If pundits who discern a swing to long-term Republican majorities are correct, U.S. policy making may become like that long common in Mexico. When the Partido Revolucionario Institutional dominated, important policy fights were not between it and other parties, but…
The indirect costs of U.S. security
After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, it became common to hear that we needed to increase security and that nothing else mattered. This had a nice rhetorical ring, but it is leading to self-destructive policies. Now that the adrenaline…
Obesity plan sparks debate over rationing
The recent announcement by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department that Medicare will pay for obesity treatments touched off much controversy. Analysts at conservative think tanks argue that Social Security will soon be paying for diet plans, health club…
Would an airport landing auction fly?
Last week’s warning by the Federal Aviation Administration that it may cap takeoffs and landings at Chicago’s O’Hare airport just reinforces old economic insights. If the price of some useful good is zero, people will want to consume large —…