I wrote a post today about Brad Plumer’s redistribution blindspot. The basic point is that Plumer uses the word “redistribution” in an ideological way that privileges an “everyday libertarian” baseline, deviations from which are considered redistribution. This set off the twitters, with primarily Dylan Matthews arguing back. I never did figure out what Plumer thought… Continue reading How does Wonkblog use “redistribution”?
Author: Matt Bruenig
A simpler rule for questions of when to interrupt speech
Some Brown students interrupted the speech of Ray Kelly, New York Police Chief. Then people argued about it on twitter. Then the Nation ran a point-counterpoint style forum for some of the key actors. Half think it is OK to interrupt and effectively shut down the speech. Half think it is not. Long time readers… Continue reading A simpler rule for questions of when to interrupt speech
Kati Haycock: wrong on Pay It Forward, wrong for America
I don’t actually know if Kati Haycock is wrong for America, but she is definitely wrong on Pay It Forward. Pay It Forward is a plan that levies a time-limited graduate tax to fund free tuition for Oregon public schools (so like, 3 percent of graduate income for 24 years or some such). Per the… Continue reading Kati Haycock: wrong on Pay It Forward, wrong for America
Salon: Social conservatives’ enduring myth: Women just want to stay home
Elizabeth Stoker has a new piece at Salon that I contributed on. The title is a bit odd. The point of the piece is that most women work because they absolutely have to. You need money to live. Of course, most women don’t like working. Most men don’t like working. You do it because you… Continue reading Salon: Social conservatives’ enduring myth: Women just want to stay home
The Atlantic: How to Cut the Poverty Rate in Half (It’s Easy)
I have finally made some use of my basic income calculator by posting this at The Atlantic. Read it.