Op-Ed: All or Nothing at All

• Charles F. McElwee
• April 15, 2021

Russell Shorto explores his family roots, the small-town mafia, and a unique period in postwar America.

Commentary

Life In The Christmas City

• Charles F. McElwee
• December 24, 2020

Pennsylvania’s Bethlehem tells the tale of two economies in the pandemic era.

Commentary

Op-Ed: Four Places to Watch in Pennsylvania on Election Day

• Charles F. McElwee
• November 3, 2020

From upscale suburbs to blue-collar villages, Pennsylvanians will likely determine the presidential victor. Many consider this election a referendum on Trump’s pandemic-era leadership -- especially in a state where COVID-19…

Commentary

State Budget

Philadelphia’s Cigarette Tax Falls Short

• July 8, 2016

Philadelphia collected nearly $59 million in cigarette taxes between July 2015 and June 2016. Well below the $77.5 million originally anticipated by state lawmakers, according to Anna Orso…

Media

State Budget

How Bad is the Farm Bill

• Nathan Benefield
• May 22, 2008

In light of today’s front page commentary on the federal Farm Bill Fiasco, here are some more links describing how awful this legislation is. Citizen’s Against Government Waste…

Media

A chance to end farm subsidies

• Nathan Benefield
• November 5, 2007

Los Angeles Times editorial on the corporate welfare for rich farmers (including those in Manhattan). IDB has an op-ed of its own on the upcoming vote. Also…

Media