Soon after the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) became useful shorthand for up-and-coming economies, some wanted to capitalize the “s” by adding South Africa.  This became a reality when South Africa was asked to join the other members of the group in 2010.

Medicare and Social Security trustees released their annual report on the health of the two entitlement programs. The bottom line is we’re only 13 years away from Medicare insolvency and 20 years from Social Security insolvency. The need for entitlement reform is as apparent as ever.

Here’s The Hill on the latest numbers:

From recent news reports, it’s becoming clear that the EPA will do just about anything to avoid any sense  of transparency.

The latest example of EPA foot-dragging and creative dodging comes at the expense of attorneys general in 12 energy-producing states. The AG’s have raised questions over the EPA’s use of “sue and settle” lawsuits as a short-cut to put in place expensive and burdensome regulations favored by activists and environmental groups.

Cross-posted from the Workforce Freedom Initiative's blog. 

We previously wrote about the fact that Connecticut closed out 2012 with the dubious distinction of having the highest average electricity price in the continental United States.  These high prices were driven, in part, by a 2011 electricity production tax that was imposed as a temporary, two-year budget gap solution by Governor Dan Malloy, with the promise that it would sunset in 2013.