Taxes Are Not the Mark of Civilized Society
Contra the famous quotation from Oliver Wendell Holmes, there's nothing particularly civilized about the way our governments spend the money we provide.
Big Government
Is Clarence Thomas Ethically Challenged?
Plus: What the editors hate most about the IRS and tax day
Here's Why the State Department Is Taking Months To Renew Your Passport
COVID-era problems are partially to blame, but so are outdated government practices.
Chuck Schumer's Hasty Plan To Regulate Artificial Intelligence Is a Really Bad Idea
Federal A.I. regulation now will hinder progress, consumer choice, and market competition.
Auditors Asked the IRS To Figure Out Why So Many Taxpayers Make Mistakes. The IRS Said 'No.'
Maybe taxpayers would make fewer mistakes if the federal tax code weren't so hopelessly complex.
Federal Court Halts Biden Administration's Clean Water Overreach
Hopefully the Supreme Court will soon put a permanent stop to the EPA's Clean Water Act land grab.
Ax Government Funding for NPR
NPR is no Xinhua, but Elon Musk is correct that it doesn't need government subsidies.
Biden's 'Buy American' Rules Are Getting in the Way of Biden's Rural Broadband Push
Industrial policy is never as simple as it seems.
IRS Is 48 Days Late To Issue Report Telling American Public How It'll Spend New $80 Billion
The agency’s new report tells us practically nothing of significance.
Florida Pastors Are Worried This Immigration Bill Could Infringe on Religious Liberties
S.B. 1718 would make it a third-degree felony to “harbor” or “transport” undocumented immigrants. Some Florida faith leaders say it could threaten their church activities.
Rand Paul Is Right: Banning TikTok Would Be Idiotic
Three reasons not to ban the popular social media app
Poll Finds That Americans Care Less About 'Community Engagement.' Government Is Largely to Blame.
The ballooning of government has 'crowded out’ institutions of civil society, says AEI’s Howard Husock.
Feds Want to Penalize Overly Complicated Subscription Cancellations at $50,000 a Pop
A government big enough to "solve" your minor irritants will do plenty of other stuff you don't like.
Progressive Politicians Are Regulating Their Own Projects Into Oblivion
Excessive government interference in the market hurts consumers and thwarts policy goals. It also gets in the way of the government itself.
Italy's Plan To Ban Lab-Grown Food Would Hurt Cuisine and Consumers
The move would close a promising culinary door and deny Italian consumers the opportunity to buy products that fit their preferences.
I Finally Caught COVID. The Government Made the Experience Even Worse.
Thanks to onerous regulations, life-saving drugs are more expensive and harder to get.
The Government Is Turning Border Surveillance on Everyday Americans
As the government sets its sights on migrants crossing the border, native-born Americans have also come under its watchful eye.
After the East Palestine Derailment, Congress Is Trying To Force Unrelated, Costly Regulations on Railroads
A bipartisan bill backed by J.D. Vance and Sherrod Brown would include a two-member crew mandate that unions have long sought—and that wouldn't have prevented the Ohio disaster.
Ron DeSantis' Immigration Playbook Is All About Big Government
Despite his declared commitment to freedom and fiscal conservatism, DeSantis' immigration policies represent a dramatic expansion of government power and spending.
Meet the Students Pushing Back Against Socialism
"It's very easy for politicians to legislate freedom away," says Northwood University's Kristin Tokarev. "But it's incredibly hard to get back."
Why Won't Maryland Sell Me a Goddamn Beer?
Maryland bars and restaurants have a tendency to turn away vertical ID holders. But there's no state law mandating this.
The Problem With the 'Abundance Agenda'
True abundance requires a minimal state and free markets.
Just Say 'No' to New Forms of Prohibition
It doesn't make sense to create laws that restrict activities enjoyed by the general populace to protect a tiny minority that will undoubtedly partake in those activities anyway.
Want Less Corruption? Try Having Smaller Government.
People can never be made incorruptible. We can, however, design governmental systems filled with checks and balances that limit the temptations.
PredictIt Helps Forecast Election Results. Bureaucrats Are Trying To Kill It.
Election betting markets are often more reliable than pundits. Did the site steal user funds? No. Did they lie to people? No. Harm anyone? No.
Disability Rights Group Challenges California Law That Forces the Mentally Ill Into Court-Ordered Treatment
"On its face, the CARE Act violates essential constitutional guarantees of due process and equal protection while needlessly burdening fundamental rights to privacy, autonomy and liberty," the petition states.
The Cops Who Killed Tyre Nichols Could Be Convicted of Murder and Still Get Qualified Immunity
In his State of the Union address Tuesday, President Joe Biden said that he wants to hold police "accountable." But he neglected to mention the elephant in the room.
Mike Pompeo Says He 'Grew Up Libertarian'
These days, he may run for president. His politics have changed.
This Texas Bill Could Bar Certain Immigrants From Buying Property in the State
Gov. Greg Abbott has already announced that he’d sign the bill if passed.
Ron DeSantis Wants $12 Million To Transport Migrants 'From Any Point' in the U.S.
The Florida governor wants to fund more migrant stunts, despite claiming that his budget will “keep more money in the pockets of Floridians.”
Child Welfare Algorithm May Unfairly Target Disabled Parents, Complaints to DOJ Allege
"When you have technology designed by humans, the bias is going to show up in the algorithms," said one former child welfare worker.
Poll: One-Fifth of Americans Say Government Is Our Nation's Top Problem
Plus: Democrats doubt Harris' ability to win, an end to pandemic emergency status, and more...
COVID Made Us Sick, But Government Responses Crippled Our Liberty
Report author: “The COVID-19 pandemic was a catastrophe for human freedom.”
Social Security Is on the Brink of Collapse. The GOP Won't Touch It.
In 1950, there were more than 16 workers for every beneficiary. In 2035, that ratio will be only 2.3 workers per retiree.
The KKK's Push for Compulsory Schooling and a Federal Education Department
In the early 20th century, the Klan's virulent nativism and anti-Catholicism fueled its interest in education policy.
A Boy Was Taken Into State Custody. 2 Weeks Later, He Was Dead.
"They couldn't keep him alive for two weeks," says the boy's father. "That's absolutely insane."
Whatever the Fate of the Fair Tax Act, Congress Should Still Abolish the IRS
Getting rid of the much-despised tax agency would be a good idea. It’s unlikely to happen anytime soon.
The Government Shouldn't Stop College Athletes From Making Money
States are putting unfair restrictions on college athletes from profiting off their names, images, and likenesses.
Gas Stoves May Soon Be Banned To Protect the Children
Federal regulators and lawmakers are pushing bans after a new study came out linking indoor gas stove usage to childhood asthma.
In 2022, the IRS Went After the Very Poorest Taxpayers
Despite $80 billion in new funding, the agency is living up to its reputation of hassling low-income taxpayers over rich people.
2022 Proved That Governments Can't Improve on Good Economic Principles
We’d all be better off if politicians spared us their experiments in subsidies, wages, and trade.
Charity and Capitalism Are Better Than Government
When I was young, I assumed government would lift people out of poverty. But those policies often do more harm than good.
Sen. Mike Lee Wants To Ban Porn by Redefining 'Obscene'
The IODA aims to edit the legal defintion of "obscenity" to allow for the regulation of most pornography. But even if it passes, a nationwide porn ban is unlikely to succeed.
In One Arizona County, Child Protective Services Will Eventually Investigate Two-Thirds of Black Children
A staggeringly high number of families are subject to child abuse and neglect investigations in Maricopa County, Arizona.
The Pilgrims Dreamed of Socialism. Then Socialism Almost Killed Them.
Private property was the solution to their failed experiment. But people keep repeating the Pilgrims' mistakes.
Maybe Republicans Need a Policy Agenda After All?
The GOP has hit the dead end of Trump-style personality-cult populism. It's time to try having ideas.
