Principles of Government

By William A. Galston – The consequences of a debt-induced financial crisis would be dire, and government officials would be wise to reduce the risk of such a crisis occurring. Stabilizing the burden of federal debt on the economy is a feasible, responsible target, and lawmakers should move toward it as fast as possible.

The stakes are enormous. Foreign governments and investors already are diversifying their portfolios away from the U.S. dollar and stocks.  Read More

By John F. Cogan – Following World War II, and especially during the peak years of the Great Society (1965-74), the federal government greatly expanded its spending on activities that were traditionally regarded as state and local affairs. … New expenditures on traditionally state and local activities as a share of GDP accounted for more than the growth in total federal spending during this period. … In other words, the entire increase in national debt is traceable to the federal government’s spending on state and local activities.

The abandonment of fiscal federalism has … begun to undermine our security. National defense should be the federal government’s highest priority. Yet since the 1950s spending on traditionally state and local affairs has taken its place. Funding these projects has come at the expense of the defense budget, which as a share of the federal total has fallen from around 60% in the mid-1950s to some 13% today. That level is wholly inadequate to meet rising global threats.

The federal government needs to reverse its priorities, prizing national defense and returning state and local affairs to their proper place. Read More