I haven’t said much about the 2012 election, largely because this blog tries to avoid politics and instead focuses on how public policy can promote or (all too often) restrict liberty. But every so often, I feel compelled to pontificate – usually because someone is…
Daily Analysis
Disaster Keynesianism Follows in Irene’s Wake
Disaster Keynesianism is the moniker I’ve given to the belief that destruction from natural disaster promotes prosperity. It is the logical extension of standard Keynesianism, which holds that any government spending is a boost to growth, and the various voodoo…
Crazy California Politicians Want to Regulate Babysitting
I’ve had several reasons to mock California in the past couple of years (see here, here, here, and here). But I never thought state politicians would be crazy enough to impose harsh regulations on babysitting. Filling out a time card for your babysitter sounds absurd,…
Prostitute Parking Meters! What Will the Germans Tax Next?
In a perverse way (pun intended), I admire German politicians for their creativity. They will figure out ways to tax just about anything. Their latest scheme is a plan that requires streetwalkers to put money in parking meters in exchange for a slip of paper that…
Let’s Send Obama to the Vatican for an Economics Lesson
I’m normally disappointed when religious figures comment on economics, particularly since they often turn the individual call to charity into a blank check for government-coerced redistribution. This runs contrary to individual choice, free will, and morality. So I’m…
Rich People Should Help the Poor by…Making Smart Investments and Earning Big Profits
There’s a very provocative article on the New York Times website that criticizes Steve Jobs for his supposed lack of charitable giving. Surprisingly, there is one thing that Mr. Jobs is not, at least not yet: a prominent philanthropist. Despite accumulating an…
Good News: Americans Are Increasingly Hostile to the Federal Government
I wrote last year that, “I don’t think public policy should be based on polling data, but I always am happy when the American people are on the right side of an issue since it increases the possibility of good outcomes in Washington.” One other thing to consider is…
One Man Can Make a Difference: Jay Beeber’s Successful Battle Against Revenue Cameras in Los Angeles
In a decision that is overwhelmingly the result of the hard work and dedication of one person, Los Angeles is ending its revenue-generating red-light camera scheme. Here’s Jay Beeber’s interview with Reason TV. If you’re interested, this post has more information…
Obama Supports VAT Sympathizer for Top Job at Council of Economic Advisers
The White House has announced that it is nominating Alan Krueger, a professor at Princeton, to be the new Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. In a Freudian copy-editing slip, the Fox News story (at least as of 8:44 a.m.) says “Krueger’s job will be to…
Another Fed-Bashing Video
I generally try to avoid commenting on monetary policy. Not because I don’t have opinions, but for the simple reason that I don’t follow the issue closely enough to feel fully confident about what I say. This doesn’t mean I’m happy with Fed Chairman Bernanke. But I’m…