A. Barton Hinkle is senior editorial writer and a columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
How to End the Fight Over Contraception
Birth control should be available over the counter.
A. Barton Hinkle
Latest from A. Barton Hinkle
Diversity Is Not Enough. We Need Pluralism
In a pluralistic society, power is dispersed, and mutual consent is the order of the day
The Federal Government Never Lets a Serious Crisis Go to Waste
Federal power grows through sudden, quantum leaps in times of emergency.
Fuzzy Math Infects the Governor's Race
School spending should focus on results, not just how much is spent.
Feds Give Americans the Frog Treatment
DHS looking to collect social media info from immigrants just the latest development in the surveillance society.
Wearing a Mask in Public Shouldn't Be a Crime
In a free society, the default position should be the one that upholds individual liberty
The New Red Scare
The current debate over the alt-right has begun to display some of the same hallmarks of red scares past.
This Column Will Pay For Itself!
The notion that a dollar of government spending can yield more than a dollar in savings, "paying for itself," is absurd.
Laws Against 'Gouging' Are Simplistic and Wrong
So-called price gouging helps send important signals to buyers and sellers.
Abe Lincoln's Visit to Richmond, Va. Caused Controversy, Back in 2002
Monuments do not merely signify the existence of historical facts; they pass judgment upon them.
Donald Trump's Prescription for Impoverishing America
Free trade makes everyone better off.
The Transgender Debate Is Overblown
Transgender individuals serve in the military, and will likely continue; Trump's directive will be overturned in court or reversed by a future administration.
Charlottesville, Race, and the Mishnory Road
Many of those who would recoil in horror at racist notions find similar notions strangely beguiling when they are dressed up in more genteel language.
Is There a Second Libertarian Running for Governor of Virginia?
Using some of the lingo, at least.
5 Easy Ways to Make Virginia Better
Certain reforms can increase the store of liberty and equality at the same time-which means both gubernatorial candidates should find them worthy of support.
Good Intentions, Bad Outcomes: The Story of Government
Programs that don't work as intended ought to be cut.
Can a Governor Save Rural Regions? Should He?
The Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Virginia unveiled a plan for economic growth in the rural parts of the state.
The Minnesota Matchup: Tim Kaine vs. Corey Stewart in Virginia?
Stewart, who called himself "Trump before Trump was Trump," announced a run for U.S. Senate after losing the Republican gubernatorial primary
Is It Time to Start Dismissing 'Economics Deniers'?
Minimum wage laws have negative effects whether or not their advocates acknowledge them.
Can Libertarian Cliff Hyra Make a Dent in the Virginia Governor's Race?
Democrats and Republicans running establishment candidates.
There's More to a Job Than Making Money
More than 11 percent of prime working-age men in the U.S. are outside the job market.
The Coward's Veto: Dyke Marches, Trump, Muslims, and Cop Shootings
Feelings aren't facts, and shouldn't be treated a such.
A Deep Dive Into Dysfunction in City Government in Richmond
A review of the bureaucracy in the Virginia capital found what most people suspected, that City Hill stinks.
The Year Rage Took Over
As politics takes over more of everyone's every day life, the debates become increasingly high-stakes.
Trump's Medicaid 'Cuts' Actually Increase Federal Spending
Under Trump's budget, Medicaid spending would reach the highest level in U.S. history.
Who's Telling the Truth in Washington? Anyone?
For politicians lying is an art form.
Washington Is Never Going to Get Healthcare 'Right'
Obamacare was bad, and its replacements look like a dog's breakfast.
What Do We Mean When We Talk About Equality?
The idea of equality is bandied about on the campaign trail.
The Moral Case for Tax Cuts
The ownership of tax money before the government confiscates it is a moral consideration, or at least ought to be.
Virginia Gubernatorial Candidate Wants to Cut Taxes, But Not Enough
If revenues are still going up, you haven't cut the taxes enough.
It Costs a Lot When Government Sets Prices
Be it cigarettes, imported products, or even labor.
In Trump Era, Many Political Activists Follow Their Leader, Not Their Principles
The reward centers of the brain light up when partisans reject information that contradicts their political preferences, the same way drug addicts' brains do.
Publicly-Funded Ballparks Are for Suckers
The cases of Hartford, Ct., Richmond, Va., and Gwinnett, Ga.
Should the Feds 'Unmask' Anonymous Political Speech?
Unmasking anonymous Twitter users who discuss politics is like demanding "dark money" donors disclose their identities for supporting political speech.
The Conservative Schism on Legalizing Pot
Law and order conservatives vs. small government conservatives.
Will Virginia Republicans Fall for a Trump Mini-Me?
Republican candidate Corey Stewart appears to be emulating the president in his campaign for the gubernatorial nomination.
Just What America Needs: A Government Truth Squad
A California lawmaker wants to make it illegal to publish or share a "false or deceptive statement" meant to influence voters.
Apparently Tax and Spending Cuts are Either Too Small or Too Big, but Never Just Right
Advocates of ever increasing spending will never meet a cut they won't overreact to.
Virginia Cop's Taser Set This Man on Fire—How Much Does the County Owe Him?
The man, who led police on high-speed chase while driving drunk on a suspended license, is suing for $95 million.
Maybe It's Time for Gun Owners and Muslim Advocates to Join Hands
What do gun bans and travel bans have in common?
A Chainsaw Man Explains How to Fix Obamacare
Healthcare reform can be deceptively simple.
