Barone: Free Market, Not Government Policy, Drives Energy Boom

MICHAEL BARONE: In contrast to the marginal effects of much ballyhooed public policies, there has been a huge breakthrough in energy production in the past couple of years. Read more at Townhall...

There is a lesson here for public policy generally, including health care. No centralized government expert predicted the vast expansion in energy supply from hydraulic fracking. It was produced by decentralized specialists in firms subject to market competition.

Learn a little about "hydraulic fracking" in this article. --bc Read More......

Sen. DeMint: White House land grab

WASHINGTON POST, 3/2/2010 by Sen. Jim DeMint, R-SC (Via Email/Hat tip: Linda Weimer) - You'd think the Obama administration is busy enough controlling the banks, insurance companies and automakers, but thanks to whistleblowers at the Department of the Interior, we now learn they're planning to increase their control over energy-rich land in the West. ∴ A secret administration memo has surfaced revealing plans for the federal government to seize more than 10 million acres from Montana to New Mexico, halting job- creating activities like ranching, forestry, mining and energy development. Worse, this land grab would dry up tax revenue that's essential for funding schools, firehouses and community centers. ∴ President Obama could enact the plans in this memo with just the stroke of a pen, without any input from the communities affected by it. Read more at the Washington Post... Read More......

Montana GOP hopes Oregon taxes mean Montana business

HELENA INDEPENDENT RECORD, 2/21/2010 by Martin J. Kidston - It’s a dog-eat-dog world, and these days, jobs may be the bone. ∴ Montana Republicans are asking the Department of Commerce to target Oregon businesses in an advertising blitz that looks to steal jobs and promote Big Sky Country as a friendlier place to do business. Read more at the Helena IR... Read More......