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Free Market Project -
Auditing the media's coverage of the free enterprise system
Volume 1
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Issue 10
� October 19, 2005
In this issue: Bankruptcy Lobbying � Exercise in Futility � Union
Health Care � Good, Bad & Ugly
Links: Katrina � Taxes � Energy � Economics � Social Security � Tort
Reform � Events |
New from the Free Market Project
Lobbying for Extra Credit
Bankruptcy reform took effect this week, despite the media�s arguments
against it. The Free Market Project took a look at network coverage of the
bill, from proposal to law, and found the networks using victims of
Hurricane Katrina to lobby for a delay. Calling bankruptcy a �fresh start�
and a �safety net,� journalists failed to consider the new law as a curb
on abuse of the legal system.
Flat-Out Un-Fair: Tax �Fix� More than a Four-Letter Word
The president�s panel on tax reform was supposed to simplify the tax code.
Instead, it�s suggesting more of the same � having government pick the
winners and losers in the economy. Its proposals won�t aid growth or
create jobs, but they will disappoint taxpayers who thought the panel
could make a difference.
Auto Workers� Benefits: Catching Up with the Times
The United Auto Workers union and General Motors Corp. are embroiled in a
legal battle over health benefits. The media have tried to suggest that
the automaker�s attempt to have its workers pay a portion of their health
coverage is something new and terrible that will bring trouble to other
industries and the economy in general. The problem with that reasoning is
that GM is only catching up with what other companies have been doing.
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 Director
Dan Gainor.
This week: A fair view of FairTax; the problem with calling for
government aid; and why the Four Horsemen are over the top.
Also from FMP:
�War, Famine, Pestilence and Death�
Katrina Brought Poverty in America to the Front Page
Federal Help?
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Research, News & Commentary
Hurricane Katrina
Commentary: Ole Miss�s William Shughart elaborates on why
government failed in its response to Katrina.
Government Spending/Taxes:
Research: The Cato Institute compares spending between the
current administration and Lyndon Johnson�s. Bush outspent Johnson on
discretionary spending.
Research: 'Tis the season for tax reform, and the Institute
for Policy Innovation has plenty of ideas in their �Road Map to Tax
Reform.�
Energy
Research:
Tom Lehman plays a game of �gasoline price fact and fiction� with his old
friends, supply and demand.
Economics
Research: The Bush Administration�s decision to embrace
diversity and rejoin UNESCO could engender trade protectionism and
cultural prejudice.
Social Security Reform
Commentary: The Thrift Savings Plan is offering more lucrative
investment opportunities for government employees.
Liability Reform
Commentary: AEI�s Kevin Hassett explores a tort reform that
costs more money than saves lives.
Upcoming Events
Tell us
about events coming up in your area!
Contemporary
Issues in Public Health: Separating Fact from Fiction
with Free Market Project Adviser Dr. Elizabeth Whelan
Sponsored by The Heartland Institute
The Metropolitan Club, The Sears Tower, Chicago
Oct. 20, 11:45 a.m.
The Effects of Community College Training on Displaced Workers
Hudson Institute
Oct. 21, 9:00 a.m.
Can Lawmakers Rein in Runaway Federal Spending?
The Heritage Foundation
Oct. 26, 2:30 p.m.
Monetary Institutions and Economic Development
Sponsored by the Cato Institute and The Economist
Cato Institute
November 3, 8:00 a.m. � 6:30 p.m.
�States of Fear: Science or Politics?� with Michael Crichton
Hotel Nikko, San Francisco
Nov. 15, 8:00 p.m.
�TELL
THE TRUTH!�
Join Us in Telling 50 Million Americans Every Week About Liberal Media
Bias!
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New MRC Blog Launches!
The MRC's blog site,
NewsBusters,
"Exposing and Combating Liberal Media Bias," has launched. With your
participation we trust
NewsBusters
will soon become THE blog site for tracking and correcting
liberal media bias. Come post your comments and get fresh proof
of media misdeeds at:
http://www.newsbusters.org
Or, visit Media Research Center at: www.mediaresearch.org |
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