The Brookings Institute, a respected think tank, recently issued a report on the political benefits of Congressional earmarks. Earmarks are footnotes an elected representative once was allowed to insert into the Congressional budget. Usually, the earmark was for a project which favore

Here’s a great idea for reducing crime in the city. Build more open spaces, more coffee shops and above all, more libraries.  Why?  Because, as Eric Klinenberg writes in his book, Palaces for People, with so many eyes on the scene, these areas become safer places. (“Come Togethe

In the past, making an anonymous contribution to charity was the norm, according to writers, Erick Konigsberg and Ben Ryder.  Many one-per centers in their day, like John D. Rockefeller, contributed large amounts of cash to colleges and other public institutions with no fanfare.