Donald Trump’s Forgotten Plan to Tax Wealth
Friday July 26, 2024 | Lawrence J. McQuillan

There is a renewed effort to impose a wealth tax on Americans. Several bills in Congress would tax and redistribute wealth supposedly to benefit the poor and “ensure the wealthy pay their fair share,” in the words of President Joe Biden. Biden and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D–Mass.) have offered the most widely discussed proposals for taxing wealth. (more…)

The Controversy Surrounding Microdosing Chocolate Bars
Thursday July 25, 2024 | Raymond J. March

California-based company Diamond Shruumz was once one of the premier providers of microdosing products in the US. Providing “artisanal chocolates… designed for creative souls,” Diamond Shruumz offered chocolate bars, ice cream cones, gummies, and other sweets with trace amounts of psilocybin- the psychedelic found in magic mushrooms.  (more…)

Europe’s Resurgent Far-Right
Wednesday July 24, 2024 | Alvaro Vargas Llosa

The Associated Press explained what had happened in France’s parliamentary elections in the eighteenth paragraph of its July 8 story: “Rather than rallying behind [President Emmanuel] Macron,” AP reported, “millions took the vote as an opportunity to vent anger about inflation, crime, immigration and other grievances.”  (more…)

What Biden’s Decision Shows About Democratic Government
Tuesday July 23, 2024 | Randall G. Holcombe

A romantic view of democracy depicts democratic governments as accountable to their citizens and acting in their citizens’ interests. An alternative view of democratic governments—and all governments—is that they are run by an elite few and act to further the interests of the elite. (more…)

The IRS and the Scale of Fraud during the Pandemic
Monday July 22, 2024 | Craig Eyermann

The scale of fraud against U.S. taxpayers during the coronavirus pandemic amounts to billions, possibly even trillions of dollars. Count the Internal Revenue Service among the government agencies that enabled the frauds that were perpetrated. The numbers aren’t small, as Reason’s J.D. Tucille reports: (more…)

Baseball’s Designated Hitter Rule Encourages “Beanball”
Wednesday July 17, 2024 | William F. Shughart II

The benches cleared in the ninth inning at Baltimore’s Camden Yards on July 12 after Yankees closer Clay Holmes hit Orioles batter Hester Kjerstad in the head with a 97-mph sinker. The pitch struck Kjerstad’s batting helmet. Not seriously hurt, fortunately, he jumped up immediately from home plate after dropping to the deck in an unsuccessful effort to avoid Holmes’s pitch. (more…)

Trudeau Faces Major Setback in Toronto–St. Paul’s By-Election
Tuesday July 16, 2024 | Francis Crescia

During last year’s Liberal National Convention, Justin Trudeau delivered the keynote speech. He was animated and worked the podium to dispel rumors that he was no longer up for the job. Trudeau stared into the camera and spoke directly to his political opponent Pierre Poilievre: “They either say investing in Canadians is a waste of money, or that our policies are too woke. Too woke, he said. Hey Pierre Poilievre, it’s time for you to wake up.” (more…)