Yearly Archives

Monthly Archives

Commentaries

Taking a Swipe at the Capital Gains Tax

by Pamela Villarreal

As evidenced by the recent Democratic debates, the presidential candidates are focusing their attention on the capital gains tax. Sen. Barack Obama has indicated that he would consider raising the tax to its 1996 level of 28 percent.

Posted: Apr 22, 2008 | Research Topic:

Fixing the AMT: Could a Flatter Tax System Be in the Works?

by Pamela Villarreal

Millions of Americans will be hit with the Alternative Minimum Tax this year if measures are not taken to patch or repeal it. Reps. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) and Paul Ryan (R-Wis) have both sponsored bills to repeal the AMT. One of them, Ryan's Taxpayer Choice Act, closely resembles a flat tax. Could this type of tax system become a reality?

Posted: Nov 12, 2007 | Research Topic: Income Taxes/AMT

Hillary's New "American Retirement Account:" The Saver's Credit Repackaged?

by Pamela Villarreal

Any proposals to eliminate tax penalties to get individuals to save for retirement are worthy of consideration. But what about plans that reward savers with government funds?

Posted: Oct 10, 2007 | Research Topic: Overview- Taxes and Growth

Lottocracy

by Pete du Pont

[Wall Street Journal| August 31, 2007] Curtail the First Amendment? Why not just do away with elections?

Posted: Aug 31, 2007 | Research Topic: Monetary Policy

Moral Hazard at the Fed

by Bob McTeer

[Dallas Morning News | August 23, 2007] With the recent credit crunch and drop in the markets, pundits criticized Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke for not taking action sooner. But there are reasons why the Fed is so reluctant to intervene in financial markets.

Posted: Aug 24, 2007 | Research Topic: Monetary Policy

Don't Dismiss Our Dismal Savings Rate

by Bob McTeer

[The Wall Street Journal | July 17, 2007] The main fallacy in monetary theory and policy is the confusion of money and wealth. The bottom line is that real wealth has to be produced; it can't be printed.

Posted: Jul 18, 2007 | Research Topic: Monetary Policy

Dems Want You to Take a Hike

by Pete du Pont

[The Wall Street Journal | May 24, 2007] The hottest domestic political issue of the coming two years will be federal income taxes.

Posted: Jun 22, 2007 | Research Topic: Monetary Policy

P=MV/Q

by Bob McTeer

[The Wall Street Journal | January 23, 2007] While a weaker economy might well reduce inflation, that isn't a necessary condition. Faster growth can also reduce inflation.

Posted: Feb 09, 2007 | Research Topic: Monetary Policy