I periodically comment about government corruption, often in the context of trying to make the general point that shrinking the size and scope of the public sector is the most effective way of reducing sleaze in Washington. Now let’s get specific. I’ve already…
Daily Analysis
Obamacare’s Creepy Uncle Sam Strikes Again
Last September, I shared a disconcerting video showing an unfortunate young woman getting her OB/GYN exam from a very creepy version of Uncle Sam. Well, you’ll be pleased to know that “Creepy Uncle Sam” does not discriminate. In this video, a young man faces the…
Obamacare, Cronyism, and Bailouts for Corrupt Health Insurance Companies
I thought TARP was the sleaziest-ever example of cronyism and corruption in Washington. The Wall Street bailout rewarded politically well-connected companies, encouraged moral hazard, and ripped off taxpayers. Heck, it was so bad that it makes the sleaze at the…
An Under-Appreciated Victory over Obamacare
Let’s enjoy some semi-good news today. We’ve discussed many times why Obamacare is bad news, whether we’re looking at it from the perspective of the healthcare system, taxpayers, or workers. But it could be worse. Writing in the Washington Post, Robert Samuelson…
Great Moments in Government Waste and Inefficiency
It’s difficult being a libertarian. In addition to all the other challenges (such as trying to convince peoplestealing doesn’t become okay simply because the government is the middleman), I get conflicted about government waste. You’re probably thinking I’m wandering…
Fascinating Polling Data on Misguided Millenials, Government Corruption, and “Unattractive” Leftists
I periodically share polling data. This is because public opinion research (if done honestly) provides insights on the degree to which people are either well informed, uninformed, or misinformed. And that kind of information is useful for policy wonks like me since it…
Piketty’s Class-Warfare Tome: Bad Numbers, Bad Analysis
Why do statists make so many mistakes with data? Paul Krugman, for instance, has butchered numbers when writing about fiscal policy in nations such as France, Estonia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. But Krugman isn’t alone. We also have Thomas Piketty, who was…
European Politicians Love the Underground Economy…When It Means They Can Spend More Money
Libertarians tend to like – or at least have a grudging respect for – the underground economy. For instance, even if we’re personally very straight-laced, we don’t like government prohibitions against gambling, drugs, and prostitution. This is why we’re not upset when…
Immorality and the Redistributive State
Back in 2012, I shared a sadly amusing image about how the modern political process has degenerated into two wolves and a sheep voting what to have for lunch. I was making an argument in that column against majoritarianism (and that is a critical issue, as explained…
Obamacare is Bad News for Your Wallet Today and Worse News for Your Wallet Tomorrow
I wrote a few weeks ago about the hidden economic damage of Obamacare, particularly the harm to the job market. Today, let’s get further depressed by looking at the ever-worsening fiscal damage of the law. Here’s some of what Chuck Blahous of Mercatus wrote about this…