Topic: Government

Art and Culture, Authoritarianism, Government, Media

“Rich Men North of Richmond” Undeniably Captures a Moment

– August 22, 2023

“The song works because it is a refreshing depiction of the harms a runaway federal government has inflicted on working Americans, sung by a working American.” ~ David Waugh

Economic History, Government, Regulation

In the Land of the Free, Americans are Still Fighting for the Freedom to Pump Gas

– August 21, 2023

“The claim that pumping fuel is some kind of safety hazard is of course even sillier today than it was in 1949.” ~ Jon Miltimore

Crisis, Government, Media, Technology

Matt Taibbi’s Courageous Fight Against Censorship

– August 19, 2023

“Matt Taibbi has demonstrated his outstanding proficiency and excellence as a journalist by consistently exposing the covert development of a wide-spread network of state-sponsored censorship.” ~ Steve Dewey

Art and Culture, Economic Growth, Government

Economic Parasites: Their Gain, Your Pain

– August 18, 2023

“Just as biological parasites try to hide in the recesses of host bodies, economic parasites try to hide in the recesses of the body politic. Some, like leeches, cling tenaciously when exposed to the light. Others, like hookworms, feed deep in the belly of the economic beast.” ~ Robert E. Wright

Crisis, Economic Growth, Environmentalism, Government, Property Rights

Maui Needs Speculators

– August 18, 2023

“Some affected individuals would undoubtedly prefer to take a payout and move on rather than incur the expense of renting/purchasing a temporary domicile until the reconstruction is complete.” ~ Peter C. Earle

Crisis, Economic Growth, Government, Monetary Policy

Fitch Drops US Creditworthiness: Spending is the Reason

– August 17, 2023

“The government should focus on fiscal responsibility and better budget management to avoid a deepening spending crisis, exacerbating Americans’ existing economic burden.” ~ Vance Ginn

Government, Policy, Regulation

The (Egg)noble Lie of Regulatory Paternalism

– August 4, 2023

“As long as you don’t have serious comorbidities, you are over 4.5 times more likely to win the million-dollar Powerball prize than die from the consumption of a raw unpasteurized egg.” ~ Alec Stamm

Economic Trends, Fiscal Policy, Government

US Credit Rating Downgraded, Again

– August 3, 2023

“The reduction of the US credit rating is overdue in light of the long and enthusiastic abandonment of fiscal soundness in Washington DC, recently abetted by monetary policy authorities.” ~ Peter C. Earle

Art and Culture, Government, Property Rights, Regulation

Historic Designations: Not All Bad

– July 30, 2023

” People can only live in one house at a time, but the enjoyment of living in that house depends in no small part on the other houses in the neighborhood, if they care about the aesthetic vibe.” ~ Janna Lu

Authoritarianism, Energy, Government, Regulation

The New (Old) Threat of “Runaway Bureaucracy”

– July 27, 2023

“The notion of ‘independent’ agencies was a holdover conceit of the Progressive era—the FTC was founded in 1914—based on the idea that citizens were faced with large, concentrated forces they had no hope of dealing with, but which could be managed with the seraphic wisdom of benevolent experts.” ~ Michael Munger

Books, Government, Leadership, Philosophy

If We Live by Lies, We Will Demand Deceitful Politicians

– July 19, 2023

“When we choose to live in an inner world governed by our self-deception, we get a government ruling by deceit and vigorously stifling alternative views. ” ~ Barry Brownstein

Education, Government, Policy

If You Had to Choose Between Affirmative Action and School Choice, Which Would You Choose?

– July 17, 2023

“The opposition to school choice is mostly coming from those who already have more socio-economic success than the kids school choice is intended to help.’ ~ James E. Hanley