Media Bias on Behalf of Big Government
We all know not to take politicians' rhetoric at face value. But not enough of us have yet learned not to take media rhetoric at face value either, even...
About: Thomas Sowell
Posts by Thomas Sowell
Budget Crisis Rhetoric
Government budget crises can be painful, but the political rhetoric accompanying these crises can also be fascinating and revealing. Perhaps the most famous American budget crisis was New York...
A Republican Showdown?
They say that, in politics, "overnight is a lifetime." In other words, the journey from triumphant hero to discredited scapegoat can be very brief. ...
Mascot Politics
Dr. Victor Davis Hanson's quietly chilling article, "Two Californias," in National Review Online, ought to be read by every American who is concerned about where this country is headed....
“Saving” the Housing Market
"Housing Market Setback Forecast" the newspaper headline said. A recently released report on housing says that home sales are down more than 25 percent and the inventory of unsold...
Promises and Riots
Economists are the real "party of No." They keep saying that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and politicians keep on getting elected by promising free...
Political End Runs Around the Constitution
The Constitution of the United States begins with the words "We the people." But neither the Constitution nor "we the people" will mean anything if politicians and judges can...
Walter Williams’ Memoir: Up from the Projects
Walter E. Williams is my oldest and closest friend. But I didn't know that his autobiography had just been published until a talk-show host told me last week. I...
Political Deception, Tax Cuts, and Unemployment
Let's face it, politics is largely the art of deception, and political rhetoric is largely the art of misstating issues. A classic example is the current debate over whether...
“Tax cuts for the Rich” Demagoguery
Guess who said the following: "It is incredible that a system of taxation which permits a man with an income of $1,000,000 a year to pay not one cent...
Can Republicans Talk?
The biggest battle in the lame-duck session of Congress may well be over whether or not to extend the Bush administration's tax cuts, which are scheduled to expire in...
Airport “Security”?
No country has better airport security than Israel — and no country needs it more, since Israel is the most hated target of Islamic extremist terrorists. Yet, somehow, Israeli...
Deficit Reduction
Another deficit reduction commission has now made its recommendations. My own recommendation for dealing with deficits would include stopping the appointment of deficit reduction commissions. ...
The “Gridlock” Bogeyman
Whenever the party that controls the White House does not also control Capitol Hill, political pundits worry that there will be "gridlock" in Washington, so that the government cannot...
Political Judges
Results of the recent elections showed that growing numbers of Americans are fed up with "public servants" who act as if they are public masters. This went beyond the...
FDR, Barack Obama, and Failed Policies
Guess who said the following: "We have tried spending money. We are spending more than we have ever spent before and it does not work." Was it Sarah Palin?...
A Crossroads Election
Most elections are about particular policies, particular scandals or particular personalities. But these issues don't mean as much this year — not because they are not important, but because...
Brass Oldies
Classic songs from years past are sometimes referred to as "golden oldies." There are political fallacies that have been around for a long time as well. These might be...
Is Barney Frank?: Part II
Among longtime politicians who are being seriously challenged for the first time this election year, Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts best epitomizes the cynical ruthlessness which hides behind their...
Is Barney Frank?
You would be hard pressed to find a politician who is less frank than Congressman Barney Frank. Even in an occupation where truth and candor are often lacking, Congressman...