"Should Not The Government Support The Art?"

Classic insight from Frederick Bastiat--more needed than ever. It is clear that the taxpayer, who has contributed one franc, will no longer have this franc at his own disposal. It is clear that he will be deprived of some gratification to the amount of one franc; and that the workman, whoever he may be, who would have received it from him, will be deprived of a benefit to that ... MORE

Slaves Are Issued Guns; Free People Own Them

by William A. Levinson.  A popular bumper sticker proclaims that free people own guns, while slave do not. History shows, however, that masters have often issued weapons to slaves under conditions in which the latter's socioeconomic standing made rebellion unlikely. History also shows that, despite efforts by Bill Clinton's and Barack Obama's Supreme Court Justices to  ... MORE

VIDEO: John Stossel - Citizen Journalism

Nick Gillespie/Matt Welsh: Declaration Of Independents

Meet the future of American politics. When was the last time you read the Declaration of Independence? Go ahead and call it up; give it a quick scan. Don’t focus on the detailed bill of particulars against King George (“He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant”), disregard completely the bit about ... MORE

NOEMIE EMERY: A FLING WITH THE WELFARE STATE

From the best of intentions to bankruptcy and recriminations. The intentions of Democrats are only the best. They want all of the old to have lavish retirements, all of the young to have scholarships, verse-penning cowboys to have festivals funded by government, and everyone to have access to all the best health care, at no cost to himself.  ... MORE

VIDEO: Why Debt-Ceiling Debate Is Full Of Malarkey

Walter E Williams: Education Is Worse Than We Thought

Last December, I reported on Harvard University professor Stephan Thernstrom's essay "Minorities in College — Good News, But...," on Minding the Campus, a website sponsored by the New York-based Manhattan Institute. He was commenting on the results of the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress, saying that the scores "mean that black students  ... MORE

Steve Chapman: The Dangers Of "Caylee's Law"

Fruitless outrage won't prevent future tragedies.  It was once suggested, as a general rule of staying alive, never to fly on an airline named after a state or the owner. As a general rule of sound government, it's also a good idea never to enact a law named after a person. Personalizing criminal law usually stems from fruitless outrage at a freakish event. ... MORE

VIDEO: Andrew Napolitano - Addicted To Debt


Judge Napolitano offers a possible solution to the economic crisis our spendthrift politicians and a wealth-consuming central bank have created.

A. Barton Hinkle: Sports Vs. Social Justice

Does Derek Jeter really deserve millions of dollars?  Last weekend Derek Jeter made baseball history when he became only the 28th MLB player to reach 3,000 hits. He's the only player to do it wearing the Yankees uniform. For diehard Yankees fans, Jeter may be worth all the money on Earth. But many less ardent enthusiasts probably wonder whether even someone as  ... MORE

Ryan James Girdusky: Big Government And Big Business

A heart attack waiting to happen.  A new study on obesity in America entitled “F is for Fat” by Trust For America’s Health, made headlines across the country.  It found Americans are fatter than ever. Two-thirds of American adults and 25 million American children are now overweight or obese.  This level of unhealthy living has severe repercussions in regards to health care costs ... MORE

VIDEO: Ayn Rand - A System of Selfish Greed


Rand explains the philosophy driving capitalism to commit suicide.

A. Barton Hinkle: THE TSA's Invasive Search Contest

All it takes to win is the right attitude and rubber gloves. To: All TSA Personnel From: Paul Witchowski.  Dear Fellow Officers, Many of you have written to ask me about the status of our Invasive Search Contest. Knowing this is a subject of great interest to all of you and that there has been a lot of rumors and innuendoes going around the "grapevine," I have decided ... MORE

Gene Healy: The Ultimate Bridge To Nowhere

Friday marked the space shuttle's swan song, as the Atlantis lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center for the program's 135th and final flight. It was President George W. Bush who announced the shuttle's retirement with his 2004 "Vision for Space Exploration," which included a moon base and "human missions to Mars and to worlds beyond." But it was President Obama who put the kibosh ... MORE

VIDEO: Underwhelming Spending Cuts