01 | February | 2013

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

The amazing increase in Texas oil – output has doubled over the last three years and completely reversed a 22-year decline

Mark J. Perry | February 1, 2013, 10:29 pm

The Energy Information Administration released new data on Friday for US oil production by state, and reported that “Saudi Texas” produced an average of 2.139 million barrels per day (bpd) in November, the highest monthly output since February 1987, more than … read more >

Carpe Diem

One way to find rent-controlled apartments in Manhattan

Mark J. Perry | February 1, 2013, 5:15 pm

From the incomparable Jessica Hagy.

Society and Culture, Education

Want more $10K-BAs? Competition is critical

Andrew P. Kelly | February 1, 2013, 4:56 pm

In today’s Grey Lady, AEI President Arthur Brooks uses his own college experience to make a powerful case for affordable higher education. Arthur describes his quest to earn a bachelor’s degree while working as a peseta-pinching musician in Spain. He … read more >

Pethokoukis

Why an American ‘manufacturing renaissance’ wouldn’t create many manufacturing jobs

James Pethokoukis | February 1, 2013, 3:59 pm

Get ready to hear a lot more about technological unemployment. The theory holds that automation, especially of the digital variety, is happening more quickly than entrepreneurs and human capital can adjust. And it’s why, says Andrew McAfee, co-author of Race Against … read more >

Image Credit: Secretary of Defense (Flickr) (CC BY 2.0)

Foreign and Defense Policy, Defense

Hagel and the defense budget

Gary Schmitt | February 1, 2013, 2:15 pm

Senator Lindsey Graham’s skewering yesterday of former senator and prospective defense secretary Chuck Hagel over the latter’s comments about the “Jewish lobby” and its ability to “intimidate” members of Congress will certainly go down in the history of confirmation hearings … read more >

Economics, Pethokoukis

What if Reagan spent like Obama?

James Pethokoukis | February 1, 2013, 12:40 pm

Ezra Klein points out that government spending under Barack Obama detracted from official GDP estimates of economic growth in 2011 and 2012 — after adding to it in 2009 — while government spending added to GDP growth under Ronald Reagan. … read more >

Economics, Pethokoukis, U.S. Economy

Weak January jobs report shows why Obama doesn’t want to talk about jobs anymore

James Pethokoukis | February 1, 2013, 10:25 am

President Obama mentioned “jobs” only three times in his recent inaugural address, “workers” one time, and “unemployment” zippo. The January jobs report provides a sober reminder that the US labor market, while recovering, remains extraordinarily weak. The official unemployment rate … read more >

Foreign and Defense Policy

Best of the foreign policy blogs 1/26-2/1

Marc Thiessen | February 1, 2013, 9:30 am

Here is the best of what AEI’s foreign and defense policy scholars are reading this week: Thomas Sowell at the National Review writes on Shouting Louder: Hillary’s Testimony Gerald Seib at the Wall Street Journal discusses Obama, Netanyahu: From Testy … read more >

Politics and Public Opinion, Polls

God in the Super Bowl, young hope, and priorities: What you may have missed in the polls

Karlyn Bowman and Andrew Rugg | February 1, 2013, 9:15 am

Roundup of the week’s most interesting polling data. read more >

Carpe Diem

Mayor Ed Koch (R.I.P.) and NYC’s rent control laws

Mark J. Perry | February 1, 2013, 8:41 am

According to economic theory (and supported by empirical evidence), rent control laws have many adverse consequences, including, among others, a) the inefficient use of housing space and much lower turnover of housing units, and b) long-term renters benefit signifcantly, but at the expense of … read more >