This week’s articles challenge familiar assumptions about spending, war, crime, and even grocery bills, offering a timely reminder that what passes as conventional wisdom always deserves scrutiny.

First, Craig Eyermann discusses what America’s budgetary deficits mean for the future of government spending and the stability of Social Security. And as the Trump administration presses for increased military spending, Ivan Eland argues that the sunk cost fallacy has trapped America in endless interventions. Scott Beyer challenges the status quo about crime and poverty and points out the political inconvenience of discussing crime’s role in poverty. Finally, Caleb Petitt responds to a viral meme about the cost of healthy eating.

Happy reading.

Jonathan Hofer
Managing Editor