VOTER POWER
Size of Government
Myth: Americans think government spending has increased dramatically, especially under the Obama administration.
Fact: Government spending as a percentage of GDP has been remarkably stable since World War II and actually fell during the Obama administration.
Myth: Roughly half of Americans think the government should be run like a business.
Fact: Government and business have entirely different missions and methods of measuring performance.
It’s reasonable to be skeptical or even suspicious of government, but a large portion of Americans believe government is never a solution and only makes things worse. Many have no idea how the government borrows and creates money and assume it does nothing but destroy liberties and sap economic vitality through excessive taxation and “job-killing” regulations.
However, most economic data shows that those beliefs are not supported by facts.
National Deficit Reaches Highest Level Since 2012
New figures released by the U.S. Treasury Department show that the national deficit rose to $779 billion during the 2018 fiscal year—a 17 percent increase over last year. That’s the highest it’s been since 2012.
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US Will Soon Spend More on Debt Interest Than On the Military
According to the U.S. Congressional Budget Office, national interest is projected to cost $390 billion next year, a near 50 percent increase over last year.
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Kavanaugh Wanted to Cap 9/11 Payments at $500G
Newly obtained records show that Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh sought to limit the amount of money 9/11 victims and their family members could receive from the federal government. According to the New York Daily News, Kavanaugh wanted to cap compensation at $500,000.
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The Costs and Benefits of Government Regulations
Government regulations are controversial. While some believe the benefits outweigh the costs, others view regulations as a burden on the process of free enterprise which slows the economy and stifles innovation. Who’s right? Is it “either, or” or “both, and?”
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Koch-funded Study Shows Medicare for All Could Save $2 Trillion Over 10 Years
A new study from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University indicates that ‘Medicare for All’ would cost $3 trillion per year. Sen. Bernie Sanders disagrees and says the study may be biased since the Mercatus Center is funded by the conservative Koch brothers.
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Independents Top Party Affiliation Poll; Where Are They in Congress?
Once again, independent voters reign supreme in the latest Gallup political party affiliation poll, compared to 30 percent who identify as Democrats and 26 percent as Republicans. So, where are the independents in Congress? Few and far between, and here’s why.
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DeVos’s Proposal Would Cut Relief for Defrauded Students
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has proposed changes to Obama-era relief packages for students defrauded by for-profit colleges and left with no degrees and mountains of loan debt. DeVos has many connections to for-profit schools, and the proposed changes would not benefit students.
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House GOP Proposes Massive Cuts to Social Security, Medicare
House Republicans have proposed a budget that includes repealing Obamacare and issuing massive cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, as well as to “mandatory spending” that includes veterans’ programs. It hurts all Americans, including supporters of President Trump.
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White House Reveals Plan to Reorganize Federal Government
While we were fixated on the humanitarian crisis at our southern border, the White House quietly released a proposal that would massively overhaul the federal government. While it’s framed as being good for America, the proposal actually harms more people than it helps.
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Did George Orwell Prefer Socialism or Free-Market Capitalism?
George Orwell is most famous for his dystopian novels, 1984 and Animal Farm. But in the 1940s, Orwell also wrote about economics for a left-wing British newspaper, Tribune. And you might be surprised to find out he wasn’t wholeheartedly in favor of socialism over free-market capitalism.
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