by Dan Mitchell | Jul 18, 2011 | Big Government, Blogs, Government Spending
Here’s a new video from the Cato Institute, featuring my pearls of wisdom, along with equally sage commentary from my colleague Chris Edwards. We make two simple points. First, America faces a Greek-style fiscal crisis if we leave the federal budget on autopilot...
by Dan Mitchell | Jul 15, 2011 | Big Government, Blogs, Government Spending, Taxation
At his press conference today, President Obama repeatedly said that a “balanced approach” is needed to deal with the fiscal situation. The White House has obviously poll-tested and focus-grouped that phrase. But just because it’s gimmicky, that doesn’t mean balance is...
by Dan Mitchell | Jul 13, 2011 | Big Government, Blogs, Government Spending, Taxation
There are three reasons why I’m not very hopeful about the outcome of the debt-limit battle. 1. There is no unity in the GOP camp. Republicans have been all over the map during this fight. Some of them want a balanced budget amendment. Some want a one-for-one deal of...
by Dan Mitchell | Jul 6, 2011 | Big Government, Blogs, Government Spending, Taxation
The President has issued an ultimatum that more tax revenue must be part of budget negotiations. Indeed, he endlessly repeats his desire for a “balanced approach,” implying that as much as 50 percent of the deficit reduction in any agreement should come from higher...
by Dan Mitchell | Jul 6, 2011 | Big Government, Blogs, Government Spending
I’m not a big fan of the rating agencies. I’ve warned in TV interviews that they generally wait too long before downgrading profligate governments. So when the rating agencies finally catch up to everyone else and lower their outlook for failing welfare states such as...