Here’s the general theory of legislative failure: Political polarization leads to congressional gridlock, and... READ MORE

Democrats are going to lose this one. Whatever deal emerges to raise the debt ceiling, we can be pretty sure it won’t... READ MORE

I spent time digging through the federal budget this week, and I concluded that Republicans are right: There is plenty... READ MORE

We have learned a lot about American politics in recent days. We learned, for example, that Republicans are more... READ MORE

In 2002, about 110,000 people were enrolled in Oregon’s Medicaid program. By 2008, budget cuts had reduced that number... READ MORE

Americans live in a new economic reality, and it’s long past time that Washington did, too. READ MORE

Liberals rejoiced when President Barack Obama dismissed his fiscal commission with a perfunctory pat on the back. They... READ MORE

Earlier this month, Tim Pawlenty, the former governor of Minnesota, promised that his package of tax cuts, spending cuts... READ MORE

Economist David Autor recently introduced me to a delightfully depressing concept: “now-more- than-everism.” Credit... READ MORE

Pop quiz: Does President Barack Obama want to raise taxes or lower them? This one should be easy. Republicans say... READ MORE