Nazi Socialism: What’s at Stake?

Source: Bet On It
by Bryan Caplan

“After getting ChatGPT to score Nazi Germany’s economic freedom, I prompted it to ponder the bigger issues. … I wondered how many questions I’d have to ask to get the model to reach what I consider the correct interpretation of the historical facts. It’s like the classic ‘80s question, ‘How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?’ The answer, for both ChatGPT questions and Tootsie Pop licks, turns out to be exactly … three.” (06/30/26)

https://www.betonit.ai/p/nazi-socialism-whats-at-stake

Thomas L. Knapp

The Clouds Behind the Supreme Court’s Common-Sense Ruling on Postmarked Ballots

Source: Washington Monthly
by Joshua A Douglas

“The Republican National Committee (RNC) had hoped that its lawsuit challenging Mississippi’s mail-in balloting rule would end with a bang; instead, it fizzled into a whimper. But the Supreme Court’s decision yesterday—especially the dissent from four justices—still raises serious concerns about the Court’s fidelity to voters and their rights.” (06/30/26)

https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/06/30/mail-in-ballots-supreme-court-ruling-postmarked-ballots/

Thomas L. Knapp

Inflation likely to stay “significantly above target,” top European central banker warns

Source: CNBC

“Inflation is at risk of remaining above target despite the U.S. and Iran agreeing to end their war in the Middle East, a top European central banker warned on Tuesday. Speaking to CNBC’s Annette Weisbach on the sidelines of the European Central Bank’s Forum on Central Banking in Sintra, Portugal, Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel said there is a probability inflation ‘will stay at an elevated level.’ … Earlier this month, the ECB raised its key interest rate for the first time since 2023, citing inflationary pressures arising from the U.S.-Iran war. Nagel said on Tuesday that the hike was the right decision, but it is too soon to make a call on the trajectory of monetary policy, with much uncertainty still lingering around the situation in the Middle East.” (06/30/26)

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/30/high-inflation-could-linger-despite-iran-war-ending-ecbs-nagel-says.html

Thomas L. Knapp

Senator Susan Collins and the nation’s national defense

Source: Fox News
by Hugh Hewitt

“Extraordinarily gifted legislators in the United States Senate are rare. As preconditions to their effectiveness, they must accumulate both significant seniority in the body of 100, and the respect of their ever-changing 99 colleagues. It’s a small club — the United States Senate — and everyone knows who has got the ability and the respect to guide big lifts through the (intentionally) complicated process. Maine Sen. Susan Collins is one of the handful of senators who command the respect of her Republican Conference colleagues and most of the Democratic senators who actually care about making the country run well. That is why Collins is the chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and is also one of the 17 senators on the critical Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. (Collins is also a member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.)” (06/30/26)

https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/morning-glory-senator-susan-collins-nations-national-defense

Steve Trinward