News and Views on Politics, Policy and More
You haven’t read about this story in the mainstream media. It wasn’t reported during the legislative session, and perhaps it would never have been reported if it weren’t for The Arkansas Project and the folks at Arkansas Carry. But what you are about to read is the story of what may be the most significant (pro-liberty) accomplishment of the 89th General Assembly. In late February, the legislature considered HB1408, a bill that would have legalized carrying a firearm openly in … [Read more...]
We interrupt this broadcast to bring you two news items that could change the shape of the Medicaid expansion debate happening at this very moment in Little Rock. First, you must read this article by Michael Cannon of Cato Institute that reveals: 1. The PPACA is not likely to reduce uncompensated care in 2014. 2. The PPACA won’t reduce the deficit. 3. Hospitals can stop crying poverty. 4. States don’t need to expand Medicaid to protect hospitals. How do we know all of this? … [Read more...]
Well, tomorrow night’s the big night that we’ve all been waiting for -- Decision 2012. Many political commentators have called it (as they do every four years) “the biggest election of our lifetimes.” In Arkansas, there are five ballot issues to be decided, including medical marijuana and a half-cent sales tax increase. The state legislature is also poised for a change of party leadership for the first time since Reconstruction. So, where can you find the best, most extensive, most … [Read more...]
Earlier this week, Governor Mike Beebe created a bit of a kerfuffle when he spoke before a group of business leaders at the Arkansas Governor’s Quality Awards ceremony. Rather than discussing whatever it is you discuss at those fancy dinners, Beebe took to the lectern to criticize the allegedly sinister Americans For Prosperity-Arkansas and their new television ad. The ad talks about the shrinking opportunity in our state due to the growth of government and lack of economic freedom (which, … [Read more...]
Four members of “Occupy Little Rock” have finally found a public place where the government will let them reside--unfortunately, it is the Pulaski County jail. One of those arrested yesterday was my new friend, Glen “Mac” Miller, who I recently interviewed. In case you haven’t been following the story, the Occupiers were given ample notice that they had until 7 a.m. Wednesday to leave the park they were camping in, so that the city could use the area for parking for … [Read more...]
I made a trip down to Occupy Little Rock today, in light of their seemingly imminent eviction from city property at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow--as you’ll see in the following video(s), they aren’t so sure the eviction will take place. It was kind of like walking into a warzone with all of the debris and trash, as you can see from the picture below, albeit peaceful. Anyway, I had a great discussion with Mac Miller, a self-proclaimed spokesman for the group. He was very cordial and forthcoming … [Read more...]
I have policy disagreements with our state’s surgeon general, Joe Thompson, but that is unrelated to yesterday’s news of his arrest by the Little Rock Police Department. What is interesting about the arrest is that Thompson appears innocent of what he was arrested for. Of course, people don’t just get arrested for no reason. Thompson was arrested Saturday night because he was argumentative, perhaps because he was drinking, and probably because he was obnoxious. But drinking and being … [Read more...]
Guest commentary When President Obama attacked Congressional Republicans Wednesday over the federal budget, it made me wonder if he fully grasps the scope of the threat our nation faces from runaway debt. Let’s look at the evidence. The U.S. federal debt now clocks in at more than $14 trillion and counting. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently reported that the federal debt will exceed the entire U.S. economy within a decade under current policies. If government spending continues … [Read more...]
