The No-Tax-Hike Pledge Is an IQ Test for Republicans | Daniel J. Mitchell | Cato Institute

The No-Tax-Hike Pledge Is an IQ Test for Republicans | Daniel J. Mitchell | Cato Institute: "taxation — one of the fundamental responsibilities of government"

Taxation is a responsibility?!?!?!? Silly me -- I always thought it was considered a "necessary evil" to accomplish the real responsibilities of government (like protecting people).

Thinking Big on Trade Policy | Cato Institute

Thinking Big on Trade Policy | Cato Institute: "Negotiating trade agreements with certain countries, but not others, is not really “free” trade. Rather, it is “preferential” or “discriminatory” trade."

"one of the biggest complaints our trading partners have relates to subsidies to U.S. agricultural producers"

An Age of Illusionists | Steve H. Hanke | Cato Institute

An Age of Illusionists | Steve H. Hanke | Cato Institute: "For purposes of evaluating federal projects, the OMB requires that an excess burden of 20% be employed. A wide range of scholarly research indicates that the average excess burden of the federal tax system is actually closer to 35%. Accordingly, the real economic cost of a dollar’s worth of federal spending is $1.35, not $1.00."

Plea from Chinese labor camp found in Halloween decorations | Fox News

Plea from Chinese labor camp found in Halloween decorations | Fox News: "found the letter tucked in between two Stryofoam headstones when she opened it in October, The Oregonian reports.

“If you occasionally buy this product, please kindly resend this letter to the World Human Right Organization,” the unsigned letter read. “Thousands people here who are under the persicution [sic] of the Chinese Communist Party Government will thank and remember you forever.""