New York Floats a Crackdown on Independent Workers
Like California’s ruinous A.B. 5, the proposal would greatly harm freelance employment.
Economy
Is Inflation Sneakily Starting To Rise Again?
January's consumer price data indicates another drop in annual inflation, but the past three months might tell a different story.
The Fight Over the Debt Ceiling Is Just Beginning
Legislators will increasingly argue over how to spend a diminishing discretionary budget while overall spending simultaneously explodes.
Democrats Say They Support Green Energy. Why Do Their Policies Say Otherwise?
If you look closely, you'll find a lot of contradictions.
Social Security Is on the Brink of Collapse. The GOP Won't Touch It.
In 1950, there were more than 16 workers for every beneficiary. In 2035, that ratio will be only 2.3 workers per retiree.
Lockdowns Had Little Impact on COVID-19
Data show Florida and New York had similar death numbers despite vastly different approaches.
Trump's Tax Returns Show What Sort of Tax Reform We Need
But partisans are having the wrong debate.
Congress and the Federal Reserve Could Be Setting Us Up for Economic Disaster
If lawmakers keep spending like they are, and if the Fed backs down from taming inflation, then the government may create a perfect storm.
How To Empower Millions of Independent Workers
Deregulation can help the millions of people who prefer flexible, independent jobs.
Congress Can Reduce the Deficit by $7.7 Trillion in 10 Years
The Congressional Budget Office projects that future deficits will explode. But there's a way out.
Subsidies To Help Workers Would Hurt Poor People
Some people would benefit. Others would lose money or be rendered unemployable.
Inflation Cools to 7.1 Percent, but Still Has a Long Way To Fall
Food prices were up 0.5 percent during November, even as energy prices fell by about 1.6 percent.
Germany Is Planning To Reform Its Immigration Policies. The U.S. Should, Too.
With high job vacancies and a low birth rate, Germany is turning to the world to fill the holes in its economy.
A Lame-Duck Congress Should Reject the Extended Child Tax Credit
The policy has some bipartisan support, despite the fact that it has mostly been a failure since its inception.
Be Thankful for Low-Skilled Workers
These are the people who showed up when the economy was shut down by the government, working in jobs labeled "essential."
Poll: Republican Voters Were Mad About Inflation, Not Trans People
It's still the economy, stupid.
Republicans Need an Actual Plan To Grow the Economy
The biggest beneficiaries of economic growth are poor people. But the deepest case for economic growth is a moral one.
Free Trade Would Boost the Economy, But It's Not on the Ballot
Joe Biden adopted his predecessor’s protectionism, threatening our peace and prosperity.
A GOP-Led Congress May Focus on Owning the Libs. Instead, It Should Focus on Owning Inflation.
If the midterms favor Republicans, their top priority needs to be the fight against inflation—whether or not they feel like they created the problem.
Don't Bet on Inflation Going Away Soon
"The history of developed countries since 1970 is very discouraging about the prospects of bringing down 8 percent inflation," says Larry Summers.
Latest GDP Numbers Aren't Calming Recession Fears
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that GDP grew 0.6 percent in the third quarter of 2022.
The 'Experts' Were Never Going To Fix Inflation
The idea that the Fed has the knowledge necessary to control the economy with perfectly calibrated policies was always an illusion.
Markets Aren't Perfect, but Government Is Worse
The free market allows people to cooperate, fix errors, and adapt to changing circumstances.
Gavin Newsom Cites Dubious Evidence That His Lockdowns Saved California's Economy
The governor made these claims on Monday while also putting a February 2023 end date on the state's emergency public health order.
Did the Free Market Ruin Our Economy? A Soho Forum Debate
A livestreamed debate between Binyamin Appelbaum and Gene Epstein
The Press Idolizes Politicians. Instead, It Needs To Hold Them Accountable.
Newspapers deserve a great deal of credit for the expansion of freedom over the past 200 years. But the media have lost credibility.
Biden's New Industrial Policy Will Fail, Just Like Industrial Policy Always Fails
While campaigning for the midterm election, the president is promoting a disastrous and expensive form of economic protectionism.
Inflation Hits 8.2 Percent After Another Month of Sharply Rising Prices
Prices rose by 0.4 percent in September, faster than economists expected and indicating that rising interest rates aren't getting the job done.
Divided Government Is Good. In 2023, Bipartisanship Would Be Better.
From immigration to drug reform, there is plenty of potential for productive compromise.
Biden Is Writing Student Loans in Red Ink
The Department of Education has no idea how to project the costs of its own programs, and Biden's student loan forgiveness plan will be no exception.
Drugs, Debt, and Masculinity
Plus: The editors wade into the conversation surrounding the modern dilemmas men face.
Americans Are Losing Their Work Ethic
Even reduced immigration and job openings for miles aren't luring America's ever-growing workforce dropouts back in.
How Should Libertarians Think About Ron DeSantis?
Reason's Zach Weissmueller and the New York Post's Karol Markowicz talk about life under the most controversial governor in America.
Most Americans Say Immigrants Make the U.S. Better. So Why Don't Politicians Do Anything About It?
Democrats pander to immigrants but do little to liberalize the system. Meanwhile, Republicans' hostility to immigrants has increased.
Rising Grocery Prices Pushed Annual Inflation to 8.3 Percent in August
Even as gas prices continued to tumble, rising prices for food and housing pushed inflation higher in August and proved that prices aren't cooling off yet.
What Would It Take for the Democrats To Really Be the Party of Opportunity?
Government should not penalize investment, thwart competition, discourage innovation and work, or obstruct production.
When Sri Lanka Banned Synthetic Fertilizers, the Country Imploded
Green activists have some good points. But the pursuit of a chemical-free world hurts vulnerable people the most.
Democrats Attempt To Boost Midterm Fortunes by Pitching Inflation Reduction Bill That Won't Reduce Inflation
Plus: Federal judge halts part of Florida's Stop WOKE speech law, streaming services overtake cable, and more...
How To Waste $1 Trillion
Why should we believe that this boondoggle will produce better results than hundreds of other corporate welfare programs?
Biden Shouldn't Meet Xi Jinping in China. He Should Do It in America.
The U.S. may not realize it, but it has the upper hand. It turns out communism doesn't work.
The Disappearing Differences Between Republicans and Democrats on Federal Family Spending
Many conservatives no longer appear to care much for fiscal conservatism.
New Jobs Report Shows Unemployment Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels
The better-than-expected employment numbers are fueling investors' inflation fears and causing the stock market to fall.
The Easy Way To Avoid Federal Income Tax: Move to Puerto Rico
Wherever markets are free, new wealth gets created. Then almost everyone wins.
55% of America's Top Startups Were Founded by Immigrants. Why Won't Congress Let in More?
Without a tenable visa pathway, immigrant entrepreneurs will look to greener pastures—and the American economy will be worse for it.
After 2 Consecutive Quarters of Negative Economic Growth, Is America in a Recession?
Most Americans believe so.
The CHIPS Act Is Corporate Welfare Disguised as Industrial Policy
If you believe that moving most of our chip production onshore is good for national security, you should labor for regulatory reforms rather than subsidies.
The Biden Administration Can't Make Up Its Mind About Alcohol
Do you want to brag about America’s alcohol industry, or do you want to crack down on it?
It's Becoming Easier To Get Permission To Work, But Not by Enough
Occupational licensing reform is a popular cause, but barriers remain too high.