The federal government shutdown has now made it past the four-week mark. A short-term funding bill intended to reopen the government until November 21st failed earlier this week, marking the thirteenth attempt to reopen during this shutdown. Which begs the question: What makes government shutdowns drag on? On the other hand, how much does it matter?

Shutdown or no shutdown, President Trump’s tariffs are about to go before the Supreme Court; and in the meantime, the President keeps adjusting them pretty much every week. He also seems to be taking liberties in bombing accused drug boats off the coast of Venezuela. The latest episode of Independent Outlook tackles these issues—and more.

Craig Eyermann continues to cover the government shutdown, emphasizing that the interest on the national debt has become one of the largest categories of government spending.

Georgi Harizanov, Alex Tokarev, and Kristin Tokarev respond to the rhetorical appeal of socialism and how the real-life outcomes are poverty, repression, and lost liberty.

Raymond March warns that political crusades in public health risk hijacking science.

Scott Beyer argues that undoing the federal government’s grip on retirement income can help the very people that social security purports to assist.

Finally, in a follow-up article, Craig Eyermann poses a timely question in light of the shutdown: Are the days of the filibuster numbered?

Enjoy.

Jonathan Hofer
Managing Editor