A succinct truth: money doesn’t grow on trees. Local government funds municipal projects in one of three principal ways: through local taxes & fees, local borrowing (debt in the form of bonds), or public money from other jurisdictions (grants from the state or federal government). These grants of state or federal public money are, themselves,…
Federal Government
Federal Government, Law, Liberty
She’s Right
by JOHN ADAMS •
Corporate Welfare, Federal Government, Government Spending, Innovation Center/Tech Park
No, That’s Not Why There’s an Innovation Center
by JOHN ADAMS •
Perhaps, just perhaps, Whitewater’s a laboratory for testing the theory that if one repeats a flimsy explanation long enough, it will become true. Over at the Daily Union, there’s a recent story about a university project that’s developed a smartphone app that allows users “to link organized recreational activities with social media.” One reads that…
Federal Government, Weird Tales
Federal government caves, withdraws disciplinary action against flatulent worker
by JOHN ADAMS •
Despite trillions annually, and more lawful authority than any human institution in all history, the U.S. federal government is still too craven to discipline even one malodorous employee: The Social Security Administration officially reprimanded an employee whom colleagues accused of continuously “passing gas and releasing an unpleasant odor” that created a “hostile work environment.” After…
Federal Government, Government Spending
Public Elves? Oh, Brother
by JOHN ADAMS •
The days of a quiet, humble ‘job well done’ are over. One knows this, after seeing a public service video in which government workers praise themselves, and liken their own work to that of eleves. Say what one might about the productivity of the government, at least it’s working overtime on the self-promoting-video front. Published also at Daily Adams.
Federal Government, Government Spending
Three Good Reasons to Abolish the Department of Homeland Security
by JOHN ADAMS •
America, Federal Government, History, Holiday, Law, Liberty, Politics
Happy Constitution Day
by JOHN ADAMS •
Federal Government, Government Spending, Marketing
Why there’s Room and Reason to Reduce the Military Budget
by JOHN ADAMS •
There’s much worry – but not reasonable worry – about the imposition of sequestration, across-the-board cuts to reduce overspending, on America’s military budget. Our fundamental security will always come from a healthy economy that fosters the economic growth and innovation that makes a professional, well-equipped military possible. Second, we would still have an unmatched military…
Banking & Finance, Economy, Federal Government, Open Government
Why audit the Fed?
by JOHN ADAMS •
Transparency, better understanding of policy, and administrative accountability: no federal agency, including the Federal Reserve, should be free from thorough review. The better question, to which there isn’t a persuasive objection: Why not audit the Fed? Posted originally on 7.26.12 at Daily Adams.
Banking & Finance, Corporate Welfare, Federal Government
The Cronyism Behind Discount VIP Loans for Congressmen
by JOHN ADAMS •
Business, Federal Government, Food
How ‘Big Food’ Dominates the USDA to Dominate Organic Agriculture
by JOHN ADAMS •
Federal Government, Government Spending, Taxes/Taxation
How Government Discourages Savings
by JOHN ADAMS •
One often hears that Americans don’t save enough, but why is that? For a few, it’s probably the consequence of spending too much, conspicuously, to keep up appearances. For most people, though, that’s not true: the percentage of lavish, status-conscious spenders is a small part of most communities. One of the reasons Americans don’t save…
City, Corporate Welfare, Federal Government, Government Spending, State Government
The Innovation Express Generac Bus: ‘Public Transit Is Not Expected to Make Money’
by JOHN ADAMS •
The ‘Innovation Express’ – even less efficient, more costly, and more unjustified as crony capitalism than anyone might have thought! There are two stories at the Janesville Gazette that do their damnedest to justify federal, state, and local subsidies ($83,005) for a bus that benefits principally a few workers from multi-billion-dollar Generac, but even cheerleading…