New from the Free Market Project

If Inflation Falls in the Forest…
When no one reports good news, does that mean it didn’t happen? Of course not. And the biggest decline consumer prices have seen in 56 years is pretty big news. Unfortunately, the media paid a lot more attention when inflation rose back in September.

Commentary: Boo-Hoo Economics
The media found plenty to cry about in 2005. But if they could stop spinning economic positives as negatives, maybe they would realize they could put away their hankies for awhile.

The Media’s Top 10 Economic Myths of 2005
Don’t miss our list of the year’s greatest hits – exposed and debunked.

The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly tracks the best and worst media coverage of business and economics. Readers are invited to submit suggestions or news tips to staff writer Ken Shepherd.
This week:  USA Today shows a town eager for a nuclear plant; ABC, NBC gun-shy on calling transit strike illegal; Lou Dobbs’s deficit of economic knowledge widens.

Also from FMP:

ABC, NBC Gloss over Transit Strike’s Illegality

Hit by a Clue-by-Four

U.S. Economy Again Defies Media Pessimism

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Research, News & Commentary

Energy

Commentary: The Congress of Racial Equality’s Paul Driessen writes in the Washington Times that the time to tap ANWR’s oil reserves is long overdue.

News: Reuters reports from oil analyst Trilby Lundberg: “In 2006, the EPA could well cost gasoline consumers more than Hurricane Katrina did.”

Labor Unions

News: The Washington Post’s Stephen Barr reports on how Congress has scaled back a Bush administration program “that uses cost-comparison studies to determine whether ‘commercial’ activities performed by the government should be turned over to contractors.” The bottom line: as of November 30 of this year, it’s become harder to save taxpayers money and improve quality of service by contracting work to private companies.

Commentary: The December 20 New York Sun derides the Transit Workers Union for its “blatantly illegal act of economic sabotage” staged during “one of the most important business weeks in the city in a last-ditch attempt to preserve privilege.”

Government Waste

Commentary: Economist Dennis Coates notes that public stadium finance deals like the one planned for the Washington Nationals have historically failed to deliver on the promise of jobs.

News: The Heritage Foundation’s Policy Blog looks at how bridge-building projects in Alaska – originally thought to be garden-variety pork projects – would personally benefit Alaskan politicians pushing for them.

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The Moral Consequences of Economic Growth
American Enterprise Institute
Jan. 9, 12 p.m.

Scientific Talent and U.S. Economic Leadership
American Enterprise Institute
Jan.13, 2 p.m.

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