• The Heritage Network
    • Resize:
    • A
    • A
    • A
  • Donate
  • Enterprise and Free Markets

    Unshackle American entrepreneurs by making the United States the most economically free country in the world.

    A Free Market Victory for El Paso Street Vendors

    Competition beat regulation in a big way two weeks ago in El Paso, Texas. Recently, the city made it illegal for mobile food vendors to sell anywhere within 1,000 feet of a restaurant or grocery store.  The  vendors of El Paso weren’t happy about the business killing regulation, which served … More

    Morning Bell: Obama’s Attack on Private Industry

    You might think that a U.S. company’s decision to expand its manufacturing facilities and create 1,000 new jobs here at home — rather than overseas — would be hailed by the Obama Administration as a step in the right direction, especially with nine percent unemployment. You’d be wrong. Instead, President Barack … More

    One Clap for House Effort to Curb New Financial Bureau’s Power

    A House subcommittee on Wednesday approved legislation to modify the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Spawned by the vast Dodd–Frank financial regulation statute, the CFPB (as originally structured) enjoys sweeping powers over all manner of consumer credit—without adequate accountability. Yesterday’s action is a welcome start to taming the CFPB, … More

    Baucus Not Ending Oil Subsidies but Implementing Tax Hikes

    Senator Max Baucus (D–MT) isn’t shy about picking winners and losers. Last December, he led the charge to keep in place a subsidy of $6 billion per year to the ethanol industry. Now he’s picking the oil and gas industry as losers by proposing to eliminate subsidies for big oil … More

    Tales of the Red Tape #9: Regulators Going Off on Microwave Ovens

    At the behest of Congress, the Department of Energy (DOE) has “invested” several years and considerable tax dollars in devising restrictions on the amount of electricity it takes to run virtually every household appliance. Alas, a regulator’s work is never done. Having assumed control over the energy we use to … More

    Political Leaders’ Latest Scheme: Big Taxes on U.S. Exports

    Several U.S. political leaders have recently reiterated their desire to punish countries that undervalue their currencies. News flash: Since June 7, 2010, the value of the U.S. dollar has fallen 17.3 percent. If the United States gives countries a green light to designate low currency rates as an unfair trade … More

    Amish Milk: The Latest Target of the Obama Regulatory State

    Milk might do a body good, but if it’s unpasteurized milk sold by an Amish farmer across state lines, it’s a whole other story… or at least according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Washington Times reports: A yearlong sting operation, including aliases, a 5 a.m. surprise inspection … More

    The Tax on Mother’s Day Flowers

    With Mother’s Day around the corner, you better look out. It’s going to cost more than usual to send your mom a bouquet of flowers this year. Earlier this year, Congress allowed the Andean Trade Preference and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) to expire. As a result: U.S. flower importers face … More

    Tales of the Red Tape #8: How Many Hazmat Suits Does It Take to Change a Light Bulb?

    Lest anyone tell you that the phase-out of (non-toxic) incandescent light bulbs will be hassle-free (other than hugely expensive), here is the directive from the Environmental Protection Agency for ridding your home of toxic vapor in the event you or a loved one (or relative) breaks the mercury-laden compact fluorescent … More

    Morning Bell: Is the Age of America Coming to An End?

    A dire prediction hit the news yesterday: A date has been set for the end of the “Age of America,” — i.e., when China’s economy will overtake the United States. The news comes by way of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast that shows China’s economy surpassing America’s by 2016. Though there … More