US: 54.5 mpg and the law of unintended consequences

US: 54.5 mpg and the law of unintended consequences – by Bishop Harry R. Jackson, Jr.

Legislators and regulators need to observe a fundamental Golden Rule: Do not implement new laws if you have not considered or cannot control important unintended consequences.
A perfect example is the Obama Administration’s plan to increase new car mileage standards, from the currently legislated requirement of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016 to 54.5 mpg by 2025, as an average across each automaker’s complete line of cars and light trucks.
Carmakers reluctantly agreed to the new requirements, to avoid even more onerous standards, or different standards in different states. But the deal does nothing to alter the harsh realities of such a requirement.
First, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) analyses indicate that the mileage standards will add $3,000 to $4,800 to the average price of new vehicles for models from now until 2025. Moreover, this price increase does not include the $2,000 to $6,000 in total interest charges that many borrowers would have to pay over the life of a 36-60 month loan.

US: Hands off Chick-fil-A

US: Hands off Chick-fil-A – by Lawrence Reed

In coming weeks, I expect to eat often at Chick-fil-A and not just because I like the company and the food they serve. I’ll be there as my way of protesting the disgusting behavior of some big city political hacks.
The personal views of Chick-fil-A’s CEO Dan Cathy on gay marriage sparked the recent controversy. It should be noted the company does not discriminate against anybody in its hiring or in whom it serves in its restaurants. Cathy expressed an opinion shared by millions of Americans and, until recently, even by President Obama. Agree or disagree with Cathy, you should be concerned when elected officials threaten to use government power against a company because of a political disagreement with the CEO. Consider the following remarks.

US: Aurora and the left’s hatred for America

US: Aurora and the left’s hatred for America – by Jeffrey Kuhner

Liberals are exploiting the Aurora massacre to advance a political agenda. The tragic mass murder of 12 people is being used as fodder against the right. Within hours of the killing spree, the media establishment was hoping to link the suspected shooter, James Holmes, with the Tea Party, conservatives and — ultimately — the presumptive Republican nominee, Mitt Romney.
On ABC’s “Good Morning America,” investigative reporter Brian Rossurgently told host George Stephanopoulos that a “Jim Holmes” was a member of the Colorado Tea Party. In fact, it was a different person. It never occurred to Mr. Ross and Mr. Stephanopoulos that there could be numerous people with a common name like James Holmes. Even by ABC News‘ standards, that was pathetic.

US: John Cochrane, The Grumpy Economist, Meets The Gold Standard

US: John Cochrane, The Grumpy Economist, Meets The Gold Standard – by Ralph Benko

8+% unemployment, now.  The GDP, last we checked, crawls along at a 1.5% growth rate, slower than population growth.  Washington is paralyzed.
Neither political party is presenting a compelling solution.   In the words of Frank Cannon, president of American Principles Project (which this writer professionally advises) and former Kemp presidential campaign aide, the GOP has reverted to its pre-Kemp status as a party of severe rectitude rather than a party of equitable prosperity.  How little political sense does it make to turn to the voters to say, “Times are tough.   Our solution is to… cut your benefits”?