A blog post in the Washington Post criticizes states like Michigan and Tennessee for supporting the spread of charter schools, because that diverts money from the government schools:continue reading »

That’s how much you’ll need to buy the Energy Department’s prize-winning light bulb.

Last year the government announced a $10 million prize "designed to spur lighting manufacturers to develop high-quality, high-efficiency solid-state lighting products to replace the common light bulb." The winner? A light bulb that costs $50 each... continue reading »

Our government prints lots of money. It's one way to cover deficit spending. Of course, that means that over time, dollars lose value.

What if I could print my own dollars to compete with government? Maybe they'd look like this:... continue reading »

Today, Serious Materials closed its Chicago plant. Another 50 workers lost their jobs... continue reading »

My government spends trillions of our tax dollars and has the legal right to use violent force against us. I want to trust them. But can I? This week, we try to answer that question with the help of our guests.

Political pollster and word analyst Frank Luntz says politicians consistently mislead us, but rarely get caught due to the careful choice of phrases... continue reading »

The media tell us life gets worse. As usual, they miss the big picture.

This is a wonderful world, and it's getting better. We live longer:

... continue reading »

This week I report on Obamacare, government-run healthcare in general, and their unintended consequences.

Companies advertise "free" scooters and power wheelchairs on TV. But nothing is really "free." In the end, taxpayers pay. Yet the U.S. Inspector General says many people who got $3,000 power wheelchairs you funded should not have gotten them... continue reading »

The National Transportation Safety Board wants a nationwide ban on cell phone calls and texting while driving.

The safety police are thrilled. But as usual, regulation limits our freedom without proof that their rule will do more good than harm. Yes, thousands of people are killed because we are distracted, but more laws won't solve that... continue reading »

To save money, the Agriculture Department will no longer perform as many reports on the size and scope of some industries. Good.

But New York Times writer William Neuman asks:

"If the government stops counting catfish do catfish farmers disappear?"

... continue reading »

In The New York Times this week, John Tierney identifies a new way government regulation kills.

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have been shown to be unusually successful in helping smokers quit. The cigarette substitutes are basically nicontine-delivery devices, and the Royal College of Physicians found: ... continue reading »