Acton Occasional Series

March 07, 2017

Explainer: What you should know about the Republicans’ bill to replace Obamacare

Embed from Getty Images Last night Congressional Republicans released two bills (here and here) which together constitute the current plan to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare). Here’s what you should know about the legislation known as the “American Health Care Act” (AHCA). Continue Reading...

March 07, 2017

Why did people in the 1970s have to wait in line for gas?

Note: This is post #23 in a weekly video series on basic microeconomics. If you’re over 40 you may remember back in the 1970s having to wait in long lines to buy gasoline. Continue Reading...

February 22, 2017

Understanding the President’s Cabinet: Veterans Affairs Secretary

Note: This is the sixth in a weekly series of explanatory posts on the officials and agencies included in the President’s Cabinet. See the series introduction here. Department of Education / U.S. Continue Reading...

February 21, 2017

Why is customer service better at Starbucks than at the DMV?

Note: This is post #22 in a weekly video series on basic microeconomics. Prices are signals that indicate to suppliers how much is being demanded. So what happens when the government puts a cap on the price that can be charged for a product or service? Continue Reading...

February 20, 2017

5 Facts about Washington’s Birthday

Today is the U.S. federal holiday known as Washington’s Birthday (not “Presidents Day—see item #1). In honor of George Washington’s birthday, here are 5 things you should know about the day set aside for our America’s premier founding father. Continue Reading...

February 17, 2017

5 Facts about Michael Novak

The theologian, scholar, and writer Michael Novak died yesterday at the age of 83. Novak was one of the most influential Catholic thinkers of his generation, and an indefatigable champion of free enterprise, democracy, and liberty. Continue Reading...

February 17, 2017

6 Quotes: Michael Novak on Freedom and Institutions

Michael Novak died last night at the age of 83. Novak was a theologian and thinker who cared deeply about liberty and wrote persuasively about what is necessary to preserve freedom for future generations. Continue Reading...

February 16, 2017

Understanding the President’s Cabinet: Labor Secretary

UPDATE: Andy Puzder withdrew his name from consideration yesterday, so we’re updating and reposting this article with the information for the new nominee, Alexander Acosta. Note: This is the fifth in a weekly series of explanatory posts on the officials and agencies included in the President’s Cabinet. Continue Reading...

February 14, 2017

5 facts about Frederick Douglass

February 14 is the chosen birthday of Frederick Douglass (1818-1895), one of America’s greatest champions of individual liberty. Here are five facts you should know about this writer, orator, statesman, and abolitionist: 1. Continue Reading...

February 14, 2017

When Nixon tried to control prices

Note: This is post #21 in a weekly video series on basic microeconomics. President Nixon had a problem—inflation was out of control. So in 1971 he attempted to implement a drastic solution: he declared price increases illegal. Continue Reading...

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