Source: Ludwig von Mises Institute
by Ryan McMaken
“Whenever a new US president is sworn in, media pundits and court historians gush about the supposed ‘peaceful transfer of power’ that is taking place. This has become a key tenet of the mythology and ideology surrounding democracy — that governing elites willfully abandon their control over the machinery of the state in response to election outcomes. Indeed, this narrative about democracy is absolutely foundational to the perceived legitimacy of democracy. The contention that elections lead to a ‘peaceful transfer of power’ reinforces the idea that the governing elites are determined by elections, and therefore by the ‘will of the people.’ If ‘we the people’ vote for a new group of rulers, then the old leaders will step aside a new group will take over. At least, that’s how the story goes.” (02/05/26)
“U.S. job openings fell to the lowest level in more than five years, another sign that the American labor market remains sluggish. The Labor Department reported Thursday that vacancies fell to 6.5 million in December — from 6.9 million in November and the fewest since September 2020. Layoffs rose slightly. The number of people quitting their jobs — which shows confidence in their prospects — was basically unchanged at 3.2 million.” (02/05/26)
“The U.S. Census Bureau plans to use a survey form with a citizenship question as part of its practice test of the 2030 census, raising questions about whether the Trump administration might try to make a significant change to the once-a-decade headcount that failed during the president’s first term. The field test being conducted in Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina, is using questions from the American Community Survey, the comprehensive survey of American life, rather than questions from recent census forms.” [editor’s note: The Constitution allows one, and only one, question — how many people live at the address being surveyed. Which also isn’t any of the government’s business – TLK] (02/05/26)
“Anyone reading the briefs and transcript of oral argument in the recent Slaughter case involving the president’s power to remove members of independent regulatory agencies can only be amazed at the lack of historical perspective of all the major actors, including counsel. All treat Article II of the Constitution as a perfect model of executive unity, the only issue being how far its powers extend. In truth, the drafting and history of Article II show that there have always been reservations with and limits to the unitary character of the executive branch.” (02/05/26)
“Elon Musk, leader of the Trump administration’s now-disbanded Department of Government Efficiency, must sit for depositions along with senior State Department officials over their role in dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development, a federal judge ruled Tuesday. Pointing to findings that Musk had made the decision to break up USAID – one of the world’s largest humanitarian programs – despite lacking formal authority or official approval – District Judge Theodore Chuang wrote that there was ‘no alternative’ than for Musk and other officials to provide testimony regarding their decision-making process. The ruling represents a win for a group of anonymous former USAID employees who are suing Musk, DOGE and State Department officials over the closure.” (02/05/26)
“Democrats are buzzing over the surprise victory of Taylor Rehmet in a Texas state senate race. Rehmet won by 14 points in a Fort Worth-area district Donald Trump carried by 17 points in 2024. That outcome inspired a piece by Republican strategist Karl Rove titled “Midterms Are Dems’ to Lose — and They May.” Rove doesn’t gloss over Republicans’ weak spots — the president’s dismal approval ratings, falling consumer confidence and the daily churn of Trump-fueled chaos. But he also notes the Democrats’ penchant for nominating far-left activists in moderate districts, candidates who inevitably lose the general. Rove is right about it all, which leads to a question for Democrats: Have they internalized that a Democratic Socialist who wins New York City would be dead on arrival most everywhere else?” (02/05/26)
