State Powers
The states are powerful enough to stand up to the federal government when it violates citizens’ rights. Learn how we can better leverage the power of states.
The Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit recently held that the robbery of an Ohio pizza shack was a federal crime. The shack made pizza from California sauce, Minnesota flour, and Wisconsin mozzarella. So, based on Congress' power to regulate interstate commerce, the Sixth Circuit ruled the robbery constitutionally was prosecuted as a federal crime.
With the next Arizona legislative session just ten days away, the Goldwater Institute has released 100 ideas to advance liberty. 100 Ideas for 100 Days provides one idea for each day that the legislature is supposed to be in session. Each idea is linked to a policy report or a Goldwater Institute analyst who can help legislators with research and analysis.
The full list of 100 Ideas for 100 Days is available. But, for those of you who like to cut to the chase, here is our top eight for 08:
The United States spends about 16 percent of its GDP on health care. That's a three-fold increase since 1960.
Many suggest the U.S. emulate the practices of Europe and Canada, who spend an estimated 7 to 10 percent of GDP on health care. On the cost side, that sounds pretty good at first blush, but they don't innovate much, and Pittsburgh has more MRI machines than all of Canada.
A push for universal health insurance is on the agenda at next week's Southwest Conference on Healthcare Reform at ASU. Since health care policy in the U.S. has been moving that direction for years, maybe we should stop to ask "the Dr. Phil question": How's that workin' for ya?
A recent study by George Mason University's Mercatus Center found that Arizona ranks as the eighth freest state in the nation. It broadcasts loud and clear that Arizona is open for business to refugees fleeing our overly taxed and regulated neighbor to the west. But this is no time to rest on our laurels. Maintaining our competitive edge still requires systemic change.
In a showdown between the Obama administration and the town made famous by the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, the U.S. Forest Service is refusing to allow historic Tombstone, Ariz., to restore its municipal water supply after it was destroyed by torrential floods and mudslides in the summer of 2011.
The Goldwater Institute has long opposed the federal health care law as constitutionally questionable and a governmental intrusion on individual freedom. Nick Dranias, director of Goldwater's Center for Constitutional Government, was interviewed on Arizona Week.
"Liberty took a body blow, but it's not down for the count," he said. "We still have a challenge to the Independent Payment Advisory Board, what Sarah Palin called the 'death panel,' which is pending.
At the time of this writing, only a few hours have passed since the U.S. Supreme Court issued its calamitous decision upholding the bulk of the federal health care law. I share in your disappointment, surprise and frustration.
By Fernanda Santos, New York Times
The U.S. Congress has been deadlocked for about three years over re-authorizing the federal highway program. During that time, they have passed temporary extensions of the program. The ninth extension expires at the end of this month.