Freedom is a growth strategy
When pollsters ask voters to list the issues they care about most, economic concerns usually rank high on the list — even when unemployment rates are relatively low. There’s a stolen base here... Read More
NC SPIN Posts by John Hood
Housing choices reflect political divide
There is a familiar kind of political argument that goes something like this: “I know we are politically divided. I think that partisanship has its place — but surely there is no need to make... Read More
Cooper retains some McCrory policies
If North Carolina Democrats hoped — and North Carolina Republicans feared — that a Roy Cooper administration would represent a clean break from the administration of former Gov. Pat McCrory, both... Read More
Judge government by value added
Want to know why conservatives are more skeptical than progressives of the idea of government confiscating more of our money to throw at social programs? I’ve already given you the answer in my... Read More
How facts and values divide us
The United States spends more on health care than any other industrialized country but doesn’t get better results, as measured by average life expectancy. Have you heard this claim before? Did you... Read More
Deeper discussion needed on schools
Massachusetts has consistently been at or near the top of the list in reading and math achievement, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). This is a fact. The policy... Read More
Peer pressure produces good policy
Peer pressure has been the reason, or at least the rationalization, for many a youthful indiscretion — not that I would know from personal experience. Actually, the effect doesn’t dissipate when... Read More
Six Statistics North Carolinians should know
Since 2010, when voters put Republicans in charge of most state governments across the United States, North Carolina became one of about a half-dozen states where conservative reformers have... Read More
Community colleges deserve more than lip service
It has long been commonplace for North Carolina politicians to lavish generous praise on community colleges. Alas, this praise is more often a sort of rote incantation than a real statement of... Read More
Arts economy extends beyond film
The state legislature regularly draws fire for its decision to end an old, very generous tax break for film and TV production and replace it with a smaller, more-targeted grant program. Industry... Read More
