Push back on budget deficits
Right after the 2016 elections, I observed that the combination of Donald Trump’s rise and continuing GOP strength across the landscape of American politics had yielded three distinct Republican... Read More
NC Spin Articles
Gasoline Horses
North Carolina’s live horse population is over 300,000. Live horses are a significant agricultural industry. The infrastructure supporting live horses includes: buyers and sellers; the land on... Read More
The most important counties in NC politics today
Everyone loves lists, and the internet age now has us addicted to them — the top-five greatest tennis grand-slam finals between left-handers, the top 10 best-looking spouses of celebrity chefs, etc... Read More
Wheel of politics always turns
In politics, the karma may not be instant — but it will get you, sooner or later. Want examples? Just check out the political headlines of the past few weeks. Anthony Kennedy, the sometime-swing... Read More
Is North Carolina keeping up with other states?
by Dr. Mike Walden, NCSU Professor of Economics, July 6, 2018 My late father once told me the story about his first flight in an airplane during World War II. His unit of CBs — short for... Read More
Was Trump's 2016 good for Democrats this year?
I thought I was so smart back in 2016 when I wrote that Democrats, who were confident they would defeat Donald Trump, should be pulling for him to win. A Trump win, I explained, could be a good thing... Read More
NC excels in school value
If I told you that North Carolina had one of America’s top-ranked systems of public education, there are at least three ways you could respond. You could question what I mean by “top-ranked system... Read More
Let us break bread together
What is the worst thing that has happened to us in the last few weeks? Our state legislature’s final week of secrecy and surprises? North Korea’s reported resumption of processing of nuclear fuel... Read More
Give sales tax windfall back
After decades of debate and litigation, the U.S. Supreme Court has settled a contentious matter: governments will now be authorized to tax the online purchases of their residents even if the vendors... Read More
US Supreme Court refuses to change legislative voting maps
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to make any more changes to election maps for North Carolina’s 2018 legislative elections. An unsigned 8-1 ruling from the nation’s highest court means the... Read More
