Commentary/Opinion
Opinion: Treasurer Seeks To Reform Health Plan
By John Hood RALEIGH — Pointing to a projected $1 billion budget hole in North Carolina’s health plan for teachers and other public employees by 2027, State Treasurer Brad Briner…
Opinion: Democratic Wave Crushes GOP Candidates
By John Hood RALEIGH — The odd-year elections yielded precisely what all the warning signs of 2025 portended: a strong Democratic wave that crushed Republican nominees in the gubernatorial races…
Social Security Matters – Consider The “Wearing Out” Factor While Deciding When To Claim Social Security
By Russell Gloor, National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Association of Mature American Citizens Dear Rusty: Enjoyed your recent article on claiming SS…
Opinion: Low Debt Burden Aids North Carolina
By John Hood RALEIGH — Because I’m a fiscal conservative, you might think I reflexively oppose government borrowing. You’d be mistaken. I believe that public finance and toxicology share a…
Letter To The Editor: Reform Not Ruin – Fixing The House Without Burning It Down
By John Cabascango Despite the usual online noise of doom and gloom regarding the public school system, some lessons can be applied to the public school system here in Johnston…
Opinion: All Americans Share Heritage Of Freedom
By John Hood RALEIGH — Is there a hierarchy of Americanism? Many National Conservatives and other on the populist Right appear to think so. Using such terms as “legacy Americans”…
You Decide: Why Are Gas Prices Down, Food Prices Up?
By Mike Walden Two of the most important purchases by consumers are food and gas. We obviously need food to sustain ourselves, and most of us enjoy the experience of…
Social Security Matters – Do I Need To Sign Up For An Online Social Security Account?
By Russell Gloor, National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Association of Mature American Citizens Dear Rusty: I recently I heard the tail end of a…
Opinion: Drawing New Districts Is A Terrible Idea
By John Hood RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly is about to redraw the state’s congressional districts for the 2026 elections. It will be the fourth-such map employed this…
You Decide: Can We Predict The Economy?
By Mike Walden As I have mentioned in previous columns, I’ve made over 3,000 presentations in my career as an economist. Most of them occurred during my 43-year career at…
Social Security Matters – How Do I Navigate The Social Security Maze?
By Russell Gloor, National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Association of Mature American Citizens Dear Rusty: I am a woman, turning 65 this October (2025).…
Opinion: Let Parents Choose Their Public Schools
By John Hood RALEIGH — Having expanded its Opportunity Scholarship program and strengthened its charter-school laws, North Carolina got a solid “B” in the latest American Legislative Exchange Council ranking…
