Opinion: Deterring the nuclear option - Sen. Rand Paul - POLITICO.com: "I want the Senate to consider a new rule stripping the majority leader of the power to prevent amendments to bills. This is a “filibuster reform” that all should support, because on the vast majority of bills, Sen. Reid forbids amendments. By forbidding amendments, he is essentially filibustering himself."
Friday, December 14, 2012
Speed camera gives ticket to stationary car | Technically Incorrect - CNET News
Speed camera gives ticket to stationary car | Technically Incorrect - CNET News: "one of those reviews involves an actual police officer who must swear that this car was going at least 12 mph over the limit.
Oh, and he or she must swear it "based on inspection of the recorded images.""
Oh, and he or she must swear it "based on inspection of the recorded images.""
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Numbers and wording can make so-so news sound so outrageous - Chicago Tribune
Numbers and wording can make so-so news sound so outrageous - Chicago Tribune: "With regard to income inequality, virtually all headlines and stories focus on gross income rather than income after taxes (on average, paid by the rich) and government transfers (on average, received by the poor). And they are not adjusted for the number of members of a household (there are more people in upper-income households), age and other variables. Raw comparisons — in every sense of the word."
Why Some Conservatives Oppose Vouchers | Andrew J. Coulson | Cato Institute: Commentary
Why Some Conservatives Oppose Vouchers | Andrew J. Coulson | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Medical researchers go to a lot of trouble to test a new drug. They record exactly what they're administering, how often, and in what quantity. They solicit volunteers and randomly give the drug to some but not others. Thanks to decades of these randomized experiments, "House," "Doc Martin," and even your local GP have at least a clue as to what works and what doesn't.
As I've just argued elsewhere, most education policy advocacy is quackery by comparison."
"When we review natural experiments in education policy fromthe 5th century BC to the present, and in dozens of countries in the modern world, clear patterns emerge. It turns out that education is generally most effective, efficient, harmonious, and responsive to families when educators are freed from government regulations, families choose from among a variety of schools, schools vie with one another to attract and serve children, and parents pick up at least some of the cost directly themselves—in essence, a free education marketplace.
But the historical and international evidence also indicates that government funding of private schools tends to bring with it a pall of regulation that grows over time; and schools hamstrung with this red tape underperform those that give educators and families more freedom."
As I've just argued elsewhere, most education policy advocacy is quackery by comparison."
"When we review natural experiments in education policy fromthe 5th century BC to the present, and in dozens of countries in the modern world, clear patterns emerge. It turns out that education is generally most effective, efficient, harmonious, and responsive to families when educators are freed from government regulations, families choose from among a variety of schools, schools vie with one another to attract and serve children, and parents pick up at least some of the cost directly themselves—in essence, a free education marketplace.
But the historical and international evidence also indicates that government funding of private schools tends to bring with it a pall of regulation that grows over time; and schools hamstrung with this red tape underperform those that give educators and families more freedom."
No Internet deal reached at United Nations summit | Politics and Law - CNET News
No Internet deal reached at United Nations summit | Politics and Law - CNET News: "an alliance of western democracies including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada today rejected a proposed treaty over concerns it hands repressive governments too much authority over the Internet.
"This conference was never meant to focus on Internet issues," said ambassador Terry Kramer, head of the U.S. delegation to the Dubai summit. "The Internet has given the world unimaginable economic and social benefit during these past 24 years -- all without U.N. regulation." "
"the House of Representatives unanimously approved a resolution last week aimed at sending a strong message to the ITU. It said, in part, that "the consistent and unequivocal policy of the United States [is] to promote a global Internet free from government control." "
"This conference was never meant to focus on Internet issues," said ambassador Terry Kramer, head of the U.S. delegation to the Dubai summit. "The Internet has given the world unimaginable economic and social benefit during these past 24 years -- all without U.N. regulation." "
"the House of Representatives unanimously approved a resolution last week aimed at sending a strong message to the ITU. It said, in part, that "the consistent and unequivocal policy of the United States [is] to promote a global Internet free from government control." "
Let's Hear It for Scandal! | Gene Healy | Cato Institute: Commentary
Let's Hear It for Scandal! | Gene Healy | Cato Institute: Commentary: "The scandal-packed Watergate period ... helped spur reforms like the War Powers Resolution, the Privacy Act and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which, while imperfect, at least began to address the problem of unchecked executive power."
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Liberal Leaders Flunk Math | Richard W. Rahn | Cato Institute: Commentary
Liberal Leaders Flunk Math | Richard W. Rahn | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Most economists refer to themselves as Keynesian, monetarist, classical or Austrian — at least in part. None of these theories advocates increasing tax rates, particularly on labor and capital, during periods of economic stagnation, such as the United States is now experiencing."
"If you tax something you will get less of it, and if you subsidize something you will get more of it. If you increase the tax on labor and capital, you will get less — and economic growth requires more labor and capital, not less."
"If you tax something you will get less of it, and if you subsidize something you will get more of it. If you increase the tax on labor and capital, you will get less — and economic growth requires more labor and capital, not less."
The Bottom Line on Sequestration | Christopher Preble | Cato Institute: Commentary
The Bottom Line on Sequestration | Christopher Preble | Cato Institute: Commentary: "But the cuts are modest: over the next decade, the federal government will spend about $44 trillion with sequestration, $45 trillion without."
"The Pentagon cuts currently under consideration are small relative to its gargantuan budget, and consistent with those of past post-war draw downs."
"The Pentagon cuts currently under consideration are small relative to its gargantuan budget, and consistent with those of past post-war draw downs."
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Right to Work in Michigan?! | Campaign for Liberty
Right to Work in Michigan?! | Campaign for Liberty: "Michigan Campaign for Liberty has led the charge for this bill"
Why is a liberty group trying to interfere with agreements between private individuals? If a company owner wants to require union membership for employees then why should the government prevent that?
Why is a liberty group trying to interfere with agreements between private individuals? If a company owner wants to require union membership for employees then why should the government prevent that?
Competing Currencies: Freedom from the Dollar Monopoly | Campaign for Liberty
Competing Currencies: Freedom from the Dollar Monopoly | Campaign for Liberty: "it is morally wrong to use inflation to fund the Government, because it disproportionately affects the poor and middle class, while the rich and powerful are largely exempt"
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