The Federal Mega-Debt is Here to Stay
US fiscal realities are well known. Total federal debt outstanding has now reached $34 trillion, up from $98 billion in 1981, $5.67 trillion in 2000, $13.56 trillion in 2010, and $26.95 trillion in 2020. And at 120 percent of the
How the US Regime Subsidizes Immigration—both Legal and Illegal
In recent months, stories from both the legacy media and the independent media have continued to pile up on how undocumented foreign nationals—also known as "migrants" and "illegal aliens"—are able to take advantage of a vast network of taxpayer funded
America’s Growing Banking Crisis
On this episode of Radio Rothbard, Ryan McMaken and Tho Bishop are joined by Doug French to discuss the health of US banks, the specific dangers of commercial real estate debt, and the risks of industry consolidation. Discussed on the Show "The
Biden, Trump Aren’t Getting Unequal Treatment in Document Cases
Walter Olson On page 250 of his report, special counsel Robert Hur explains why it’s not inconsistent as a legal matter for the federal government to pursue charges against Donald Trump but not Joe Biden in the respective cases arising from their
There Is Successful Governance Outside of State Power
Government and state are terms typically used synonymously these days. But if a state is an institution with a monopoly on the allowable use of aggression in a given territory, is a government always this as well? We know governing
If You Spend Time in Jail Because the Government Lied, You Should Be Able to Sue
Thomas A. Berry The Fourth Amendment guarantees that “no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause.” If an arrest warrant is issued without probable cause that a crime has been committed, the person arrested can sue for “malicious prosecution.” But what if
Biden White House: FISA Good, Warrants Bad
Patrick G. Eddington Former president Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked what he generically refers to as the Washington, DC “deep state”—usually an inference about the FBI’s misuse of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to target his 2016 presidential campaign. On
New Paper: Only 3 Percent of Green Card Applicants Will Get Approved in 2024
David J. Bier The Cato Institute published my new briefing paper today showing that just 3 percent of immigrants will receive green cards in 2024. This paper also shows that during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, 98.1 percent of legal
Let’s Fix the Quorum Quandary at FERC
Travis Fisher The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is not a household name, but its impact on the daily lives of Americans is profound. FERC is an independent and bipartisan federal agency, and a well-functioning FERC is essential to a well-functioning
Social Security Pays Excessive Benefits to the Highest-Income Earners: A UK Comparison
Romina Boccia When it comes to government provision of retirement benefits, differences abound. Comparing the US Social Security program to the UK state pension illustrates a stark contrast. While both countries promise an old-age safety net, the US Social Security benefit