Center for Policy Innovation Lecture posted March 14, 2013 by Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D.
Confronting Washington's Administrative State: A Renewed Role for the States
While the Constitution continues to be read, and its principles known, the States must, by every rational man, be considered as essential component parts of the Union; and therefore the idea of sacrificing the former to the latter is totally inadmissible.
—Alexander Hamilton, 1788 [1]
Federalism is rooted in the knowledge that our political liberties are best assured by…
Backgrounder posted February 5, 2013 by Jason Richwine, Ph.D.
Nine Fallacies Used to Defend Public-Sector Pensions
The generosity of retirement benefits for government employees has become a major political issue, as policymakers at all levels of government struggle with budget deficits in the midst of a weak economy. Government employees do enjoy retirement benefits that are often several times greater than the retirement benefits of comparable private-sector workers.[1] This…
Issue Brief posted January 30, 2013 by James L. Gattuso
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Its Non-Director: What Now?
It may be back to the beginning for the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The agency, under the direction of Richard Cordray, had just built up a full head of steam, releasing some 16 regulations in the past year. But a court decision on January 25 may not only stop this train, but send it back to the station. Such a reversal would be good news for…
Issue Brief posted January 28, 2013 by Derek Scissors, Ph.D.
A Better Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States
According to The Heritage Foundation’s China Global Investment Tracker, Chinese non-bond investment in the U.S. set a record in 2012.[1] China has $3.3 trillion in foreign reserves and, like other fast-growing economies, wants to invest more here. Foreign investment and other commerce benefits America, but there are understandable concerns about the loss of advanced…
Issue Brief posted January 24, 2013 by Luke Coffey
Hagel, Kerry, and Brennan Senate Confirmation Hearings: U.S. Policy on Arctic Security
In the coming weeks, the United States Senate will begin the confirmation process for three key Administration positions: Senator John Kerry (D–MA) for Secretary of State, former Senator Chuck Hagel (R–NE) for Secretary of Defense, and White House chief counterterrorism advisor John Brennan for director of the CIA. All three have been prominent backers of President…
Issue Brief posted January 18, 2013 by Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
Senate Confirmation Hearings for Hagel and Kerry Views on Russia
President Barack Obama’s new foreign policy team is facing Senate approval: Senator John Kerry (D–MA) for Secretary of State, former Senator Chuck Hagel (R–NE) for Secretary of Defense, and White House chief counterterrorism advisor John Brennan for director of the CIA.
All three will confront a truculent Russia. However, their past statements and support of the…
Issue Brief posted January 17, 2013 by James Phillips
Hagel, Kerry, and Brennan Confirmation Hearings: Middle East and North Africa Issues
The United States Senate will soon hold confirmation hearings for the Obama Administration’s nominees for three key positions: Senator John Kerry (D–MA) for Secretary of State, former Senator Chuck Hagel (R–NE) for Secretary of Defense, and White House Chief Counterterrorism Advisor John Brennan for Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
The confirmation…
Issue Brief posted December 27, 2012 by Diane Katz, James L. Gattuso
The 10 Worst Regulations of 2012
During 2012, virtually every aspect of American life, from caloric intake to dishwasher efficiency, was subjected to government meddling.
Most of these rules increase the cost of living, others hinder job creation, and many erode freedom. Not all regulations are unwarranted, of course, but increasingly, the rules imposed by the government have less to do with health and…
Lecture posted October 10, 2012 by The Honorable Alice M. Batchelder
Suppose Joseph Story Had Been Right and Brutus Had Been Wrong
Abstract: Brutus, one of the loose-knit group of Anti-Federalists who opposed the adoption of the Constitution, was convinced that the new government would prove to be a national, not a federal, government; that the several states would cease to exist as sovereign entities; and that the judiciary would be instrumental in causing that result. Joseph Story, a proponent of a…