One Balancing Test Turns Circular Political Arguments into Linear Ones
For any particular public policy problem, a balancing test, called the Bridge, will not only help both sides understand the other side’s policy arguments, but also will turn circular political…
Republican Donors Admit to Bribing Senators and Representatives
Republican donors are bribing senators and representatives by declaring they will stop contributing to Republican campaigns unless the Republicans repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and cut taxes. I.…
Federal Court Recognizes a New Constitutional Federalism Principle
Last week, a federal court recognized a new federalism principle for local governments seeking just compensation under the Fifth Amendment. I developed this constitutional federalism principle when I worked for…
Write about the Student’s Path to Passion
With fall comes agonizing personal essays for college and scholarship applications. Students can write more effective essays by showing instead of telling. When students explain their experiences that drove them…
Turn the Supreme Court West to Decrease Extreme Wildfires
Although modern wildfires burn hotter and more intensely, the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., sits too far away to smell the smoke or to see the land they scar and…
I Served on a Federal Grand Jury; It Works Like This
My federal grand jury summons told me that, if the Court selected me to serve, I would serve “twice a week for 18 months.”[1] I served, and I learned more…
Wildfire Management Money Grows on Trees
As modern wildfires burn hotter and more intensely, the United States Forest Service budget has spiraled out of control to fight them. A shot in the arm of resources for…
Wind Power Makes Money from Thin Air
People who stop for a moment in central and eastern Montana will hear money whooshing by them. Wind energy can provide Montana’s next great export as renewable energy demand increases.…
Senator Daines, Please Oppose Laffer’s Tax Cut Gimmicks
[UPDATED July 3, 2017] I’m updating this post to include Senator Daines’s response. Dear Senator Daines, My name is Jared Pettinato, and I live in Whitefish. Would you please oppose…
Write More Effectively by Eliminating Six Words
Write more clearly, more efficiently, and more effectively by eliminating six words: should, must, have-to, supposed, deserve, and ought. Writers use those words to encourage their readers to act. But…