September | 2011

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Las Vegas Home Sales in Aug. Highest in 5 Yrs, But Mostly All-Cash, FHA-Financed and Distressed Sales

Mark J. Perry | September 30, 2011, 5:37 pm

DQ News — “Las Vegas area home sales jumped to the highest level for an August in five years, the result of a relatively long month for escrows closings and robust buying by investors and first-time buyers in the sub-$150,000 … read more >

Economics

Elizabeth Warren’s Social Contract

James DeLong | September 30, 2011, 5:00 pm

In the video of Elizabeth Warren arguing that a businessman who builds a factory should be happy to pay taxes as part of the social contract, the interesting thing is her examples of the services for which he should be … read more >

Economics

How to Create More Jobs in South Asia: Less Government

Julissa Milligan | September 30, 2011, 4:54 pm

A recent World Bank report on South Asia finds that the most significant constraints to business growth in South Asia are poor government policies. Of the top 15 “severe” constraints surveyed firms listed, eight involved dealing with the government. Political … read more >

Politics and Public Opinion

Opinions On Healthcare, the Tax Revolt Lives, and More: What You May Have Missed in the Polls

Karlyn Bowman and Andrew Rugg | September 30, 2011, 4:51 pm

Healthcare and Public Opinion: On Wednesday, the Obama administration asked the Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of its new healthcare law. Public opinion, which appears to be figuring more heavily in recent Court decisions, is divided on the … read more >

Politics and Public Opinion

White House 2012: Christie Is Thinking About It; Huck, Too!

James Pethokoukis | September 30, 2011, 3:16 pm

U.S. TV networks are on high alert for a potential Chris Christie presidential announcement—yea or nay—on Monday. But the New Jersey governor may not be the only Republican mulling a late entry into the presidential race. Tell me what you … read more >

Carpe Diem

Cartoon of the Day: Bad Hotel Reviews

Mark J. Perry | September 30, 2011, 3:15 pm

HT: Morganovich

Carpe Diem

Cuba Legalizes Used Car Sales

Mark J. Perry | September 30, 2011, 2:47 pm

HAVANA (AP) — “Cuba legalized the sale and purchase of automobiles for all citizens on Wednesday, another major step in the communist run island’s economic transformation and one that the public has been clamoring for during decades. Under the law, which … read more >

Carpe Diem

Poster of the Day: Facebook and You

Mark J. Perry | September 30, 2011, 2:40 pm

Source: “How ‘Free’ Really Works Online” at The Consumerist HT: Tim D.

Foreign and Defense Policy, Asia

Baby Steps Towards an Asian NATO

Michael Mazza | September 30, 2011, 11:12 am

In our recent report on an Asian alliance structure for the 21st century—principally authored by my colleague Dan Blumenthal—we argued that in order to balance against China’s rising power, the United States should work towards a more tightly knit grouping … read more >

Economics, Entitlements

How Generous Are Federal Employee Pensions?

Andrew Biggs | September 30, 2011, 10:27 am

USA Today reports that “retirement programs for former federal workers—civilian and military—are growing so fast they now face a multitrillion-dollar shortfall nearly as big as Social Security’s.” USA Today’s figures include both pension and retiree health costs and are inclusive … read more >

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Lean In… to Government?
Sheryl Sandberg's runaway best-selling book Lean In has managed to offend both the Left and the Right. Sandberg touts female hard-headedness, yet also calls for an elaborate government- and employer-supplied support system for women. […]
Are American Voters Racist?
Racial prejudice plays a very small role in American politics, but a highly disciplined sense of self-interest on the part of one group may play a very large role in the way the federal government functions. […]
The Perpetual Passion for Paper
Paper is becoming less important in some respects, but its strengths — prestige, utility, permanence, and security — are more essential than ever. […]
Could California Make a Comeback?
An unexpected glimmer of hope might cast a new light on the Golden State. […]