How can the Affordability Crisis be Addressed?

This week, a viral online clash over burrito prices has brought general affordability issues across American life to the top of policymakers’ minds. The socialist Left, and increasingly more segments of the populist Right, seek to drive down prices through expanding the government's control over the economy. AAF offers a compelling alternative: reject socialism, promote business growth through deregulation, and implement tax reform that allows American workers to keep more of their hard-earned wages.

AAF’s contributed directly to the burrito debate with The Burrito Index. While not the most scientific of indices, this resource is a helpful visual representation of how economic policy from state to state directly impacts the purchasing power of its residents.

Advancing American Freedom@AmericanFreedom

Now introducing the AAF Burrito Index

8:05 PM · Aug 5, 2026 · 185K Views

19 Replies · 40 Reposts · 191 Likes

In between the burrito battle, AAF’s scholars were hard at work this week lampooning the DSA, demonstrating the pitfalls of indiscriminate tariffs, warning against court packing, and more.

Thank you for your partnership which makes this crucial, liberty-defending work possible.

Beware the DSA: The ‘dirtbag’ wing of the Democratic Party (Washington Times) — Tim Chapman & Julia Jensen

• “Today’s Democratic Party, once filled with pro-family and free-market advocates, has been taken over by a new Left driven by anti-Semitism, hatred for law and order, extreme gender ideology, and ruinous economic policies that would crush hardworking American families.”

What a Packed Court Could Have Done in One Year (Civitas Outlook) — Marc Wheat and Davison Drumm

• Marc and Davison review some of the worst recent dissents from the Supreme Court’s minority, a minority that could suddenly become the majority if Congress doesn’t take action to prevent court packing.

Trump’s tariff ‘Plan B’ has arrived (Washington Examiner) — Marc Wheat & Philip Magness

• In 1930, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act turned the depression into the Great Depression. The tariffs didn’t give domestic manufacturers an edge; instead, employment fell, products became more expensive, and trade relationships were bruised. Now, the President wants to impose Section 338 of Smoot-Hawley. The U.S. would be wise to not step into the tariff trap again…

Congress must finish Lindsey Graham’s fight against Putin (Fox News) — VP Mike Pence

Why tariffs can’t hide a $77 billion reality check (Washington Examiner) — Marc Short & Joel Griffith

Liberty and the Adventure of Life (National Review) — Timothy Harper

Anti-abortion groups applaud Blanche review of Biden DOJ policy on mailing abortion drugs (Washington Examiner)

Why aren’t people getting married anymore? (WFEA with Jeff Chidester) — Madeline Alfonso

Best,
Tim Chapman, President
Advancing American Freedom