Universal Student Debt Forgiveness Is Regressive, Say Economists
Plus: Uber abandons self-driving autos, on being "both loud and silenced," and more...
Debt
Forgiving Student Debt Wouldn't Be a Major Economic Stimulus
Despite Elizabeth Warren's contention that it is the "single most effective economic stimulus that is available through executive action," forgiving student debt is a bad idea.
Neera Tanden, Biden's Pick for Budget Office: Now Is Not the Time To 'Worry About Raising Deficits and Debt'
She once suggested that if Americans care about the deficit so much, maybe we should make Libya pay for it.
Joe Biden's $11 Trillion Plan To Bankrupt America
The president-elect promised record levels of spending and taxes on the campaign trail. Will he succeed?
Biden and Trump Offer Competing Tax Proposals, but Both Ignore Economic Reality
Trump plans to steal less of other people’s cash then Biden does, though neither has any serious suggestions for paying for their spending schemes.
America's Debt Will be Twice the Size of the Economy by 2050
The Congressional Budget Office warns that higher levels of debt will slow economic growth significantly in the years ahead.
After the Stimulus Binge, Brace for a Crash
Skyrocketing debt, higher borrowing costs, and a hobbled economy are predicted in the latest Congressional Budget Office report.
Rand Paul on Republican Plans for Another Coronavirus Stimulus Bill: 'They Simply Don't Care About the Debt'
Congress is currently debating what should be included in the next trillion-dollar (and counting) stimulus bill, but nothing is likely to pass this week.
The Next Pandemic Will Be Caused by the National Debt. It Will Crater the Economy.
Debt held by the public equals about 100 percent of GDP. That's hurting growth and will fuel a major crisis.
Coronavirus Is Going To Be Expensive. Too Bad the Government Is Already in Massive Debt.
Having failed to be fiscally responsible when it would have been relatively easier, our elected officials will now likely hike spending even further.
CPAC Promised To Take on Socialism but Couldn't Even Take on Trump's Spending
There was a deficit of debt talk at the conservative conference.
The National Debt Is 'Unsustainable' and the Pentagon's Finances Are a Total Mess, Federal Audit Says
"Absent policy changes, the federal government continues to face an unsustainable long-term fiscal path," America's top auditor warns. But is anyone listening?
Trump Has Fully Embraced the Idea That Deficits Don't Matter
The president likes things big, so that apparently applies to government budgets too.
The 2020s Will Be the Decade of Deficit Doomsday
America will have to pay for its spending spree and its wars.
Even in Impeachment-Crazed D.C., It's Always a Good Time To Borrow and Spend!
Donald Trump, Democrats, and Republicans agree on trillion-dollar deficits for as far as the eye can see.
America's Forgotten Debt
Neither party is serious about reining in spending. This is unsustainable.
Mass Protests Force the Resignation of Puerto Rico's Scandal-Plagued Governor
The island's residents have had enough of a territorial government tainted by corruption and that is seemingly contemptuous of their daily struggles.
Lives Ruined for Petty Crimes
A new book explores how America's criminal justice system heaps debts on those who can't possibly pay.
February's Budget Deficit Was the Largest in American History
The feds are $234 billion in the red. Looking for hope? Sen. Mike Enzi has some ideas.
New Chinese App Lets Users ID Debtors Lurking Nearby
How would you like it if nearby strangers could instantly access your credit score on their phones?
Most Americans Want Congress to Fix Budget Crisis, Increase Spending. Huh?
You can't have it both ways.
The National Debt Hit $22 Trillion at the End of 2018
Growth alone won't get us out of this mess.
The National Debt Is Coming Due, Just Like We Told You
By 2020, interest on the debt will cost more than Medicaid. By 2025, it will cost more than defense spending. And that's just the start.
Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Programs Are Useless. A Juvie Teacher's Story Shows Why.
"We consistently allow the government to develop…programs like this that sound really great on paper but have no practical benefit," Keith Bradford says.
Trump Has Always Been the 'King of Debt,' but Now He's Sticking Taxpayers With the Tab
Trump planned to borrow heavily to fund his still unreleased infrastructure plan, even while the Republicans in Congress were making the deficit worse.
#MAGA: Federal Deficit Jumps 32 Percent, Hits $895 Billion for Fiscal 2018!
The economy might be humming but when are we going to have to, you know, pay for the party already?
House Republicans Want Permanent Tax Cuts They Can't Pay For
GOP legislators released their "Tax Reform 2.0" proposal, which aims to make last year's tax cuts permanent, adding trillions to the $21 trillion debt.
More and More of What We Do Depends on Government Permission
The granting or withholding of that approval is a powerful lever over our lives.
Here's What You Could Buy With June's Federal Budget Deficit
Of course, June's deficit represents just a small fraction of our overall national debt.
Could Puerto Rico Be the Solution to Our Latest Immigration Fight?
The island's population has fallen dramatically even as Spanish speakers from other nations are desperate for a new home.
The Senate Budget Deal Proves Republicans Love Government Spending
The GOP leadership cheers on a bipartisan spending spree.
Wait: The Government Is Incompetent, So We Want it To Do *More*?
The feds can't pass a budget or do much very well, yet a record level of Americans want it more involved in our lives. That's not as crazy as it seems.
Treasury's Tax Reform Analysis Confirms Republicans Don't Give a Damn About the Deficit
Republicans will regret this the next time a budget-busting Democratic proposal comes along.
Republicans Officially Give Up Trying to Cut Spending
After all that fuss from 2009 onward, Rand Paul is the last Republican left objecting to the continued growth of government.
Our Amazing Debt (Cosmos Parody)
Join us as we explore the enormity of our fiscal black hole, which now surpasses $20 trillion.
Remy: $20 Trillion Reasons (Lady Gaga Parody)
There are 20 trillion reasons we should rein in government spending.
Steve Bannon vs. the Tea Party Libertarians [Reason podcast]
Nick Gillespie, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch talk Trump, Ryan, gender-neutral pronouns, DJ Khaled, and more.
Trump's Over-Praised State of the Union: The New Fifth Column
Why Paul Ryan was clapping at policies he's long opposed, how POTUS could be a strong de-regulator, and why the media cares 100x more about presidential theatrics than the war in Yemen
Trump's Economic Illiteracy on Display in Address to Congress
The president takes a reckless stance on free trade, entitlements, and debt reduction.
Challenge Grant Time in the Reason Webathon! Because We Still Treat Presidential Politics as if (Bad) Ideas Matter
From Bernie to Hillary, from Trump to the chumps in Congress, we used the spectacle of politics to argue about the substance of policy.
Will Trump Supporters Like What They Get?
Trade wars and debt increases loom on the horizon.
Gary Johnson Calls "Horseshit" On Reports That He Doubled Debt As N.M. Governor
During PBS debate with Green Party candidate Jill Stein, the Libertarian candidate shows his fangs.
Nightmare In Deep Ellum: How Pension Obligation Bonds Ruined Dallas Employees' Retirement Dreams
Dallas' pension crisis is another example of why cities and states shouldn't use pension obligation bonds.
'We Have Two Parties Right Now That Have Abandoned All Pretenses at Realism About Our $20 Trillion National Debt and About Our Entitlements'
Matt Welch assesses Hillary Clinton's absurd "I do not add a penny to the national debt" claim on Stossel
Lawsuit Challenges Arkansas City and County Practice of Arresting People Over Court Fines Associated with Bad Checks
An effective policy of debtors prison said to violate the federal constitution and various parts of Arkansas' state constitution.
Hillary Clinton's Free College Promise Won't Be Free—and Won't Help College Students
Political concession to the Sanders crowd that you'll pay $35 billion for