Just When You Thought Venezuelan Statism Couldn’t Get Any Worse…

by Dan Mitchell | Jan 6, 2018 | Blogs, Economics, Socialism

In recent months, I’ve written two very lengthy columns about the deterioration of Venezuela’s evil government. And I’ve also looked at long-run economic data to show how statism produces awful results for ordinary people. But I sometimes think anecdotes are the most...

A Libertarian Quandary on Pot, Federalism, and the Rule of Law

by Dan Mitchell | Jan 5, 2018 | Blogs, Crime, Society

Here are two statements that seem in conflict. I don’t like marijuana. I want marijuana legalized. But there’s actually no conflict because we can decide that some things are distasteful without wanting to infringe on the freedom of others to partake. And you can make...

Falling Red Tape = Rising Economic Growth

by Dan Mitchell | Jan 4, 2018 | Big Government, Blogs, Economics, Regulations

I was not optimistic about a Trump presidency. Before the 2016 election, I characterized him as a “statist” and a “typical big-government Republican.” I’ve also criticized his policies on entitlements, trade, child care, capital gains taxation, government spending,...

Everything You Need to Know about California, in a Single Story

by Dan Mitchell | Jan 3, 2018 | Blogs, Taxation

When I write an everything-you-need-to-know column, it’s not because I’m under any illusions that I’ve actually amassed all the information one could need on a topic. Instead, it’s just a meme. I’m either writing an in-depth primer on an issue (for instance, spending...

Restricting the Deduction for State and Local Taxes Is a Big [Expletive Deleted] Deal

by Dan Mitchell | Jan 2, 2018 | Blogs, Tax Competition, Taxation

During the Obamacare bill-signing ceremony, Vice President Biden had a “hot mic” incident when he was overheard telling Obama that “this is a big f***ing deal.” And he was telling the truth. It was a big deal (albeit a wrong deal) from a fiscal perspective and a...