Unions and Budget Deficits

Do high unionization levels lead to state budget deficits, as some claim? John Sides shows that the answer is no: From Unions and Budget Deficits If you look at the numbers, the basic argument against public unions as budget busters is pretty bogus.

Wisconsin Power Play

There’s a bitter irony here. The fiscal crisis in Wisconsin, as in other states, was largely caused by the increasing power of America’s oligarchy. After all, it was superwealthy players, not the general public, who pushed for financial deregulation and thereby set the stage for the economic crisis of 2008-9, a crisis whose aftermath is… Continue reading Wisconsin Power Play

Scientists Invent World’s First Anti-Laser

“Two scientists at Yale University have built the laser’s first doppelganger: the anti-laser. While a conventional laser emits a constant beam of light in one direction, the anti-laser simply does the opposite. It takes that same steady light stream and interacts with it in such a way that it absorbs and cancels out the light.… Continue reading Scientists Invent World’s First Anti-Laser

Krugman: Republicans have a mandate to repeal the laws of arithmetic

Pew on public fiscal views isn’t really all that surprising, but it’s still striking: people want spending cut, but are opposed to cuts in anything except foreign aid:   And they want state governments to balance their budgets without cutting spending or raising taxes:   The conclusion is inescapable: Republicans have a mandate to repeal… Continue reading Krugman: Republicans have a mandate to repeal the laws of arithmetic

Were they listening when they read the constitution aloud at the start of the congress?

No Constitutional shortcuts. When investigating American citizens, the government must comply with the Constitution, even in national security investigations Challenging unconstitutional action. If a citizen challenges the government’s use of PATRIOT Act power in a court of law, the case must be expedited to ensure the individual’s rights are upheld. A total of two House… Continue reading Were they listening when they read the constitution aloud at the start of the congress?