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A public policy research organization dedicated to individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. https://www.cato.org/
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Can we fix our divides by reducing politics’ grip on society? Tom Palmer explains how limited government and individual liberty are the answers. Full story here:

🥚 Egg prices are soaring, and the Trump administration is turning to imports to ease the crunch. With demand outpacing supply, open markets are stepping in to stabilize costs. Even the most vocal protectionists can’t ignore the power of free trade when prices spike.

With new bills aimed at reforming the Jones Act, its economic impact is back in the spotlight. The truth? The Jones Act does more harm than good—raising prices and hurting American businesses. It’s time to rethink this outdated law.

Think tariffs were bad? New shipping rules could cost Americans billions more—all in the name of punishing China. But who’s really paying the price?

The House GOP budget plan would push public debt from $30 trillion in 2025 to $54 trillion by 2034. Republicans want to extend the Trump tax cuts, but making minor spending cuts isn’t enough. They should offset all the tax cuts with spending cuts to every federal department, says Chris Edwards.

25% tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico starting March 4? Brace yourself. The impact on the auto industry—and your wallet—could be huge. Seven charts show how: www.cato.org/blog/seven-c...

🚨Mass resignations hit DOJ after political interference. Senior officials, led by Danielle Sassoon, resigned over the political pressure to shelve corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams. @walterolson.bsky.social takes a loo

A shrinking workforce needs immigrants. Since 2013, the number of native-born Americans of prime working age has stagnated, and with declining birth rates since 2007, the trend will worsen. Without immigration, the US faces serious demographic and economic challenges.

Fewer immigrants =fewer jobs Studies show that when deportations increase, the US construction, childcare, and farming industries shrink. Less growth means fewer opportunities for everyone.

Prosecutors caught hiding evidence & misleading courts face zero consequences. If no one holds them accountable, who will?

Myth: Immigrants drain the welfare system. Reality: In 2022, immigrants consumed 21% less welfare and entitlement benefits per capita than native-born Americans. The data tells a different story than the rhetoric.

How much power should one person have? Modern presidents use executive orders to bypass Congress and enforce their will. This unchecked authority undermines constitutional checks and balances. Find out how we can restore limits to presidential power:

State policymakers have an opportunity to make positive changes in 2025 From zoning laws to job creation, here is what state-level policymakers can do in '25 to boost local economies.👇

Happy Valentine's Day and happy birthday to Frederick Douglass, who chose this holiday to celebrate his birth! “Frederick Douglass: Self‐​Made Man” by Timothy Sandefur gives us an insightful glimpse into the mind of one of America’s greatest thinkers.

While politicians may be turning against trade, 2024’s record-high data shows that American businesses and consumers haven’t.

The House GOP budget offers modest spending restraints but leans on wishful thinking to balance the books. Real fiscal reform requires more than optimistic projections—read why here: www.cato.org/blog/house-b...

Social Security is running out of time—and money. Over the next 75 years, the program faces a $25.2 trillion funding gap. Some argue that higher inflation or stronger economic growth could fix the problem, but the reality is quite the opposite. Here's why real reform is needed now:

Foreign aid has failed. USAID was created to promote economic growth, but decades of evidence show it doesn’t work. Shutting it down is a step in the right direction—so long as it’s done lawfully. Read more from Ian Vasquez:

The real immigration crisis? Not just illegal immigration—it's the dismantling of legal pathways. 🚨 David Bier discusses the administration's proposed changes to legal immigration pathways, birthright citizenship, and more. Listen today 🎙️

Let’s embrace lessons from history: Free trade, not protectionism, drives real development. Read & discover how bold ideas reshaped the path for global economic growth:

President Trump issued an executive order planning the establishment of a US sovereign wealth fund. The fund would be economically counterproductive and an invitation for political malfeasance, writes Tad DeHaven. Learn more here:

Would declaring drug cartels "terrorists" make us safer? Unlikely. But it would hand the government more unchecked power and reshape border policy. Alex Nowrasteh unpacks the risks:

Trade wars aren’t free. If President Trump brings back sweeping tariffs, American consumers and businesses will foot the bill— again. Read why:

LISTEN: I join @cob.bsky.social at the Cato Daily Podcast to discuss Trump’s binge of illegality and what kind of calculated gamble he may be taking with all the unlawful actions.

Extending the deadline gives TikTok a temporary lifeline, but the real issue—government overreach in tech and speech regulation—still needs a congressional fix, writes Jennifer Huddleston.

Exciting news! The revised edition of The Libertarian Mind by David Boaz is here! A timeless primer for freedom, individualism, and peace. 🌎 Get your copy today:

For far too long, the US has thrown money and guns at the Middle East, solving few problems while creating new ones. President Trump has an opportunity to change this, write Jon Hoffman & Justin Logan.

Tariffs are taxes on YOU. Despite what politicians claim, tariffs don’t punish foreign producers—they raise prices for American consumers and businesses. Hear Erica York break it down in this episode of the Cato Daily Podcast:

Can California stop the cycle of devastation? Cato’s Ryan Bourne and Stephen Slivinski dig into the policy missteps fueling the state’s wildfire crisis. How can we rebuild smarter? Listen now 🎙️

The price gap between US-built & foreign-built ships keeps growing. US product tankers cost 4.5x more than their foreign counterparts. It's time to question the Jones Act’s impact on American businesses. Read more from trade policy expert Colin Grabow:

Did the FBI cross the constitutional line? Judge Hall’s recent ruling says Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Section 702 “back door” searches violated the Fourth Amendment—but redactions still keep us in the dark. Dive into the full story with @pgeddington.com:

"Seven Charts Showing How Canada/​Mexico Tariffs Would Harm the US Auto Industry (and American Car Buyers)" www.cato.org/blog/seven-c... via @cato.org

If the government requires education funding and attendance, families should have the freedom to choose the best option for their kids. This National School Choice Week, explore why choice is essential for individual liberty:

The United States ranks 17th in the tenth annual Human Freedom Index. Learn more:

On Day 1, President Trump signed an executive order suspending refugee admissions. What’s in it, and what are the effects? @davidjbier.bsky.social argues for restarting the refugee program:

Birthright citizenship has been the norm in the US since before the passage of the 14th Amendment and even before the American Revolution. Alex Nowrasteh discusses President Trump’s executive order that purports to restrict birthright citizenship:

Americans paid roughly $7.2 trillion in taxes across all levels of government (federal, state, local) in 2023. But who’s really paying those taxes, and how? To better understand the tax code, Adam Michel offers a Tax Bootcamp:

The stars have aligned: Congress has the best chance in decades to replace federal student loans with a private lending system. This switch would save $212B over 10 years. Andrew Gillen explains how & why this opportunity must be seized:

The American presidency has become an extraconstitutional monstrosity and a libertarian nightmare; it’s time to rein in presidential powers. In his Free Society story, Gene Healy examines the relentless growth of executive power in the 21st century.

High debt is a symptom of excessive government spending—and America’s debt is now at 100% of GDP. Without reform, we risk slower growth, higher taxes, and fewer opportunities. It’s time to rein in spending. Learn how: www.cato.org/policy-analy...

Congress can’t afford to ignore these issues: 📉 Looming Social Security crisis 💸 Rising debt and taxes 🛑 Government overreach Our Roadmap for Reform offers 10 key policy recommendations:

California’s wildfire crisis isn’t just a natural disaster; it’s also a policy failure. Price controls meant to protect consumers are driving insurers away, leaving many homeowners stranded, explains Ryan Bourne.

Ever wonder what libertarianism really is? Cato President & CEO Peter Goettler recently sat down with the Policy Research Institute of Market Economy’s Syed Ali Ehsan. Full interview: https://www.cato.org/multimedia/media-highlights-tv/peter-goettler-discusses-libertarian-perspective-america-under

Our national debt is now around 100% of GDP. Without bold reforms, we risk slower growth, fewer opportunities, and national decline. @rominaboccia.bsky.social offers a series of reforms that Congress could implement to commit to a credible fiscal stabilization path:

Mark Zuckerberg called the recent election a cultural tipping point for free expression and announced Meta will make significant changes to its content moderation regime.

The Constitution commands that the trial of "all" federal crimes be by jury, and the Supreme Court should back off its creation of an exception for "petty offenses" [Matt Cavedon on @cato.org brief in Lesh v. U.S.] www.cato.org/blog/lesh-v-...

Can Congress target a social media platform for the viewpoints it carries? Not without violating the First Amendment. Cato scholar Thomas Berry argues that the Supreme Court should strike down the TikTok ban to protect free speech.

The UK’s “Right to Buy” turned renters into homeowners, boosting incomes & reducing dependence. Could it work here? Vanessab Calder thinks so—and the numbers are compelling. Find out how it could change lives in the US:

This new year, stop waiting for a political savior. In this Free Society interview, journalist Jane Coaston argues that self-reliance—not state solutions or culture wars—holds the key to navigating today’s challenges. Discover why liberty and individual agency are the real answers:

Happy New Year from the Cato Institute! Our resolution for 2025 is to help create free, open, and civil societies founded on the simple, timeless libertarian principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace... https://www.cato.org/about/mission-vision-principles