The political Left has a tough time with economics, especially the economics of taxation. Specifically, they’ve put forth all kinds of proposals to “tax the rich,” as they like to put it, and believe only the rich will pay. But that’s not how taxes work. When politicians put forth ideas like imposing a “wealth tax,” […]
To say that government plays too big of a part in daily life would be to grossly understate reality. Gallup recently reported a near record-high 34 percent of Americans cite the government, poor leadership or politicians as the most important problem currently facing the United States. Indeed, Gallup notes that in terms of responses to […]
Some of the headline numbers in the June jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics require explanation. There were solid job gains, and labor force participation experienced a big jump. But the number of self-employed, an important measure of entrepreneurship, presents concerns. As for data from the establishment survey, payrolls grew by a pretty […]
The latest reading for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) offered more good news about inflation. Specifically, CPI inflation came in at only 0.1 percent for December. That’s a welcome slowdown compared to higher rates in the three of the previous four months. In fact, over the past three months, CPI inflation has settled down some, […]
The Bureau of Economic Analysis increased its estimate for third quarter real growth in gross domestic product from 3 percent to 3.3 percent. The increase brought the third quarter growth rate up to the historical average. GDP growth has now exceeded 3 percent the last two quarters. Amidst the revisions, it was good to see […]
Politics drives the war against tax relief and reform for U.S. businesses, certainly not sound economic thinking. The political battle over big changes to our tax code has been engaged for months. With Republicans in both the U.S. House and Senate each laying out their versions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the intensity […]
There’s good news to be heard from small businesses in the results of a survey conducted by Dun & Bradstreet and the Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management. Indeed, the news is good largely across the board compared to a year earlier, except for demand for financing. A few of the positives include: “In […]
From at least 2007 to 2016, businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and workers were beaten down thanks to misguided and costly government actions, including tax hikes and increased regulatory costs. The U.S. desperately needs pro-growth relief and reform on both the tax and regulatory fronts. Looking at the tax issue, efforts in Congress and by the White […]
It’s as predictable as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. What am I referencing? The response of the left, various elected officials and much of the media to proposals to cut taxes, especially when it comes to tax relief including upper-income earners and businesses. Whether it’s due to bias or […]
Colorado ranks 10th among the 50 states in the latest analysis of how taxes affect small businesses and entrepreneurs. Colorado fares well for comparatively low corporate income and capital gains taxes and even lower fuel taxes. The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council compiles its annual Small Business Tax Index by combining 26 separate measures of […]