Ripon Forum


Vol. 50, No. 2

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In this edition

This may in fact be the year of the outsider. But it’s also the year of the underdog. And in this edition of The Ripon Forum, we focus on their concerns.

The Value of Encryption

In today’s world of ubiquitous computers and networks, it’s hard to overstate the value of encryption. Quite simply, encryption keeps you safe.

Are Apple and Google Harboring Criminals? Maybe.

Encrypting phones so a device cannot be accessed by the company who created the device, even when presented with a valid search warrant, should be a cause of great concern.

Facing Britain’s European Obsession

Britons will soon vote on whether to remain in or leave the European Union. Whatever the result, the world should not expect an end to Britain’s obsession with arguing about Europe.

Getting a New Lease on Life

At a time when the U.S. incarcerates more people than any other nation on earth, it’s time for Congress to lead the way on criminal justice reform.

The Minimum Wage: A Flawed Remedy for Stagnant Earnings

Slow wage growth remains a defining challenge of the economic recovery. But the most obvious solution — a higher minimum wage — has serious drawbacks.

Ike’s Forgotten Legacy on Civil Rights: A Lesson in Leadership for Today

Dwight Eisenhower has seldom received credit for his support for civil rights during his career, but his efforts remain a lesson in leadership for today.

Fighting Poverty: Welfare vs. A Way Out

After the expenditure of over $20 trillion in a 50-year “war on poverty,” the number of impoverished Americans has barely budged. Reform is vital.

Helping Entrepreneurs Succeed

From Uber to Airbnb, entrepreneurship has never been as highly regarded in pop culture as it is now. But entrepreneurship is not thriving — at least not yet.

The Rise of Single Parents

The number of households headed by single parents in America has tripled since 1960. With family structures changing, conservative policy needs to keep up.

The Rising Cost of College

America is facing a student loan crisis. Solving it will not only remove a financial burden on families, but will also provide young people with one less obstacle to overcome in life.

Ripon Profile of Orrin Hatch

The Senior Senator from Utah and Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee discusses the one issue in America that no one is talking about and the one thing in the tax code he would like to see changed.

Ripon Profile of Orrin Hatch

Name: Orrin G. Hatch

Ripon Profile of Orrin HatchOccupation: United States Senator

Book(s) you’re recommending to friends: The Book of Mormon

Top issue(s) in America that no one is talking about: The need for a Balanced Budget Amendment. The federal government will handle the American people’s money responsibly only if the Constitution requires it. Every other approach has failed. The Constitution is the American people’s rulebook for government, and a Balanced Budget Amendment is the only way to ensure that elected officials prioritize spending and stop mortgaging our children’s future.

Challenge facing your state that you’re working hard to address:
Approximately 67 percent of Utah lands are owned by the federal government and managed by bureaucrats in Washington. Unfortunately, this distant federal control can burden taxpayers, lead to poor management, and even silence the voices of the people most affected by federal land policies. That’s why I’m
working to return management of these public lands to the state officials who know it best.

Finish this sentence: “If I could change one thing about the tax code, it would be…”…to repeal the Obamacare tax increases. But when it comes to taxes, I have more than just one objective in mind. I’ve led a number of tax efforts in recent years, including the Finance Committee’s “Blank Slate” exercise in 2013, our Working Groups last year, as well as the law we passed in December making a number of important tax provisions permanent—including the R&D credit and Section 179 business expensing. I have done all of this with an eye toward building momentum for comprehensive tax reform.