It’s no secret that regulation hits the poorest Americans the hardest. Academic research has long demonstrated that environmental regulations impose a higher cost on low-income Americans than they do on the general population.  The phenomenon is most visible in the automobile sector‚ where the average price for a new car was $48‚008. Even the least expensive new cars available in 2023 averaged over $20‚000. With a third of American households earning under $50‚000 per year and nearly a quarter earning less than $35‚000‚ a new car is out of reach for too many American families.  Of course‚ nothing in the Constitution gives Americans the right to have a new car. Some goods are just expensive. A midrange Rolex also costs around $20‚000‚ and no one would argue that every working American should be able to afford a Rolex. But cars are different for two reasons. First‚ car ownership is a key ingredient in improving the lives of low-income Americans. For example‚ research shows that Americans are far more likely to get off welfare if they own a car. Having a car also leads to better educational and health care outcomes.  Second‚ cars are more expensive because of Washington rules and regulations. One study estimates that the combined cost of regulation on vehicle prices is as high as 20%‚ which in dollar terms is $6‚000 to $7‚000 or more per vehicle. A Heritage Foundation study on the impact of fuel efficiency standards during the Obama administration found that vehicles could be as much as $7‚100 less expensive if not for those regulations alone. (The Daily Signal is the news and commentary outlet of The Heritage Foundation.) But don’t we need regulations to make cars safe? Maybe. But regulation alone does not improve safety‚ and just because some mandate or standard could marginally improve safety doesn’t mean that it should be required. Consider that about 33 people died for every 10‚000 vehicles being driven in 1913. Ten years later‚ that number dropped by 63% to approximately 12 deaths and then dropped over 83% to five by 1966.  The year 1966 is important because that’s the year that the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act was passed‚ which provides the statutory foundation for much of Washington’s authority to regulate auto safety.  The question then becomes whether autos become safer after the legislation was passed. By 2021‚ the number of deaths for every 10‚000 vehicles did fall to 1.6‚ but that number is hardly an improvement over the massive gains made prior to the 1966 Act. Further‚ while it’s also true that important safety improvements like seat belts‚ collapsible steering columns‚ and shatterproof windshields were mandated after the act was in place‚ these improvements‚ in all likelihood‚ would have been made anyway as consumers demanded greater safety‚ as was demonstrated before the act.   Even if regulation is the only reason these important safety upgrades were made‚ it doesn’t justify the endless barrage of regulatory requirements we continue to see. Backup cameras and tire pressure indicators are nice and do provide an additional element of safety‚ but should they be required? And more rules are being lined up all the time‚ like automatic idling shut-off‚ automatic emergency braking‚ lane change and crash warnings‚ driver monitoring‚ headlight regulation‚ and the list goes on.   Something often not considered is what safety improvements were never introduced because car manufacturers spent limited resources on meeting regulatory requirements rather than on developing the safety features that consumers wanted most at the most affordable prices. And then there are antiquated tariffs‚ specifically‚ the so-called chicken tax‚ which is a 25% tariff on certain light-duty trucks that are available in most countries. This increases the price such that they aren’t even offered in the United States. Despite all of this‚ the average price for automobiles has remained relatively stable over the years with auto prices lagging slightly behind general inflation. Indeed‚ many justify the increased regulatory burden by pointing out that the price of cars has not increased as compared to the broader economy. But this ignores two very important real-world implications. The fact is that autos would be much less expensive today and consumers would have a much wider selection of products and price points if not for Washington’s heavy hand. This‚ after all‚ is the normal trajectory of most consumer products. Televisions‚ personal computers‚ and microwave ovens are all good examples of what happens when new technologies are introduced to the marketplace. They are initially extremely expensive and relatively low-tech. But as the technology develops and competition drives innovation and lower prices‚ these items become more capable while also becoming more affordable to most Americans.       This is exactly what happens elsewhere in the world where government regulation of automobiles is not so heavy-handed. Take the wildly popular Toyota Land Cruiser 7‚ for example. This highly capable SUV is literally selling out in countries where it’s available‚ which is not surprising. It does all the things one might want from an SUV and comes in with a price tag under $35‚000. But they are not available in the United States because they don’t comply with U.S. rules and regulations.  Toyota offers other even more budget-friendly pickups such as the Hilux‚ which can cost as little as $15‚000‚ as well as other economical options. Suzuki offers the Jimmy at a mere $15‚000. None of these will be available in the United States because of regulations. This is absurd‚ and every American should demand better. Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post How Government Limits Our Choice in Low-Cost Automobiles appeared first on The Daily Signal.

In a gratifying win for religious freedom and free speech‚ the Virginia Supreme Court concluded Thursday that embattled Virginia high school teacher Peter Vlaming‚ who had been fired over his refusal to use a student’s preferred pronouns because of his religious faith‚ was protected by the free exercise and free speech clauses of the Virginia Constitution. In 2018‚ Vlaming‚ then a West Point High School French teacher‚ consistently referred to his transgender student (a biological female) by the student’s preferred name. However‚ he carefully avoided the use of third-person pronouns when referring to the student so as to not violate his religious beliefs. This wasn’t good enough for the West Point School Board‚ which ordered Vlaming to use the student’s preferred pronouns‚ too. Vlaming refused.   Following a complaint by the student‚ school administrators charged Vlaming with violating the school’s harassment and nondiscrimination policies. According to West Point Schools Superintendent Laura Abel‚ “Mr. Vlaming was recommended for termination due to his insubordination and repeated refusal to comply with directives made to him by multiple WPPS administrators. That discrimination then leads to creating a hostile learning environment. And the student had expressed that. The parent had expressed that. They felt disrespected.” Shortly thereafter‚ in a 5-0 vote‚ the West Point School Board terminated Vlaming’s employment‚ despite his stellar record and seven-year history of teaching at West Point High School. Vlaming then sued the West Point School Board in 2019‚ asserting constitutional‚ statutory‚ and breach-of-contract claims. While a lower court dismissed Vlaming’s claims‚ the Virginia Supreme Court reversed‚ sending Vlaming’s lawsuit back down to the trial court so that his case against the school board can proceed. The majority decision‚ which was written by Justice D. Arthur Kelsey‚ is a landmark victory for freedom of conscience and expression in the state. In its opinion‚ the Court held that religious exercise is protected under the Virginia Constitution unless it threatens the public safety or order. In doing so‚ the court rejected Justice Antonin Scalia’s highly criticized test in Employment Division v. Smith‚ which gutted religious freedom in cases where the government law at issue is neutral and applies to everyone. At the federal level‚ Scalia’s problematic Smith opinion was the impetus for passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act—which just celebrated its 30th anniversary.   Rather than relying on Smith‚ the court in Vlaming v. West Point School Board examined the Virginia Constitution’s text and its framers’ views on religious freedom. The court explained that the Virginia Constitution provided more protection for religious freedom than even the United States Constitution. And it doesn’t just protect religious beliefs—the court declared—it also protects the right to exercise those beliefs in acts or speech in every part of life. The court wrote that the issue was not whether the school board’s policies forbidding discrimination and harassment applied (as the school board had asserted) or did not apply (as Vlaming had asserted) to the compelled-speech situation Vlaming alleged. Rather‚ the issue was whether Vlaming’s sincerely held religious beliefs caused him to commit overt acts that “invariably posed some substantial threat to public safety‚ peace or order‚” and if so‚ whether‚ under a “strict scrutiny” review of the claim‚ the government’s compelling interest in protecting the public from that threat could be satisfied by “less restrictive means.” The court wrote that when religious liberty merges with free-speech protections‚ as it did in Vlaming’s case‚ mere “objectionable” and “hurtful” religious speech (or in Vlaming’s case‚ “nonspeech”) wasn’t enough to meet this strict scrutiny standard. Objectionable and hurtful religious speech‚ the court declared‚ poses no threat to the public safety or order. That meant that Vlaming’s refusal to use the student’s preferred pronouns because of his religious beliefs was protected even if others viewed his silence as offensive or hurtful. The court also tossed out the school district’s argument that public school teachers must leave their free exercise rights at the schoolhouse gate. It wrote that Virginia’s Constitution “seeks to protect diversity of thought‚ diversity of speech‚ diversity of religion‚ and diversity of opinion‚ [and that] absent a truly compelling reason for doing so‚ no government committed to these principles can lawfully coerce its citizens into pledging verbal allegiance to ideological views that violate their sincerely held religious beliefs.” The Virginia Constitution forbade the district from terminating Vlaming because he refused to violate his religious beliefs. The court then went on to address Vlaming’s compelled speech claims. It cited the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in the 303 Creative v. Elenis case‚ writing that his “claim challenges an attempt by the government to ‘compel an individual to create speech [he] does not believe’ and to ‘utter what is not in [his] mind’ about a question of political and religious significance.” “[I]f liberty means anything at all‚” Kelsey wrote‚ “it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear…. All the more‚ it means the right to disagree without speaking at all.” The court added that no court has ever held that referring to a transgender student by a preferred name while entirely avoiding the use of pronouns is sexual harassment under federal law—as the school board had alleged.  In fact‚ Kelsey cited a court ruling that had held the opposite. Vlaming’s attorney with Alliance Defending Freedom‚ Chris Schandevel‚ celebrated Thursday’s win saying‚ “The West Point School Board violated [the] constitution[‘s] command when it tried to force Vlaming to endorse the school’s ideological viewpoints on gender identity. And the Virginia Supreme Court rightly vindicated Vlaming’s right to stand by his convictions in its decision.” Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the url or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post High School Teacher Vindicated by Virginia Supreme Court Over Mandated Pronoun Use. It’s the (Virginia) Constitution‚ Stupid. appeared first on The Daily Signal.

One of Hollywood’s most classic movie pairings is Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. The couple shared the silver screen on several occasions and met one another while working on a film together. Unfortunately‚ their union was short-lived. Bacall was only in her early 30s when her husband passed away. Bogart and Bacall’s love story is legendary. The couple had a magnetic attraction that her... Source

Air Force One is the official name for the aircraft that carries the President of the United States when he’s traveling. The plane is considered to be one of the greatest symbols of the American presidency and the power of the position. The idea for a specific airplane for the president came about in 1943 after the United States Army Air Forces became concerned about the reliance on commercial... Source

As people age‚ they usually find that the older they get‚ the faster time passes. And while time is always marching forward at the same rate‚ the people have perceived it at various points in history has changed dramatically. For that reason‚ it’s not hard to develop a series of assumptions that govern the popular understanding of how time has moved and how far apart certain events and people... Source

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Click to Skip Ahead About Cheerble Overview Key Features Is It A Good Value? FAQ   Our Experience Our Final Verdict We give Cheerble Wicket Ball a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Quality: 4.5/5 Variety: 5/5 Safety: 4/5 Value: 5/5 Check Price on Cheerble Step into the future of pet entertainment with the Cheerble Wicked Ball‚ a must-have in the realm of interactive toys for our beloved four-legged companions. In a market flooded with conventional pet toys‚ the Wicked Ball stands out as a unique and interactive device designed to endlessly engage and entertain your pets. Since 2017‚ Cheerble has been committed to fostering joy and engagement between pets and their human counterparts. Cheerble has become a trusted name in the industry‚ with their core values being pet-oriented. The Cheerble Wicked Ball SE‚ their latest creation‚ embodies this dedication. Designed with both dogs and cats in mind‚ the Wicked Ball is set to captivate the hearts of pet owners seeking a dynamic and entertaining way to enrich their furry friends’ lives. Its intelligent design‚ combining unpredictable movements and interactive features‚ ensures hours of stimulation‚ making it an ideal choice for pets with varying energy levels and play preferences. What sets this ball apart is its ability to roll‚ spin‚ and jolt‚ captivating the attention of even the most discerning pets. About Cheerble In 2017‚ a group of self-proclaimed “pawrents” wanted to create new‚ innovative ways pet parents can interact with their fur babies. With technology overtaking every industry‚ the founders of Cheerble believe the pet space should be no different. Their goal in mind was to create tech-forward pet products designed to “cheer pets up”‚ hence their name. Their first creation was a moving bone-shaped toy that responds to different touch from your pet or from an app controlled by the owner. From there‚ Cheerble grew to more variations of technology-based pet products. Now‚ hundreds of thousands of pet parents spoil their fur babies with these high-tech toys. Overview Check Price on Cheerble Pricing Now‚ if you’re like me‚ I usually pick out pet toys that are on the bottom shelf in the discount section. Toys in my house usually last a maximum of 6 minutes‚ so why spend a lot of money on something that is bound to be destroyed? So‚ when I saw the price of $39.99‚ my first thought was that I would never spend that much on a dog toy. However‚ the experience we’ve had last week definitely justifies the price. The durability and endless entertainment the Wicked Ball is providing are worth every penny. Contents Upon arrival‚ you will receive a little box that contains the manual‚ the charging cord‚ and the ball‚ of course. The ball comes charged and ready to go so your pet can immediately start to enjoy it. The manual is easy to follow. There are 3 interaction modes – passive‚ normal‚ and gentle. Switching between modes couldn’t be easier and the bright colors are fun to watch. Specs Durable rubber Water-proof 3 interaction modes Fun‚ random movement Ideal for toy-small dogs Rechargeable In Summary Pros Durable Decent battery life Cons Potential choking hazard (for larger dogs) Key Features Check Price on Cheerble Durability Pet toys don’t last long in our house. We also have a dog‚ Tater Tot‚ who has a history of ingesting foreign objects. One instance even led to an emergency surgery. So‚ we are diligent in monitoring her playtime with her toys to prevent another surgery. All of my dogs have put this toy through the ringer‚ and you can’t even tell. Automatic and Interactive Modes The Cheerble Wicked Ball SE offers 3 modes to keep your dog busy. The “Gentle” mode means slow rolling and shaking when touched. The “Normal” mode means the ball will jump and roll around without needing to be touched by your pet. The “Passive” mode makes the ball jump around on contact. Variety The Wicked Ball SE comes in two different sizes and a variety of colors. The two sizes are perfect‚ depending on if you have a small or large dog. Is Cheerble Wicked Ball a Good Value? I usually go for the cheaper toys since they don’t last long. However‚ the Cheerble Wicked Ball is definitely worth the extra money. The ball is extremely durable and I can’t remember the last time a toy entertained my pets as much as this one. An added bonus is that you don’t have to constantly and repeatedly throw the ball for them. Check Price on Cheerble FAQ   Can the Cheerble Wicked Ball be used outdoors? Absolutely! Given that the ball is durable and waterproof‚ the toy can easily withstand the outdoor elements. However‚ if you have longer grass‚ the ball may have some difficulty moving around compared to flat carpet or hardwood. How do I charge the Wicked Ball? The Cheerble Wicked Ball comes with a charging cable. The metal port is inserted directly in the center and will flash to confirm charging. The manual does say to use caution when inserting the charger and emphasizes the importance of a 90° angle when plugging in as it does seem a little fragile. Our Experience With Cheerble Wicked Ball SE When it comes to dog toys‚ my husband and I are very particular. Our small dog‚ Tater Tot‚ has the bad habit of eating things that aren’t necessarily edible. A few years ago‚ she decided to eat the stuffing from one of her dog toys and earned herself an expensive‚ emergency surgery to remove a blockage. So‚ since then she has limited access to toys and can only have ones that are labeled as durable. The Cheerble Wicked Ball SE has honestly been such a great experience with no complaints. While the version I received was meant for small dogs‚ my entire crew is completely obsessed with this toy. My four cats and two other dogs love this ball. I can’t even hide it from them while it’s charging without one of them whining for it. My pets are even happy to play with it even if it’s not jumping and moving around. My biggest dog‚ Annie‚ loves to chew and roll around with the ball. This version is meant for small dogs‚ so it is not technically made for a dog her size. I did become a little nervous about choking as it is a small ball. If Annie were any bigger‚ I probably would be hesitant to leave her with it unattended. Cheerble does make it clear to supervise your pets while they play with the Wicked Ball‚ but I think that should be a standard rule for any toy. My other dog‚ Oakley‚ who normally is indifferent to toys‚ was seen prancing around with the ball flaunting it to her siblings. The battery life is good and will last around an hour of play. This does vary based on the mode the ball is set on and how much interaction it has. I was surprised by how much the ball could move‚ shake‚ and jump around. The bright colors that flash with movement make my pets even more excited. The version we got is Cheerble’s new and improved Wicked Ball SE. The company reports enhanced durability‚ 40% bouncier‚ new textured surface‚ reduced noise‚ and lighter weight compared to the first generation Wicked Ball. I have no complaints when it comes to this ball and I think my pets would agree. As a veterinary technician‚ I appreciate the added mental stimulation the toy provides. The durability gives us peace of mind since Tater Tot has a toy she absolutely loves without the risk of ingestion. The Wicked Ball SE has officially replaced all the toys in our home and has made a great addition to our pet’s playtime. Check Price on Cheerble Conclusion The Cheerble Wicked Ball SE is a stellar product in the world of interactive pet toys. The ball is designed with safety and pet stimulation in mind. Enhanced durability combined with unpredictable movements means endless play for our pets without the risk of breaking apart. While pricier than traditional pet toys‚ the value speaks for itself. The ball was designed to last. Some pets become bored with toys after the initial excitement‚ but I’ve seen firsthand that the interactive modes keep pets entertained and wanting more. The durability‚ flashy colors‚ exceptional battery life‚ and fun movements all combine to create your pet’s next favorite toy. The post Cheerble Wicked Ball Review 2023: Pros‚ Cons‚ &; Our Verdict appeared first on Pet Keen.

Click to Skip Ahead About Unifury Overview Key Features Is It A Good Value? FAQ Our Experience  Our Final Verdict We give the Unifury Wooden Ornament a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Quality: 5/5 Artistry: 5/5 Materials: 4.8/5 Value: 4.7/5 Check Price on Unifury The holidays are such a special time of year for the whole family – including our pets! With our four-legged best friends being the light of our lives‚ it is only natural for them to be well-represented during the season. As such‚ custom gifts (whether to ourselves‚ our family‚ or our friends) are a real treat‚ and even better with their sweet faces on them. Unifury is a custom gift company that is happy to put your pup or kitty’s face on a slew of beautiful product designs! About Unifury Unifury is made up of a team of designers‚ with each design hand-drawn and custom-created for your enjoyment. Offering hundreds of adorable options‚ Unifury helps make gift-giving a breeze with something specially made. Knowing that pets are an essential part of the equation‚ Unifury has a ton of options to include your pup or kitty – or both for multi-pet households! The Unifury Wooden Ornament‚ in particular‚ is an adorable and unique custom offering from the company. Made of plywood‚ you just submit your pet’s face and Unifury will turn that sweet smile into a cute cartoon drawing. The package also includes three different strings‚ ensuring this ornament sits beautifully on any Christmas tree. Overview Check Price on Unifury Pricing Priced at $27.95 for the ornament and the box‚ it almost feels like a steal for such a custom piece! The price is very apt for what you receive‚ if anything‚ it might even be on the low side compared to other ornaments. Choosing between having one pet drawn on the ornament or two does not change the price‚ another nice touch. Drawing The illustration is hand-drawn digitally by an artist working with Unifury. This makes each piece completely custom to your pet. Ornament Materials Made of plywood‚ the ornament is a nice wood that doesn’t have a scent‚ is durable‚ and a very nice neutral color. Shipping Shipping is free if ordering over $80 worth of product‚ otherwise‚ the shipping fee starts from $7.65‚ depending on the state and shipping method you choose. It takes about three days to make the ornament‚ so most come within a week. In Summary Pros Absolutely gorgeous artistry‚ great likeness of my pet The wood material is thick and sturdy The sealing to protect the art is strong Lightweight ornament that is great for hanging Different hanger options included Beautiful presentation when opening the package Cons The ornament box was cardboard‚ so box longevity may be an issue The ornament strings were wrapped too tightly to easily undo Key Features Check Price on Unifury Quality The quality of the ornament itself is top-notch‚ a piece that will definitely last for a very long time. The wood itself is nicely sealed to prevent the illustration from eroding over time. The thickness of the ornament is also a testament to its good quality. Build Material Made of plywood‚ the material feels very nice. The strings that come in the package are gold metallic‚ red ribbon‚ jute twine‚ and metal beads. Representation of your Pet This is truly where Unifury shines – the drawing of my dog was absolutely perfect. The artist even captured little details of her‚ such as her feathered ears! The glint in the eyes are a very beautiful touch. Custom Box The box itself was a lovely design for a gift‚ but may not be something that can store the ornament long-term as it is made of cardboard. Is the Unifury Wooden Ornament a Good Value? As a whole‚ I absolutely found the Unifury Wooden Ornament to be a great value. It’s hard to put a price on a custom piece of your pet‚ and the artistry involved is absolutely tremendous. That alone is well worth the price! The added value is also the high quality of the ornament itself‚ made of a good wood and designed immaculately. Check Price on Unifury FAQ How Long Does It Take To Make and Ship My Ornament? Unifury is quite fast‚ but it does still take 3 – 5 business days to make the ornament and about 4 – 8 business days to ship it. You can track your order on the Unifury website. Can You Have Multiple Pets in One Design? Yes! The wooden ornament lets you have up to two pets‚ but most of the other product designs allow you to have up to 5. Refund Policy? You can cancel your order within 2 hours of placing the order and not be charged. If the product came damaged‚ or defective‚ or you accidentally got someone else’s pet (oops!)‚ you should contact Unifury within 20 days of receiving your order. The funds will be returned to the payment method that the payer initially used to make the purchase. Our Experience With the Unifury Wooden Ornament Even though it isn’t quite the holidays yet‚ it sure felt like it when this beautiful ornament came home to me! Upon placing the order‚ Unifury sent a prompt email notifying me that the company is working on my wooden masterpiece and that I’ll have it soon. Within a week‚ I had a lovely package waiting on my doorstep! The Unifury package was very small and discreet‚ yet quite neatly done. Once the shipping cardboard was off‚ I was left with a small little box. Upon opening‚ I was met with colorful red present shreddings and some sweet notes from the company themself! This little decorative touch really made an impression‚ as presentation is just as important as the product itself. The ornament was laid face down‚ so the surprise was even more gratifying. When turning it over‚ I let out quite an audible gasp. The artist that had drawn my pup captured her likeness perfectly! Even the glint in Lorelei’s eye was wonderfully represented in this wooden ornament. The lines are so clean in the drawing as well. Honestly‚ my favorite representation of my beloved pup! I was really surprised at how light yet durable the ornament itself felt. I admit‚ I have never had a wooden ornament before – so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect here. However‚ the wood felt really satisfying in my hands (if that makes sense)‚ predominantly because it had a smoother finish to it. This makes a lot of sense as the painting itself needed to be sealed into the wood. The package also included various hangers‚ from metal beads to a variety of strings! My only (minor) complaint is that the strings were bound so tightly to one another that it was extremely difficult to separate them. I believe it was twine that was used to tight them all together! This didn’t impact my enjoyment of the beautiful ornament‚ just something to note. One other little comment is that the ornament box is made of cardboard‚ which although beautifully done‚ I don’t think will survive terribly long if kept the way most people keep their holiday ornaments – in a garage or on a shelf. This wasn’t a big deal for me because I’m not actually displaying the ornament on a tree‚ it’s hanging as a decoration above my dog’s kennel. All in all‚ I think the wooden ornament from Unifury was absolutely wonderful‚ and we’ve already received so many compliments on it from friends and family! The artists that draw for Unifury are truly so talented! Check Price on Unifury Conclusion In conclusion‚ the Unifury Wooden Ornament makes for a lovely addition in my home‚ and I absolutely cannot stop staring at the gorgeous artwork. It is quite difficult to truly capture the likeness of one’s pet but the artist who drew Lorelei did an absolutely fantastic job. I will definitely be using Unifury to order gifts for my friends as well‚ everyone deserves to have their pet memorialized in such a beautiful way! The post Unifury Wooden Ornament Review 2023: Pros‚ Cons‚ &; Our Verdict appeared first on Pet Keen.