The Political Class Has Consistently Ignored Warnings of Fiscal Doom. Now Americans Are Paying the Price.
Warnings of inflation and rising interest rates have long been tied to high and rising debt levels.
Economics
Here's Why Biden Is Wrong About the Deficit
His administration has expanded deficits by $400 billion more than expected, even before we count recent spending.
New York Wind Project Drops Federal Funding To Avoid Federal Permitting Headaches
The Port of Albany will forgo more than $29 million in federal funding for the delayed $300 million project.
Rockets, Feathers, and Rising Gasoline Prices
Saudi Arabia snubs Biden by advocating OPEC cut oil production by 2 million barrels per day.
Here's What the Media Get Wrong About Hurricanes
No, a big storm does not require big government.
Storms and Reforms
Plus: The editors unpack a philosophical question from a listener concerning foreign policy.
Artificial Intelligence Will Change Jobs—For the Better
Rather than being replaced by A.I., humans should plan to work with it.
The Government Should Be Pro-Market, Not 'Pro-Business'
Businesses are all in favor of competition, tax cuts, and deregulation only until they aren't—meaning only until subsidies might benefit them.
Russ Roberts: Why Economists Suck at Explaining Life
The EconTalk host and Wild Problems author talks about the limits of cost-benefit analyses.
Ford Rolls Out Gas-Guzzlers To Fund Its Green Energy Ambitions
While that might seem backward, even the most worthwhile green energy goals will require some level of trade-off if they are to be achieved.
Biden Declares War on 'Junk Fees,' but There's (Thankfully) Not Much He Can Do About Them
Plus: Lessons from the recovered memory movement, Texas fights to keep young adults from owning handguns, and more...
Biden's Student Loan Debt Forgiveness Plan Now Estimated To Cost $400 Billion
According to a new report for the Congressional Budget Office, student loan debt forgiveness will likely completely wipe out gains made by the Inflation Reduction Act—and then some.
If Sanders and Warren Think Climate Change Is an Emergency, Why Are They Against These Green Energy Reforms?
If climate change is an emergency that requires immediate action, it makes sense to streamline environmental reviews that tangle green energy projects in red tape.
Occupational Licensing Doesn't Mean Higher Quality Services
Plus: FIRE teams up with Ice-T, self-preferencing shouldn't be an antitrust offense, and more...
Declining Faith in Both Capitalism and Socialism Leaves … What?
Many Americans don’t seem to like any economic systems, and they’re no closer to agreement.
L.A. Times Investigates California's Marijuana Legalization Disaster
An emphasis on corruption and enforcement downplays the very real influence of regulation and taxes on California's booming black market.
Most Americans Say Immigrants Make the U.S. Better. So Why Don't Politicians Do Anything About It?
Democrats pander to immigrants but do little to liberalize the system. Meanwhile, Republicans' hostility to immigrants has increased.
Biden-Backed DISCLOSE Act Would Dox Donors to Groups That Run Political Ads
Plus: Student drag shows are protected speech, a bank CEO rebuffs Rep. Rashida Tlaib, and more...
Don't Hold Your Breath Waiting for a Post-Pandemic 'Return to Normal'
We’re likely to be poorer, distrustful, and less free for years to come.
Expected Interest Rate Hike Will Add $2 Trillion to the Deficit
So much for the idea that low interest rates meant the government could borrow endlessly with no consequences.
The British Monarchy Is Better for Taxpayers Than You Might Think
What would happen to the U.K. balance sheet if the monarchy were retired?
Ford's E.V. Charger Mandate Shows How Broken Dealership Laws Are
The current franchise dealership model does not benefit consumers. It also may not benefit dealerships.
Migrants Are People, Not Props
Plus: The editors have gripes with Biden’s recent interview on 60 Minutes.
The Will to Power Was Front and Center at NatCon III
What differentiates national conservatives from some other right-wing varietals is the desire to use government to destroy their enemies.
How the U.S. Paid for the Civil War
Lincoln's wartime governance had dire, and longstanding, economic consequences.
How Railroad Unions Almost Broke the Economy
The narrowly averted strike would have been an economic catastrophe. The story of how we reached the brink of that disaster is an illustrative one.
The U.K.'s New 'Free Market' Prime Minister Is Fighting Inflation With Price Controls
This fiscal irresponsibility throws gasoline on the country's already raging inflation fire.
California Plows Ahead With Providing Free Money To Mitigate Inflation
The state's $9.5 billion Better for Families program will provide checks of up to $1,050 to state residents to stem the rising costs of living.
Hiring Formerly Incarcerated People Is Good, Actually
Some conservative media outlets and politicians lambast the practice. But if you care about public safety, that opposition doesn't make sense.
'I Have My Own Life': The Case for Legalizing Sex Work
It would be far easier to prosecute sex trafficking if voluntary sex work were legal.
As Inflation Soars, Biden Hosts Cringey Concert Celebrating the Inflation Reduction Act
James Taylor croons while the stock market burns after another ugly report on inflation.
New Gun Store Tracking Code Deputizes Private Firms To Do Government's Bidding
Politicians bypass hard legislative work and constitutional protections to target activities they don’t like.
Latest Inflation Numbers Show That Rent Is Too Damn High
The cost of shelter was up 0.7 percent in August and 6.2 percent for the year, according to the latest Consumer Price Index report.
Why Forgiven Student Loan Debt Should Probably Be Taxed as Income
In six states, accepting student loan forgiveness is likely to result in an increased tax bill.
Libertarian History/Philosophy
Beyond The 1619 Project: Holding Academics and Journalists Accountable
Intellectual watchdog Phil Magness talks Nikole Hannah-Jones, Nancy MacLean, Hans-Hermann Hoppe, and Kevin Kruse.
The U.N. Tells the E.U. That Green Energy Goals Are Worth Freezing to Death Over
Europe is facing an energy crisis, but bureaucrats need to realize that long-term climate goals can be addressed without sacrificing the well-being of the population.
Rising Grocery Prices Pushed Annual Inflation to 8.3 Percent in August
Even as gas prices continued to tumble, rising prices for food and housing pushed inflation higher in August and proved that prices aren't cooling off yet.
Marco Rubio Wants To Make Your Groceries More Expensive
The senator from Florida calls for tariffs on imported fruits and vegetables.
Americans Spent More on Taxes Last Year Than on Food, Health Care, Education, and Clothing Combined
Plus: The Virginia Libertarian Party dissolves, San Franciso decriminalizes psychedelic plants, and more...
Goodbye, Globalization?
As American politicians turn against economic openness, history suggests the consequences could be dire.
Seattle Public School Teachers on Strike, Since 6-Figure Pay Isn't Good Enough
After a whole year of COVID-related learning loss, kids are now losing out on even more instructional time thanks to Seattle's teachers union.
What Would It Take for the Democrats To Really Be the Party of Opportunity?
Government should not penalize investment, thwart competition, discourage innovation and work, or obstruct production.
A Young Joe Biden Mocked Gerald Ford's 'Whip Inflation Now' Slogan. Now He Faces His Own Inflation Mess.
During his own inflation crisis, President Ford called on the American public to do their part through personal fiscal discipline.
When Sri Lanka Banned Synthetic Fertilizers, the Country Imploded
Green activists have some good points. But the pursuit of a chemical-free world hurts vulnerable people the most.
Russ Roberts: Why Economists Are Irrelevant
The host of EconTalk and author of Wild Problems says our biggest decisions don't submit to easy cost-benefit analyses.
Help Labor by Breaking Down Barriers to Mobility
Labor Day is the right time to remember that we can make workers vastly better off by empowering more of them to vote with their feet.
