California has long positioned itself as a leader in green energy, with lofty environmental goals and a slew of policies designed to make those goals a reality. For over three decades, the state has poured billions into subsidies and mandates, from tax incentives for solar panels to rebates for electric vehicles. Yet, despite those efforts, progress is thwarted by the very regulations meant to support green development.

Presidential candidate and VP Harris has proposed giving first-time home buyers up to $25,000 to go toward their down payments, plus another $10,000 tax credit. If enacted, this proposal would raise the price of housing.

On this anniversary of “9/11,” I am mourning the loss of our American culture, of the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

According to reporting by Reuters, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS) has blocked the $14.9 billion takeover of US Steel (USS) by Nippon Steel (Nippon) due to the “consequences to national security” and a “continued loss of viable commercial production capabilities.” Because the United States defends Japan’s sovereignty, it is difficult to imagine the latter undermining US national security. Moreover, Nippon has agreed to no “layoffs or plant closures or idling of US Steel facilities.” Domestic politics may motivate this decision, namely helping Democrats in contested races, particularly Vice President Harris.

On August 31, San Francisco 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall was walking through downtown San Francisco when a robber pulled a pistol and demanded Pearsall’s upscale watch, according to some reports, a Rolex. The rookie receiver refused to hand it over, and in the ensuing struggle, the assailant shot Pearsall in the chest. Miraculously, the bullet struck no vital organs and passed out his back. 

Paying attention to government spending is often both a thankless and depressing task. What makes it that way are the horrible incentives that politicians and bureaucrats have. Too many politicians see spending whatever their supporters want as their easy ticket to election and re-election. Meanwhile, bureaucrats have perverse incentives to run through every dollar the politicians authorize them to spend because if they don’t use it, they lose it. The result is often highly wasteful spending.

U.S. Treasuries have functioned as a safe haven for investors during global turmoil for decades. Here’s Investopedia describes their role in providing financial stability:

Certain politicians have recently stated that Americans are paying more for what they buy because greedy corporations are hiking prices to fatten profits at their expense. Is this so? Legislation that governs the securities industry requires companies to disclose financial statements to ensure honesty and fair play. These financial statements should tell us whether companies are profiting at the expense of ordinary Joes.

The total public debt outstanding of the U.S. government has grown by $7.4 trillion since the end of 2020. That’s causing a lot of concern for the CEOs of foreign financial institutions, who don’t see it as a risk-free investment.

Sadly, the presidential race is unfocused on America’s most critical issue. This issue is so crucial that everything else, such as inflation, geopolitical conflicts, immigration, the decline of manufacturing, and cultural conflicts, depends on where you stand on it. I’m referring to the limits of government. Based on both candidates’ approaches, there seem to be no clear limits, except for Trump’s spasmodic criticism of excessive regulation.