John A. Parnell, Ph.D.
Some type of tax reform will probably pass this year, but I expect the same philosophical debate we saw during the Ryancare debacle. Real tax reform requires 3 things: Lower taxes, less spending, and simplification of the system. Cutting taxes is not too difficult politically. Spending reductions are feasible because a better tax code can […]
Read MoreHealth care reform is a complicated topic, but explaining why Ryan’s health care proposal failed is not. With all its flaws, Obamacare has forever changed public expectations about healthcare. It’s now unconscionable to expect average Americans to take financial responsibility for their own coverage. Insurance companies are expected to eat losses from consumers with preexisting […]
Read MoreSenator Paul’s caricature of Ryan’s health care bill as Obama Light seems to be accurate. As the debate ensues, several realities must remain front and center. As I’ve reminded readers in the past, those of us who warned in 2009 that it would be almost impossible to overturn the ACA were correct. The reason is […]
Read MoreI’d like to revisit the issue of illegal immigration, but let me make two points at the outset: First, I am addressing illegal immigration. Like most Americans, I believe immigration is a good thing when managed properly. We can debate issues around legal immigration, but that’s a different topic. Second, opposing illegal immigration has nothing […]
Read MorePaul Ryan and leaders in the Republican House are proposing a border adjustment tax as part of their tax reform package. There is some merit to the idea, but problems as well. What is a border tax anyway? I’ll borrow Investopedia’s definition: “A border adjustment tax is a short name for a destination-based cash flow […]
Read MoreKim Strassel was on the UNCP campus yesterday (https://youtu.be/OA5eOZse05Y) addressing threats to individual, corporate, and political speech. Strassel recently penned—and I just finished reading—The Intimidation Game: How the Left is Silencing Free Speech. It’s a great book that chronicles efforts to silence corporations, nonprofits, executives, board members, professors, and anyone else whose point of view […]
Read MoreWhen discussing Trump’s reference to a possible 20% tariff on goods from Mexico this morning, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo astutely pointed out that consumers would end up paying for it through higher prices. He’s basically correct. Of course, the higher prices would drive some consumers away, but let’s assume most would be willing to pay […]
Read MoreIn my last post, I questioned whether the Republicans have the courage to do what needs to be done with healthcare. Let’s talk specifics. In an ideal world, everyone would purchase private health insurance to cover large, unforeseen medical expenses, and budget accordingly to pay for routine visits to the doctor. Those who genuinely cannot […]
Read MoreSeveral weeks ago, I blogged on the need to face facts when repealing Obamacare. With this issue front and center this week, I’m returning to the topic to make a few more comments. During the past several weeks, I’ve heard countless party strategists, Congressional representatives, and Senators explaining how the Republicans will repeal Obamacare. They […]
Read MoreI addressed the comments of CSU-Dominguez Hills professor Terry McGlynn in my last post. While arguing for the “open exchange of ideas,” McGlynn castigated Trump and his supporters as, among other things, racists and deniers of science. I believe McGlynn’s view is mainstream in academe. Not all academics are progressives or are hostile to those […]
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