Articles by Richard W. Rahn
What amendments to the U.S. Constitution, if any, would you like to see? The widespread belief is that the American constitutional republic, if not actually broken, is in a state of disrepair. In his new, best-selling book, "The Liberty Amendments: Restoring the American Republic," Mark R. Levin, president of the Landmark Legal Foundation and nationally syndicated talk-show host, proposes a number of amendments to the Constitution as a fix. Mr. Levin argues that amendments are needed because the nation has entered an age of "post-constitutional soft tyranny" — as defined by the great 19th-century French historian and philosopher, Alexis de Tocqueville, who wrote in "Democracy in America":
Published
August 27, 2013
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Why does the Obama administration claim it wants you to pay less for your airline ticket, but more for the shrimp you buy?
Published
August 20, 2013
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The Obama administration has a penchant for not safeguarding agents of the U.S. government that it ought to protect, while at the same time protecting errant civil servants, some of whom belong in jail.
Published
August 13, 2013
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Terrorists, money launderers, drug dealers and tax evaders use automobiles, airplanes, telephones, computers, banks and countless other goods and services that we all use.
Published
August 6, 2013
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Published
July 30, 2013
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If you knew nothing else about President Obama other than looking at the data, you might conclude that he was insensitive to blacks, given that they have done far worse economically under his administration than Hispanics or whites.
Published
July 26, 2013
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Most people who work in government have no problem giving their real names and telling you what they do, but there are exceptions.
Published
July 23, 2013
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What type of tax reform do you want? Simplification of the existing progressive income tax system? A flat tax? A sales tax? A value-added tax?
Published
July 16, 2013
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Stall speed is the airspeed at which an aircraft stops producing lift. Unless immediate corrective action is taken, such as reducing the wing's angle of attack or the weight of the aircraft, the results are not likely to be good.
Published
July 9, 2013
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Guayaquil, Ecuador
Published
July 2, 2013
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San Cristobal, Galapagos
Published
June 25, 2013
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There is an all-too-common tendency for humans (particularly members of the political class) to blame or scapegoat others when they bungle their jobs.
Published
June 18, 2013
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Vienna, Austria
Published
June 11, 2013
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Vilnius, Lithuania
Published
June 4, 2013
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"The need to slough off the outworn old to make possible the productive new is universal.
Published
May 28, 2013
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Every few years, at least from the time of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, there is a scandal involving abuse of power at the Internal Revenue Service.
Published
May 21, 2013
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How many new immigrants should the United States allow each year? How many guest workers? These are not easy questions, which is why there is as much fierce debate within the two parties as between them.
Published
May 14, 2013
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There is considerable evidence that drinking one glass of red wine per day for most middle-aged men has more health benefits than costs. There is also considerable evidence that drinking three or more glasses of wine per day causes more health problems than benefits.
Published
May 7, 2013
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As a mental challenge, try to think of all of the governmental activities - federal, state and local - that could be privatized. Now, go a step further. Suppose you were required to develop a plan to privatize, or make self-supporting through user fees, nearly every activity of government.
Published
April 30, 2013
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Should Americans be spending more on public security, or less? After a week of two horrific events, the Boston Marathon attack and the Texas fertilizer-plant explosion, most would probably answer the above question by saying, "We're not spending enough." Such an emotional response is not surprising particularly after seeing the highly competent and courageous response of the police, firefighters and medical first responders.
Published
April 23, 2013
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