As you probably know, sales tax is typically not assessed on internet sales crossing state lines. Under the Supreme Court’s Commerce Clause doctrine, states are generally prohibited from requiring out-of-state retailers from collecting “use” taxes for sales to in-state residents. … Continue Reading
Andrew Sullivan’s recent apologia—or, perhaps, obituary—of conservatism makes at least one very good point: Modern conservatism has painted itself into a corner. Concerning the poor and uninsured, for example, Mr. Sullivan rightly observes that “in a society that won’t let… Continue Reading
Lots of people pounced on President Obama for his comment the other day suggesting ATMs kill jobs. Here’s the President: “There are some structural issues with our economy where a lot of businesses have learned to become much more efficient… Continue Reading
It’s easy to take an indignant moral position on a single issue. “Torture is wrong.” “Abortion is wrong.” “Coerced transactions are wrong.” Such positions aren’t rare, and thus not particularly interesting. What is rare, however, is the ability to demonstrate… Continue Reading
When Jonathan Chait mentioned that Paul Ryan “will not touch Social Security,” it reminded me of a mean trick that often happens in political rhetoric: namely, when the left criticizes the right as being inconsistent for denouncing big government while… Continue Reading