The notion of equality on the Internet may sound reasonable, but net neutrality, as defined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is instead an attack on private-sector business models. Proponents of net neutrality want the online world to be forced “open” at the expense of successful Internet providers, but fail to recognize the many tradeoffs to “openness,” such as increased spam, fewer privacy controls, slower service, and, perhaps most importantly, decreased incentives for investment and innovation.
Nancy’s Cupboard May be Bare, But There are Certainly Bats in Her Belfry
On Sunday, September 25, when asked by host Candy Crowley about why President Obama and House and Senate Democrats are so utterly opposed to negotiating over the debt ceiling by exploring additional deficit reduction and spending cuts (as almost every previous president has), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) declared on CNN’s Sunday show State of the Union that “the cupboard is bare…there’s no more cuts to make.”
An Early Christmas in Washington
Fiscal year (FY) 2013 just ended and federal agencies enjoyed a shopping spree.
This spending binge occurred because at the end of every fiscal year agencies are incentivized to spend the remaining money in their budgets in order to justify a similar or increased budget for the following year. This phenomenon, known as “spend it or lose it,” leads not only to wasteful spending, but to poor investments and awful management at the federal level.
Obamacare Opening Day – Can You Say Fiasco?
I tried to get information on Obamacare yesterday by logging onto www.healthcare.gov. The only thing I accomplished was being transferred to my state exchange. The state website is still experiencing difficulties today so I haven’t been able to find out if the current plan I have (which I pay for out-of-pocket) is more expensive than what […]
Another Bailout
While the focus of the press and Washington has been on passing a continuing resolution and a government shutdown, the White House pulled the usual Washington D.C. public affairs stunt when you don’t wont bad or controversial news to be discussed broadly. It releases the news on a Friday afternoon. According to several news reports, last […]
Debate and Compromise Is Not a One-Way Street
A few months back my 20-something niece was complaining about how Congress, in particular the Republican House, was just not cooperating with President Obama over spending, taxes, and government-investments like bridges and green energy. She said the current system was broken and that we needed something new so things could be done quickly. I said, […]
Death, Taxes, and Postal Rate Hikes
It seems that, in addition to death and taxes, one more thing is certain: the price rise of postage stamps. My earliest recollection of the price of a stamp? It was in 1972: an 8-cent stamp, providing my first appreciation for Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose visage was pasted to the upper right-hand corner of any […]
Nancy’s Cupboard May be Bare but There are Certainly Bats in Her Belfry
On Sunday, when asked about deficit reduction, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) declared on CNN’s Sunday show State of the Union that “the cupboard is bare…there’s no more cuts to make.” This shocking quote reminded me of Tom Delay (R-TX), former House Majority Leader, who said in 2005 that there is “no fat” left […]
Fuzzy Math and Little Details on Obamacare Premium Costs
Today, the Department of HHS finally revealed the premium prices for Obamacare. Several press outlets got an advanced copy and some reporters were not all that impressed. Here is Politico’s take: The Obama administration on Wednesday released a long-awaited report on premiums in Obamacare’s federal insurance exchanges — the first look at the rates that will apply […]
Disability Insurance – Reform is Needed
A recent General Accountability Office (GAO) report, “Disability Insurance – Work Activity Indicates Certain Social Security Disability Payments Were Potentially Improper” reminds us that Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is the nation’s largest cash assistance program. In light of that, it is no surprise then that the congressional watchdog agency estimates that the Social Security […]