Political future may surprise us
The future of politics in North Carolina and elsewhere is not yet written. Issues changes. Coalitions do, too. Trying to predict them is a fools errand. Read More
NC SPIN Posts by John Hood
Freedom has many meanings
Can we have personal freedom and political freedom? Read More
Don't personalize political disagreement
The Pew Research Center asked members of each political party whether they should treat members of the opposition party with respect. The results might surprise you. Read More
Change how we pay teachers
We need to stop focusing on average teacher pay and instead look at compensation through different lenses. Read More
Insist on work for aid.
If North Carolina insists on expanding Medicaid they should at least insist on enforceable work requirements for new Medicaid recipients. Read More
Uncertain policy has economic cost.
When people can’t predict with at least some degree of confidence what economic policies their government will follow, they often delay consequential decisions and park their resources in safer, lower-yielding investments. Lawmakers should seek consensus, simplicity and predictability in making economic policy changes Read More
State leaders to debate healthcare.
Our political process is under tremendous pressure, no question. In North Carolina and beyond, politics has been overly coarsened, polarized, and trivialized. But the system isn’t irreparably broken. Read More
Tragedy of errors damages politics
Civility and trust among politicians were already sorely tested before Wednesday's override vote on Governor Cooper's budget veto. Read More
Special elections teach three lessons
There wasn't much special about Tuesday's special elections. Read More
Reform should accompany new districts
Each political party has historical reasons to be skeptical of the other’s intentions. Now is the moment to come together for the good of North Carolina. since no one knows who will controll the legislature after the 2020 elections. Read More
