A study from the National Fatherhood Initiative estimated the direct cost of fatherhood absence in American homes to be 100 billion dollars per year, all coming from tax-payer’s pockets. “The One Hundred Billion Dollar Man” took into account 13 different benefit programs for child support enforcement for single moms: funds going directly to single parent … Continue reading
Latest Entries
Chick Flicks and International Relations
Before I get started here, I should state upfront that I haven’t seen either of these movies, but will nonetheless argue that two recent romantic comedies — “It’s Complicated” (2009) and “He’s Just Not That Into You” (2009) — have a lot to say about US foreign policy. The thing is, you probably don’t have … Continue reading
Using the Principles of Economics to “Fix” Health Care
The phrase “at the margin” refers to the next decision made. Thus, marginal cost is the cost of the next good or service. So the marginal cost of apples is the cost of the next apple purchased. One of the fundamental principles of economics is that rational people think on the margin. That means that … Continue reading
Hugo Chavez Cancer Reportedly in ‘End Stage’
“This reporter has been told that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive cancer that has ‘entered the end stage.’ The information and the quote come from a highly respected source close to Chavez and who is in a position to know his medical condition and history. This source says the prognosis is … Continue reading
The Dangers of the Readmission Reduction Act
It is amazing what the Obama administration and its Department of Health and Human Services are willing to do to avoid dealing with the politically difficult areas of America’s health needs. The Affordable Care Act is rightfully impugned for extending health coverage without any reasonable means to keep premiums down, keep quality up, or keep … Continue reading
Slowly but Surely, or Fast and Furiously? A crossroads for House Republicans and the DOJ…
“Fast and Furious? You mean those terrible Vin Diesel movies, right?” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten this response from friends and family as I grumble on about bureaucratic incompetence and negligent homicide. Frustrating, yes, but I usually just chuckle and think sarcastically to myself “Oh wait, that’s right…you’re not supposed to … Continue reading
How Government Money Can Do A Lot More Good Than Solyndra
What do the Boeing 707, the internet and nuclear fission all have in common? They are some of the triumphs of government-funded research. Public-private partnerships have led to breakthroughs across America’s wide range of industries and maintained our lead in several key fields including medicine, aerospace and computer technology. Despite past success in innovation, we … Continue reading
Regulate First, Find [No] Evidence Later
Al Armendariz, the EPA regional director for Texas and the surrounding states, resigned last month after a video surfaced of his proclamation to “crucify” businesses. Mr. Armendariz was caught on video stating, as he described it, a “crude analogy” to his philosophy of enforcement. “It was kind of like how the Romans used to, you know, … Continue reading
For Hispanic-Americans, Education a Top Priority
Recent reports suggest that Hispanic-Americans, in contrast to Non-Hispanics, list education as a major policy concern when ranking the issues. Right behind jobs and the economy, most Hispanic-Americans indicate that they are concerned about the state and quality of their children’s education. This should not be surprising, as various studies illustrate that a rather large … Continue reading
America / Culture / Foreign Policy / Politics
Not for the Faint of Heart: Wading into the Politics of Cuban Exile Florida
The ongoing drama in South Florida surrounding the issuing of a visa to Mariela Castro, daughter of Cuban dictator Raul Castro, may not be on the radar of most Americans, but to overlook its political ramifications in this must-win, critical swing state in an election year would be naive at best. The other day, a … Continue reading
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