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June 08, 2017

5 Facts about infrastructure

President Trump has designated this week as “Infrastructure Week,” a time dedicated to “addressing America’s crumbling infrastructure.” Here are five facts you should know about America’s infrastructure. 1. The Federal government has defined infrastructure as the framework of interdependent networks and systems comprising identifiable industries, institutions (including people and procedures), and distribution capabilities that provide a reliable flow of products and services essential to the defense and economic security of the United States, the smooth functioning of governments at all levels, and society as a whole. Continue Reading...
June 07, 2017

Understanding the President’s Cabinet: Director of National Intelligence

Note: This is post #20 in a weekly series of explanatory posts on the officials and agencies included in the President’s Cabinet. See the series introduction here.   Cabinet position: Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Department:  Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) Current Director: Dan Coats Department Mission: “The core mission of the ODNI is to lead the IC in intelligence integration, forging a community that delivers the most insightful intelligence possible. Continue Reading...
June 06, 2017

What Pope Francis doesn’t understand about speculation

In a recent visit to a steel factory in Italy, Pope Francis said, “One sickness of the economy is the gradual transformation of entrepreneurs into speculators.” “The speculator doesn’t love his business, doesn’t love the workers, but only sees the business and workers as the means to make profit,” the pontiff added. Continue Reading...
June 06, 2017

An introduction to externalities

Note: This is post #36 in a weekly video series on basic microeconomics. What are externalities and what are the different kinds of costs? And what does this have to do with the rise of “superbugs”? Continue Reading...