From the Right
/Politics
Will Trump or Harris Drain the Swamp, or Invite You In?
When Donald Trump campaigned for president in 2016, one of his most memorable and oft-repeated promises was to "drain the swamp" in Washington, D.C. This catchy phrase resonated with millions of Americans who felt alienated from their government and frustrated with political favors. However, eight years later, both the Harris and Trump ...Read more
We Can't 'Leave Social Security Alone,' But We Can Protect People Who Need It
The United States is at a crossroads. You may have heard that Social Security is politically impossible to reform. But that belief will be hard to sustain. In a few years, the Social Security Trust Fund will be exhausted. When that happens, Social Security benefits will be cut across the board by 21% -- that is, unless Congress changes the law...Read more
The Biden-Harris Fiscal Record Is Anemic. What Happens Next?
No matter the result of next month's election, President Joe Biden will soon leave the White House. That makes it a good time for a nearly final assessment of his and Vice President Kamala Harris' first-term legacy on federal spending and debt -- a tragedy of epic proportion. Unfortunately, neither Harris nor her rival on the campaign trail ...Read more
Why We Shouldn't Expect a Return to the Trump Economy
While the gap may be closing, polls tend to show that more Americans trust former President Donald Trump than Vice President Kamala Harris on economic issues. This sentiment is understandable, given the strong pre-pandemic economy during Trump's first term and the challenges of inflation and declining real wages under the Biden-Harris ...Read more
The Real Relationship Between Trump-Style Tariffs and Economic Growth
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of the idea that protective tariffs can restore America's economic greatness, based on the interpretation that they fueled our growth in the 19th century and can do so again in the 21st century. This claim isn't just wrong; it's dangerous.
Take recent comments by the conservative pundit Oren Cass, ...Read more
Welcome Elon Musk's Efficiency Commission (Just Don't Expect Congress To)
During his campaign, former President Donald Trump has proposed his share of bad policy ideas, such as a 20% tariff across the board. But tasking Elon Musk with heading a commission to make the government more efficient is one worth considering. In a speech to the Economic Club of New York, Trump said this commission will conduct "a complete ...Read more
Welcome to the Permission-Slip Economy
Vice President Kamala Harris thinks U.S. Steel should not have the right to sell its business to Japan's Nippon Steel. Previously, some Republican senators thought they too should have the ability to kill the deal between private companies. And it doesn't stop there. During the pandemic, airlines had to get the government's permission to hand ...Read more
What to Make of Harris Campaign's Embrace of Freedom
Democrats are embracing freedom and love of country as their campaign message. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz took the stage at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and announced that the difference between Republicans and Democrats is "freedom." Similarly, Vice President Kamala Harris insisted that Democrats "believe in freedom, opportunity...Read more
How Similar Are Harris and Trump's Economic Policies? Let's Take a Look.
As we approach another pivotal election, voters are once again being bombarded with messaging that paints the two main candidates as opposites. We're told Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump represent radically different visions for America's economic future. They don't. When it comes to economic policy, there's far ...Read more
The Tariff Paradox: Americans Love Free Trade More Than They Realize
In the ongoing debate over America's trade policy, politicians and pundits often claim that the public supports tariffs and other protectionist measures, such as those given to us by the Trump and Biden administrations. A new Cato Institute poll, however, reveals a more complex picture: Americans might like the idea of tariffs and "Buy ...Read more
Social Security Can't Afford Tax Cut to Benefits
Social Security is facing enormous shortfalls. It is insolvent. Within the next 10 years, no one will be able to avoid this reality -- despite decades of politically expedient denial. Yet as of today, both presidential candidates, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, have announced they won't touch the program. In ...Read more
J.D. Vance and the Bipartisan Itch to Tax Behavior
Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance has been in the news for an old clip of him talking about how the tax code should punish adults without kids. While Vance's proposal probably aims to address demographic concerns, it represents a misguided approach that contradicts fundamental principles of economic freedom and fairness.
And you...Read more