Harold Pollack
Washington Monthly
United States
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Past articles by Harold:
Do Prisons Need to Be Hell Holes?
Thanks to bipartisan efforts, the number of incarcerated Americans has shrunk dramatically. The next step for reform is to treat inmates more humanely. → Read More
10 Things You Need to Do When Buying A Home
Everything you need to know about buying a home — on one index card. → Read More
Column: Why you should make sure your financial adviser abides by the fiduciary standard
For decades, economists have documented biased advice provided by brokers and financial professionals to ordinary investors. → Read More
What next for ACA? A great look back from JHPPL
As of today, no one quite knows what will happen to ACA. Republicans control the required levers to massively repeal or replace ACA. They also have the power to massively over-reach and do themselves profound political damage through over-reach that damages millions of people’s lives or that damages the overall health care delivery system. Trump’s unexpected victory provides a remarkable natural… → Read More
I’m (almost) glad for all that blatantly anti-Semitic hatemail
Over my career as a public commentator, I have always gotten the occasional anti-Semitic email. That was particularly if I wrote about abortion, (rarely) Israel, or some other hot-button issue. When the Journolist scandal broke, I got an especially high volume of hate-mail that focused on my name, appearance, and heritage. Of course I often get rough messages from people who disagree with me in… → Read More
Senator Al Franken on the Supreme Court Matter
This pretty much speaks for itself. One of many money quotes: “The president has a four-year term,” said Franken. “Scientists tell us that there are approximately ten months left in… → Read More
When You Vote, It’s Not About You or Your Preferred Candidate
A friend writes that it’s difficult for him to get excited about voting for Hillary Clinton, since he is so much more excited by Sanders, and he’s correspondingly disappointed to… → Read More
Dr. Quentin Young, RIP
I am sad to report the passing of Dr. Quentin Young, age 93. Dr. Young was a fixture in Chicago and in Hyde Park. He was physician to Dr. Martin Luther… → Read More
What if the (Non-Republican) Electorate Isn’t as Angry as Everyone Says It Is?
Right now, the Republican Party is in crisis, at least at the presidential level. Donald Trump’s ascendance reveals the depth and appeal of white identity politics within the GOP’s nearly… → Read More
Community Policing and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
Pardon this rather prosaic post on an important subject. Increasing numbers of police officers and others in criminal justice have gotten the memo that the field must do a better… → Read More
Should You Worry About Stock Market and Housing Bubbles?
Stock market bubbles….basically no. Just save more for the long-run. But housing market run-ups are another matter…. I don’t believe ordinary investors should spend much time wondering if the stock… → Read More
In Victory, Magnanimity
My take on today’s events. @HillaryClinton will easily win nomination. So important for Clinton folks to respect+embrace @BernieSanders folk, in many ways Dem future. — Harold Pollack (@haroldpollack) February 20,… → Read More
If a Tree Falls in the Forest and It’s Hidden from Google?
I built my first website from scratch last month on WordPress. The site is called fiduciarystandard.info. I thought it was pretty nifty. It features an entertaining Big Short-like video that seeks… → Read More
Bernard Madoff and the Continuing Curse of Affinity Fraud
Last week’s ABC mini-series chronicled Bernard Madoff’s $50 billion Ponzi scheme, which so devastated wealthy individuals and major institutions within the American Jewish community. I’m still taken aback by Madoff’s… → Read More
What Clinton Should Say About Those Paid Speeches
At last night’s debate, Hillary Clinton took more fire about her lucrative speech gigs. I wonder if Clinton should own it in a different way: It’s part of the comedy… → Read More
Glenn Loury Speaking on Race at Stanford CASBS
How does racial inequality manifest itself in today’s America? What does this mean for the future of American democracy? On Tuesday, January 26, Stanford’s Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral… → Read More
“Another Hostage Dies”
Although Chicago’s police drama has grabbed the headlines, Illinois’ disgraceful budget standoff continues. And more local service providers are shrinking or closing their doors. Lutheran Social Services recently announced the… → Read More
Dropping the Knowledge on Single Payer
Me talking Single Payer issues on C-Span, basically riffing from my VOX article here. That piece got a bit more attention than I expected, in part given the different approaches… → Read More
Film Recommendation: Linda’s Fiduciary Cake
Regulatory standards regarding information and advice provided by financial professionals are incredibly important. These issues are also incredibly complicated and boring. ” Fiduciary vs. Suitability standard….” The phrase induces… → Read More
MLK Day
Glenn Loury and I two years ago discussing what might have happened had Dr. King survived. I don’t believe there would be an MLK holiday. He would have remained… → Read More