One of the popular memes coming out of this Syria debacle is an assertion that there is no difference between conventional and chemical weapons. I’ve yet to see someone explain what the Just War Theory response on this is (granted I don’t follow this stuff anymore). So I figure I will just take a stab… Continue reading There is a difference between conventional and chemical weapons
Middle-Out Economics Already Producing Serious Policy Confusion
This summer, President Obama gave a speech where he talked about middle-out economics, which is apparently the Democrats response to trickle-down economics. As far as I can tell, Eric Liu and Nick Hanauer coined the phrase. Personally, I don’t like the phrase and when I think hard about what it might mean for policy, my mind actually… Continue reading Middle-Out Economics Already Producing Serious Policy Confusion
Policy Shop Weekly Digest: Income Inequality, Student Debt, Racial Inequality
I had 3 posts over at Demos’ Policy Shop this week. Here is a rundown with links: What Would It Look Like If Income Gains Had Been Shared?. Excerpt: Every income group except the top 20 percent would be better off. Instead of receiving an income $16,900 in 2007, the poorest fifth of families would… Continue reading Policy Shop Weekly Digest: Income Inequality, Student Debt, Racial Inequality
Policy Shop Weekly Digest: Food Stamps, Poverty, Libertarianism, Homelessness
I had 4 posts over at Demos’ Policy Shop this week. Here is a rundown with links: Let’s Stop Worrying About Food Stamp “Fraud”. Excerpt: But check this out: giving people food stamps is basically the same thing as giving them more cash. Suppose I am spending $300/month feeding my family. Then I get on… Continue reading Policy Shop Weekly Digest: Food Stamps, Poverty, Libertarianism, Homelessness
To divide by income or not to divide by income: that is the question
When I point out that price discrimination has largely spared poor people from public college price increases (as is true), I occasionally find people telling me I need to divide by income. That is, instead of just looking at the dollar amount each income group is paying, I should take that dollar amount and divide… Continue reading To divide by income or not to divide by income: that is the question