist (April 26)
With the population of those aged 65 and over nearly set to double in the next two decades, many economies seem poised for stagnation. In actuality, there are new possibilities for older workers to continue contributing to the economy. Skilled workers are already doing this, but “politicians need to convince less-skilled older voters that it is in their interests to go on working. Doing so will not be easy. But the alternative—economic stagnation and even greater inequality—is worse.”
Tags: Economy, Inequality, Older workers, Politicians, Population, Skilled, Stagnation, Voters
Wall Street Journal (September 20)
“What will German voters be choosing when they go to the polls on Sunday? A new Parliament, definitely, but not likely a new direction for their government. In this year’s federal election campaign, the parties’ platforms could have been written two years ago, the candidates for Chancellor are allergic to bold ideas, and opinion polls have been flat for months, only tightening a little in the last few weeks. Europe’s most important election since the financial crisis is an election about nothing.”
Tags: Bold ideas, Campaign, Chancellor, Election, Europe, Financial Crisis, Germany, Government, Opinion polls, Parliament, Polls, Voters
Wall Street Journal (July 21)
“Since taking office in December, Mr. Abe has shown a nearly unprecedented level of resolve on all three fronts [fiscal, monetary, regulatory] compared to recent prime ministers.” In his quest to reignite Japan’s economy, “Mr. Abe still faces a long and difficult road to get from where Japan is now to where he wants it to be. He may yet fail, or only partially succeed, in some of his priorities. But outside observers should not discount the extent to which Mr. Abe is giving voters something tangible to support. Voters certainly didn’t discount that on Sunday when they gave their support to Mr. Abe’s party.”
Tags: Fiscal policy, Japan’s economy, Monetary policy, Prime minister, Regulatory policy, Resolve, Shinzo Abe, Support, Voters
New York Times (March 28)
“Should Scotland be an independent country?” On September 18, 2014, Scottish voters will answer this question. “After more than three centuries of political union, breaking up would be complicated…. Looking at the financial woes of small, independent European states like Cyprus and Iceland, Scottish voters may want to think twice about going it alone.”
Washington Post (November 8)
“It’s still about jobs. What will determine the core success of President Obama’s second term is progress — or the lack thereof — in reducing long-term unemployment. We know this from exit polls, which ranked the economy as the top issue (selected by about 60 percent of voters) and, more important, from common sense.”
Wall Street Journal (April 24)
“Europe’s voters have already swept several governments from office, and they seem ready to sweep out more. But what really needs to be swept away is the dominant and debilitating consensus that government spending can conjure prosperity.”
Tags: Europe, Government, Prosperity, Spending, Voters
Financial Times (November 25)
The news on climate change grows worse and worse, so too the odds of politicians doing something. They should. “Voters will support climate policy if they see it as an opportunity and not an end to their way of life. Achieving this matters as much for our planet’s future as what is agreed – or not – in Durban.”
The news on climate change grows worse and worse, so too the odds of politicians doing something. They should. “Voters will support climate policy if they see it as an opportunity and not an end to their way of life. Achieving this matters as much for our planet’s future as what is agreed – or not – in Durban.”
Tags: Climate change, Durban, Politicians, Voters
