From Capitol Hill to Latin America to Adam Smith, this week’s essays confront power and defend liberty—as always.

First, Craig Eyermann goes over the annual Unusual Whales report on congressional stock trading, noting that this past year, 29 members of Congress exceeded market benchmarks. Such consistent outperformance is rare among professionals and obviously a sign of trading on non-public information.

Alvaro Vargas Llosa points out that the Latin American 180° has revealed the true nature of self-proclaimed revolutionaries, showcasing their desire to preserve power and evade prosecution.

Following a much-discussed speech by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Francis Crescia emphasizes the risk of Carney’s economic strategy, noting that Canada’s fragile economy is highly reliant on American trade.

Ivan Eland warns that the U.S. economy will suffer profoundly from President Trump’s hostile economic and military policies.

Allen Gindler argues that the United States has entered an economic phase where GDP growth does not translate into robust hiring.

And finally, for the 250th anniversary of The Wealth of Nations, Daniel Klein analyzes Adam Smith’s deep opposition to the “will to dominate” in international affairs.

Enjoy.

Jonathan Hofer
Managing Editor