New from the Business & Media Institute
A Simple Plan?
The president's tax panel delivered a complicated proposal that would
merely shift the tax code's winners and losers. Still, the media bought
into the idea that it was simplifying, focusing on deductions scrapped
and, like the panel, avoiding the issue of real reform.
Econ 101: The Role of the Courts in the Economy
As the Senate considers the nomination of
Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, Dr. Gary Wolfram, an economics
professor and Business & Media Institute adviser, reminds us why courts were
established: to protect our freedoms. To preserve a country where the rule
of law guards private property rights, judges must focus on enforcing the
laws that are written not on creating new policies.
Ask the professor: Do you have a question about an economic issue
covered in the news?
Anti-Wal-Mart Movie Presses Forward
The Business & Media Institute is tracking coverage of two new films about
Wal-Mart one positive and one negative. The film that bashes the
retailer is getting a lot more attention in the press, and journalists are
anything but skeptical. Even when the two sides debate, reporters insert
pointed anti-business comments.
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly tracks the best and worst media coverage of
business and economics. Readers are invited to submit suggestions or news
tips to Director
Dan Gainor.
This week: NPR goes free market?; If its economic news, it must be
bad; Sheriff Dobbs in Sherwood Forest
Also from BMI: Spotlight on oil companies and the windfall profits tax
Dobbs Takes Aim at Oil Companies
Research, News & Commentary
Oil Profits
Research: Do we need more taxes on the oil industry? The Tax Foundation shows why this would be a bad idea, based on current taxes in place and the history of windfall profits taxes.
Research: Catos regulation experts deliver the case against the windfall profits tax and oil price controls.
Commentary: James Glassman lends some sanity to the recent oil-profit carping in Congress and the press.
Internet Freedom
Research: A thorough overview into the history of the internet, and why a U.N. takeover of it would be disastrous.
Taxes
Commentary: R. Glenn Hubbard offers a comprehensive look into the tax panel findings and where reformers should go from there.
Commentary: Kevin Hassett plays myth debunker and sets the record straight about home prices and mortgage deductions in light of the proposal from the presidents tax panel.
Energy
Commentary: The revelation that oil rigs sustained little to no damage during this active hurricane season should change the debate about drilling in the Gulf.
Health Care
Research: As the Senate prepares to strike down some price controls on pharmaceuticals in the Medicare program, The Heritage Foundation reminds us of the potential economic harm from artificial price ceilings.
Commentary: The president is devoting $1.2 billion to fight malaria, but DDT should figure more prominently in the solution.
