Reuters reports that President Obama is "expected to use [tomorrow's State of the Union] address to cast himself as more of a fiscal hawk"... continue reading »

Now that Republicans control the House, they’re talking big on spending cuts. Again. But talk is cheap. During the last Republican Administration, federal spending increased 54% … and Republicans controlled both houses of Congress for most of it. Why should we believe them now? What’s worse, even their talk only aims at the low-hanging fruit: non-defense discretionary spending... continue reading »

It’s a relief President Obama, in an Op-Ed in today's Wall Street Journal, acknowledges that the free market is “the greatest force for prosperity the world has ever known.” It certainly is. The President now says there are some rules “that are just plain dumb” and he’s... continue reading »

When I glanced at my annoying morning paper today, I thought I had woken up in an alternate universe. There on the front page of the New York Times, of all places, was a news story that said governors from both parties have moved toward a consensus for the future:

The prescription? Slash spending. Avoid tax increases. Tear up regulations that might drive away business and jobs... continue reading »

It’s very exciting to hear so many new Congressmen talking about “free markets” and “free enterprise." I’m skeptical about how they will vote once the media smears them as “cold-hearted” and their own funders say “you can’t cut that,” but at least they now use the words “free market.” I never used to hear politicians say that... continue reading »

This week’s release of the latest international education test comparisons makes me wonder why there aren’t more calls to kill off the U.S. Department of Education. Eight years ago, Bush signed the “No Child Left Behind Act,” which costs the government $25 billion a year. He promised that this would fix the K-12 education problem:

“We've spent billions of dollars with lousy results... continue reading »

The Internet: one of the few unregulated industries left. Well, probably not for long. The FCC may pass a net neutrality law as soon as this Christmas.  Why would the government want to regulate the internet?... continue reading »

People keep using the term “African-American.” Why? What’s wrong with the word “black?” Nothing, at least until the late 1980’s when Jesse Jackson said that people should use the term African-American instead. “Black tells you about skin color and what side of town you live on, he said. “African American evokes discussion of the world.” Ok, he’s entitled to his opinion, but he isn’t our king... continue reading »

A draft from the Congressional Deficit Commission that Obama appointed came out today, and it actually has a lot to like. For instance:

-- Raising the retirement age to 68 would be implemented by 2050 and then would increase again to 69 by 2075…

-- reducing the base rate on corporate taxes…

-- reducing foreign aid by $4.6 billion…... continue reading »

Some pundits claim that the Democrats lost seats Tuesday because they haven't done a good job explaining their wonderful new laws.  In USA Today, Ross Baker alleges that there was  "an enduring Democratic blunder: talking over the heads of the American people" ("Why the Democrats were hammered," Nov. 3). I like Don Boudreau's response to that:

"Ummm.  No.

... continue reading »