Author Archives: grehmke

Four Failed Federal Education Reforms

Posted on June 13, 2017 by grehmke

Issue Briefs | Education No. 186 Monday, January 25, 2016 by Lloyd Bentsen IV [Excerpts from Issue Brief, full text on pdf here] Over the years, federal funding of primary and secondary education has increased, while students’ academic performance has flatlined. … Continue reading →

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What the Federal Government Can Do To Improve American Education

Posted on June 12, 2017 by grehmke

Sometimes looking at the past can help us see the present more clearly. And that applies to the 2017-2018 NSDA topic: Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its funding and/or regulation of elementary and/or secondary education in the United … Continue reading →

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Arrival Cities: Across China and the World

Posted on June 10, 2017 by grehmke

Rural poverty in China, India, Africa, and Latin America is a modern tragedy. Deep poverty seems understandable in 1800 or 1900, but how could so many billions remain poor by 2000 or 2015? Migration is the fastest, surest path out … Continue reading →

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China’s Factory Workers: Exploitation or Escape from Rural Poverty?

Posted on June 8, 2017 by grehmke

“U.S. Presses China to Free Activists Scrutinizing Ivanka Trump Shoe Factory,” (New York Times, June 6, 2017) reports on labor activists detained by Chinese authorities and U.S. State Department pressure for their release. U.S. firms purchasing shoes, clothes, and other … Continue reading →

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Economic Problems with China’s Forest Plans

Posted on May 31, 2017 by grehmke

The Chinese government has strong incentives to advance environmental goals, from reducing air and water pollution to restoring habitat and ecosystems. “Trees or Shrubs? Study Disputes Success of China’s $100 Billion Forest Effort,” (New York Times, May 3, 2017) challenges UN … Continue reading →

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U.S. China Trade War: Raising Costs for U.S. Manufacturers

Posted on May 28, 2017 by grehmke

William Perry’s May 25, 2017 US China Trade War newsletter writes: We are representing auto parts companies, which have warned the US International Trade Commission (“ITC”) if they go affirmative and find injury in the case, in all probability the companies … Continue reading →

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Not One Less and Bring your Five-year-old to Work Day

Posted on May 22, 2017 by grehmke

For NSDA debaters transitioning from the China topic to federal K-12 funding and regulatory reform, consider the connection between child labor, education, and income inequality. Steve Mariotti, the founder of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, tells the story of his … Continue reading →

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