Did you know that federal spending has increased faster than consumer prices? Four times faster? From 2000 to 2010, federal spending has increased 106% while prices (according to the Consumer Price Index) have only increased 26%. In other words, while the cost of stuff has risen only 26%, the government is spending roughly four times more than if […]
Utah Legislature Watch: Debate over ‘Democracy’ or ‘Republic?’
February 16, 2011 by
Worth it or not, it’s an interesting discussion…for political scientists. Just kidding. But really: I do think it is an interesting discussion, and I do think it ought to be taught right in our schools. But should Utah legislators be getting their panties in a bunch over it? I’m dubious. They aren’t the most educated […]
Book Review: “The Unincorporated Man” by Dani Kollin and Eytan Kollin
February 16, 2011 by
Science-fiction is a far cry from the world of the law, politics, and the other drivel I muse about on this blog. Recently, however, I ran across a book that takes an interesting and speculative look at all those topics. I read it and enjoyed it, and I found the thought experiment insightful and mind-popping. […]
Can legislation save the world?
February 14, 2011 by
“The world is not going to be saved by legislation,” William Howard Taft said. An interesting discussion by Salt Lake’s LaVarr Webb and Frank Pignanelli on who legislators listen to: constituents or lobbyists. (h/t Deseret News)
Fear the Boom and the Bust
February 13, 2011 by
Really, a little too short a summary, but if you’re not willing to work your way through a few good books, it’s better than nothing…and way more entertaining. A few instructional tidbits from the clip: “The ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful […]
Utah Legislature Watch: Some Conservatives don’t like Con-cons
February 11, 2011 by
Even after the rise and vengeance of the Tea Party in elections last November, the political right still does not agree on how to carry out its goals. One of the oft shouted stated calls by activists, shrinking federal power and returning to a balance of power between the states and federal government (see also […]
Guest Post: Holly Richardson’s “Article V Convention vs Con-Con”
February 10, 2011 by
By hollyonthehill Arguments against a Constitutional Convention (also called a Con-Con) are plentiful and rightly so. The last Constitutional Convention resulted in a new government. Opening up the Constitution could be like opening Pandora’s box. But. What happens with a federal government that is out of control? Representative Ken Ivory says that the distinct line between […]
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