The Newspaper Association of America announced last week that the average paid circulation at major U.S. newspapers continues to fall. (The Pioneer Press is an exception, with a tiny increase on Sundays offsetting a tiny decrease during the week.) This…
Neither Senate hopeful has grasp of economics
Neither candidate for Minnesota’s U.S. Senate seat has realistic stands on taxes, spending, annual federal budget deficits, the national debt or Social Security. If these issues are important to you, hold your nose and vote for the least bad alternative.…
How much are we entitled to?
When people receive some benefit over many years, they begin to regard it as an unquestionable right. Economists call these “acquired rights.” Such rights are not strictly defined in law, and thus generate conflict if changed. The arguments center on…
It’s time for truth in property taxation
The tax on real estate that is used to pay for schools and other local government is a bad one for several reasons, but one flaw becomes particularly evident in an election year because the tax practically invites public misunderstanding…