By Brad Polumbo Millions of Americans have bought into forms of digital, decentralized money known as cryptocurrency, valuing its privacy and independence from government meddling. Naturally, politicians in Washington want to rain on the parade and shut down the newfangled currencies— like Bitcoin and Ethereum—that are beyond their control. One of the biggest opponents of … [Read more...] about Exposed: Congressman Trying to “Shut Down” Cryptocurrency Gets Biggest Donations From Big Banks and Financial Institutions
Brad Polumbo
“You Can Live Anywhere But Colorado”: Why Many Remote Job Postings Are Now Actively Excluding One State
By Brad Polumbo The pandemic has undoubtedly hastened the shift to remote work. Many workers and companies have now embraced remote work in previously office-based positions, and this is continuing even as the economy reopens and new jobs are posted. Many new remote positions are being posted advertising that applicants can live anywhere in the US—except Colorado. Here’s … [Read more...] about “You Can Live Anywhere But Colorado”: Why Many Remote Job Postings Are Now Actively Excluding One State
Uber, Lyft Prices and Wait Times Are Surging—Here’s Why
By Brad Polumbo Millions of Americans, myself included, have come to rely on ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft for convenient and affordable transportation. But in recent months, we’ve seen skyrocketing prices and long wait times just to get a ride. As it turns out, the government is to blame, to no surprise. First, let’s be clear: We’re not just talking about … [Read more...] about Uber, Lyft Prices and Wait Times Are Surging—Here’s Why
Millions of DoorDash Customers Hit with “Regulatory Response Fees” After New Laws Totally Backfire
By Brad Polumbo Your wallet may take an extra hit the next time you order dinner via the popular food delivery app DoorDash, courtesy of your helpful local government officials. That is, if you live in St. Louis, Chicago, Seattle, or one of the other 57 localities where DoorDash customers just got hit with a $1 to $2.50 “regulatory response fee” on every order. How did … [Read more...] about Millions of DoorDash Customers Hit with “Regulatory Response Fees” After New Laws Totally Backfire
Local Kroger Stores Close as California “Hero Pay” Ordinance Backfires
By Brad Polumbo A new “Hero Pay” mandate in Long Beach, California has inadvertently cost some frontline grocery workers their jobs. “Ralphs and Food 4 Less, both owned by the parent company Kroger, announced Monday that they will be closing 25% of their stores in Long Beach after the city council passed an ordinance requiring companies with over 300 employees nationwide … [Read more...] about Local Kroger Stores Close as California “Hero Pay” Ordinance Backfires
Minimum Wage Hikes Kick in Across the Country—at the Worst Possible Time for Small Businesses
By Brad Polumbo 2020 was one of the worst years in modern American history for small businesses. And now, thanks to a wave of minimum wage legislation that kicked in on January 1, things are about to get even worse. Make no mistake: small business owners are already seriously hurting. When state and local governments responded to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the spring … [Read more...] about Minimum Wage Hikes Kick in Across the Country—at the Worst Possible Time for Small Businesses
School Choice Reduces Teen Suicide, New Study Finds
By Brad Polumbo Elijah Robinson attempted suicide as a teenager. Why? Well, as a queer and mixed-race student, he faced vicious bullying in his public school. Thanks to a Florida program, he was able to switch schools and attend a private Christian school where he did not face bullying or discrimination. Students at private schools are statistically less likely to have … [Read more...] about School Choice Reduces Teen Suicide, New Study Finds
New Report Shows Stunning Success of Apprenticeship Program as College Alternative
By Brad Polumbo The average American college student graduates with $30,000 in debt, and the cost of college has more than doubled since 1985 even after accounting for inflation. Unfortunately, due to a lack of other options, many students feel forced into this expensive system even when they can’t afford it or don’t really need a traditional college degree to pursue their … [Read more...] about New Report Shows Stunning Success of Apprenticeship Program as College Alternative
Runaway Fraud Plagues the Massive Unemployment Program Congress Is About to Extend, Report Finds
By Brad Polumbo The debate over expanded unemployment benefits has proven particularly fractious, given that the $2 trillion CARES Act Congress passed in March set up a broken economic system where nearly 70 percent of the unemployed can get paid more in benefits while staying home than they would make by going back to work. Yet as important as the ramifications of this … [Read more...] about Runaway Fraud Plagues the Massive Unemployment Program Congress Is About to Extend, Report Finds
Why George Orwell’s Warning on “Self-Censorship” Is More Relevant Than Ever
By Brad Polumbo Rule One: Speak your mind at your own peril. Rule Two: Never risk commissioning a story that goes against the narrative. Rule Three: Never believe an editor or publisher who urges you to go against the grain. Eventually, the publisher will cave to the mob, the editor will get fired or reassigned, and you’ll be hung out to dry. The above is a quotation from … [Read more...] about Why George Orwell’s Warning on “Self-Censorship” Is More Relevant Than Ever
Seattle Just Passed a New Tax on Jobs in the Middle of an Economic Crisis—But Exempted Government Workers
By Brad Polumbo The city of Seattle is already struggling. With a new tax on jobs, its city council seems determined to make things even worse. The COVID-19 pandemic and local government lockdowns economically decimated Washington state in March, with Seattle hit especially hard in the early days of the virus’s spread. In the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak, … [Read more...] about Seattle Just Passed a New Tax on Jobs in the Middle of an Economic Crisis—But Exempted Government Workers