Daily news from the American Institute for Economic Research: stories, research, and articles touching on economics, politics, culture, education, policy, opinion, technology, markets, healthcare, regulation, trends, and much more.
AIER cuts through the noise of partisan shouting matches with objective, scientific research and principles that lead to sustained economic prosperity and human flourishing. Striving toward a world where all people enjoy the benefits of a truly free society.
Should Scott Atlas Sue His Detractors?
” Scott Atlas has a strong case that his old colleagues played fast and loose with his professional reputation for purely political reasons. If the courts get involved and decide against the signers of this document, I won’t shed too many tears for their free speech rights: after all, the upshot of their letter is to lend their professional reputations to violating everyone’s right in the name of disease mitigation, and cover up their political motivations with the veneer of science.” ~ Jeffrey Tucker
Open Letter from Medical Doctors and Health Professionals to All Belgian Authorities and All Belgian Media
The following letter has made an impact on public health authorities not only in Belgium but around the world. The text could pertain to any case in which states locked down their citizens rather than allow people freedom and permit medical professionals to bear the primary job of disease mitigation.
Edward Snowden Deserves a Pardon
“If President Trump has an ounce of decency, he should promptly pardon Edward Snowden, who at a very young age, with a promising career and his whole life ahead of him, put everything on the line to protect us from the very people who are supposed to be protecting us. Let’s hope that Trump does the right thing.” ~ David S. D’Amato
Don’t Scapegoat Business for Mask Mandates
“Brutalist methods will not rebuild social peace. This is not a call to accept mandates, but such mandates can be opposed without blaming the small business owners who are victimized just as much as we are.” ~ Barry Brownstein
Why Principles Still Matter in a Pandemic
“A healthy and prosperous society is not guaranteed by the size of its wealth, the capabilities of its technology, or the perceived intelligence of its experts. Rather it is upheld by the promulgation of ideas. Ideas rooted in free enterprise, limited government, individual dignity, and the rule of law. America, the most powerful polity in human history, brought itself to its knees by turning on these proven principles in the midst of a pandemic that freer countries handled far better.” ~ Ethan Yang
Be Serious, You Don’t Solve Lockdowns With More Central Planning
“Stated simply, the economy is weak because politicians imposed command-and-control lockdowns, and having done that, they poured gasoline on a fire of their own making with trillions more in spending. Let’s not vandalize common sense with more of what’s already failed. The only economic relief is an end to the lockdowns.” ~ John Tamny
In this Red Dawn, Who Invaded Whom?
“This was indeed Red Dawn. The invader was not the virus but rather governments who imagined that with enough edicts and guns they could intimidate the virus into going away. They tried to scare the disease away with rhetoric and violence but in the end, governments have only one ability: the capacity to control people. The sooner we recognize the real enemy is government overreach, the sooner we can get on with making sure nothing like this ever happens again.” ~ Jeffrey Tucker
A “Supercomputer” is Deciding the Politics of Australians (Video)
“By decree of an anonymous university “supercomputer,” Victoria’s Dan Andrews has opted to extend stage 4 lockdowns. This is once again stalling the economic recovery of the region and plundering the wealth and liberty of millions across the state.” ~ Taleed Brown
The Academy’s Monopoly on the Truth Is Crumbling
“Just like in markets, truly revolutionary technologies never destroy the old order–they usually accomplish more through adoption, changing established players from within. Goodacre’s efforts, especially as a hub where traditional academic insiders and outsiders met, teaches us much about how new technology changes old institutions. More academics should learn the lesson.” ~ Max Gulker
A Comment on the New History of Capitalism
“Much of the current debate revolves around an emergent historiographical school. Usually referred to as the ‘New History of Capitalism’ (NHC), this school has produced a sizable body of research contending that the institution of slavery was a central building block of American capitalism. At the same time however, the NHC literature has come under intense criticism from economic historians who have long studied the same subject, and who question both its use of evidence and its conclusions.” ~ Phillip W. Magness
New Jersey’s Transaction Tax Grab
“The way in which political figures view financial markets are a litmus test for their overall understanding of economics.” ~ Peter C. Earle
Single-Family Housing Permits Hit a Multi-Year High
“Single-family housing is becoming one of the strongest areas of the economy, supported by low mortgage rates and rising demand as urbanites transition to less dense housing.” – Robert Hughes
Total Unemployment Benefits Recipients Remain Near 30 Million
“The number of unemployment benefits recipients remains very high, suggesting a slow labor market recovery and uncertain path for economic growth.” – Robert Hughes
What’s the Right Mix of Money and Drugs for Your Employees?
“There isn’t a ‘right’ combination of wages, benefits, and other perquisites, and the pattern of things that ‘work’ for people is not planned by a central authority. It emerges from trial and error in the market.” ~ Art Carden
South Dakota: America’s Sweden
“Under the leadership of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, the Great Plains state has effected a fortress of liberty and hope protected from the grasps of overbearing politicians. And interestingly enough, South Dakota policies echo many of the same values and approaches as Sweden, and both have uncoincidentally experienced positive outcomes.” ~ Amelia Janaskie
NASA is Paying for Moon Rocks. The Implications for Space Commerce are Huge
“In ancient times, mankind extended the division of labor across tribes, turning enemies into friends. Later came trade across national boundaries, with similar largely peaceful effects. Now, humans are prepared to extend it still further: into the final frontier. Doux commerce is coming to the stars. NASA just made a ‘giant leap for mankind.’ Everyone who cares about human wealth and welfare should heartily thank them.” ~ Alexander W. Salter & David R. Henderson
Retail Spending Rises in August But the Pace Slows
“Retail sales posted another gain in August, but the pace is slowing; persistent uncertainty regarding Covid-19 and government policies remains a significant risk to future growth.” – Robert Hughes
Yes, 2021 Could Be Worse
“Buck up, buckaroos, because 2021 is just a cultural construct anyway. The world will improve not on an arbitrary day but when you all decide to make it a better place.” ~ Robert E. Wright
