Huemer recites some of the typically recited benefits of incarceration for society — incapacitation, deterrence, and retribution. He also recites detriments, some of which seem pretty small, at least with respect to violent crime. Since criminality seems heritable, surely one of the benefits that ought to be weighed is to diminish criminality in the gene pool over long periods?

What’s next up for Jack Salmon’s attack on tax expenditures? The analysis so far is really impressive. I’m wondering if he has a take on the work opportunity tax credit.

Actual deficit reduction

Noah’s Smith says, “I’m not incredibly optimistic that the GOP will actually cut spending by a meaningful amount — if they did, it would be only the second time in living memory, after the Tea Party Congress and Obama reduced the deficit in the early 2010s.”

I guess I must be dead, because I clearly remember the Re…