[ More Commentary ]
President Obama on Thursday announced the nominations of Leon Panetta for Secretary of Defense, and Gen. David Petraeus for CIA director. Cato scholars Christopher Preble and Justin Logan believe that these choices signal an unwillingness on Obama's part to rethink U.S. foreign policy. Argues Logan, "[T]hese nominations, combined with other evidence, strongly suggest that Obama views foreign policy primarily as an instrument of domestic politics "
Wednesday began a new chapter in Federal Reserve history: the Fed joined other major central banks in holding a press conference after its monetary policy meetings. But Cato scholar Mark A. Calabria cautions: "In all of Ben Bernanke's public appearances, he has consistently managed to avoid any real discussion about the costs and benefits of the Fed's actions. ...[I]t is always somebody else's fault — never the Fed's. They are capable of only good."
Multiple challenges to President Obama's health care reform are percolating through the federal courts. Soon the Supreme Court will be asked to weigh in on perhaps the most important question of the post-New Deal era: Are there any remaining limits on the breadth and scope of federal power? In a new study, Cato chairman Robert A. Levy explains why the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which includes a mandate that individuals either purchase a government-prescribed health insurance policy or pay a penalty, is unconstitutional.
Climate Coup
A first-rate team of experts offers compelling documentation on the pervasive influence global warming alarmism now has on almost every aspect of our society--from national defense, law, trade, and politics to health, education, and international development.
Schools for Misrule
This new book reveals how our nation's law schools have become a hatchery of bad ideas, many of which confer power and status on the schools' graduates and faculty, as law comes to pervade more areas of life.
The False Promise of Green Energy
Offers an outstanding, nearly unprecedented evaluation of claims by green energy and green jobs proponents that we can improve the economy and the environment, almost risk free, by spending billions of dollars on what are ultimately false promises.
Rehabilitating Lochner
A timely reevaluation of a widely misunderstood and unfairly criticized 1905 Supreme Court decision (Lochner v New York), which invalidated state laws limiting work hours, and became the leading case contending that novel economic regulations were unconstitutional.
Government Failure
Politicians often cite 'market failure' as justification for meddling with the economy, but this classic book shows how government 'cures' often cause more harm than good.
The Case for Gold
This landmark book was the minority report from the U.S. Gold Commission in 1982, which evaluated the role of gold in the monetary system. It covers the history of gold in the United States, explains how the breakdown in its use as a financial standard was caused by government, and details the critical need for sound money.