I write about the Laffer Curve so often that I’m surprised people don’t run away screaming. But I’ll continue to be a pest because I want people to understand that you can’t just look at changes in tax rates when predicting changes in tax revenue. You also have to…
Daily Analysis
Obama’s State-of-the-Union Speech: Maybe New Rhetoric, Definitely Old Ideas
I’m disappointed, but not surprised, to read in the Washington Post that President Obama has decided against any changes to restrain Social Security spending. He’ll still probably subject us to pious and insincere rhetoric about fighting red ink in tonight’s…
All Libertarians and Conservatives Should Agree to End Federal Abortion Subsidies
Regardless of what one thinks about abortion, it is preposterous for the federal government to be subsidizing the procedure. Yet that is what happens thanks to annual subsidies of as much as $363 million for Planned Parenthood. Defenders of Planned Parenthood…
Obama’s Crony Capitalism Means the Poor Subsidize the Rich
I’ve always rejected coercive redistribution, particularly when imposed by the federal government. But some types of redistribution are worse than others, and when big business and big government get in bed together, ordinary people are the ones who get screwed. This…
English Anti-Tax Haven Ideologues Are Just as Foolish and Ignorant as their American Cousins
There’s a supposed expose in the U.K.-based Daily Mail about how major British companies have subsidiaries in low-tax jurisdictions. It even includes this table with the ostensibly shocking numbers. This is quite akin to the propaganda issued by American statists….
The Exodus from Illinois Begins
It may not be very nice to say “I told you so” when the warnings you issue become reality, but I’m not a nice person (at least when it comes to greedy politicians imposing stupid policy). So I’ll openly admit that I’m happy to read that entrepreneurs and job creators…
The Extraordinary Life and Insight of Walter Williams
I don’t think I’ve ever promoted a book since starting this blog, but the new autobiography from Walter Williams is too good not to recommend. But don’t believe me. Walter was just interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, and you can get a flavor for his blunt style…
Even Studies from the European Central Bank Show Spending Restraint Is Key to Controlling Red Ink
I’m not a big fan of central banks, and I definitely don’t like multilateral bureaucracies, so I almost feel guilty about publicizing two recent studies published by the European Central Bank. But when such an institution puts out research that unambiguously makes the…
When is Enough, Enough?
For the more than a decade the Internal Revenue Service has been chasing after potential U.S. tax evaders by forcing foreign jurisdictions and banks to become deputy tax collectors. From the Know-Your-Customer regulations to the Qualified Intermediary regime, non-U.S….
Obama’s Column against Over-Regulation: Insincere, Inaccurate, and Hypocritical
The President garnered some attention for his January 18 column in the Wall Street Journal, in which he said we need to control the regulatory burden. Let’s start with the insincere part. He praised capitalism. America’s free market has not only been the source of…