My Response to Fareed Zakaria's article on the American Dream

Here is my response to Fareed Zakaria's latest article on restoring the American middle-class. I highly recommend this piece. 

Dear Sir,  
 
First let me say again it was a distinct honor meeting you two weeks ago here in Prague. I sincerely enjoyed reading this article.  Your line:  "European civilization had produced the great cathedrals of the world. America had the two-car garage. And this middle-class contentment created a country of optimists." is a memorable quote. I share with you a continued optimism about America and your article presents a possible solution for the problems this country faces.
 
However, t I'm hesitant about the idea of an "innovation tax". I think sales taxes are rather regressive as the poor have to spend more of their income than the rich. While the rich can save their spending money it and also have the opportunity to spend money overseas more frequently.  I'm originally from California and this is already an issue with many Californians "jumping the border" as it were and making it big ticket purchases in Nevada and other destinations.   

Lenin vs. Lennon

What's the relationship between economic development and democracy? corruption and development?

Nearly one stop shopping this blog has some cool graphs

http://filipspagnoli.wordpress.com/stats-on-human-rights/statistics-on-gross-domestic-product-correlations/

Russia's Austin Powers Momment

Ironically, Newsweek publishes a good article on Russia's lost mojo a day after Newsweek Russia folds. In the past few months Fareed Zakaria, (who I recently met)  jumped ship from Newsweek. Maybe Russia Today should do a story on how Newsweek lost its mojo...things don't look good for what was my favorite magazine in my middle school day.

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/10/18/ruchir-sharma-on-russia.html

Brazil in One Lesson

Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of running into the Brazillian Women's Basketball team here in Prague, that coupled with the recent Brazillian elections has gotten me reinterested in Brazil. I have tended to agree with most that Lula is the first Brazillian President who mattered on the global scene. This good FT article coupled with some other reportage they have done recently makes the case that his predecessor Fernando Henrique Cardoso is equally important. The article is so good and well written it qualifies it is practically Brazil in one leasson.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/d889965e-c769-11df-aeb1-00144feab49a.html

Arab World's first viral video hit

Hilarious Panda commercial, or is it sublte politically commentary? You decided. Check out the article I wrote at RFE/RL with a link to the video.

http://bit.ly/96xopf

hat tip: Nathan Noiman who posted this a while ago on his facebook

Coup In Iraq? Not Likely

Here is a recent op-ed I wrote for the Atlantic Council on a possible U.S coup in Iraq.

http://www.youngatlanticist.org/component/content/article/83-iraq-coup.html

Two interesting language stories from this past month

Arabic hard to learn for Hebrews speakers, what about other languages?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11181457



Whistleblown: Interperters for U.S forces in Afghanistan: One Quarter flunked  language proficency exams.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2010/09/09/2010-09-09_one_quarter_of_us_interpreters_in_afghanistan_flunked_language_exams_whistleblow