Michael McKenna
Columns by Michael McKenna
‘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
Tax the billionaires: They are not your friends
Everyone on the right is all excited about Elon Musk buying Twitter, but would be wise to reserve judgment about whether that will ultimately be a good thing. Published April 27, 2022
No, Disney’s freedom of speech wasn’t violated. Neither was yours.
Since the state of Florida dissolved the Reedy Creek Improvement District, partly in response to Disney's opposition to legislation precluding teachers from talking about sex and gender with kindergarteners, there has been a steady drumbeat from those who contend that Disney's freedom of speech has been violated. Published April 26, 2022
The Business Roundtable wants to raise your taxes
Last Tuesday, in perhaps the most remarkable instance of political tone-deafness ever the Business Roundtable decided that promoting a thriving economy included being in favor of a fat, new energy tax on consumers. Published April 21, 2022
Hypocritical and greedy New York Times can’t quit Trump
This week, The New York Times announced that they hired Michael Bender, formerly of The Wall Street Journal, to be their new reporter on what they describe as former President Donald Trump and the "Trumpism" beat. Published April 20, 2022
Impeaching Biden would be a mistake
Impeaching President Biden is a terrible idea. Impeachment is and should be reserved for high crimes and misdemeanors, not for policy differences. Published April 16, 2022
God or madman: The awesome story of Jesus, an obscure Jewish carpenter
This coming weekend, the world's 2.5 billion Christians will celebrate -- emphasis on "celebrate" -- the torture, execution and resurrection of an obscure Jewish carpenter. Published April 13, 2022
We’re better than communist China
Sometimes Americans' competitive nature requires that we think of our current rivals as much, much more impressive than they actually are. Published April 9, 2022
The 2020 election is over and it’s time to move on
Former President Donald Trump never tires of talking about the legitimacy of the 2020 elections. Fair enough. However, the reality is that the election is finished, and the winner has been certified. Published April 6, 2022