Opinion - Cynthia Tucker

WASHINGTON -- Two years ago, my mother and I were stuck in a dingy motel suite in downtown New Orleans, eating take-out dinners and canned goods. Though we longed to be at home, she and I agreed it was one of the best Christmas seasons either of us had ever celebrated. Full Story »

WASHINGTON -- This month, the test scores of Chinese students sent another shock wave through a zeitgeist already obsessed with national decline: Are they getting ahead of us in everything? Will China rule the world in 30 years? Is the United States destined to a future of limited horizons and lowered expectations? Full Story »

WASHINGTON -- Are we really that sort of country? Full Story »

WASHINGTON -- Over the last year, out-of-work Americans, already down on their luck, have had to endure a barrage of unsympathetic, even mean-spirited, criticism from several of their elected representatives. Many Republicans, especially, have portrayed the jobless as either shiftless deadbeats too lazy to look for work or pompous failures too proud to take a job beneath their social standing. Full Story »

WASHINGTON -- Familiarity breeds contempt -- or so goes the maxim. But there is a more likely consequence of familiarity: It dissipates fear. Full Story »

WASHINGTON -- On Monday, President Obama defied the Democratic base to announce a two-year freeze on salaries for most civilian federal employees. Because the freeze would trim the salaries on which future pay hikes will be based, it would save an estimated $28 billion over five years. Full Story »

WASHINGTON -- I am a descendent of good country people who turned the soil, planted seeds, watered roots and nurtured tender shoots that sprang from the earth. They did it when they had to. And they did it when they didn't. They did it because the land was theirs, and that has made all the difference. Full Story »

WASHINGTON -- Condoleezza Rice believes the U.S. Senate should ratify a new arms control treaty with Russia. So does her successor, Hillary Clinton. Henry Kissinger wants it, as does Madeleine Albright. Full Story »