New York Times (March 3)
In the U.S., conservatives are creating false alarm that federal and state governments may go bankrupt. “A country with a deficit is not necessarily any more ‘broke’ than a family with a mortgage or a college loan. And states have to balance their budgets. Though it may disappoint many conservatives, there will be no federal or state bankruptcies.”
Tags: Bankruptcy, Budget, Government, U.S.
The Guardian (October 14)
The British Government announced a plan to eliminate, merge or downgrade many of the existing quasi-autonomous non-governmental organizations (quangos). Under the plan, 192 quangos would be abolished, 118 merged and 171 reformed. In total, the 901 existing quangos would be reduced to 648. The plan aims to move responsibility for decision-making back to elected policy makers, but the Guardian points out “scrapping key agencies in health, justice and consumer rights has raised alarm.”
Tags: Britain, Government, Quangos
Financial Times (July 8)
The year has been disappointing in terms of taking action against the serious threat of climate change. The Financial Times, however, promotes a twin opportunity. Governments can both repair their budgets and the climate. “As treasuries look for ways to raise more revenues, climate change activists should make the case for green taxes.”
Tags: Climate change, Deficit, Government, Tax