Yesterday’s late compromise on the issue of judicial filibusters handed an early victory to John McCain in his efforts to advance his chances at winning the Presidency in 2008. While many conservative special interests are displeased with the compromise, the majority of Americans hold disdain for the Senators battling over the filibuster, according to polls. [...]
While there’s a good case to be made that benefits could be derived from reform of the tax code, The Tax Foundation is not the group to do it. While serious, reasonable economists consider reform (or as Frank Luntz would have everyone calling it, “simplification”) of the tax code to be a potential way to [...]
Because they fear victory, and for good reason. This is a great background article, as it explains that South Korea knows that the North will eventually fall, so the biggest concern is one of timing. It explains how the economic consequences of immediate reunification would be disastrous for South Korea, causing them to tolerate the [...]
A wonderful bit of commentary on globalization from a liberal economist’s point of view, found thanks to Marginal Revolution. The money quote: I realize that some of you are disappointed that I agree with the orthodoxy by thinking that international economic integration is generally a good thing, despite the fact that I call myself “liberal”. [...]
One of the few outposts of actual debate on the Internet is the aptly named ‘dialogues’ section of Slate. This section, appearing periodically in the online magazine, captures the essence of debate: flushing out arguments and discussing their merits and faults. It is a pleasure to read because the back and forth arguments give insight [...]
It has been over thirty years since construction commenced on the last nuclear reactor to be built in the United States. Strategic use of the EIS process by environmental groups concerned about the potential hazards of nuclear technology created an intractable legal situation for its advocates, and after the accidents at Three Mile Island and [...]
Certainly everyone has heard the rhetoric that we must address the issue of Social Security “reform” as soon as possible because for every year that passes, the system’s income shinks and its outlays grow, requiring that any solution in the future be more drastic than one today. While I challenge most of the assertions made [...]
Social Security is receiving enormous attention as pundits everywhere consider the merits of the Bush administration’s suggestions, make wild partisan allegations, and address the political economy behind passing a “reform” plan. At the same time, the administration is laying the groundwork for a similar effort to radically restructure the tax code. While a case can [...]
From BoingBoing: Web Zen: Comics Zen. You can find a list of the comics here. Personally, I love Achewood and The Perry Bible Fellowship. An obvious addition to their list is My New Fighting/Filing Technique is Unstoppable, which after September 11th spawned Get Your War On. In my opinion, GYWO captured the total insanity following [...]