Policy
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Trump Mania: Why Do We Care So Much About Politics?
“This isn’t a binary world: it was never ‘Trump or nothing,’ or ‘Trump or Utopia.’ What can be reasonably ascribed to Trump is the minor difference between him and the next guy (who, in the grand scheme of things agrees with him on 95% of issues) – deflated by the sum of changes in technology,…
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The Case for Lockdown Reparations
“Although it is unclear whether existing law guarantees a pathway to lockdown reparations, the principles enshrined in the 5th Amendment as well as basic economics provide an attractive case to implement reparations. Not only would it be the moral thing to do but lockdown reparations may also lead to a productive policy framework that protects…
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A Plea for Checks
“Private organizations, whether for- or nonprofit, have to be ahead of the times in order to survive in a world of cutthroat competition. (Or cabal as Smith warned.) To see what the future holds, look to businesses and nonprofits. They would be even further ahead if they did not have to constantly worry about meddling…
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An Inalienable Human Right to Commerce
“Tyrannical COVID-19 policies make clear: a formal, inalienable Human Right to Commerce is long overdue” ~ Peter C. Earle
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Don’t Be a Party to Parties
“Despite the Founders’ dislike of political faction, critics might retort, we have had political parties since the early 1790s and the economy has grown at modern rates ever since. That is right, but America has managed to grow despite slavery and tariffs and scads of other bad policies enacted by partisans. Think of how rich…
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Disease Panic Put Us on a Dangerous Course
“Our civilization is threatened not by this virus, but by deeply flawed reasoning in how it ought to be managed. Unless we make clear to our politicians and our fellow citizens that they are wrong, and that our ability to engage in activities and pursuits that are critical to our well-being is not negotiable, we…
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Covid Fail by Elites and Stooges
“The Trump economy was ruined. Look what’s happened on his watch! All just in time for the election. And especially in the more Democrat-controlled states.” ~ Daniel B. Klein
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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…
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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
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Why Do Basketball Players Make More Than Teachers?
“As an educator myself, I am happy to grant that teachers produce value for students, and for society. But even the most marginal teacher, at the worst and least motivated public school, can’t-wait-for-retirement clock puncher, makes far more than the marginal basketball player. You can’t compare the marginal unit of water, or teachers, with diamonds.”…
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Trump Mania: Why Do We Care So Much About Politics?
“This isn’t a binary world: it was never ‘Trump or nothing,’ or ‘Trump or Utopia.’ What can be reasonably ascribed to Trump is the minor difference between him and the next guy (who, in the grand scheme of things agrees with him on 95% of issues) – deflated by the sum of changes in technology,…
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•
The Case for Lockdown Reparations
“Although it is unclear whether existing law guarantees a pathway to lockdown reparations, the principles enshrined in the 5th Amendment as well as basic economics provide an attractive case to implement reparations. Not only would it be the moral thing to do but lockdown reparations may also lead to a productive policy framework that protects…
-
•
A Plea for Checks
“Private organizations, whether for- or nonprofit, have to be ahead of the times in order to survive in a world of cutthroat competition. (Or cabal as Smith warned.) To see what the future holds, look to businesses and nonprofits. They would be even further ahead if they did not have to constantly worry about meddling…
-
•
An Inalienable Human Right to Commerce
“Tyrannical COVID-19 policies make clear: a formal, inalienable Human Right to Commerce is long overdue” ~ Peter C. Earle
-
•
Don’t Be a Party to Parties
“Despite the Founders’ dislike of political faction, critics might retort, we have had political parties since the early 1790s and the economy has grown at modern rates ever since. That is right, but America has managed to grow despite slavery and tariffs and scads of other bad policies enacted by partisans. Think of how rich…
-
•
Disease Panic Put Us on a Dangerous Course
“Our civilization is threatened not by this virus, but by deeply flawed reasoning in how it ought to be managed. Unless we make clear to our politicians and our fellow citizens that they are wrong, and that our ability to engage in activities and pursuits that are critical to our well-being is not negotiable, we…
-
•
Covid Fail by Elites and Stooges
“The Trump economy was ruined. Look what’s happened on his watch! All just in time for the election. And especially in the more Democrat-controlled states.” ~ Daniel B. Klein
-
•
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…
-
•
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
-
•
Why Do Basketball Players Make More Than Teachers?
“As an educator myself, I am happy to grant that teachers produce value for students, and for society. But even the most marginal teacher, at the worst and least motivated public school, can’t-wait-for-retirement clock puncher, makes far more than the marginal basketball player. You can’t compare the marginal unit of water, or teachers, with diamonds.”…