by Dan Mitchell | Mar 29, 2015 | Big Government, Blogs
As an economist, my primary objection to excessive government is – or at least should be – based on foregone growth. After all, government spending (whether it is financed by taxes or borrowing) diverts resources from the productive sector of society and results in...
by Dan Mitchell | Mar 11, 2015 | Big Government, Blogs, Energy, Government Waste
I’ve pointed out that Washington is a cesspool of legal corruption. But if you don’t believe me (and you have a strong stomach), feel free to peruse these posts, all of which highlight odious examples of government sleaze. But occasionally elected officials cross the...
by Dan Mitchell | Feb 13, 2015 | Big Government, Blogs
When I write about the “inbred corruption of Washington” or “Washington’s culture of corruption,” I’m not merely taking pot-shots at the political elite. I’m trying to make a very serious point about the way in which big government enables immoral behavior by both...
by Dan Mitchell | Jan 30, 2015 | Big Government, Blogs, Economics, Government Waste
I’ve periodically cited the great 19th-century French economist, Frederic Bastiat, for his very wise words about the importance of looking at both the seen and the unseen when analyzing public policy. Those that fail to consider secondary or indirect effects of...
by Dan Mitchell | Dec 13, 2014 | Big Government, Blogs, Government Spending
So what should libertarians, Reagan conservatives, and other advocates of smaller government think of the “cromnibus” spending bill? The answer depends on your benchmark. If you dislike insider deals, pork-barrel spending, and you think the federal government should...
