Could advances in electronics reduce honesty among politicians? That’s a long shot, and I’m unqualified to give a definitive answer. But consider this: Political dishonesty was rampant last week. President George W. Bush sent a budget to Congress in which…
Free trade trade-offs always pay off
Is it bad for the economy if the state of Minnesota and others pay outside vendors for services provided by workers overseas? Should the state act to ensure that goods or services it purchases come only from the U.S. —…
Adding up the stadium debate
Is there any economic justification for government stadium funding? Local economists hear that question a lot lately. For most of us, the answer remains an emphatic no. That may not mean much, however, to the Minnesota Legislature or to local…
The politics of debt and diplomacy
Few things are more dangerous than a badly applied analogy. That was evident in surrealistic speeches two weeks ago at the Summit of the Americas in Monterrey, Mexico. Curiously, however, ideological enemies can apply the same bad policies. President Bush…