COMMENTARIES

How the Barbarians Won

How the Barbarians Won

Have you ever thought about the difference between the biblical Jesus who said that the meek will inherit the earth and the Christ in whose name the Crusaders warred against Muslims and Jews?

These examples are, of course, at the extremes of Christianity—Jesus’ love of the least-favored people versus triumphant soldiers who went to war with the cross on their flags. But the image of Christians conducting wars and inflicting pain still jars us, and it is impossible for Christians to approve of those who took over Jerusalem in 1099 and massacred Muslims and Jews in the process.

How did this transformation take place?

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$1T in Medicaid Cuts That Leave Beneficiaries Better Off

$1T in Medicaid Cuts That Leave Beneficiaries Better Off

John Goodman identifies 12 reforms to Medicaid that will Allow Republicans to reach their budget goals without reducing any real benefit for enrollees. Among the  ideas: let enrollees buy medical care the way they buy food with food stamps, have a heath savings account and have access to 24/7 direct primary care. More

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China’s Decades-Long Tragedy

China’s Decades-Long Tragedy

We are witnessing one of the greatest ironies of modern history: the population policy of the Chinese government. The state’s coercive one-child policy—complete with forced birth control, sterilizations, late (even caesarean) abortions, and likely infanticide—began...

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Why Can’t Every School be a Magnet School?

Why Can’t Every School be a Magnet School?

For many years, magnet schools were the only public schools that competed for students. And the experience as been very positive. So why can’t every school do that? John Goodman argues that every public school should be able to specialize in what it does best and compete for students. More

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Before Heretics Were Persecuted

Before Heretics Were Persecuted

The first 300 years of Christianity were troubled times. As Christians, inspired by their new faith, created churches all over the Roman Empire, they were persecuted and often cruelly executed because they refused to make sacrifices to the Roman gods. The persecutions were not continuous, and some Roman governors made a point of tolerating Christians, but the threat was always there.

One threat they did not face, however, was persecution by other Christians. Christianity was such a fledgling religion that it had no clear hierarchy or even ruling group immediately after the Apostles died. It had no orthodoxy and no political power in those early years.

That would change.

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What Should Republicans Do About Medicaid?

What Should Republicans Do About Medicaid?

There is tremendous waste in the program. That means that Congress can make the program work better for beneficiaries and at the same time free up trillions of dollars to help fund the tax bill. The reforms include Roth Health Savings Accounts, 24/7 direct primary care, and access to a competitive medical marketplace. More

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Where DOGE and the Tax Bill Intersect

Where DOGE and the Tax Bill Intersect

On the one hand, Elon Musk has been given a goal of reducing government waste by the Trump administration. On the other hand, congressional Republicans are desperate to find ways to cut spending in order to pay for a high-priority tax bill. The intersection of these two goals creates a rare opportunity to institute reforms that would be very hard to accomplish under ordinary circumstances. More.

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