By Roger Pilon
Just when you thought the soak-the-rich arguments couldn’t get any more perverse, now comes a bill introduced this morning by Senators Chuck Schumer and Bob Casey, CNNMoney is reporting, “that would prevent [Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin] from ever returning to the United States.” The Brazilian-born Saverin became a U.S. citizen in 1998, but he’s been [...]
And Don’t Come Back! is a post from Cato @ Liberty – Cato Institute Blog
Numerous governments across Europe have embarked on strict austerity programs. Europe is also sliding into a deep recession, with some countries already essentially in deep depression. Are the two phenomena related? Is the austerity exacerbating the economic downturn? Yes and no, and the yes should be no surprise. For context, recall that the Obama Administration was greeted by a global financial contagion and the Great Global Recession. The budget deficit was already rising rapidly as tax receipts fell, thus creating a powerful countercyclical force, according to standard Keynesian theory. Obama … More
Three prominent members of Congress, all of Cuban descent, spoke out against the State Department on Thursday for its decision to grant a visa to Mariela Castro Espin, daughter of Cuban dictator Raul Castro, and herself a member of the Cuban dictatorship. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) called the decision “outrageous and an enormous mistake,” while Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) said the move “sends the wrong message to the [Cuban] regime and to Cuba’s struggling opposition movement.” Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), who was born in Havana and now chairs the House … More
“Providing for the common defense” is the federal government’s single most important responsibility as prescribed by the Constitution. It is the cornerstone of our freedom, upon which all other liberties and guarantees rely. Our nation’s ability to protect its citizens must remain the foremost priority for the President and Congress, regardless of political affiliation or public sentiment. This requires providing the Department of Defense (DOD) with the necessary resources to do so. Last week, the House of Representatives passed the Sequester Replacement and Reconciliation Act, designed to ensure those resources … More
Russian President Vladimir Putin has cited the need to complete the formation of new cabinet ministers to excuse himself from attending the G-8 summit at Camp David. In an apparent retaliation, the White House announced that President Obama will not participate in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, scheduled to be hosted by Putin in Vladivostok in September. Putin’s refusal to participate in the world’s most prestigious meeting can be seen as a rolling back of the “reset.” Putin’s gesture exposes not only his deep dislike of America and of … More
Iran is resorting to its usual negotiating tactics on the nuclear issue: Slip away from its commitments under the nuclear nonproliferation treaty and slide by international efforts to halt its nuclear weapons program. Yesterday, Iranian negotiators ended two days of talks with officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is charged with verifying compliance with the nonproliferation treaty. Although the meetings failed to resolve the standoff over Tehran’s longstanding failure to fully cooperate with the IAEA, Iran’s negotiators played up the results as “very constructive.” The chief outcome … More
By Daniel Ikenson
Later today the U.S. Department of Commerce is expected to announce preliminary antidumping duties on solar panels from China. This case might normally be met with an exasperated sigh and chalked up as just another example of myopic, self-flagellating, capricious U.S. antidumping policy toward China. But in this instance the absurdity is magnified by the [...]
Solar Panels Trade Case Mocks Washington’s Ways is a post from Cato @ Liberty – Cato Institute Blog
As part of an ongoing series, the Heritage Center for Legal and Judicial Studies periodically identifies a “Bill of the Week” that relates to the problem of overcriminalization in America. Our Bill of the Week segment usually highlights a piece of legislation that, due to its underlying policies, exacerbate the problem of overcriminalization. But this week we’re faced with a matter that shows why form must follow function. No reasonable person would recommend that the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee send a bill to the Senate floor restructuring our present … More
By Christopher Preble
In its markup of the National Defense Authorization Act, the House Armed Services Committee proposed a number of changes to the Obama administration’s plans for the U.S. Navy. The NDAA rescinds the retirement of three cruisers and restricts retirement of ballistic missile submarines (so as not to fall below a minimum of 12). The bill [...]
Cato to Host Navy Under Secretary to Discuss Surface Fleet is a post from Cato @ Liberty – Cato Institute Blog
By Adam Schaeffer
The New Hampshire House and Senate approved a a path-breaking education tax credit bill yesterday with an overwhelming 70 percent support in each chamber. The Governor must now decide whether to sign up with reform on the right side of history or face a veto-override battle. The program includes home school expenses and allows the [...]
Huge Victory for Educational Freedom in NH is a post from Cato @ Liberty – Cato Institute Blog
