Rates were high in the 19th century, but the economy boomed most when the rates were at their lowest. By Phil Gramm and Donald J. Boudreaux Oct. 16, 2024 4:39 pm ET Modern protectionists are desperate to find historical examples of tariffs promoting industrialization and economic growth. To this end, they...

The former president, who turns 100 Tuesday, gets too little credit for making America competitive again. By Phil Gramm Sept. 30, 2024 1:26 pm ET Jimmy Carter, who turns 100 on Oct. 1, doesn’t get enough credit for the quarter-century economic boom from 1983 to 2008 and the underlying resilience of...

Means-tested programs, not Medicare and Social Security, are behind today’s massive debt. By Phil Gramm and Jodey Arrington Sept. 11, 2024 5:02 pm ET Ask any budget expert in Washington to explain the ballooning deficit and debt, and Social Security and Medicare will be high on the list of causes. That’s...

Harris promises to double down on Biden policies that have made it more expensive to buy a home. By Michael Solon Aug. 25, 2024 3:22 pm ET Vice President Kamala Harris cast tie-breaking votes that ensured passage of the American Rescue Plan Act, the Inflation Reduction Act and the Biden budget. In doing...

Industrial policy intrudes on our sovereignty as consumers to protect politically favored jobs. By Phil Gramm and Donald J. Boudreaux Aug. 12, 2024 5:11 pm ET Since Adam Smith debunked mercantilism in “The Wealth of Nations” (1776), the political appeal of trade protectionism has centered on its ability to benefit a privileged few...