Topic: Cato Institute

Healthcare reform hangs on cinching the cost to taxpayers

Latest effort to lower the federal price tag taps companies that don't offer health insurance to employees. They would pay an annual fee.

Honduran coup tests waning US clout in Latin America

The coup happened apparently against US wishes, showing the erosion of America’s influence in a region it once controlled.

Three conservative reviews of Obama's healthcare reforms

Too much government involvement in private medical decisions, say some critics. Too scanty on the details, charges another.

Homeland security to repeal national ID law

The Obama administration wants to replace the controversial Bush initiative with a cheaper, less rigorous ID program.

Opinion: Five questions for Sotomayor

GOP senators should probe her views on key Supreme Court decisions.

The challenge of fair-trade chocolate

Fair trade brought sweet success to Dominican cacao farmers. Why more demand might take profits away.

Why Democrats relent on gun issues

They’ve allowed concealed-carry weapons in national parks, considered easing gun restrictions in the District of Columbia, and turned back a campaign pledge on gun-record transparency.

Credit-card bill could hit students hardest

Young consumers are easy prey for predatory credit-card issuers. They are relying on their plastic more than ever.

High hopes for high speed

A $13 billion proposal could lay high-speed tracks in the midwest, California, and Florida.

Why green-power premiums may fade

Pricier options may become obsolete if government requires utilities to bring more renewables on line.

Government's role in economy getting too big?

The US may have headed off a deeper recession by investing hundreds of billions into major companies. But it drives up deficits and creates uncertainty among investors.

Opinion: The US should cut military spending in half

Defense Secretary Gates's military budget cuts are too conservative.

Opinion: A bold Plan B for North Korea

The US should consider inducing China to topple the Kim regime.

GOP's budget is worlds away from Obama's

While President Obama's budget would expand the scope of government the House GOP alternative aims to return government spending to historical levels.

Obama's strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan

The President's plan for the increasingly troubled region is ambitious, although his goals are more limited than Bush's.

Obama's overtures seek to help a spiraling Mexico

Mexico's drug wars are spilling over into the US, forcing Obama's administration to refocus attention on the border.

Opinion: Outlook on China: peaceful partner or warmonger?

Economic difficulty could impel Beijing to sow regional conflict. American policies shouldn't add fuel to the fire.

Student leaders 1, Chávez 0. Next: a referendum rematch

Drug violence in Mexico presents threat at US backdoor

At least 35 people were killed in 24 hours in the worst spate of bloodshed yet this year.

Florida Gov. to President Obama: Show me the money!

Bush pushed the limits of presidential power

With Cheney's urging, he insisted that he had that right under the US Constitution, especially during wartime.

Raising Keynes: An old economist finds new rock-star status

Keynesian economics is being hailed as key to ending the collapse.

Obama's case for action

Spending big on the economy is less risky than doing too little, he asserted Thursday.

Will Obama ‘deimperialize’ the presidency?

He has criticized Bush’s attempts to trump Congress, especially on war issues.

Can America spend its way to economic recovery?

Conservatives, resisting big government outlays on principle, begin to build the case for other options.