Today, I joined the Libertarian Party. The screenshot of my signup can be found above. For the first time since 1984, I no longer identify as a Republican. Making this decision was wrenching, much like saying goodbye to an old friend who has been twisted and perverted into something and someone unrecognizable. The 1980 presidential …
Is There an Actual Liberal Crackup?
Jennifer Rubin seems to think so. I am not so sure. Yes, the Democratic party has sustained a lot of losses in midterm elections, but the Republican party has proven unable to win the popular vote in 5 out of the last 6 presidential elections, and has lost 4 out of the last 6 presidential elections …
More Evidence that Paul Krugman Is a Partisan Hack
Behold. As though more evidence were actually needed.By the way, at times like this, it is worth remembering that Krugman burst onto the scene as a superstar economist because of his work regarding international trade theory. Credit where it is due; that work is actually quite good and I agree with the basic thrust of Krugman's arguments …
Continue reading "More Evidence that Paul Krugman Is a Partisan Hack"
Millennials Are Politically Confused
Nick Gillespie explains:A new national poll of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 — the Millennial Generation — provides strong evidence of a new generation gap, this time with the Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) playing the role of uncomprehending parents. When Millennials say they are liberal, it means something very different than it …
Hacks and Flacks
Having blogged for some time now, I understand that there are partisan divisions in the political blogosphere, and I understand as well that they are here to stay. That having been written, it is worth noting--as James Oliphant notes--that port-side bloggers are acting as publicity agents, apologists and all-around hacks on behalf of the Obama …
The Koch Brothers Have a Lot to Learn if They Want to Be Genuine Villains
Maybe Tom Steyer can teach them a thing or two: The psychiatric world defines "projection" as the act of denying unpleasant qualities in yourself, while attributing them to others. Consider liberal billionaire Tom Steyer's riff this week about the libertarian billionaire Koch brothers. Mr. Steyer took exception in a C-SPAN interview to comparisons between his big-dollar …
Continue reading "The Koch Brothers Have a Lot to Learn if They Want to Be Genuine Villains"
Let’s All Please Stop Allying with Crazy People
I am going to give the microphone to Jonathan Tobin so that he can preach some righteous truth at all of us: You may have noticed that among the many and varied topics touched upon by COMMENTARY writers in recent weeks, none of us chose to weigh in on the Bundy Ranch controversy that attracted …
Continue reading "Let’s All Please Stop Allying with Crazy People"
Jason Brennan Is Wrong
These aren't hard questions, and as a libertarian-conservative, I am more than happy to provide answers. Behold: 1. Fabio Rojas suggested via social media that I obey the Koch brother who is willing to be the highest bidder. Sounds like a plan to me. 2. Coca-Cola. (As though this was a hard question to answer.) 3. If …
Kudos to Eugene Volokh and the Volokh Conspiracy
He and they are the subjects of a properly admiring profile, one that describes very accurately the scope of the Conspiracy's influence: Last week, when the Supreme Court heard arguments over whether religiously owned corporations like Hobby Lobby should be exempt from providing contraception coverage to their employees, the government’s reply brief cited dozens of cases and …
Continue reading "Kudos to Eugene Volokh and the Volokh Conspiracy"
Responsibly Reforming the Welfare State
Today, James Pethokoukis tweeted this old blog post of his. I think that it is a good one: . . . while the recovery’s glacial pace, both in terms of GDP and jobs, is unacceptable, the safety net’s performance is encouraging. The pain from the Great Recession, as bad it was, would have been far worse …
Pejman Yousefzadeh 