“Ideas that matter,
since 1965.”

Edition
Vol. 49, No. 3

In this edition

The rise of ISIS. The expansion of China. The very real danger that Russia poses to the West. With the possible exception of China, these threats were unimaginable before 9/11. Yet today, they represent perhaps the three greatest challenges we face around the world.

By Ripon Society

Putin’s Push for Power

In 2009, the Obama administration “reset” relations with Russia, an attempt at unilateral withdrawal and concession to gain cooperation from Vladimir Putin’s regime. Unfortunately, the reset has proved to be a miserable failure because Putin respects only strength.

By Ripon Society

Is Time Working for or Against Putin?

Even though Vladimir Putin faces no political opposition at home, he is presiding over a troubled economy that would keep any politician up at night. What ails the Russian economy? Take your pick.

By Ripon Society

Separating Fact from Fiction

As Russia attacks the post-World War II security structure, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is cutting through the haze of propaganda to make sure the truth is told and the message of freedom and democracy is promoted in oppressed regions of the world.

By Ripon Society

The War on ISIS: Getting Beyond Stalemate

One year after the President announced a campaign to “degrade and destroy” the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, an examination of what the campaign has — and has not — achieved, and what more needs to be done to restore some semblance of order in the Middle East.

By Ripon Society

Why the Stakes are so High in the South China Sea

The South China Sea lies at the nexus of a global economy on which the prosperity of all major trading nations depends, which is why China’s expansion in the region is so alarming, and why the United States must stand with its allies and partners across the region.

By Ripon Society

The Price of Our Security

In the face of growing budget constraints, lawmakers must find a way to bridge the partisan divide and reach agreement on a plan to guarantee the nation’s security in an increasingly dangerous and volatile world.

By Ripon Society

The Indispensable Nation

A generational struggle is underway to win a battle of ideas around the world. As the battle rages on, one country must lead the way to victory — America.

By Ripon Society

A Lesson in Hope from Dharavi

In the past 20 years, free enterprise has transformed India. Between 1965 and 1975, per capita income in the country rose by just 0.3 percent annually. But from 2005 to 2013, that figure has more than doubled, from $740 to $1,570.

By Ripon Society

Tackling a Troublesome Tax Code

More than 40 states currently impose a personal income tax on income earned within their borders, regardless of the earner’s state of residency. With more Americans traveling out of state for their jobs, two Members of Congress have introduced legislation to ease this burden.

By Ripon Society

The New Epidemic

With the price tag for heroin, alcohol and other drug abuse totaled more than $6 billion annually in Kentucky, a look at how one community in the state is trying to fight the problem and prevent this scourge from ruining — and ending — more lives.

By Ripon Society

Ripon in the Reagan Years

With THE RIPON FORUM celebrating its 50th year of publication, one of the journal’s longtime editors looks back at the accomplishments of The Ripon Society in the 1980s and how the organization fought to keep the vision of “broad Republicanism” alive.

By Ripon Society

Ripon Profile of Larry Hogan

The Governor of Maryland discusses his first year in office, which has been marked not only by his successful effort to roll back the “rain tax,” but by his courageous battle to defeat cancer.

By Ripon Society

Ripon Profile of Larry Hogan

Name: Larry Hogan

Occupation: Governor of Maryland

What does the fact that you’re only the second Republican governor of Maryland in over four decades mean to you? It’s pretty special, but I don’t think of it in terms of Republicans and Democrats. It’s much more important than that. This election was about change because Marylanders were fed up with politics as usual.

Did you anticipate your campaign to repeal the rain tax would resonate with Marylanders as well as it has?  When I coined the term “rain tax,” I wasn’t surprised it resonated so well with Marylanders and I’m still not, because it’s ridiculous. We were the only state in the nation that taxes the rain. I made it a priority when I came into office to stand up for the taxpayers who elected me and stand up to repeal the rain tax, and that’s exactly what we did.

In June, you announced that you were battling stage III non-Hodgkin lymphoma. How has this affected your daily outlook on life? This new challenge has further reminded me how blessed I am to have an incredible family – a loving wife, three wonderful daughters, a strong extended family, and many devoted friends. I am constantly comforted by the outpouring of support not only from the people of our state, but people from every state sending thoughts and prayers my way. Since my diagnosis, I have realized just how short each day is, and every day that I am strong is another day I get to spend with the people I love and another day I can work to change Maryland. I hope that in being candid about my battle with cancer, I can help bring awareness to the disease and comfort others affected by it as well.

Your wife, Yumi, is a first-generation Korean immigrant who is an artist by trade. How has her diverse background influenced your political career?  Well, I’m not a career politician so my political career is really only seven months long. My wife is the first Asian First Lady in Maryland and the first Korean-American First Lady in the history of the United States. The first economic  development mission trip of my administration was a 12-day trip to Asia. We met with government officials and business leaders in China, Japan, and South Korea.  A lot of the officials now joke that I’m a “Hankook Sawi,” or “son-in-law of South Korea.” I hope that building strong relations with our overseas partners will be an economic driver for our state, and the First Lady will play a key role in that.

As the son of former Congressman Lawrence Hogan Sr., how has his political legacy influenced your desire to serve the people of Maryland?  My Dad is my biggest role model. During the Nixon administration, when he was a member of the House Judiciary Committee investigating the Watergate scandal, I watched in awe as he became the first Republican to vote for President Nixon’s impeachment. I often say that I learned more about integrity from my dad during that single moment than most people learn in a lifetime.  That’s when I learned that it’s not about party politics and partisanship. He taught me firsthand the importance of reaching across the aisle and doing what is best for the people of this state.

And finally, who would you root for in an Orioles-Nationals World Series?  Orioles! I’m gonna have to go with the Birds!

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