Washington Governor Jay Inslee just signed legislation in his state imposing regulations on oil shipped by rail which are so stringent they act (to use the words of North Dakota’s congressional delegation) as a “de facto ban.” Inslee has justified the move by saying the state is stepping up to fill a safety vacuum left…
Federalism: Washington State May Make It A Crime To Help The NSA
This is similar to all those state laws we saw last year which would make it a crime to assist the federal government in enforcing new gun control laws, only it’s aimed at assisting the NSA in violating our constitutional right to privacy. In response to national security leaks by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden…
It Begins: Democrat Using Boston Bombing As Justification To Restrict Sale Of Black Powder
America is facing a national ammo shortage. As gun sales have rocketed, so has demand for ammunition and for reasons this observer still can’t quite understand ammo manufacturers haven’t been able to keep up with demand. It’s gotten so bad that law enforcement agencies here in North Dakota are rationing ammo. One path around the…
Heitkamp Says No To Manchin-Toomey Gun Control Bill
After much waffling, Senator Heidi Heitkamp has finally said no to the Manchin-Toomey gun control bill. Here’s the Senator’s press release: WASHINGTON, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp released the following statement regarding the Manchin-Toomey Amendment: “I’ve been adamant from the very beginning of this conversation that the focus should be on mental health issues,…
Washington State Gun Ban Gives Law Enforcement Permission To Search Your Home Without A Warrant
Well, they clearly don’t care much for the 2nd amendment, so why would we expect them to care about the 4th amendment? “They always say, we’ll never go house to house to take your guns away. But then you see this, and you have to wonder.” That’s no gun-rights absolutist talking, but Lance Palmer, a…
Auto Markets Trump Government Central Planning
Our federal government has invested a lot of money, and passed a lot of laws, to promote so-called “green” vehicles that run on biofuels or electricity. But, if the Detroit Auto Show is any indication, all that investment hasn’t resulted in those vehicles getting traction in the market: From sport utes to sports cars to…
Brilliant New Solution To Health Care Costs: Government Price Controls
Pricing is paramount in a free market. Price signals are what regulates the market. They’re set by supply and demand, and in turn control supply and demand. When supplies are short, and demand is high, prices go up to protect supply and discourage demand. Price also encourages expansion of supply to meet demand by being…