Michael McKenna
Columns by Michael McKenna
Desperate Democrats start pressing for energy taxes
Everything made, everything transported and everything that keeps people warm or provides electricity invariably involves the use of natural gas, oil or coal. No matter where or when it is imposed, a "carbon dioxide" tax is a tax on energy. Published July 9, 2022
The ascendance of ‘National Conservatism’
To the surprise of many, it turns out that the idea of a "nation" is still very much alive. Published July 6, 2022
Fourth of July truly worth celebrating
Why do we celebrate the Fourth of July and not the 17th of September - the day in 1787 that the Constitution was signed by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention? Published July 3, 2022
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, an evangelist for free markets
Hester Peirce's day job is being one of five commissioners at the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is a pretty powerful job. Published June 29, 2022
Biden’s energy policy charades
President Joe Biden recently proposed suspending the federal gas tax for three months, the latest in a long line of failed efforts to convince the American people that he cares about high gasoline prices. Published June 24, 2022
Trump’s critical deficiency during his presidency
Former President Donald Trump's principal deficiency as president was an inability to hire, retain and just generally have competent people in his personal orbit. Published June 22, 2022
U.S. needs to lose the sentimentality about the Ukraine war
There was once a breakaway province, one that had a shared history and language with its mother country, but one that decided it was ultimately time to chart its own course in the world. Published June 19, 2022
The Democrats want to increase both taxes and energy prices
Team Biden has been having fun for the last few weeks by falsely claiming that Republicans want to raise your taxes. Published June 15, 2022
‘Drug pricing reform’ will kill people
The Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) has been a failure. Published June 11, 2022
What would a stronger GOP position on energy issues look like?
As the Republicans think about what to do in the event they wind up taking one or both houses of Congress next November, they should consider reframing many issues. Published June 8, 2022
3 lessons from the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial
There have been dozens of different takes on the social, cultural and historical significance of the jury verdicts in the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial. Published June 3, 2022
America’s violence and the limits of congressional legislation
As Congress begins to discuss what to do next with respect to gun laws, some context, perspective and a sense of the limits of legislation are essential. Published June 1, 2022
Sen. Rick Scott: ‘I am the most blessed person in America’
Like a lot of moms, Senator Rick Scott's (R-FL) mom had a clear plan for her son: He was going to make straight As, be an Eagle Scout, go to church, and eventually get a job and make money. Published May 28, 2022
The first victims of the Biden’s ‘energy transition’
A few weeks ago, Sinn Fein, the Irish nationalist party, won control of parliament in the north of Ireland for the first time since the dismemberment of Ireland in 1921. Published May 25, 2022
Rediscovering conservatism
In his new book, "Conservatism: A Rediscovery," Yoram Hazony makes a convincing case that Enlightenment rationalism is the god that failed. Published May 21, 2022
Timor-Leste: The most important nation you’ve never heard of
If you care about who will control global energy flows and who will control the Pacific for the next 50 years, you should care about Timor-Leste. It may be the most important nation you've never heard of. Published May 18, 2022
Google has some ideas about your electricity. You should be worried
A couple of weeks ago, Google came out with a manifesto on electricity and all the changes they plan to advocate for in the electricity industry. Some of them are not good. Published May 11, 2022
Republican senators unwisely propose new energy tax
Two Senate Republicans -- Sen. Kevin Cramer and Senator Bill Cassidy -- seem to be taking Sen. Joe Manchin's latest legislative effort as a moment to advocate for higher energy taxes for consumers. Published May 8, 2022
Comrade Sanders wishes us a happy May Day, ignoring the 100M killed by communism
Sen. Bernie Sanders, independent socialist from Vermont, just couldn't resist. Last Sunday, on May 1, he sent out an email wishing us all a "very happy May Day" and extolling the virtues of collectivism. Published May 4, 2022
Is $73 trillion a lot? Team Biden doesn’t think so
$73 trillion over the next 10 years. That is how much of your money Team Biden wants the federal government to spend. Is that a lot? Well, on an annual basis, it is 66% higher than the average yearly spending over the last 10 years. Published April 30, 2022
