Topic: Government

Authoritarianism, Government, Technology

Can the Biden Administration Censor the Internet Through Private Companies?

– July 20, 2021

“Statements from the White House suggesting that social media companies should do more to police ‘misinformation’ are concerning. Our government has lost any credibility to not only be trusted with the responsible use of power but also to be a reliable moderator of public health discourse or any conversation for that matter.” ~ Ethan Yang

Environmentalism, Government, Regulation

Sacred Is as Sacred Sells

– July 20, 2021

“While a precise value of sacred claims that stop mining or pipelines cannot be assigned, the impact of successful claims can certainly be measured in the value of lost jobs, higher prices for less abundant materials like lithium, delays and costs in slowing global warming.” ~ Wallace Kaufman

Fiscal Policy, Government, Monetary Policy

Understanding the Covid-19 Recession

– July 20, 2021

“National debt ballooned together with the Fed’s balance sheet even before the pandemic hit, and once it did we’ve been spending with unprecedented recklessness for relief, recovery, and even supposed infrastructure expansion. Spending this wealth that has yet to be created guarantees, not just future inflation, but a future recession.” ~ Robert F. Mulligan

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Government

A Closer Look at Trump’s Lawsuit Against Twitter

– July 19, 2021

“The lawsuit ultimately hinges on whether or not Trump’s team can find sufficient evidence that these social media giants were/are colluding with the state to suppress free speech. If so, that would be an issue that everyone from all political persuasions should be concerned about and hope to defeat.” ~ Ethan Yang

Government, History, Regulation

Law But No Order

– July 19, 2021

“When The Law applies equally and recognizes that everyone has an equal right to life, freedom, and property, rent-seeking cannot bear fruit. It no longer detracts resources from more productive activities. The winners are those who add value to others’ lives.” ~ Sophia Spinazze

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Government

Beware of Totalitarian Scare-Mongering

– July 19, 2021

“Perspective matters. Truth matters. Failure to provide either is an easy way to dupe people into accepting from the state an awful offer that they certainly should refuse.” ~ Donald J. Boudreaux

Environmentalism, Free Markets, Government

Study Finds Economic Prosperity is Associated With a Cleaner Environment

– July 19, 2021

“A prudent and accountable government that upholds the rule of law is not only a better promoter of economic growth but also a better steward of the environment. Higher living standards and ecological responsibility are not two competing interests but two interrelated byproducts of human progress.” ~ Ethan Yang

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Government

Cuba Demoted to “Not Real Socialism”

– July 19, 2021

“We can look at socialism’s miserable track record and try to learn from what people actually do and actually want. Retroactively saying ‘Actually, that isn’t real socialism’ about the Cuban revolution won’t change the fact that people vote for freedom and against socialism in overwhelming numbers.” ~ Art Carden

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Government

Is the State Your Single Source of Truth?

– July 18, 2021

“When the State expands, it tends to do so at the expense of other sources of authority and loyalty. The family, the community, the church or other religious group, the employer, the club – all are undermined as the State grows.” ~ David McGrogan

Economic Education, Fiscal Policy, Government

Bureaucracy as Infrastructure

– July 18, 2021

“Earmarks for special interests from both parties make it easier to get bipartisan support in Congress, but with wasteful spending spiraling out of control, it’s hard to see that as an advantage.”~ Robert F. Mulligan

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Government

Harvesting the Sickening Fruit of Lockdowns

– July 17, 2021

“One would be well advised to expect that nary a single public official will be called to account for the mounting NPI death toll. But with fear already welling up regarding new Covid variants, and the first of a new set of NPIs being imposed, awareness of the overlooked, underappreciated costs may save lives in the near future.” ~ Peter C. Earle

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Government

It’s About Time We Stopped “Trying Communism”

– July 17, 2021

“We live in an age where ignorance is a choice when it comes to the superiority of a free and open society. The quicker we stop averting our eyes and look at the facts, the quicker we can move towards a world where every individual, regardless of their geographical and political fortune, can live free and prosper.” ~ Ethan Yang