Religion & Liberty Online Archives

Acton Occasional Series

March 13, 2018

5 facts about Pope Francis

Five years ago today, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina was elected as the 266th pope of the Catholic Church. Here are five facts you should know about Pope Francis on his fifth anniversary. Continue Reading...
March 08, 2018

5 Facts about International Women’s Day

  Today is International Women’s Day, a century-old international observance of women’s cultural, economic, and social achievements. Here are five facts you should know both about this global celebration: 1. The original observance, held in the United States on February 23, 1909, was created by American socialist groups and dubbed National Woman’s Day (singular). Continue Reading...
February 21, 2018

5 Facts about Billy Graham (1918–2018)

The Rev. Billy Graham died today at the age of 99. Here are five facts you should know about the man who became the world’s most famous Protestant evangelist. 1. In 1934 at the age of 16, Graham was turned down for membership in a local youth group because he was “too worldly.” Continue Reading...
February 20, 2018

How marginal utility affects consumer choice

Note: This is post #69 in a weekly video series on basic microeconomics. When we buy a good or make a decision about how to use our time, we do so because we believe we are getting some sort of value from our choice, such as a sense of happiness or satisfaction. Continue Reading...
February 13, 2018

7 Figures: Trump’s 2019 budget plan

Yesterday, President Trump released his fiscal year 2019 budget plan. The president’s annual budget request tells Congress how much money the president thinks the Federal government should spend on public needs and programs; tells Congress how much money the president thinks the government should take in through taxes and other sources of revenue; and tells Congress how large a deficit or surplus would result from the president’s proposal. Continue Reading...
February 12, 2018

Explainer: What you should know about Trump’s infrastructure plan

Earlier today, President Trump released his new $200 billion infrastructure plan. Here is what should know about the 53-page legislative outline: What is infrastructure? The Federal government has defined infrastructure as the framework of interdependent networks and systems comprising identifiable industries, institutions (including people and procedures), and distribution capabilities that provide a reliable flow of products and services essential to the defense and economic security of the United States, the smooth functioning of governments at all levels, and society as a whole. Continue Reading...