The reasons that the regulatory process stands as a serious problem to growth and economic development may seem almost overwhelming in the mesh-mash of their sheer volume, but what stands as the real problem is really quite simple — the misuse of the process for political purposes. The process of permitting or granting approvals for economic development and infrastructure projects shouldn't be used as leverage to control markets, advance agendas or disburse political favors.

You do not take risks with taxpayer money. That is one of the earliest things I remember learning in civics class. It is not a lesson taught anymore. Since government is taking money that belongs to others it is obligated to use it prudently and for only the most essential of purposes—purposes of such magnitude that only government can deal with them. That was elementary education in the US some 40 or 50 years ago.

"There's too much materialism associated with Christmas" is a popular refrain. Another is that Christmas has become too commercial. Usually no one speaks to disagree with these views, although the actions of most people are a loud statement that demonstrates, better than words that, they do not agree with the sentiment. The sentiment seems to attempt to douse the joy of what has become a cultural event that has grown far beyond any one religion, any single historic event, or any philosophical point....

Billings City government would be much improved if staff and council members held more respect for the citizens they ostensibly serve. That’s all that the recent park improvement district controversy is about. For the most part, it seems — once they have paid their taxes — the citizens of Billings are viewed primarily as irritants. Prevailing in the attitude of city government toward citizens is the condescension inherent, anytime, that forthright, honest discussion and information is replaced,...

Many stereotypes have some basis in truth — and in the case of economists, we can, and often do, change our minds about things. But we try not to do it on a daily basis. Yet the events in Europe, the gyrations on Wall Street and the fickle nature of reports on the economy have many of us doing just that. That, as much as anything, should tell you that all is not well with the economy these days. It’s not a second recession — not yet — but the situation is certainly disappointing given the...

One of the few virtues of the federal government has been its inefficiency. With functions spread out across different agencies and duplicated powers and responsibilities, it has often proved unable to harm the economy as much as it could owing to power games and competition among agencies. Now the president wants to change all that. He wants a ruthlessly efficient government to intrude in all aspects of our lives without internal checks and balances. An efficient government might have been a good...

 Last week, the Montana Supreme Court overturned an earlier victory for free speech rights won in Helena district court by American Tradition Partnership (ATP), Montana Shooting Sports Association, and Champion Painting, Inc. over government bureaucrats’ right to bar individuals and companies from airing political opinions under a non-profit or for-profit corporate umbrella. The ban on speech that Montana’s court temporarily restored was enacted before Prohibition, in response to this state’s...

Despite President Obama’s best attempts to stimulate the economy through massive government spending programs and corporate bailouts, our economy remains in a slump.  Unemployment is stubbornly high, business and consumer confidence has lagged, and growing public debt problems at home and abroad have complicated prospects of a recover