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...
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WSJ-Jimmy Carter, Champion of Deregulation
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...
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WSJ-Welfare Is What’s Eating the Budget
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...
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WSJ-Housing Is the Sleeper Issue of the 2024 Campaign
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...
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WSJ-We All Pay the Price for Protectionism
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...
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