Political Science: Public Opinion 
Recommended
Don't Just Blame the Government
Cato education scholar Neal McCluskey details how education spending in the U.S. has doubled in the past 40 years without seeing increases in education outcomes. In fact, results may have become worse. However, we can not blame the government entirely. No matter how bad public education has gotten, Americans' gut reaction to any discussion of spending cuts is outrage, so even principled politicians think twice about proposing reforms. McCluskey notes that the problem is that Americans don’t know how bad the situation is, because, “as with most things you buy, people generally expect that spending more on education will get a better product.” Throwing money at structural problems will not fix them, but it will waste scarce resources. In contrast to blank-check reforms, McCluskey explains the details of the problems and offers solutions to address them.
Consumerism Is Keynesianism
"One of the most pernicious and widespread economic fallacies is the belief that consumption is the key to a healthy economy," says economics professor Steven Horwitz, explaining that, in fact, "this belief is an inheritance of misguided Keynesian thinking." Horwitz goes on to demonstrate that the real way to drive an economy is to provide producers -- who develop products, provide jobs, and supply our needs -- with the proper system of confidence. "Wealth is created through acts of production that rearrange resources in ways people value more than alternative arrangements," not by encouraging people to spend all their (our?) money on what already exists. At its root, consumerism was fostered by Keynesian ideas. Therefore, those who equate capitalism with consumerism need some education.
The Kid and the Benevolent Bully
The epic tale of kids vs. bullies continues daily, except now it occurs on the playground called the American economy. In an enlightening and clever allegory, Roger Koopman draws a link between government and entrepreneurs, explaining how bullies live off the productive power of others and end up stunting economic growth. With particular effectiveness, Koopman demonstrates why, though hindered by it, many regular citizens are tricked into supporting such a defunct system. For some insight and humor, be sure to check out this short article/story.
The Low Road and the High Ground
As economic and ideological debate rages in the U.S. between having the government either more or less involved in our individual lives, economist and columnist Steven Horwitz explains that advocates of freedom should set a good example. Horwitz documents several individuals -- like Harry Reid and Exra Klein -- and instances to make his case that, "Assuming bad faith and being intellectually lazy really are the low road of political discourse." With that in mind, he proposes a "simple list of rules" to follow in order to ensure that not only your message is received more warmly, but that you can be confident of staying on the moral high ground, fostering a respect for others that "without which a free society cannot function."
'Mosque' Debate Is a Red Herring
Cato vice president Gene Healy comments that the so-called "9/11 mosque" has nothing to do with this nation's largest (and growing) problem: out of control debt. Nonetheless, politicians on both sides of the aisle have devoted a copious amount of time to the issue. Such political pandering distracts from real, constuctive change in government. "You see," says Healy, "cutting government is hard, and often unpopular." It should, therefore, be no surprize that politicians will want to avoid addressing difficult issues, and rather opt to battle over low-hanging fruit. Establishment politicians want to play average citizens for "suckers," says Healy. "It remains to be seen whether they'll play along."
Event - The Future of American Politics: the Tea Party, Rand Paul, and Young Voters
Tea parties, Rand Paul, limited-government, 10th Amendment, Millennial voters -- these are all topics that have burst forth on the public scene over the past two years. Come find out what they mean for the next election cycle, numerous policy issues, and the future of American politics!
Cato scholar John Samples joins David Weigel (Slate and MSNBC) to discuss these issues at an event hosted by Cato On Campus at the Cato Institute, August 20th, 2010 at 4:00p.m.
Is Toy Story 3 About the Tea Party?
In a clever article posted at Reason, David Harsanyi links the plotline of Toy Story 3 – currently the highest grossing movie of the summer – to the rise of the Tea Party movement in American culture and politics. In fact, themes of liberty seem to be appearing throughout popular culture, particularly animation and commercials. Harsanyi cites the Washington Post when he remarks that all the Founding Fathers portrayed in commercials over the past year indicate a shifting trend that once again recognizes the stand for freedom that is inherent in our culture. “It is a matter of time before concerns about liberty begin to filter into mainstream popular culture.” So to paraphrase, “Stay tuned...”
Clowns or Killers in al Qaeda?
Cato scholar Gene Healy discusses the social and political trend to spread fear about terrorists when, in fact, they are often more like clowns than real threats. He gives several examples of bumbled plots involving inflammable fertilizer, ninja rats, and suicide bomber group hugs. No matter how stupid, however, Healy notes that some plots actually work and need to be vigilantly guarded against, but urges that caution be taken when elevating extremists with labels of being masterminds or geniuses. Healy says that, “We've given al Qaeda power over us they don't deserve. When we recognize that they're often inept and clownish, we weaken their ability to sow terror.”
How Bankrupt is America?
This video by www.BankruptingAmerica.org, via Reason, explains how much America owes, and also explains a way out of all the debt... Watch the two minute video for the answers.
Don't Trust Anyone under 30?
Cato VP Gene Healy writes about the Millennial Generation in his weekly Washington Examiner column. Healy sites a Pew Research Center survey that shows the generation born after 1980 is more favorably disposed to governmental intervention than any other generation. That said, there is a glimmer of hope, as Millennials tend toward greater social liberties and their allegiance to the Left is potentially shallow. In the past year, following the many attacks on liberty, Millennial support for Dems dropped significantly. All things considered, Healy portends, "If conservatives want to appeal to younger voters, they'll leave social issues to the states and the people, show the neocons the door, and focus on warding off our looming fiscal catastrophe."
Just Say No to Democracy
David Harsanyi of Reason discusses the rising sentiment, by those like columnist Paul Krugman, that there should be less barriers to making public policy. The Obama Administration seems to have thought the country was behind them in the first year, and acted accordingly. However, the American people obviously thought otherwise, as seen from events in Virgina, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Actually, the Founding Fathers saw that kind of give and take coming, and therefore installed the system of checks and balances. Harsanyi argues, therefore, that what is needed is more checks on government, not less.
Good News in the Rising Trade Deficit
The 'trade deficit' (U.S. exports minus U.S. imports) is most often seen in news cycles as a bad thing. However, Cato scholar Dan Ikenson discusses why the trade deficit is a positive indicator of economic growth. Furthermore, in the globalized economy, it is increasingly difficult to parse between what is domestic and what is foreign, because "Imports are contained in domestic output, and a good chunk of domestic output is exported." Ikenson adds that public opinion seems to be shifting due to the recession; therefore, time will tell if Americans continue to "reconsider their antipathy toward trade."
A Reason To Be Skeptical: Lessons of ClimateGate
Reason's David Harsanyi addresses the recent disturbance in the force of the Climate Change community, following the publishing of hacked e-mails between some of the most vocal global warming alarmists. Harsanyi lists the offences that have thus far been exposed, and says that skeptics have a certain duty to call controversial and debatable "settled facts" into question. “True believers will question your intelligence, your sanity and your intentions,” he notes, but “The uglier the names get, the more anger you see, the more that science-challenged politicians push invasive legislation, the more skeptics will join you.” And in the process, rational thinking may emerge.
March on 9/12 Shows the Right on the Rise
While the crowd of 75,000+ (some estimates are much higher) that descended on the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on 9/12 had many specific aims in their protests, in his weekly column in the Washington Examiner, Cato VP Gene Healy saw this common thread: that the conservative Right is not dead. He added that their message "remains a vital part of the national conversation." Although the Right has its own inconsistencies, and leaves much to be desired, they demonstrate a distrust of big government and some warmth for a libertarian's cold heart. Healy concludes, "That rising distrust of big government — of which Saturday's march was the most vivid recent example — shows this much at least: 'The death of conservatism' has been greatly exaggerated."
Is College a Scam?
In a short video, 20/20 Co-Anchor John Stossel analyzes the $75.1 billion industry of higher education and the statement by Pres. Obama that, “We expect all our children not just to graduate high school, but to graduate college and get a good-paying job.” He evaluates that claim by looking at data and interviewing students, professors, administrators and professionals. The figures of college success typically touted by public figures are based on skewed data, and it's probable that many of the people who make good money after college could have done just as well without it, and not been under all the debt.
Ted Kennedy and the Death (Hopefully) of an Era
Nick Gillespie, at Reason, comments on the life of Ted Kennedy. He explains that although Kennedy was highly effective in passing legislation over his nine terms in the Senate, it was legislation reminiscent of a worldview no longer held by many Americans, and for good reason. He does, however, note several major benefits brought on by the Senator's work. Gillespie explains that, “Because they do not fit the Ted Kennedy narrative preferred by his admirers and detractors alike, these accomplishments rarely get mentioned in stories about the late senator. But they are exactly the sort of legislation that we should be celebrating in his honor, and using as a model in today's debates..."
Obamacare: Compulsory Insurance, Unconstitutional?
Taking a look at a bit of legal history, two former White House lawyers review the legality of Obamacare in The Washington Post. They cite that, "The Constitution assigns only limited, enumerated powers to Congress and none... would support a federal mandate requiring anyone who is otherwise without health insurance to buy it." No matter the motivations behind such efforts, Congress is ultimately bound by two factors: the Constitution and the American people. One would require a constitutional amendment, the other a major social shift, which seems unlikely considering recent polls.