Wednesday, July 4, 2007

U.S.-Only Flags? Spare Us 

Filed As:  Economic principles, General

If you wonder how we became so dependent on government, consider the level of economic ignorance.

In time for Independence Day, the rest of the nation learns that Minnesota has recently banned the sale of ... more »»

• posted by John LaPlante
• 7:02 am
• 1 comment

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

How Independent Are We Today? 

Filed As:  General

Today is Independence Day, but you really have to ask "Just how independent are we?"

Granted, as citizens of the United States of America, we're free from the political and military control of empires of the past: Great Britain, the Soviet Union, even (if you go back a while) France. ... more »»

• posted by John LaPlante
• 4:28 am
• 0 comment

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Special Pleading and Special Sessions 

Hopes of coal liquification in Kentucky

Filed As:  Budget and Tax, Environment

Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R-Kentucky) wants a special session to discuss handouts "for energy companies looking to build alternative fuels facilities." The Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy ... more »»

• posted by John LaPlante
• 8:22 am
• 0 comment

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

A Cool Look at Global Warming 

Filed As:  Environment

Should states join the rush to join the crusade against global warming? Not so fast, says the Heartland Institute.

Writing in the Chicago Sun-Times this week, James Taylor, a senior fellow for environment policy at the institute, takes Al Gore's claims to ... more »»

• posted by John LaPlante
• 7:53 am
• 0 comment

Monday, July 2, 2007

Higher Labor Costs, Higher Taxes 

Filed As:  Budget and Tax, Municipal Services, Privatization

The Allegheny Institute for Public Policy, which analyzes policy in western Pennsylvania, reminds us of the link between an expensive public workforce and high taxes.

In its policy brief (PDF) Pittsburgh Finances: A Long Way to Go, ... more »»

• posted by John LaPlante
• 6:27 am
• 0 comment

Friday, June 29, 2007

Ten Principles for Governing 

Filed As:  Budget and Tax, General

When we get caught up in the mechanics of policy--cap and trade versus tax, premium assistance versus regulatory relief, and so forth--it's easy to lose sight of fundamental guiding principles.

The Mississippi Center for Public Policy offers a reminder of some core ideas that should shape any ... more »»

• posted by John LaPlante
• 8:07 am
• 0 comment

Monday, July 2, 2007

"Healthy Wisconsin" is a Sick Plan 

Doubling the tax load

Filed As:  Health Care

While summertime is not known as a time of dramatic developments in legislatures, Wisconsin's Senate made news last week with a huge plan called "Healthy Wisconsin." Roughly speaking, it's a proposal to revisit HillaryCare, but on a statewide level.

All more »»

• posted by John LaPlante
• 10:31 pm
• 0 comment

Friday, June 29, 2007

SUVs versus Surgery 

Filed As:  Health Care

What's more important to your well-being: a new car, or health? So why do we expect that someone else ought to be in charge of our health? From yesterday's OpinionJournal.com comes this comment from Robert J. Sciolino of Cape Coral, Fla.:

People are willing to go out and finance ... more »»

• posted by John LaPlante
• 7:12 am
• 0 comment

Thursday, June 28, 2007

What's Sicko? Single-Payer Systems 

Filed As:  Health Care

David Gratzer has a great critique of Michael Moore's "Sicko" in today's Wall Street Journal: "It's not simply that Mr. Moore is wrong. His grand tour of public health care systems misses the big ... more »»

• posted by John LaPlante
• 6:06 pm
• 0 comment

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Retirement: Not What it Used to Be 

Filed As:  Budget and Tax, Employment

Do people who work for government "sacrifice" to serve the common good?

Listen to this news from the Chickashaw News, of Oklahoma:

After 40 years in state government service, Clifton Scott ... more »»

• posted by John LaPlante
• 5:52 pm
• 0 comment