Education spending does not equal better outcomes
There is little correspondence between money spent on education and educational outcomes.
Politics Blog
The home for Michigan's best political commentary
Spending
Obama IRA “pension abuse” should start with government retirees
Word is that Obama’s budget plan, to be introduced this week, will propose limiting individual retirement accounts, IRAs, to no more than $3 million. The intent is to keep annual pension income to about $205,000 a year – an amount that the central planners in the White House feel is “fair”. A side benefit is … Continue Reading →
Needed: A new Detroit
The Pottery Barn rule applies. Having appointed an EM, the state has an obligation to do this right.
Detroit needs more than better management
What makes the city’s problems so hard is the harsh reality of operating a government – any government – in these times.
What is Mitt Romney hiding?
Mitt Romney’s money is in the news again this week after an investigative piece by Vanity Fair took a look at his convoluted finances. It’s a complicated article, so let’s unpack it in increments. The first questions that should be answered are about Romney’s IRA. It’s a lot different than most of ours.
What Obamacare has done for you
The U.S. Supreme Court is due to issue its opinion on the Obamacare lawsuit this month. While we’re waiting for that, it’s a good time to review what Obamacare has done for you. For one thing it’s saved you money. Indeed, you might be getting a rebate: Under the 2010 legislation, insurers that don’t spend … Continue Reading →
Boehner threatens another government shutdown
Given that House Majority Leader John Boehner promised yet another government shutdown showdown over the next debt limit raise, it’s useful to review the historical record of Republicans on raising the debt limit: This is very nearly criminal malfeasance on the GOP’s part. This is not about fiscal concern. They don’t give a flying leap … Continue Reading →
Rand Paul's budget
Foreshadowing future legislative gridlock, tea party caucus leader Rand Paul declared any compromise is off the table. But you have to give him credit, he has proposed his own budget that would immediately cut spending enough to avoid raising taxes, and indeed proposes cutting them further. And to his greater credit, he’s honest about where … Continue Reading →
Clarifying the numbers on Obama's spending
To address the commenter’s confusion at my earlier post about how President Obama’s spending record was calculated, the biggest mistake people are making is in trying to equate simple dollar amounts with spending trends. That’s not a comparison that can be made because the variables are not equal over the decades. Also that’s not what … Continue Reading →
Federal spending under Obama at historic lows
Thanks to a relentless and successful Republican smear campaign, it’s become an article of faith among my conservative friends, and even some Democrats, that “Obama has presided over a massive increase in federal spending.” This is not true: But it didn’t happen. Although there was a big stimulus bill under Obama, federal spending is rising … Continue Reading →