Writer
Peyton R. Miller
Latest Content
No Child Left Behind, Or Else
Given the political difficulty of mandating higher standards for schools and teachers, student accountability might be the most realistic—and perhaps the most effective—way of improving educational outcomes.
Beyond the Tax Issue
As progressive as the federal tax code already is, and as slowly as the economy is growing, any quest to raise living standards across the board should begin with reforms that are less likely to deter economic growth.
Protecting the Ballot Box
Having participated in three major elections as a Massachusetts voter, what has intrigued me most about the voting process, besides the raised eyebrows I get from Cantabrigian poll workers when they see my party affiliation, is that no personal identification is required.
Get Government Out of the Mail
This fiscal crisis has resulted not only from declining demand for conventional mail delivery, but also from the political straitjacket that prevents any government-owned enterprise from adjusting to market developments. The best way to make the Postal Service solvent is to free it from political influence, which can only be achieved by forcing it to compete with other carriers as a private firm.
It’s Just a Game
While it is difficult to draw firm conclusions about a culture as diverse as the United States, anecdotal evidence strongly implies that our country has an unhealthy obsession with sports that detracts from the education of a substantial number of high school students.
Soak the Rich
In other words, we have a President who is willing to raise taxes, even if it means lower revenues, for the sake of reducing the income of the rich. This class warfare mentality is reflected in the rhetoric he has used to defend certain tax provisions of the American Jobs Act that he introduced a couple of weeks ago.
Kidneys for Sale
To establish a functional kidney market, Congress needs to repeal the ban on compensation and establish a regulatory framework.
Raise the Roof
A few weeks ago, the White House expressed regret for then-Senator Obama’s vote against increasing the level of the federal debt limit
A Less Taxing April
While closing loopholes would make the tax code more efficient and equitable, the budget crisis demands that the new revenue be used mainly for deficit reduction.
Free to Work for Free
Any labor that directly benefits a for-profit company must be compensated even if the employee is willing to work for free.
Refocus the Austerity Measures
Republicans would do well to compromise on this year’s budget, and save their political capital for the much more important fight over entitlement reform.
How to Clean a River
Although the tax has been a source of annoyance for residents, it appears to be fulfilling its objective and could serve as a model for pollution control
Reason Under Assault
The Assault Weapons Ban would not have prevented the Tucson shooting, and even if it had, this by itself would not be a valid reason for its reinstatement.
What If Health Care Reform is Unconstitutional?
The new GOP leadership of the House of Representatives accomplished its most anticipated objective in the second week of the ...
Means-Test Social Security
Cutting benefits for those who don’t need them might be a good place to start.
