‘Secular stagnation’ isn’t to blame for lousy U.S. growth rates. Obama’s higher taxes and regulatory assault are. By PHIL GRAMM April 20, 2015 8:17 p.m. ET Since the Obama recovery began in the second quarter of 2009, public and private projections of economic growth have consistently overestimated actual performance. Six...
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Category Archives: Monetary Policy
Mike Solon-Opinion Journal: Tax-and-Spend’s Destructive History
2/3/2015 1:20PM US Policy Metrics Partner Michael Solon on data that shows economic growth, not higher taxes, is the most reliable way to raise federal revenue. Photo credit: Getty Images. Watch the video here...
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WSJ: The Reagan-Clinton Template for Success
Divided government doesn’t have to be a prescription for stalemate. Past bipartisan achievements point the way. By Phil Gramm and Michael Solon Dec 15, 2014 After his re-election to become the next majority leader of the Senate, Mitch McConnell‘s first words were not about his or his party’s wins but rather...
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WSJ: How to Distort Income Inequality
The Piketty-Saez data ignore changes in tax law and fail to count noncash compensation and Social Security benefits. By Phil Gramm And Michael Solon Nov. 11, 2014 6:50 p.m. ET What the hockey-stick portrayal of global temperatures did in bringing a sense of crisis to the issue of global warming...
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WSJ: Senate Democrats vs. the Middle Class
Senators elected in 2008 made Obama’s agenda possible, and its results have harmed most Americans. By PHIL GRAMM And MICHAEL SOLON Aug. 17, 2014 7:10 p.m. ET On Nov. 3, 2008, seven new Democratic senators were elected, giving Democrats 58 votes. Eight months later, with the Minnesota Senate race settled and...
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WSJ-Gramm and Wallison: Worse Than Fannie and Freddie
A bipartisan Senate housing reform would double down on the mistakes that led to the financial crisis. By Phil Gramm And Peter Wallison April 16, 2014 7:03 p.m. ET In this era of partisan gridlock, any legislative proposal with significant bipartisan sponsorship should be praised and supported if it simply...
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Gramm and Solon: Suddenly, an Opening for Tax Reform
Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden now recognizes that a pro-growth tax reform can raise revenues. By Phil Gramm and Mike Solon A glimmer of hope for the economy and deficit reduction flashed from the Senate this past weekend when the new Senate Finance Committee Chairman, Ron Wyden, announced “a breakthrough”...
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Phil Gramm and Thomas R. Saving-Janet Yellen’s Greatest Challenge
Every month that the Fed’s quantitative easing goes on, the exit strategy becomes more difficult and dangerous. By PHIL GRAMM and THOMAS R. SAVING With the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday approving Janet Yellen’s nomination to lead the Federal Reserve, her confirmation is virtually assured. Less certain is what Ms. Yellen ultimately intends to...
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WSJ: The Clinton-Era Roots of the Financial Crisis
Affordable-housing goals established in the 1990s led to a massive increase in risky, subprime mortgages. By Phil Gramm and Mike Solon Aug. 12, 2013 6:55 p.m. ET Simply put, the financial crisis of 2008 was caused by a lot of banks making a lot of loans to a lot of...
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Gramm and McMillin: The Debt Problem Hasn’t Vanished
While deficit projections have recently moderated, the cost of servicing the national debt will explode once interest rates begin to rise. A version of this article appeared May 22, 2013, on page A15 in the U.S. edition of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: The Debt Problem Hasn’t Vanished....
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