by Dan Mitchell | Apr 4, 2019 | Big Government, Blogs
Even though I (correctly) doubted the Trump Administration’s sincerity, I applauded proposed reductions in foreign aid back in 2017. I very much want to reduce poverty in poor nations, of course, but the evidence is very strong that government handouts don’t do a very...
by Dan Mitchell | Apr 3, 2019 | Blogs, Capital Gains, Taxation
President Kennedy’s tax rate reductions were a big success. Sadly, very few modern Democrats share JFK’s zeal for pro-growth tax policy. Bernie Sanders wants a huge increase in the death tax. Elizabeth Warren wants a punitive wealth tax. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and...
by Dan Mitchell | Apr 2, 2019 | Blogs, Europe
I’ve been waiting anxiously to write about Brexit, either to celebrate a “Clean Brexit” or to castigate Theresa May and the other politicians for a “Brexit in Name Only.” Except Members of Parliament can’t make up their collective mind. They’ve been voting against...
by Dan Mitchell | Apr 1, 2019 | Blogs, Economics, Monetary Policy
Back in January, I spoke with Cheddar about market instability and put much of the blame on the Federal Reserve. Simply stated, I fear we have a bubble thanks to years and years (and years and years) of easy money and artificially low interest rates. To be sure,...
by Dan Mitchell | Mar 31, 2019 | Blogs, Taxation
There are some remarkable stories of the private sector showing initiative when governments fail to maintain infrastructure. In response to dithering by government, residents and businesses in Hawaii put up $4 million to fix an important community road. Smugglers in...