It’s the Economy, Stupid
Social issues and foreign policy are far less important than the economy in this election. Those who think otherwise simply don’t realize how dire our economic and fiscal straits truly are.
On the Newsstand:fiscal policy
House Democrats Vote to Raise Taxes
Just before its Memorial Day recess, the House passed a bill that, according to The New York Times, would raise the taxes that investment managers pay on carried interest, just at the moment new long-term investment is most needed. General executive partners of long-term investment partnerships, including investments in real estate, venture capital, private equity, and other investments, are paid ... Read More
Robin Hood Strikes Again, Part 2
In his April 11 post, “Weighing In: The Great Tax Debate,” Max Novendstern rebuts my most recent argument that it is inappropriate for 73 percent of federal income taxes to be paid by 10 percent of the American population. Since our disagreement is to at least some extent based on our differing conceptions of fairness, I will offer only a ... Read More
Three Reasons why Republicans aren’t Reactionaries
As this blog’s resident conservative I have to take umbrage to Sam’s article below, in which he ascribes to Republicans a reactionary stance towards Obama fiscal policy. It’s true, there are many in my party who seem to want to make it the party of no. Yet I would not go so far as to say this is just pushing ... Read More
After the Oil Price Crash
Understanding the impact on oil-exporting countries On June 23, 2008 the price of oil peaked at over U.S. $140 a barrel, and by the following February fell drastically to below $39 a barrel. As Venezuela, Russia, and oil-dependent economies across the Middle East saw their oil revenues dry up over the course of a few months, a devastating impact seemed ... Read More
The Chávez Decade
Socialism, populism, and the future of Venezuelan democracy In February, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez celebrated victory in a constitutional referendum that abolished presidential term limits, winning him the right to seek reelection indefinitely. As leader of the United Socialist Party, Chávez has dominated Venezuelan politics since his first election in 1998. Armed with his unique brand of leftist political ideology ... Read More
