At what point do government mandates become so absurd and arbitrary, that it is socially acceptable to start ignoring them outright? Well, if governors keep acting the way they have throughout the coronavirus crisis, we might soon find out. From the beginning, the response to the pandemic has been a dramatic demonstration of just how capricious and arrogant politicians can … [Read more...] about Which ‘Emergency Orders’ Should We Just Start Ignoring?
Free Market Watch
The New Intolerant America
Americans of all ideological stripes are growing more intolerant of people who don’t share their political outlook. According to a Cato Institute survey released this summer, fifty percent of “strong liberals” support the idea of firing business executives who donate to President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign—an unsurprising (though still appalling) statistic, given the … [Read more...] about The New Intolerant America
The Nevada Legislature Also Has a ProblemSeparation of Powers, Part II
The governor’s willingness to embrace near-dictatorial powers during a state of emergency isn’t the only instance where a blatant disregard for separation-of-powers doctrine is doing damage to Nevada’s democratic system of government. As it turns out, the legislature has also long demonstrated flagrant contempt for the concept of three co-equal branches of government—a core … [Read more...] about The Nevada Legislature Also Has a Problem
Separation of Powers Should Matter in Times of Emergency Too
For the next several months, maybe even years, we will be hearing about the long-lasting effects of the “coronavirus shutdown.” There will be ongoing public debate over how Nevada “should” have responded to the global pandemic as we learn more about the virus and the consequences of shutting down an entire state for months on end. However, that debate somewhat misses the … [Read more...] about Separation of Powers Should Matter in Times of Emergency Too
Backroom Labor Deals are a Disservice to Taxpayers and Public Workers Alike
In the months and years ahead, the economic reality of the coronavirus shutdown will collide in dramatic fashion with the priorities of public sector unions. This month, many government agencies will be negotiating new labor contracts with union officials — contracts that will set pay schedules, determine salary increases and govern the personnel costs for each agency. What … [Read more...] about Backroom Labor Deals are a Disservice to Taxpayers and Public Workers Alike
The Decision to ‘Re-Open’ the Economy Shouldn’t be Government’s to Make
Destroying the financial hopes and dreams of thousands of Nevadans should have never been seen as the only way to combat a pandemic. And given the depth of the financial harm this shutdown has caused, getting people back to earning a living should, at this point, be considered equally as important as containing the spread of the virus. After all, the cost of the shutdown … [Read more...] about The Decision to ‘Re-Open’ the Economy Shouldn’t be Government’s to Make
Government Might Not be Up to the Challenge — but Individuals Are
If you get the sense that government is not up to the challenge presented by a public health crisis, and the economic fallout that results from it, you’re probably right. That’s because government is, at its core, a political enterprise—and as most Americans will readily admit, bickering politicians aren’t generally the best at getting things done in an effective and efficient … [Read more...] about Government Might Not be Up to the Challenge — but Individuals Are
The Highest Sales Tax in the Nation Won’t Fix Nevada Education
Nevadans deserve an education system that actually works, not merely one that costs more money. Nevada already spends roughly $10,200 per student, an amount comparable to numerous states (and nations) that outperform us academically on a regular basis. And yet, the Clark County Education Association (CCEA) is convinced that a simple billion-dollar tax hike will, somehow, fix … [Read more...] about The Highest Sales Tax in the Nation Won’t Fix Nevada Education
The War on the ‘Gig’ Economy is Bad News for Workers
From minimum wage to mandatory paid leave, politicians are making it increasingly more expensive for many companies to hire workers. California’s recent attack on the “gig” economy is a perfect illustration of this kind of ostensibly “pro-worker” regulation that actually ends up hurting the very working-class people it is, ostensibly, supposed to help. And Nevadans should … [Read more...] about The War on the ‘Gig’ Economy is Bad News for Workers
The Twenties are Already Amazing, and No One is Noticing
The roaring twenties are upon us — and no one seems to notice just how amazing the world actually is. By virtually every metric, the human condition is better today than ever before. In America, and across the world, we’re living longer, healthier and more prosperous lives. In fact, for the first time in recorded human history, the majority of people on this planet are … [Read more...] about The Twenties are Already Amazing, and No One is Noticing
We’re Always Taxing ‘Someone Else’
It’s always easier to spend someone else’s money—and voters are often eager to believe politicians when they promise to do just that. That’s probably why Donald Trump’s promise to make Mexico pay for a border wall resonated with his base. Certainly, it’s why Democrats have stuck to class warfare talking points, telling voters a tax on Jeff Bezos will somehow pay for a … [Read more...] about We’re Always Taxing ‘Someone Else’
No, the Robots are Not Going to Take all Our Jobs
The robots are coming—and according to some experts, they’re here to take our jobs. Artificial intelligence and automation have made our world an increasingly futuristic wonder to behold. However, some “experts” still apparently worry such a future is a dystopian one—where robots, AI and automation will slowly phase out Americans workers, costing tens of millions of jobs in the … [Read more...] about No, the Robots are Not Going to Take all Our Jobs
Big Government Can’t Be Outrun
Nevada’s political demographics are changing, and the resulting “blue wave” has started to lead many conservatives, libertarians and free market advocates to begin entertaining the idea of fleeing the state. ‘Get out before Nevada becomes California,’ seems to be the general mentality. I’s a tempting notion. After all, in recent years there’s been something of an exodus of … [Read more...] about Big Government Can’t Be Outrun
Educational Choice Would Also Improve the Lives of Teachers
As the school year begins, we’re once again faced with all-too-familiar headlines about Nevada’s struggle to attract and retain quality educators and the general disarray of the state’s two largest school districts. Even a casual observer can tell there’s plenty of reasons for teacher morale to be depressingly low in today’s public education system — something that is directly … [Read more...] about Educational Choice Would Also Improve the Lives of Teachers
The Collective Bargaining Monopoly is a Disservice to Public Workers
The monopoly power that labor unions have over a workplace is something that no one, not even the rank-and-file union members themselves, particularly enjoy. This point comes into focus every year during National Employee Freedom Week (August 18 – 24), when government employees are reminded of their right to “opt out” of membership if they don’t want to financially support … [Read more...] about The Collective Bargaining Monopoly is a Disservice to Public Workers
Free Market WatchThere is Nothing ‘Progressive’ About Big Government
If progressive voters really want the kind of “bold” and “transformative” changes big-government politicians keep promising, they had better change their voting habits. Despite the lofty-sounding rhetoric, there’s nothing inherently progressive—new, innovative or revolutionary—about the policy proposals being touted by big-government proponents. In fact, far from effecting … [Read more...] about Free Market Watch
The Legislature has a Cronyism Problem
The worry over “cronyism” in politics is a bipartisan concern — and, unfortunately, Nevada has a long history of political favoritism. However, billionaires asking lawmakers for special treatment isn’t the only kind of cronyism that should worry Nevadans. This year, government insiders and tax-funded lobbyists are playing the favoritism game better than anyone. And their … [Read more...] about The Legislature has a Cronyism Problem
Free Market WatchPoliticians Don’t Fund Campaign Promises — Taxpayers Do
To their credit, politicians in Nevada’s 80th legislative session seem pretty eager to actually keep campaign promises—unfortunately, they’re counting on everyone else to pay for such political achievements. Despite Governor Steve Sisolak’s “no new taxes” pledge (some restrictions, exemptions and limitations may apply), there are still at least a few issues being discussed … [Read more...] about Free Market Watch
Free Market WatchWhat’s so wrong with turning Nevada into ‘California East’?
Warnings about Nevada turning into “California East” sends chills down the spines of Republicans, conservatives and libertarians. Such warnings, however, have been received with nothing more than a collective shrug by the current majority in Carson City. After all, what’s so bad about California? Our western neighbor is the 5th largest economy in the world, some of the … [Read more...] about Free Market Watch
Free Market WatchThe Politics of Taxpayer-Funded Collective Bargaining
Should taxpayers spend $500 million annually to strengthen and further fund political action committees that lobby for ever-larger government spending? That’s the question that should have been asked last month when lawmakers discussed Senate Bill 135, which grants collective-bargaining abilities to Nevada state government workers. Such a policy will increase annual spending … [Read more...] about Free Market Watch