Economics

Center on Wealth & Poverty

The Test on Tax Reform

If politicians tell you they favor “tax reform” and “tax simplification,” what do you think they mean? The fact is most politicians, including the current presidential candidates, say they will give us tax reform and simplification, but what they mean differs widely. Each candidate will strive to try to define those words in such a way that will attract more Read More ›

Oblivious to Reality

If you knew how to make life better for your fellow Americans, would you? The political class in Washington constantly claims it “cares about you,” but when it comes to policy many do just the opposite. Most people understand the Republicans messed up by allowing nondefense spending to grow faster than the economy. The Democrats ran against the irresponsible Republicans Read More ›

Tax Traps

Are you absolutely sure you paid the exact amount of income tax you owed last year — not too much and not too little? I am willing to bet the vast majority of those reading this paid either too much or too little — not because they intended to but because the tax code is so complex it is almost Read More ›

Success and the State

What is the world’s largest private company and how did it get that way? The company is Koch Industries. Its revenues in 2006 were about $90 billion, up from only $70 million in 1960. Charles Koch, who, along with his brother, David, built this massive and very successful enterprise — which includes petroleum refining, chemicals, fibers and carpets, fertilizers, building Read More ›

Global Nag

Why do non-Americans so dislike Americans or, at least, the American government? Could it be because the U.S. State Department appears to think its mission is to be rude, insulting and condescending? This month, the State Department has set a new record by managing to insult the citizens of 123 different lands at one time in the “International Narcotics Control Read More ›

Budget Fictions

Do you think the government needs more revenue? If you answered yes, even if you are on the political left, you have not been paying attention to the facts and have been duped by those in the political and media class who believe government can never be big enough. Government spends too much because of mismanagement, waste, fraud and abuse Read More ›

Warming a Cold Fact?

Do you think those who have reservations about whether man is creating global warming should lose their jobs and be denied the right to present their views? Over the last few months, there has been a concerted effort to silence those who have doubts about global warming and man’s effect on the climate. The Oregon State climatologist was fired for Read More ›

George Gilder on C-SPAN2 BookTV

In the following C-SPAN2 BookTV presentation, Discovery Institute Senior Fellow, George Gilder, interviews author John Naisbitt. The program is approximately one hour long. BookTV program page here, watch the program streaming on the C-SPAN2 site (Real Player required). Description: John Naisbitt’s first book, “Megatrends,” predicted future developments in the economy, business, government, technology, and social systems. The book sold nine Read More ›

The Age of Reason?

Do you believe only those who consent through their elected representatives should be taxed? Do you think it improper for government to push tax rates so high tax revenues decline, because people aren’t willing to work, save and invest as much as before? Do you think it is improper for government to make someone else, such as an employer or Read More ›

The Imperial Congress

Quiz: How much to you think it costs U.S. taxpayers annually to support each member of the U.S. House of Representatives? Each senator? Well, according to the new U.S. budget, you, Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer, spend $3.1 million to support each House member and $9 million to support each senator. Back in 1963 when John F. Kennedy was president, the Read More ›