Opinion
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Consumer Power Report #136
Opinion -The Heartland Institute is doing a much better job than I was ever able to do in putting these publications online. If you need to go back to an earlier edition, at least as of June, they will be available at http://www.heartland.org/Publications.cfm? -
EPA Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR): Alert 2
Opinion -This is the second in a series of Environment Alerts from Sandy Liddy Bourne, Heartland's national legislation manager, about an issue that could profoundly affect virtually every aspect of American life. -
Time for a Comprehensive Energy Plan
Opinion -Kudos to Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois for changing his stance and supporting offshore drilling. -
Taxpayers May Feel Lead Paint Pain
Opinion -Suing paint companies for creating a "public nuisance" by selling lead paint 50 or 100 years ago was called "jackpot justice" for the private law firms who stood to collect huge contingent fees. -
Reassessment Halt Will Show It’s Spending that Drives Taxes Higher
Opinion -Good for Governor Sonny Perdue. His recent decision to end automatic property reassessments may not change your property tax bill right away, but it may change your attitude toward local government officials. And in time that may result in real tax cuts. -
Lawsuit Abuse Fortnightly #7-12
Opinion -Vulture Capitalist Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer earned his legal spurs as state attorney general by prosecuting greedy capitalists. Now he’s trying to become one himself. -
Consumer Power Report #135
Opinion -Driving into DC the other day, I was struck by how many tiny little cars there are on the road these days. The big SUVs are gone. There seems to be a new status symbol -- the cutest, tiniest little care wins the lottery. -
Better Airport Services in the Bag with Privatization
Opinion -According to Boston Globe writer Nicole C. Wong ("Fewer Flights, Fewer Delays," July 8, 2008), higher airfares and fees from checked luggage have resulted in fewer flights, reduced flight delays, and decreased the number of mishandled and lost bags. -
Wind Power a Good Supplement
Opinion -While the city of Houston's use of wind-powered electricity with the intent of lowering energy prices may be noble, the state of Texas should not mandate or subsidize wind power. -
Speculators Are a Smoke Screen
Opinion -Shame on you for aiding Congress's most recent obfuscation campaign with your editorial on speculation in the oil market. -
Teacher Pay Reform
Opinion -A major victory will be won for students if Utah public school districts implement a teachers' merit-based pay reform. Teacher unions are among the first to claim America needs better public schools, so why is there still opposition to this proposal? -
Economic Prosperity the Key to Voters’ Hearts
Opinion -Bill Hamond's July 7 column, "How Dean Skelos can save New York's Republican Party," is right that Sen. Skelos needs to lead on fiscally responsible policy such as property tax caps. -
EPA Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR): Alert 1
Opinion -This is the first in a series of Environment Alerts from Sandy Liddy Bourne, Heartland's national legislation manager, about an issue that could profoundly affect virtually every aspect of American life. -
Budget Revenue Is Not the Problem
Opinion -The budget debate should center on how to reduce and cap ballooning spending, rather than how to increase revenue ("Panel OKs budget with tax increase; GOP will be hurdle," July 9).California doesn't need to raise taxes ... -
Protect the Right of Contract and Privacy Will Follow
Opinion -The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on Internet advertising could be the death knell of progress in the industry. -
Senate Mortgage Plan: Forced Investment?
Opinion -The Senate's plan to address the mortgage crisis takes a few steps forward and a giant leap backwards. -
Budget Crisis Good for Government
Opinion -Tough decisions are a part of governing, and Illinois' $2 billion budget shortfall is forcing many of them ("a href="http://www.pjstar. -
Give Us a Better Reason
Opinion -There is no big secret why organ transplant lists for minorities are scarce ("Transplant gaps keeps blacks on waiting list," July 8). -
Defining Benefits and Budgets in Springfield
Opinion -Daily Herald writers John Patterson and Rob Olmstead graphically covered the current tug-of-war between the governor and the State House ("With budget ax in hand, governor orders lawmakers back to Capitol," July 2). -
Senate’s Plan Will Prove Destructive
Opinion -Crises tend to keep politicians in power, and with the likely success of the Senate's $300 billion mortgage aid package, for which Mr. Calbreath expressed emphatic support, the housing crisis will keep members of Congress in office for years to come. -
Cigarette Taxes Are Disingenuous and Inefficient
Opinion -The most disingenuous argument for increased cigarette taxes is that they affect only smokers. Not so fast! -
Raising Taxes for Budget Shortfall Is Unjustifiable
Opinion -In his first inaugural address, Thomas Jefferson said, "a wise and frugal government is the sum of a good government. -
New York State Needs Tax and Spending Caps
Opinion -Separated by three decades and 3,000 miles, pressure to limit government spending and taxes has moved from California to New York. -
The Benefits of Oil Exploration in the Gulf
Opinion -Senator Coleman's call for oil drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf off the coast of Florida is welcome news. With the Twin Cities' unleaded gas prices averaging more than $3.90 a gallon, it's time we look at all available energy options.