Editorial voices from elsewhere
Editorial voices from newspapers around the United States as compiled by the Associated Press:
A listener on NPR’s “Car Talk” once posed the following profound question: “Is there ever a day when mattresses aren’t on sale?” Probably not. The word “sale” provokes a Pavlovian response in many people. They salivate at the dream of getting a great deal and buying something for a lot less than the average sucker. But are there really all that many true sales out there? Not if the starting point is the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, list price or “original price.” More and more courts are considering whether the use of such terms should be considered deceptive advertising. Often, the answer is yes.
New York Times reporter David Streitfeld pointed out recently that no matter what the suggested retail price is, it would be nearly impossible to find any retailer who is actually charging that price. Fake starting prices, by whatever name, are being challenged by consumers, and in some cases have already led to million-dollar settlements. Kohl’s, JCPenney and Amazon are among the companies that have faced or are facing court action over their use of list or suggested retail prices. Many more are likely to join the list.
The best way to get the best deal, with or without negotiation, experts say, is the same as it has always been. Consumers should do their homework.
Justin Trudeau’s attendance at a White House state dinner, the first by a Canadian prime minister in 19 years, is a good time to reflect on the importance of the relationship between the two North American neighbors. The U.S. and Canada share much more than a border.
The two nations also share common values, cultures and interests, perhaps as closely as any two countries in the world.
On trade, security and energy issues, the interests of Canada and the United States are inextricably linked, and President Barack Obama should be working to strengthen those bonds in ongoing discussions with Trudeau.
The obsession with immigration and border security in the current presidential campaign has at times even extended to Canada. But for the sake of the U.S. economy, making the line between the two countries less bright is the soundest path to growth.
Allowing energy markets to flourish is also on the list. The Obama administration irked Canadian authorities by derailing the Keystone XL pipeline, which would bring petroleum from the Alberta oil sands to refineries on the Gulf Coast. Canada holds a key to U.S. energy security. The vast Canadian reserves, combined with the newly unlocked supplies from fracking in the United States, make a U.S./Canada energy partnership extremely potent.
U.S. ties to Canada are strong, and should be made stronger. Trudeau’s visit should be seen as a start toward achieving that goal.
Whatever happens in the November election, one thing is certain: Come January, Americans will be footing bills for another former president – and a relatively young and healthy one at that.
When President Obama becomes former President Obama, he will join the ranks of an elite handful who still enjoy some pretty nice perks on the taxpayer dime. In 2015, we picked up the tab for pension and benefits for four former presidents. George W. Bush got more than $1 million. His father, George H.W. Bush, got about $800,000. Bill Clinton received $900,000 while Jimmy Carter, not surprisingly, was a bargain at $430,000.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, thinks the right number is about $200,000, and she’s written legislation to make that proposal law. She is on the right track.
Clinton pulls down at least $200,000 every time he gives a speech. George W. Bush doesn’t talk as often or collect as much money as Clinton, but he still receives upwards of $150,000 a speech. These guys have also made fortunes on book deals.
We have no former presidents who are struggling to pay bills. And one can only imagine President Obama’s speaking fees will join his predecessors in the stratosphere. But there’s no reason taxpayers need to pay office expenses for millionaires, even if they are former presidents.