Opinion
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Lawsuit Abuse Fortnightly #7-16
Opinion -Increasing Access--to Lawsuits A freight train of frivolous litigation may be en route to America’s small businesses. The U.S. Department of Justice is proposing 1,000 pages of new regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). -
Energy Economics 101
Opinion -Yes, energy prices are still high. During the July 4, 2008 weekend, gasoline at the pump averaged nationwide more than $4 a gallon, and crude oil was over $145 per (55-gallon) barrel. -
Competition, Not Regulation
Opinion -Competition, not regulation, is the key to creating a thriving insurance market. Regulators in Washington have begun to move down a path that will lead to fewer providers setting up shop instate, leaving consumers with fewer options at higher prices. -
Consumer Power Report #144
Opinion -Robert Samuelson wrote an important op-ed in both Newsweek and the Washington Post this week. In it he says the current obsession with universal coverage is "utterly wrong. The central problem is not improving coverage. It's controlling costs. -
Slowing the Recovery
Opinion -Dear Editor: David Lazarus's article hits the nail on the head regarding the government's bailout of mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The bailout, and the Fed's dramatic lowering of interest rates, are in many ways socialized financing. -
Cigarette Tax Will Lead to More Spending
Opinion -Dear Editor: Kansas Gov. Katherine Sebelius's plan to use cigarette tax increases to pay for health costs should be worrisome to non-smokers. -
Regressive Tobacco Excise Taxes Smother Revenue Collections and Help Black Market
Opinion -Dear Editor: Regressive Tobacco Excise Taxes Smother Revenue Collections and Help Black Market Reporter Scott Rothschild could not de-smog the primary lessons from the governor's latest attempt to raise money for state-financed health care schemes by -
The Beacon Approach
Opinion -Dear Editor: The newly opened Beacon Academy illustrates what is so beautiful about charter schools ("Charter school focuses on individuals," Sept. 10). -
While Economy Lags, Government Continues to Grow
Opinion -Unemployment climbs, family wealth falls, and government--at all levels--continues to grow. The U.S. Department of Labor this month reported the nation’s jobless rate jumped to 6.1 percent in August, the highest since September 2003. -
Smokers Continue to Subsidize Non-Smokers
Opinion -Dear Editor: Wyoming's Department of Health (DOH), in its efforts to rally the troops by vilifying the legal act of smoking, is very provocative in its claims ... -
Federal Charters Bad for Parents
Opinion -Dear Editor: Mayor Daley wants Chicago to be one of the "greenest" cities in the nation. Unfortunately, his words and his actions don't always coincide, and his plans usually end up costing more and producing less. -
A Monster of Their Own Creation
Opinion -Dear Editor: In the wake of the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae bailout, many legislators and members of the media have incorrectly posited that the best way out of the subprime crisis is through government regulation, interest rate manipulation, and -
Income Tax Cuts Helped Oklahomans
Opinion -Dear Editor: The September 4 article, "Tax cuts cost state more than $400 million," would be more accurate if it were titled "Tax cuts save taxpayers more than $400 million. -
Consumer Power Report #143
Opinion -Our consumer education workshop in Harrisburg was pretty successful. There wasn’t as big an audience as we were hoping for, but we got 29 people including one legislator, one reporter, and the five speakers. -
Raising Cigarette Taxes Is Bad Tax Policy
Opinion -Dear Editor: New Hampshire, a state celebrated for its citizens' opposition to income and sales taxes, should be just as suspicious of tax hikes on cigarettes (September 4, "Cigarette tax may be hiked 25 cents in NH"). -
Repressive Smoking Ban Smothers Business Inside and Out
Opinion -Dear Editor: Boston Globe reporter Stephen Smith sniffs out the lunacy of runaway government intrusion into the rights of private property owners as Boston's new smoking ban restrictions cloud the liberties of patrons of local businesses ("Hub seeks -
No to National Cat Fund
Opinion -Dear Editor: No to National Cat Fund A national catastrophe fund would result in millions of taxpayer dollars being thrown at a system that is not only costly for taxpayers, but also unlikely to cover the losses incurred after a major storm. -
Maryland’s Tax Hikes Haven’t Prevented Deficits
Opinion -Dear Editor: In spite of Governor O'Malley's increased taxes on cigarettes, corporations, and "millionaires," Maryland's deficit continues to grow (August 31, "State facing deficit up to $1 billion, official says"). -
Wind Power Mostly Hot Air
Opinion -Dear Editor: T. Boone Pickens has spent a great deal of time and money the past month trying to sell the American public on the virtues of wind energy. Mr. -
US. Bureau of Land Management Waives Review for Solar Projects
Opinion -The U.S. -
Florida Electricity Costs Skyrocket as Utility Invests Heavily in Solar
Opinion -Florida Power & Light (FPL) customers are being hit with a 16 percent hike in electricity prices as the utility company invests more heavily in solar power. -
Virginia Special Session Ends With No Tax Hikes
Opinion -Virginia taxpayers have won another round in their fight to hold down transportation-related taxes. A special session called by Gov. Tim Kaine (D) to raise taxes and fees for transportation ended in July with no tax hikes. -
EPA Proposes CO2 Regulations, Seeks Comments from Public
Opinion -The White House has announced the Environmental Protection Agency's release of an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) for the purpose of regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. -
Eco Group Calls for Oil Recovery
Opinion -The press for more offshore drilling has opened a rift among California environmentalists. Many are calling for increased oil recovery to reduce the amount of natural oil seepage, while others continue to fear the risk of major spills.