What’s New
Can There Be Too Many Trees?
Economic Freedom IS good for the environment
Yes, data from the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy and the Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom of the World Index send a resounding message: Economic freedom brings about environmental protection. Why? Because economic freedom leads to prosperity and only prosperous countries can truly protect their environment. Are you skeptical? More.
What Can We Learn from the Election?
Why Do Progressives Support Democrats? Part II
Why Do Progressives Support Democrats? Part I
The words “progressive” and “Democrat” have become virtually synonymous in modern parlance. But did you know that the most important progressive reform ideas of the last half-century have not come from the left? They have come from Republican politicians and right-of-center intellectuals and think tanks. More.
Hidden Traps in the IRA Bill’s Drug Provisions
In the near future, the elderly and the disabled will face a double whammy: higher premiums for Part D drug insurance and higher prices at the pharmacy. This is on top of negotiated prices (and the consequent drop in new drug production) which will kick in later in the decade.
John Goodman and Linda Gorman explain why this will happen in The Hill.
Social Security COLA Still Fails To Keep Up With Inflation
The COLA is supposed to keep our (I’m also a recipient) benefits even with inflation. Unfortunately, it doesn’t. The COLA is calculated based on the rise in the Consumer Price Index between September 30th and October 1st of the previous year. Hence, we’re getting compensated for past annual inflation, with a three-month lag to boot! This leaves us perpetually behind the eight ball. More
The US is a Waning Economic Superpower
The U.S. is a waning economic hegemon. But far too few Americans, including politicians, realize this. The eventual new and very big kid on the block is, under all but extreme scenarios, China; and, after China, India. By 2100, the U.S. will be in third place, when ranked by GDP — producing only 12 percent of global output compared with China’s 27 percent and India’s 16 percent. More
What I Bet You Don’t Know About Poverty, Inequality And The Role Of Government
Here are five surprising facts:
- The U.S. welfare state has almost eliminated poverty in this country.
- Over the last 75 years, income inequality has actually gone down, not up.
- Since the end of World War II, income has steadily risen for every income group – with the greatest increase among the bottom fifth of the income ladder.
- Over half of the population gains very little from working under the U.S. fiscal system – as taxable income replaces untaxed transfer benefits.
- The U.S. has the most progressive fiscal system among all developed countries.
Heartland Podcast: THE NEW YORK TIMES RUNS A “HIT PIECE” ON MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS
Medicare has one privatized component. Many politicians and the corporate media want to destroy it.