The same politicians who swore that inflation was “transitory” during the last presidential administration have suddenly found religion on the issue of “affordability.” Emboldened by recent election victories in three blue bastions of America, the left is licking its chops at its perceived political good fortunes. You can’t turn on a left-leaning cable station without […]
Posted inPolitics
The Debit Card Fee Cap Should Be a Warning on Credit Card Regulation
Nearly 15 years ago, Congress and the Federal Reserve capped the fees that merchants pay to processors and debit-card-issuing banks when customers use debit cards for their purchases. This regulation of “interchange fees” is now back in the spotlight. Two federal appellate courts have issued conflicting rulings on whether the Fed exceeded its authority, so […]
Posted inHealthcare
A Good Idea That Broke Bad: Why Pain Is Still a Vital Sign
When U.S. medicine declared pain “the fifth vital sign” in the 1990s, it was a call to take patients seriously. At its core was the belief that tracking pain as carefully as the other four vital signs—heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and breathing rate—would improve care. But when opioid promoters co-opted this new standard with unethical […]
Posted inTechnology
Meta’s Antitrust Victory Brightens Social Media’s Future
Call it a win for common sense, but Meta recently emerged victorious in its antitrust case against the Federal Trade Commission. The U.S. District Court affirmed what the reasonable already knew: Meta does not have a monopoly on social media and is in a constant battle to stay relevant amid competition from ever-changing directions. The […]
Posted inPolitics
Trump’s Tariffs Are Changing How Consumers Use Credit
A majority of Americans are acclimating to the inflationary effects of President Trump’s tariffs. From groceries to clothes, consumers are feeling the brunt of the administration’s tariff policy. As prices rise, more Americans are relying on credit to make ends meet. While some politicians think price controls, such as interest rate caps on credit cards and small loans, will help solve the […]
Posted inTechnology
Protecting U.S. Homes from China’s Hacking
There’s little doubt that China is brazenly attempting to influence U.S. culture. Whether it’s sweeping cyberattacks and the hacking of sensitive information, or subtler efforts to entrench Chinese products and services in everyday life, Beijing is looking to erode America’s economic strength and national security. Consider that many venerable U.S. companies have been acquired by […]
Posted inPolitics
NYC’s Lander Puts Politics Ahead of Fiscal Policy. Will Retirees Pay the Price?
Some state and local governments have recently begun using public employee retirement funds to advance political policy goals, including the push to “decarbonize” the economy. Observers warn that this kind of politicization undermines the principle that public pensions should serve solely the financial interests of beneficiaries rather than broader political goals. The latest flashpoint: Brad […]
Posted inFinance
Will Congress Limit Holiday Credit Purchases?
Christmas is almost here, and that means it’s time to shop for presents. What could be better than showering your loved ones with gifts? However, for millions of Americans, it also means something else: credit card debt. The typical American household has $11,000 in credit card debt. The holidays are by far the time when Americans take […]
Posted inHealthcare
There Is Still One Big Risk to the GLP-1 Boom
As Americans prepare for Christmas, it’s safe to say there were plenty of jokes at family tables this year about the explosion of popularity of GLP-1 weight loss drugs. As of August, 12 percent of Americans reported using these drugs, and at least 35 percent are considering the treatment originally intended for type 2 diabetes, […]