Some politicians claim the U.S. economy is rising from the ashes even while Europe’s financial situation melts down.  However, numerous analysts believe more turmoil remains for the United States.   In Europe, Britain gives wise financial advice but continues to “borrow” endlessly without fixing its own financial problems.  According to one financial analyst, “The entire [British] tax system needs to be replaced with something coherent.”  In fact, he notes that “…the optimal size of government is closer to a third” (The Telegraph, May 17, 2012).

A little more than two generations ago, on January 20, 1961, in his only inaugural address, United States President John F. Kennedy called on his audience to support him in advancing the ideals of freedom and common prosperity. A little more than 50 years later, how have the U.S. and other Western nations fared in achieving President Kennedy’s goal?

Noted economic historian Niall Ferguson observed in a recent interview that the only real solution to Europe’s financial crisis is a full fiscal union—a true United States of Europe—that would be unquestionably under the leadership of the financial powerhouse, Germany.   Ferguson believes Europe could limp along for a while with Greece falling into step with EU demands and Germany digging deeper into its wealthy pockets.    However, he states that while “I am not a federalist… the costs of the single currency disintegrating are really so high and would impact so many people, that t

Most of us grew up having learned childhood “fairy tales” about figures such as Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. In our innocence, we may have believed them with all our hearts. They filled our young minds with fun and games. We happily “pretended”—and were encouraged to do so by our parents, who loved us and only wanted to make us happy.

Tensions in a resource-rich region of central Asia threaten to disrupt a 25-year ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan.  The two nations signed a treaty after the Nagorno-Karabakh War (1988-1994).  However, in a direct provocation, Azerbaijani troops entered Armenia and killed three out-of-uniform soldiers.  An Armenian military source stated, “The killing is a clear provocation, we have not reacted yet.  I underline: ‘Yet’.”  The “war rumor” has raised concerns in the EU, Russia, and the U.S. due to the critical importance of the region.