Topic: Policy

Did State Reopenings (and Closings) Have Little Effect on Spending?

– December 16, 2020

“Vaccines alone cannot thaw frozen state economies unless and until they in some way encourage governors to reopen. If any lockdown-prone governors do reconsider their orders, there is a distinguished team of Ivy League economists who stand ready to advise that reopening closed economies could make little “immediate” difference. That would be terrible advice.” ~ Alan Reynolds

Education, Free Markets, Policy

End the ABA’s Accreditation Power

– December 15, 2020

“Society writ large would benefit if the ABA lost the authority to accredit law schools. If only there were a politician willing to take the lead on this issue.” ~ Allen Mendenhall

Government, Policy, Regulation

American Antitrust, Déja Vu

– December 14, 2020

“This sounds awfully familiar. In fact, this pattern has been repeated a number of times in American history since the beginning of the 20th century. An innovative company springs up from nothing and dominates its field—usually a new field. Politicians become agitated and do all they can to prosecute it for monopoly behavior and if possible, break it up.” ~Jane Shaw Stroup

Crisis, Policy, Science

Covid, Lockdowns, & Long-Term Care: State Comparisons

– December 11, 2020

“While nursing homes await the arrival of the vaccine within the next few weeks, the data still speaks to the importance of protecting the elderly in the meantime. The focused protection of nursing homes and promotion of low-risk individuals’ carrying out life as normal both lower the unintended consequences of the pandemic while still keeping people safe. A balanced and holistic approach, grounded in data and facts, not fear. This is how we can live rewarding, healthy lives.” ~ Amelia Janaskie & Micha Gartz

Central Banking, Monetary Policy, Policy

Making Money Lawful

– December 11, 2020

“In terms of incentives, politicians can’t meddle, and central bankers can’t distribute unnecessary largesse, if monetary policy is constrained by a rule. Given that the Fed exists, and isn’t going anywhere soon, the best course of action is to ditch the ‘discretion’ part of ‘constrained discretion.'” ~ Alexander W. Salter

Crisis, Government, Policy

The Problem of Systematic Corruption

– December 10, 2020

“What is to be done? We have to keep the promise of liberty, especially of voluntary association and competitive markets, alive and remember that no matter how bad things get, the solution to most of our problems, radically smaller government and greatly increased economic freedom, can always be implemented tomorrow, one way or another.” ~ Robert E. Wright

Authoritarianism, Government, Policy

Lockdowns and the Rule of Law

– December 9, 2020

“The solution is quite simple; end the lockdowns and adopt a strategy that does not encourage tyranny. If that’s too much, then at the very least follow the law and be consistent, especially if you were the one who advocated for it.” ~ Ethan Yang

Authoritarianism, History, Policy

What is to be Done? The Rise of Hygiene Socialism and the Prospects for Liberty

– December 7, 2020

“When one lines up the groups which are now appearing to come together in a ‘united front’ against individual liberty – environmental, monetary, cultural, and hygiene socialism – with talk of the need for a “global reset” one wonders ‘what is to be done?’. This was the title of an important pamphlet Lenin wrote in 1901 which inspired Rothbard to ask the same question in 1977.” ~ David Hart

Crisis, Healthcare, Policy

Facts – Not Fear – Will Stop the Pandemic

– December 6, 2020

“The public should know that the pandemic will not be here forever. While these are challenging times – and, for many families, life-changing times – like every other pandemic in human history, the COVID-19 pandemic will end. With wise and informed policy choices, we can reduce its ultimate toll of death and human misery.”~ Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya

Crisis, Policy, Regulation

The Global Guinea Pig: Airlines to Discriminate Based on Your Medical Status

– December 4, 2020

“Future politicians may be tempted to deny potential immigrant groups entry under the guise of a ‘public health threat.’ Digital health passes could be extended to include: influenza, hepatitis, measles, tuberculosis, Zika, HIV and STDs. And all because, during our trip down Covid-hysteria highway, we threw waivers and personal responsibility out the window.” ~ Micha Gartz

Economic Education, Free Trade, Policy

Twelve Principles of International Trade: Part 1

– December 3, 2020

“Although it’s possible to imagine bizarre scenarios in which a country’s rising trade deficits might be evidence of economic decline, none of these scenarios is realistic in the case of the United States. American trade deficits are evidence of American economic health, at least relative to many other countries, rather than of economic hardship.” ~ Donald J. Boudreaux

Crisis, Policy, Science

Nursing Homes and Covid Fatalities: The Empirical Relationship

– December 2, 2020

“While not all deaths are preventable, we have a moral obligation to engage in focused protection rather than continue one-size-fits all approaches to public health. To the extent that resources for testing, vaccines, health care worker time, and federal grants are scarce, they should be focused on the most vulnerable, and few are more vulnerable than nursing home residents.” ~ Stephen C. Miller