List/Grid

Government Spending Subscribe to Government Spending

Debunking Krugman’s European Austerity Narrative

Debunking Krugman’s European Austerity Narrative

Statists are in a tough position. For years, they’ve been saying the United States should be more like Europe. And, as shown in these very funny cartoons by Michael Ramirez… Read more »

Early Details Show Obama Will Propose a Bait-and-Switch Budget Plan Containing Higher Taxes and More Spending

Early Details Show Obama Will Propose a Bait-and-Switch Budget Plan Containing Higher Taxes and More Spending

Are we about to see a new kinder-and-gentler Obama? Has the tax-and-spend President of the past four years been replaced by a fiscal moderate? That’s certainly the spin we’re getting… Read more »

The Fuse Is Burning Brightly on France’s Fiscal Time Bomb

The Fuse Is Burning Brightly on France’s Fiscal Time Bomb

It’s been more than three weeks since I targeted French fiscal policy for abuse and more than one week since I wrote something negative about the French fiscal system. I… Read more »

What’s the Right Point on the Laffer Curve?

What’s the Right Point on the Laffer Curve?

Back in 2010, I wrote a post entitled “What’s the Ideal Point on the Laffer Curve?“ Except I didn’t answer my own question. I simply pointed out that revenue maximization… Read more »

California’s Golden Bureaucrat Snags $400K of Yearly Compensation – for the Rest of Her Life!

California’s Golden Bureaucrat Snags $400K of Yearly Compensation – for the Rest of Her Life!

Check out some of the ridiculous details about the woman who has earned the title of California’s Golden Bureaucrat. Alameda County supervisors have really taken to heart the adage that… Read more »

Good News: We’re Heading in the Wrong Direction at a Slower Pace

Good News: We’re Heading in the Wrong Direction at a Slower Pace

In recent months, people have asked me why I’m acting all giddy and optimistic. Am I hooked on cocaine? Have I fallen in love? Did I inherit several million dollars?… Read more »

Great Moments in Government Waste

Great Moments in Government Waste

Taxpayers all across America send lots of money to Washington, DC, in part because we’re supposed to believe that redistribution is a legitimate and desirable function of the federal government…. Read more »

(Almost) Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Fiscal Policy Debate in a Single Chart

(Almost) Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Fiscal Policy Debate in a Single Chart

I’m a sucker for a good flowchart because they either can help to simplify analysis or they can show how something is very complex. Some of my favorites include: This… Read more »

Congress Fails Basic Test of Fiscal Discipline on MEADS

Congress Fails Basic Test of Fiscal Discipline on MEADS

When it comes to frivolous and wasteful spending, Congress just can’t get enough. Even a development program for missiles that no one wants with massive cost overruns can’t be cut… Read more »

The Ryan Budget: Is Returning to Clinton-Era Levels of Fiscal Restraint Really Asking too Much?

The Ryan Budget: Is Returning to Clinton-Era Levels of Fiscal Restraint Really Asking too Much?

It can be very frustrating to work at the Cato Institute and fight for small government. Consider what’s happened the past couple of days. Congressman Paul Ryan introduces a budget… Read more »