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The case for hostage taking
POLITICO By Edward Conard | October 14, 2013 As the budget and debt ceiling-standoff continues in Washington, many are asking the wrong question: Which party will pay a political price for the government shutdown? Democrats are comparing Republicans to “hostage-takers”; Republicans complain that Democrats refuse to negotiate. Here’s the right question: Can we afford not to have this fight? With federal expenditures running 30 percent higher than revenues, debt at ... Read More
To Restrain Leviathan, Let’s Outlaw Mandatory Spending Increases
Real Clear Politics By Edward Conard | July 3, 2013 Mandatory spending ensures there will never be a grand bargain to bring America's fiscal policy back into equilibrium. Despite our threatening fiscal affairs-a $650 billion deficit, publically held debt at an unprecedented 75% of GDP, entitlement growth that eats our economy alive, and no end in sight-the Democrats refuse to cut spending and reform entitlements and the Republicans refuse to raise taxes further. ... Read More
Ed Conard on “Up” with Chris Hayes debating Sen. Sherrod Brown
Ed debates Senator Sherrod Brown and Molly Ball from The Atlantic on what the administration and Congress should do leading up to the fiscal cliff. ... Read More