Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at Forbes.com. A year ago, opponents attacked Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), claiming that his plan to reform Medicare would kill grandma by taking away her benefits. Mitt Romney, who, of course, … Continue reading
Tracy Miller
The U.S. Economy Could Recover Faster If Government Policies Changed
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at Forbes.com. Recent monthly employment reports have confirmed that this is the slowest U.S. recovery from a recession since the Great Depression. Four years after the recession began, unemployment is still above 8 percent, … Continue reading
On Public-Sector Unions: Hope for Struggling States
Recently, Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin won a historic recall election sought by unionized government workers and their allies who opposed his bargaining reforms. Because Walker’s margin of victory surpassed that of his first election in a state known for … Continue reading
Volcker Rule Is a Step in the Right Direction
JPMorgan Chase, one of the nation’s largest banks, announced that it lost over $2 billion in trading over the last few months. This has emboldened supporters of the Volcker rule, which prohibits banks that enjoy government support from making risky … Continue reading
Homelessness: How Government Policy Makes It Worse
During a recent trip to Chicago, I couldn’t help but notice the large number of homeless people in the downtown area, including one homeless man pushing a child in a stroller. Homelessness was frequently discussed during the 1980s, but seems … Continue reading
To Be Sustainable, Universal Health Care Requires Rationing
During the last Republican presidential debate, Herman Cain argued that, as a survivor of colon and liver cancer, he would have died if “Obamacare” had been in place when he sought critical treatment. It was a stunning statement, and it … Continue reading
Our Health is Overinsured!
One of the arguments for healthcare reform is that millions of Americans with employer-provided healthcare are underinsured. Proponents of this view are saying that people are underinsured if they are paying too many of their healthcare costs out-of-pocket. Quite the … Continue reading
No Such Thing as a Free Lunch—or Free Healthcare
A few days ago, I received an email from the daughter of our congresswoman—a mass email, of course. She explained that because of healthcare reform, which her mother supported, she no longer had to pay a $25 copayment for each … Continue reading
Taxing Transportation
Not long ago, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell toured the state to highlight its crisis in transportation funding. He called on the General Assembly to resolve the crisis this year. In May, the State Transportation Advisory Committee estimated that the state … Continue reading
“Healthcare Reform” America Can’t Afford
The healthcare reform bill pending in Congress is called “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act.” It is supposed to provide “affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending.” Unfortunately, rather than reducing the growth … Continue reading
Obama’s $1 Trillion Gamble
President-elect Obama is considering an economic stimulus package that will include increases in government spending and tax cuts of approximately one trillion dollars. Many fear a prolonged depression resulting from a sharp reduction in consumer spending. After saving very little … Continue reading
Rising Food Prices: Who is to Blame?
An Indian government official recently criticized the Bush administration for blaming the growing middle classes of developing countries, such as India and China, for rising food prices. Although he may have misinterpreted the president’s remarks, his and other Indian critics’ … Continue reading
V&V PAPER — Improving the Business Climate of the State of Pennsylvania
Editor’s Note: Reflecting the breadth and depth of top-notch scholarship being pursued by the faculty of Grove City College, The Center for Vision & Values is pleased to release the fifth in a series of exclusive monthly papers being offered through … Continue reading
The Best Farm Policy is the Free Market
As Congress haggles over the farm bill, it is time again to consider updating the legislation. The Agriculture Adjustment Act, passed “to relieve the … national economic emergency” of the Great Depression has been the basis for most major agricultural … Continue reading
Minimum Wage Freezes Out the Young
A few days ago, I told my teenage daughter, who works at the local Dairy Queen, that the minimum wage in Pennsylvania is going to increase. Since she makes a little less than $6.25 per hour, which is the amount … Continue reading
Did Bush Betray the Working Man to Benefit Wealthy Oil Companies?
With just five minutes to go in the Steelers-Colts playoff game last Sunday, NFL Referee Pete Morelli made a terrible call against the Steelers. On Monday, the NFL made a rare statement saying that Morelli was wrong. Thankfully for Steelers … Continue reading
Responding to the Anti-Wal-Mart Crusaders
Recently, Wal-Mart Corporation announced plans to build a Super Wal-Mart store a few miles outside of the town where I live, Grove City, Pa. In response to Wal-Mart’s plan, a local faith organization held an open showing of a film … Continue reading
VISION & VALUES CONCISE: Benedict Arnold?
In a speech during the primaries, John Kerry called companies that outsource “Benedict Arnold” companies. If Benedict Arnold would have had his way, he would have denied Americans what they, and all of mankind throughout history, have sought—freedom—the unalienable rights … Continue reading
VISION & VALUES CONCISE: The WTO Punching Bag
The World Trade Organization, a favorite punching bag of some conservatives, is at it again. But hold on conservatives, the WTO is right on this one! For pocketbook reasons, the U.S. would be wise to heed their ruling. For the … Continue reading