Topic: Government

Economic Education, Free Trade, Government

The Prospects for Global Trade under the New US Administration

– November 26, 2020

“At 78 years old it is generally expected that Joe Biden will be a one-term president, and this presents him with a golden opportunity to embrace reform in many areas of policy. He has been afforded the chance to leave a lasting legacy: an overhaul of the WTO is one such reform.” ~ Colin Lloyd

Economic Education, Government, Policy

Student-Loan Cancellation Shouldn’t Happen, But It’s Not The ‘Working Classes’ Bailing Out The Rich

– November 24, 2020

“While it would be wrong to forgive federal student debt, let’s not add to what’s incorrect with nonsensical allusions to ‘real America’ paying for bailouts of Beverly Hills, Manhattan and Pacific Heights.” ~ John Tamny

Economic Education, Free Markets, Government

Medical Supplies Are Too Important to Leave to a National Supply Commander

– November 23, 2020

“Managing medical supply production and distribution is a most unnecessary attention for a central planner. As Smith points out, it is nowhere so dangerous as in the hands of a man who had folly and presumption enough to fancy himself fit to exercise it.” ~ Art Carden

Classical Liberalism, Economic Education, Government

Lockdowns Stunt Women’s Progress

– November 20, 2020

“Over the past one hundred years, the country created a space where women could more easily work, attain higher education, open businesses, and be freer economic agents. Now, lockdown policies and their advocates are forcing a massive step backward in gender equality and women’s economic freedom.” ~ Amelia Janaskie

Central Banking, Government, Monetary Policy

The Complexity of Monetary Policy and the Effectiveness of the Fed’s Commitment to a Higher Rate of Inflation

– November 19, 2020

“A better policy would be to bring greater clarity to the structure and effects of the Fed’s policy framework so as to improve the quality of investor expectations. So long as investors feel that they might as well be reading tea leaves to predict Fed policy, the Fed will struggle to anchor investor expectations of nominal and real income growth.” ~ James L. Caton

Classical Liberalism, Crisis, Government, Science

Irish Scientists and Doctors Inveigh Against Lockdowns

– November 19, 2020

“The White Paper recommends four overarching strategies consistent with the 2019 WHO and Irish pandemic guidelines, including the removal of lockdowns and a focused protection of the vulnerable. Overall, this paper is an impressive study on lockdowns and presents a mountain of evidence that demonstrates lockdowns are not only ineffective but harmful to people and must be stopped to maintain a healthy society.” ~ Amelia Janaskie

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Government

Getting Covid Is Not a Crime

– November 18, 2020

“As states begin to lock down/lock up again, our choice remains clear: one simple, tried and true rule that respects individual rights and liberties, or myriads of oppressive rules that work at cross purposes and are certain to be mocked now and in the future.” ~ Robert E. Wright

Central Banking, Government, Monetary Policy

Filling Fed Vacancies Would Leave Biden with Few Options to Replace Powell

– November 18, 2020

“Biden’s only other play would be to lean on historical norms. Fed Chairs rarely stick around to serve out their terms as mere Governors when they are not reappointed to the top spot. Janet Yellen resigned in 2018, when Trump replaced her as Chair with Powell, despite having nearly six years left on her term as Governor. Biden might hope Powell will follow suit.” ~ William J. Luther

Economic Education, Government, Monetary Policy

Not All Government Spending is Stimulus

– November 18, 2020

“Relief spending would be a much-needed blessing for many Americans. But paying people not to work does not stimulate the economy.” ~ Thomas L. Hogan

Authoritarianism, Government, Science

Does Science Really Demand that Bars and Restaurants Close?

– November 17, 2020

“Until we start questioning ‘the science’ or demand that our policymakers stop hiding behind the boastful yet ambiguous label of ‘science’ and adequately identify precisely what evidence they are following, we will be sucked into an endless spiral of cyclical shutdowns.” ~ Micha Gartz

Economic Education, Gold Standard, Government

Do Not Trust Governments with the Control of Money

– November 16, 2020

“If Judy Shelton is appointed to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, and if she actually espouses and defends the ideas for which she is being condemned by so many of those ‘mainstream’ economists today, it may be a useful step to the societal transformation to a freer society, a key long run element of which must be the freeing of money from political control.” ~ Richard M. Ebeling

Economic Education, Fiscal Policy, Government

Debt, Deficits, and the Donald

– November 15, 2020

“Fortunately, divided government will mean no Green New Deal, no federally mandated and funded paid leave, and no Court-packing. But it probably won’t mean less spending. In fact, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has already announced that we can expect another COVID-relief bill, one containing many of the Democrats’ favorite provisions, such as bailouts of the states.” ~ Veronique de Rugy