Opinion

I was told I might cry when seeing the total solar eclipse in person. While no tears fell, I felt the moment in a much deeper way than anticipated.

The (Anderson) Herald Bulletin

The fourth anniversary of COVID offers an economics columnist a rich set of policy lessons. Among the most pressing is the political economy of inflation. I begin by reminding readers that inflation is largely a policy choice, involving a trade-off between either increasing unemployment or reducing the purchasing power of our dollar.

(Anderson) Herald Bulletin

Faithful readers of this column will surely know that I possess some deep libertarian tendencies.

I’ve been married now for a bit more than half of my life. One thing I’ve learned is that when my wife says I’m explaining something poorly, she’s probably right. Last week she suggested I do a better job of explaining what I mean about the rising demand for college-educated workers, and what it means for students, parents and state policymakers.

Dear Santa,

We are coming up on election season quickly, so it is again time to evaluate claims about economic policy. This isn’t a partisan process; candidates across the board tend to make claims that might trouble a close observer of the economy. I will focus on claims that might plausibly lead to counterproductive policies. I begin with the many claims about manufacturing, and its role in our economy.

The venom in the U.S. Senate primary has been surprising, especially this early. But the bigger factor is that a sitting GOP congressman has focused so intently on an opponent who might not even be on the ballot.

Indiana became a state 207 years ago. All of our governors and U.S. senators have been white guys. So have all our House speakers, Senate presidents, House Ways & Means and Senate Finance and Appropriation committee chairs.