Author Archives: Joe Benning

The EU Again

In a remarkably destructive bit of policy making, the EU announced that it will not sign any agreements with countries that are not party to the Paris Climate Accords. That includes free trade agreements. And of course, the country in … Continue reading

Posted in Political Economy, Politics | Comments Off on The EU Again

The Great Washing Machine Threat of 2018

Donald J Trump, certified stable genius, has launched his trade war. He has done so to protect America from the clear and present danger posed by foreign made washing machines and solar panels. To this end he has decided to … Continue reading

Posted in Policy, Politics | Comments Off on The Great Washing Machine Threat of 2018

A Giveaway to the Rich they Say

The reaction of progressives to the passage of the recent tax bill tells you all you need to know about what progressivism is really all about. The tax bill is, they repeat endlessly “a giveaway to the rich and to … Continue reading

Posted in Politics, Public Finance | Comments Off on A Giveaway to the Rich they Say

Asides…About North Korea

In October of 2002, North Korea admitted to having a clandestine nuclear weapons program. About 2 years later, in 2004, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright caught on and admitted that North Korea had cheated on the “Agreed Framework” negotiated … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Asides…About North Korea

Asides…

One of the favorite progressive hobby horses is to wail about voter turnout, or the lack thereof. And so periodically we are treated to assertions that Republicans systematically suppress the vote, especially of minorities, as an electoral strategy. Needless to … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Politics | Comments Off on Asides…

All the President’s Men

Now that the first indictments have been handed down in the Mueller investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 elections, the path forward will be determined by the presentation and evaluation of actual evidence. These charges almost certainly represent the … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on All the President’s Men

Where’s the Outrage?

In 1996 the GOP candidate for President, Senator Bob Dole of Kansas, used to tick off a laundry list of horribles mostly having to do with charges that President Clinton was sleazy and that a biased liberal press was protecting … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Politics | Comments Off on Where’s the Outrage?

The Tax Reform That Isn’t

It is now tax reform season, which means that politicians are poised to unleash even more nonsense on the public than is customary. So perhaps it makes sense to frame some of the underlying issues that are involved. First and … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Public Finance | Comments Off on The Tax Reform That Isn’t

Tired of Winning Yet?

Well, that was fast.   Donny and Chucky and Nancy are now BFFs. And Donny is in a good mood because he got some good press; Chucky and Nancy said nice things about him, and he thinks he may have … Continue reading

Posted in Policy, Politics | Comments Off on Tired of Winning Yet?

Merrily We Roll Along: A Play

Act 1, Scene 1: Candidate Donald Trump strides to the stage and stands behind a lectern. There is not a teleprompter in sight. A Greek style chorus of Trumpkins stands in the wings. Donald Trump: We are going to build … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Merrily We Roll Along: A Play