Clermont, Florida Correspondent — Most people don't wake up wanting to break up large technology companies. They want the services to work and they don't want to feel manipulated, and I'd say this spring did more to move the second half of that sentence than a decade of antitrust commentary did. My concern is narrower … Continue reading Will the increasing concentration of economic and political power in a small number of technology companies eventually require structural remedies similar to earlier antitrust actions?
Should members of Congress who used taxpayer funds to settle sexual misconduct claims be required to repay those funds, resign, or face prosecution?
Wheeling, West Virginia Correspondent — We've watched powerful people protect each other for a long time in this country, and I spent thirty years on the union side of that arrangement, so I'm not new to it. When the settlement money comes out of public funds, it stops being a private personnel matter. Ordinary workers … Continue reading Should members of Congress who used taxpayer funds to settle sexual misconduct claims be required to repay those funds, resign, or face prosecution?
Is the growing use of tariffs as a primary tool of trade policy more likely to strengthen or weaken long-term U.S. manufacturing competitiveness?
Dayton, Ohio Correspondent — I've spent most of my working life in manufacturing, first in quality and later in process engineering. Tariffs can serve a purpose when you're dealing with clear subsidy or dumping. They can keep a line running long enough for a company to retool or renegotiate supplier contracts. I watched that happen … Continue reading Is the growing use of tariffs as a primary tool of trade policy more likely to strengthen or weaken long-term U.S. manufacturing competitiveness?
Thinking Outside the Boxe Releases Transcript of Q&A Session from 15th Annual Symposium
Myrtle Beach, SC, Orlando, FL and Washington, D.C. January 2, 2019—Thinking Outside the Boxe has released the transcripts of the question and answer session from its 2018 Annual Symposium. Participants included correspondents from Gastonia, North Carolina; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Owatonna, Minnesota; and Sheffield, Jamaica. Digger Cartwright also participated. This year’s Symposium addressed tariffs and … Continue reading Thinking Outside the Boxe Releases Transcript of Q&A Session from 15th Annual Symposium
With improvements in sports officiating such as allowing challenges, appeals, and/or reviews of calls on the field, will any major sport do away with human officiating?
Owatonna, MN Correspondent-Instant replay has become ubiquitous in all refereed sports. Coaches and managers can challenge calls by referees and umpires, and the number of calls subject to challenge is expanding. Technology can show us the outline of a baseball strike zone, allowing viewers to judge for themselves if the umpire called a pitch correctly. … Continue reading With improvements in sports officiating such as allowing challenges, appeals, and/or reviews of calls on the field, will any major sport do away with human officiating?
Will self-driving cars ever be 100% safe, as most manufacturers claim them to be?
Owatonna, MN Correspondent-Self-driving cars (SDC) seem to be an inevitable development in automobile technology. I hope the technology improves to the point where driving in a car is even safer than airline travel, which is currently the safest form of mechanical transportation. But I don't believe SDCs will ever become 100% safe and remain practical … Continue reading Will self-driving cars ever be 100% safe, as most manufacturers claim them to be?
Considering the growing power and influence of technology companies like Facebook, Google, and Amazon, are we at risk of becoming a Big Brother society where our every move is observed, and every detail of our private lives is accessible to those who wish to manipulate or exploit us in some way?
Gastonia, NC Correspondent-I don’t think we’re at risk of becoming a Big Brother society, I think we’re already there. Big Data has infiltrated every part of our lives, and the ability of hackers to take over smart devices in our homes, listen in our baby monitors and even turn on the cameras in our computers … Continue reading Considering the growing power and influence of technology companies like Facebook, Google, and Amazon, are we at risk of becoming a Big Brother society where our every move is observed, and every detail of our private lives is accessible to those who wish to manipulate or exploit us in some way?
Canada recently legalized recreational marijuana. Will this increase the chances that recreational marijuana is legalized in the US?
Owatonna, MN Correspondent-The world is finally waking up to the fact that marijuana is no more dangerous than alcohol and shouldn't be outlawed. Canada is the latest in the growing trend of countries and states who are legalizing pot for recreational use. Although Canada's decision to legalize sends a clear message to other nations that … Continue reading Canada recently legalized recreational marijuana. Will this increase the chances that recreational marijuana is legalized in the US?
Is cutting taxes without cutting spending—as happened with the passage of the 2018 federal tax bill—a viable long-term economic strategy?
Owatonna, MN Correspondent-The feds passed another massive tax cut bill in 2018 that will push the annual deficits up toward the $1 trillion per year level yet again. We are the largest debtor nation in the history of the world and will probably never be challenged for that honor by any other country. The puzzling … Continue reading Is cutting taxes without cutting spending—as happened with the passage of the 2018 federal tax bill—a viable long-term economic strategy?
Is there a better way to deal with illegal immigrant families than arresting the parents and taking their children?
Gastonia, NC Correspondent-The tremendous idiocy and cruelty of separating parents and children at the border has got to stop permanently. The statement that “the law” required the separation was an outright lie, and the outrage didn’t stop until public opinion created a tidal wave of protest and outrage, even among the president’s own party. Let’s … Continue reading Is there a better way to deal with illegal immigrant families than arresting the parents and taking their children?
