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The Credit Crunch is a Network Failure
Dr. John Rutledge Blog
By: John Rutledge
9.30.2008
My friend Sonia Arrison, the technology wizard at Pacific Research Institute, asked me to give her my current thinking about how to analyze the current credit crunch as a cascading network failure, a subject I wrote about in Chapters 6 and 7 of my new book.
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Celebs, stop taking poisonous shots at vaccines
New York Daily News Op-Ed
By: Sally C. Pipes
9.30.2008
Earlier this month, researchers at Columbia University concluded that the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine doesn't raise a child's risk for autism. It was the most rigorous look at the issue to date. Since 1998, more than 20 scientific studies have reached the same conclusion.
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The Great Bank Robbery of 2008
The Internet Post Blog
9.29.2008
The Paulson bailout failed in the House. If it isn’t a death blow to the plan, it should be. This is not an economic plan: it is a heist.
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Alaska ranks near bottom of economic freedom index
Daily News Miner (AK) News Clipping
By: Rena Delbridge
9.29.2008
FAIRBANKS — High levels of welfare spending per capita and a large number of people receiving help are keeping Alaska near the bottom of an index measuring economic freedom in each of the 50 states.
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Bilingual ED Not Dead
San Diego Voice & Viewpoint (CA) News Clipping
By: Lance T. Izumi, J.D.
9.29.2008
Under 227’s provisions, “all children in California public schools shall be taught English by being taught in English.” Specifically, “English learners shall be educated through sheltered English immersion,” with English immersion defined as a process “in which nearly all classroom instruction is in English but with the curriculum and presentation designed for children who are learning the language.” In other words, instruction of EL students was to be “overwhelmingly” in English, in contrast with bilingual-education methods that emphasized instructing EL students in their native language.
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California budget has not solved the Medi-Cal crisis
Eureka Reporter Op-Ed
9.28.2008
Gov. Schwarzenegger has signed a budget that holds spending down to $103 billion. Unfortunately, the governor and legislators missed the chance to wrangle Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program, under control. Medi-Cal is a big part of the state’s deficit problem. It’s the second largest chunk of the general fund, after K-12 education.
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Conservatives Should Oppose Corporate Welfare
Townhall Op-Ed
9.27.2008
Although they are just playing the hand that Alan Greenspan dealt them, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson have been working overtime to discredit the capitalist economy. The $700 billion bailout of Wall Street, as well as other measures such as a ban on short-selling financial stocks, are a repudiation of the free market principles which the Bush Administration claims to champion. Besides forcing taxpayers to fund a massive dose of corporate welfare, the latest measures will make the financial crisis worse.
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30 Issues: Internet and Broadcast Regulation
WNYC (AM/FM) Radio Interview
9.26.2008
Frank Pasquale, professor of law at Seton Hall and Daniel Ballon, Policy Fellow in Technology at the Pacific Research Institute, take a look at the question of net neutrality.
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Despite critics, consumers laud state's trial lawyers
Portland Business Journal (OR) News Clipping
By: Melody Finnemore
9.26.2008
Lake Oswego elementary school teacher Kellie La Follette never imagined she would need to hire an attorney. But, after she and several of her colleagues received radiation burns from broken metal halide bulbs during an in-service training in November 2004, they got a crash course in how the state’s legal and political system works.
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My View: State budget mess: We can learn from Canada
Sacramento Bee Op-Ed
By: Jason Clemens
9.25.2008
California's new budget deal is a short-term fix that leaves the Golden State without a long-term solution to its financial woes. More often than not, lessons from our neighbors to the north concern what not to do. However, in the case of budgets, there is much to gain by replicating the Canadian experience post-1994.
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Wall Street plan won't aid recovery
San Diego Union Tribune Op-Ed
9.25.2008
Last week the government took extraordinary measures to restore calm to the financial markets. Besides the takeover of insurer American International Group, the government banned short-selling of 799 financial stocks and floated a plan to buy up risky mortgage-backed assets. These actions, unfortunately, may prove incredibly costly to the taxpayer, and delay recovery of the credit markets.
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Northeast deemed most economically oppressed
Advertiser-News (NJ) News Clipping
9.25.2008
The Pacific Research Institute, a free-market think tank based in California, has released the ‘U.S. Economic Freedom Index 2008 Report,’ a ranking of economic freedom in the 50 states.
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Upper Midwest seeing ‘freedom renaissance’
Fairmont Sentinel News Clipping
By: Christine Rupp, Gary Andersen, Lee Smith
9.24.2008
If you're a Minnesotan, you might want to take a moment to face west and raise a salute to South Dakota. That state is helping you live a better life. How?
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The Health Care Dilemma - High Cost & Excessive Regulation
Southern Maryland Online News Clipping
By: State Senator Roy Dyson (D-29th)
9.24.2008
How do we know it's an election year? We know it's an election year because once again we are being overwhelmed with dialogue, speeches and promises to bring health care to all Americans.
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Is The Government Responsible For Health Care?
National Public Radio
By: Julie Rovner
9.24.2008
NPR.org, September 24, 2008 · It's a debate that has raged on and off in the United States for more than a century now, with no clear resolution in sight: whether to guarantee healthcare for every American.
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North Carolina Plummets in Economic Freedom Ranking
California Politics Online
9.24.2008
The Pacific Research Institute released their 2008 Economic Freedom Index rankings and for North Carolina the results are ghastly. In 1999 North Carolina ranked 17th in terms of economic freedom and business friendliness. By 2004 that ranking had dropped to 24th and now today in 2008 the state has sunk down to number 36. What does this say?
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COD: Students unprepared for workload
The Desert Sun (CA) News Clipping
By: K. Kaufmann
9.23.2008
Christopher Villalta was not the best student to graduate from La Quinta High School in June, but the soft-spoken 18-year-old earned his diploma and passed the state exit exam required for all students.
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North Carolina: Growing Less Free Every Year!
Red Clay Citizen (NC) Blog
By: Brian Balfour
9.23.2008
I recently wrote about North Carolina's disappointing economic trends since 2001. Rising poverty, unemployment consistently above the national average, job and income growth lagging national and regional averages were among the findings.
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Not bad NH, but can the current leaders stop the slide (I doubt it)?
GraniteGrok Blog
By: Skip Murphy
9.23.2008
There is a group that does study for almost anything that you could dream of - our fascination with numbers and rankings is just incredible. In this case, a ranking of how economically free each State in the US. The group that produced this report "U.S. Economic Freedom Index 2008" was the Pacific Research Institute,
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Who Lacks Health Insurance in America?
Power Line Blog
By: Paul Mirengoff
9.22.2008
According to data recently released by the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans officially classified as uninsured in 2007 was 45.7 million. This figure is being used, naturally, to promote the case for radical "reform" that in practice would amount to a government takeover of the health care industry.
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Candy Anyone?
New York Times "Education Watch"
By: Sandra Tsing Loh
9.22.2008
I admit I am not completely done trolling the new Innisbrook holiday gift catalog that my daughters bring home from school every fall, so the matter of their public school financing for 2008-2009 will have to wait. But I’d like to expand on Lance Izumi’s quote from Ben Chavis, the former charter school director, who says that his school doesn’t “need more money,” it needs “administrators who can manage money.”
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The First Presidential Debate and Legal Reform
ShopFloor.org Blog
By: Carter Wood
9.22.2008
The first presidential debate takes place Friday in Oxford, Mississippi. Oxford…Oxford…Oxford…Now whom is it we associate, lately, with Oxford, Mississippi? Right. It’s the home of Richard “Dickie” Scruggs, the giant among trial lawyers. Or at least it was until July.
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Albany must cut back on health care mandates
Buffalo News Op-Ed
By: John R. Graham
9.20.2008
Gov. David A. Paterson just headed off a budget crisis by persuading legislators to cut spending by a billion dollars. But with the three-year deficit projected at $26.2 billion, this compromise won’t improve the state’s fiscal outlook.
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Government size matters
Amarillo Globe-News (TX) News Clipping
9.19.2008
According to the Pacific Research Institute, two thirds of the Tri-State area does not rank well in terms of economic freedom.
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Missing step: Control spending
Wisconsin State Journal News Clipping
9.19.2008
Wisconsin received more evidence this week that its taxes are too high. This time the evidence arrived in a study suggesting that Wisconsin may be just a few tax cuts away from becoming one of the nation's economic hot spots.
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The Global Antitrust Arsenal
Tech News World Op-Ed
9.19.2008
Earlier this week, European regulators said that they are investigating the online advertising deal between Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) and Yahoo (Nasdaq: YHOO), even though that deal affects only the U.S. and Canadian markets. Such a revelation is a disturbing sign of the globalization of government meddling and the out-of-control use of antitrust as a weapon.
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Speculation not to blame for oil prices
The Newberg Graphic (OR) Guest Opinion
9.19.2008
Congress continues to wrangle on measures to curb the alleged influence of speculators on oil prices. Republicans want to insert provisions on offshore and ANWR drilling, while Democrats prefer to focus on enlarging the regulatory powers of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
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Skelton previews the crock that he, the gov and Dems will push relentlessly in next budget fight
San Diego Union Tribune News Clipping
By: Chris Reed
9.18.2008
This has been a breakthrough week when it comes to math and reality at the Sacramento bureau of the L.A. Times. Evan Halper actually wrote a story that noted the compromise budget slightly increased spending instead of continuing his career-long, grossly misleading practice of describing a cut in a projected spending increase as an actual, real-world, hard-dollar cut.
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Cost containment could hurt consumers
Sun Chronicle (ME) Letter to the Editor
By: Sally C. Pipes
9.18.2008
In a recent debate, state representative candidate Kate Jackson endorsed the recently passed "Act to Promote Cost Containment, Transparency, and Efficiency in the Delivery of Health Care," promising that she will work to see that legislation succeed. ("Democratic hopefuls spar in Attleboro debate," Sept. 11).
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Pacific Research Institute's Report: South Dakota Ranks No. 1 in Economic Freedom
Associated Content News Clipping
9.18.2008
If you have wondered where you can live without tax burdens, the Pacific Research Institute has the answer for you. According to its new report, U.S. Economic Freedom Index: 2008 Report, the best place for economic freedom is South Dakota. The authors of the report define economic freedom as the right of individuals to pursue their interests through voluntary exchange of private property under a rule of law.
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The Candidates’ Record on Legal Reform
ShopFloor.org News Blog
9.17.2008
The Examiner newspaper editorializes today on the tort reform records of the presidential and vice presidential candidates, asking a question of great interest to the business community: “Will either party’s presidential ticket keep a lid on the lawyers’ greed?”
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TIPS Have Underforecasted Inflation
Economic Policy Journal Op-Ed
9.17.2008
Back in 2003, the Treasury began selling 5-year Treasury Inflation Protected Securities, or TIPS. (Longer maturities were available starting in 1997.) What happens is that the government pays a fixed coupon rate, but the principal is adjusted based on increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Thus, TIPS yields are one of the closest things you can get to observing the real interest rate; it measures what lenders need to be offered to part with their money for a period of time, over and above the fall in the purchasing power of their money.
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Why do trial lawyers love Obama-Biden?
Washington Examiner News Clipping
9.17.2008
Richard Ward, chief executive officer of Lloyd’s of London, told USA Today recently that the rest of the world is catching up to the United States in the ignominious realm of lawsuits. He said growing litigiousness overseas is driving up costs and stifling risk-taking there, as it already has here. The incredibly high litigation costs in the United States — costing each American citizen $625 per year — are “a major disincentive when looking to do business in your country,” he warned.
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New Report Reveals Which States Have Most Economic Freedom
PRI Press Release
9.16.2008
San Francisco – The Pacific Research Institute (PRI), a free-market think tank based in California, today released the U.S. Economic Freedom Index: 2008 Report, a ranking of economic freedom in the 50 states. Published in association with Forbes, the Index scores states based on 143 variables, including regulatory and fiscal obstacles imposed on businesses and residents.
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Questions on healthcare reform
Hartford Courant Op-Ed
By: Sally C. Pipes
9.16.2008
Healthcare reform will be front-and-center in the presidential debates. It's a topic that's full of complicated issues, so it can be hard to cut through all the rhetoric and figure out exactly what each candidate is proposing. So here's the skinny on five questions that you'll likely hear many times between now and November.
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The Canadianization of America
Union News Blog News Clipping
By: Jason Clemens
9.15.2008
In Canada, worrying about being Americanized is a national pastime, particularly in political and media circles. It seldom occurred to me the United States could become Canadianized until I moved here, in an election year, no less, and found Americans obsessed with many Canadian ideas at a time when those Canadian ideas are losing favor north of the border because they just don't work.
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McCain, Obama Spar on Education
Education Week News Clipping
By: Alyson Klein
9.15.2008
The campaigns of Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama engaged in a sharp and testy exchange on education last week, making the topic the center of debate for the first time since the long race for the presidency began.
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Let the markets find their own recovery
Philadelphia Inquirer
9.14.2008
The takeover of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, yet another expansion in government intervention from the Bush administration, could end up costing hundreds of billions of dollars and in the long run will only make the U.S. financial crisis worse.
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Future of Fannie and Freddie remains unclear
San Francisco Chronicle News Clipping
9.14.2008
The federal takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac recently could create the opening many have long hoped for - to alter, diminish or eliminate the roles of the government-sponsored mortgage giants.
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Card-check depends on union arm twists
Omaha World-Herald (NE) Op-Ed
By: Jason Clemens
9.11.2008
Now that the nomination of Barack Obama as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate is official, a little-known bill that he co-sponsored and running mate Joe Biden vigorously supported is rightly gaining more attention.
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Bush Administration Threatens to Cut Low-income Parents from SCHIP in Minnesota
State Policy Network Blog
By: Peter Nelson
9.11.2008
More news on the Bush administration’s efforts to crack down on SCHIP is coming out of Minnesota. John Graham of the Pacific Research Institute just explained how the administration appears to have backed down on enforcing its rule restricting SCHIP expansion in states that do not demonstrate that they’ve enrolled 95 percent of eligible children.
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How the Right and Left Fight - An Example of our Divisiveness
Bounded Rationality Blog
By: Jeff Shaw
9.9.2008
Below is a demonstration of how we debate issues in America. In the opening paragraphs of the first editorial, the author sets up a concise summary of the issue to be supported. In the opening paragraph in support of an opposing view: a zinger.
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The Rantings of a P.T.A. Mom
New York Times News Clipping
By: Sandra Tsing Loh
9.9.2008
As usual, Bruce Fuller and Lance Izumi , my fellow Education Watch contributors, make some fascinating points, none more startling to me than Lance’s casual throw-away that Barack Obama sends his children to private school. As a rabid public school Democrat, I crumpled in despair at the news.
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Fitzgerald named Illinois chief justice
Legal Newsline News Clipping
9.9.2008
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Fitzgerald is the state's new chief justice, becoming the high court's 115th leader.
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Will law impress fast-food junkies? Fat chance.
Sacramento Bee "California Forum"
By: John R. Graham
9.7.2008
The latest deployment in the war on obesity is upon us. SB 1420, sponsored by state Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Los Angeles, will require California fast-food restaurants to post the amount of calories in every item on their menu boards. SB 1420's backers believe that when we're forced to see the numbers, we'll do the math and change our eating habits.
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Will a lawsuit today keep Apple away?
Eureka Reporter Op-Ed
By: Daniel R. Ballon, Ph.D
9.7.2008
Last week Psystar, an obscure Miami-based company, launched a legal attack on Apple that could cripple one of California’s key high-tech innovators. The case offers lessons for entrepreneurs and gives the courts an opportunity to end a legal scam that hurts consumers.
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Order and the Court
NJ Business Matters Blog
By: Paul Tyahla
9.5.2008
New Jersey's tort system is increasingly hostile to business. The Pacific Research Institute ranked our tort climate 49th in the nation, Atlantic County was named a Judicial Hellhole, and companies have responded by increasing costs for consumer goods.
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Why McCain needs to read Goldwater
World Net Daily Op-Ed
By: Jason Clemens
9.4.2008
Those who aspire to elected office, and all those who hold office, would do well to heed the advice of Barry Goldwater, former Arizona senator and presidential candidate. None would benefit more than presidential nominee John McCain, Goldwater's Arizona successor in the U.S. Senate.
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Why Cracking Down on Oil Speculators Will Hurt Consumers
Sacramento Union Op-Ed
9.4.2008
California drivers are relieved that oil prices have retreated from record highs in July but all Americans should be concerned that the government is still scrambling to “do something” about oil prices. Proposals to curb “excessive speculation” in commodity futures enjoy bipartisan support. Yet cracking down on oil speculators will only hurt average Americans.
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Health IT Initiatives Less Likely To Be Hijacked, Officials Say
California Healthline News Clipping
By: George Lauer
9.2.2008
This is a cautionary tale. The morals of the story may not apply to health IT applications the same way they do to other parts of the information technology world, according to some industry experts. Others say they do, indirectly.
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'RomneyCare' should keep Mitt off McCain ticket
Scripps News Clipping
By: Deroy Murdock
9.2.2008
Just as most folks maintain a healthy distance from those with contagious diseases, John McCain would be wise to keep Willard Mitt Romney at arm's length. Choosing him for vice president would infect McCain with the worsening symptoms of RomneyCare. The former Massachusetts governor's signature "achievement" already looks destined for the emergency room.
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What you don't hear about health care
Press of Altlantic City (NJ) Op-Ed
By: Sally C. Pipes
9.2.2008
Health care reform will be front-and-center in the presidential debates. It's a topic that's full of complicated issues, so it can be hard to cut through all the rhetoric and figure out exactly what each candidate is proposing. So here's the skinny on five questions that you'll likely hear many times between now and November:
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School Choice Bills Fall Short in California
School Reform News (Heartland Institute) News Clipping
By: Krystle Russin
9.1.2008
California parents will have to wait at least another year for better educational opportunities for their children, as state legislators failed to approve all but one of several school choice bills introduced in the most recent session.
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Labor Day: What Are We Celebrating?
Front Page Magazine Op-Ed
By: Jason Clemens
9.1.2008
On September 1st, Labor Day, cities across the country will hold barbecues, parades, and picnics. On this reprieve from our work routine, it's worth reflecting on what we're celebrating. It is also a good time to ponder some proposed labor-law changes that would affect all workers.
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Global Warming Activists Press Anti-Meat Campaign
Environment & Climate News (Heartland Institute) News Clipping
By: Krystle Russin
9.1.2008
Global warming activists are putting agriculture firmly in their crosshairs, launching new efforts to restrict meat production and consumption.
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