February 4, 2011 12:33PM 

# This Week in Government Failure 

By [Tad DeHaven](https://www.cato.org/people/tad-dehaven) 

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Over at [Downsizing the Federal Government](http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/), we focused on the following issues this week:

- [Sen. Rand Paul](http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/sen-rand-paul-proposes-serious-cuts) bucks the trend of wimpy spending cut proposals with a more serious plan.
- Perhaps Charlie Sheen’s agent should consider getting him a gig with [HUD](http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/hud-failing-taxpayers).
- A Senate Democrat supports a plan that would focus on [spending cuts](http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/sen-mccaskills-bold-decision) and not tax increases.
- Policymakers should roll back the punishing regulations and taxes that make it difficult for [businesses of all races and sizes](http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/affirmative-action-government-contracting) to succeed.
- [Federal energy policy](http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/gingrich-woolsey-energy), Newt Gingrich, and “rank gooberism.”

##### Related Tags 

[General](https://www.cato.org/general), [Tax and Budget Policy](https://www.cato.org/tax-budget-policy) 

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