26 | March | 2012

Monday, May 20, 2013

Energy Fact of the Day: Adjusted for inflation, gasoline today is about the same price as in 1980 ($3.58 per gallon in February, see top chart). However, adjusted for both inflation and increased fuel efficiency over time, the costs per … read more >

Politics and Public Opinion, Supreme Court

Obamacare goes to court, part two: Are we talking about a penalty or a tax?

Thomas P. Miller | March 26, 2012, 6:37 pm

This morning at the Supreme Court’s legal tour of the Affordable Care Act (“If it’s Monday, it must be the Anti-Injunction Act”), the court-appointed amicus curiae Robert Long ran into multiple rounds of skepticism from almost all of the nine … read more >

Carpe Diem

Manufacturing Profits Set New Record in 2011

Mark J. Perry | March 26, 2012, 6:34 pm

The Census Bureau reported today on fourth quarter financial results for the U.S. manufacturing sector, with the following highlights: 1. After-tax profits for U.S. manufacturing corporations were just short of $600 billion in 2011, setting a new annual record. The … read more >

Politics and Public Opinion, Supreme Court

Obamacare goes to court, part one: Can we even consider this case?

Thomas P. Miller | March 26, 2012, 5:23 pm

Today’s 90-minute opener for three days of oral argument involves the dullest and most technical of issues: Can the Supreme Court even consider this case? Does it have jurisdiction? In other words, after inviting everyone over for a gigantic constitutional … read more >

Economics, Energy and the Environment

Center for American Progress: Let’s scapegoat the oil companies!

Kenneth P. Green | March 26, 2012, 4:50 pm

The interwebs are buzzing with a memo from CAP’s John Podesta and Geoff Garin, urging “interested parties” to join them in a campaign to demonize oil companies and blame them for high gas prices: By engaging in a public debate … read more >

Foreign and Defense Policy, Europe and Russia

Obama expects to have ‘flexibility’ on missile defense after election

Daniel Vajdic | March 26, 2012, 4:36 pm

Dany Pletka posted earlier this afternoon about President Obama’s open mike gaffe at the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, South Korea. What Obama intends to do with the “space” and “flexibility” of his second term isn’t clear exactly. But it … read more >

Foreign and Defense Policy, Asia

Two years after Cheonan, time to change our North Korea playbook

Michael Mazza | March 26, 2012, 4:36 pm

Today marks the second anniversary of the sinking of the Cheonan, during which 46 South Korean sailors lost their lives at the hands of a North Korean mini-submarine. The anniversary serves as a potent reminder of the odious nature of … read more >

Economics

Obama nominee for World Bank president takes his economic cues from Noam Chomsky

James Pethokoukis | March 26, 2012, 4:11 pm

Some interesting—and by “interesting” I mean “disturbing”—quotes by Jim Yong Kim, President Obama’s nominee to the World Bank (via Marginal Revolution): First, some good words about Cuba and some bad words about economic growth: Jim Yong Kim, Joyce V. Millen, … read more >

Economics, Entitlements

Do we really need healthcare reform at all?

James Pethokoukis | March 26, 2012, 3:32 pm

Remember that line in How The Grinch Stole Christmas: “He hadn’t stopped Christmas from coming, it came! Somehow or other… it came just the same.” Markets are kind of like that. Although the bureaucrats and regulators do their darndest to … read more >

Foreign and Defense Policy, Asia

Japan hits nuclear-free present (almost)

Michael Auslin | March 26, 2012, 2:21 pm

Japan is now down to one operating nuclear reactor. In a country with 54 reactors, public fear stemming from the Fukushima nuclear crisis last year (and abetted by a long-standing Japanese ambivalence toward nuclear power), has resulted in the steady … read more >

Lean In… to Government?
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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. […]