Well, in one day it appears we have two interesting pieces of economic news. In the greater scheme of life these may not rate at the top, but they may be significant. On the one hand, we have learned that the Bureau of Economic Analysis, an arm of the Commerce Department that provides economic statistics, […]
Archives
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Economics and Philosophy: Do the Twain Meet?
22 Apr 2013
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The Politics of Gun Regulation
18 Apr 2013
The Manchin-Toomey Amendment, which would have expanded national background checks and closed some gun-show loopholes for gun purchases, was defeated in the U.S. Senate yesterday, likely ending President Obama’s push for new gun laws. There are many political lessons to be learned from, and reasons for, the bill’s defeat. The bill had 54 votes (55 […]
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This debate on immigration is a very helpful one. Dr. Wheeler did catch me in a missatement, that is, my statement that “millions of immigrants wish to come to America with little capital, little skill and, in some cases, little desire to work”. I remember vividly–and to my regret–that as I was typing this, I […]
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Concern over Global Warming is on the rise, while global temperature rise has abated. Why?
17 Apr 2013
Unfortunately I don’t have a good answer. But I think our understanding of political economy has to include a realization that there is often a disconnect between what we might consider the facts and what is reflected in public opinion and therefore turned into public policy. For example, why do so many Americans support an […]
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Response to Immigration Debate
16 Apr 2013
This is my short “two cents” worth response to Dr. Wheeler’s post of April 15, 2013 on immigration. I do agree that from a purely economic standpoint, there is no good reason to keep anyone out–that is, when all we consider is the market value-added of people. I also agree there ought to be an […]
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When Politics Should be Put Aside
16 Apr 2013
Whenever we endure a tragedy of the sort in Boston yesterday, there is a constant temptation to politicize the event. After all, attention is focused on one moment for a scant amount of time. Advocates, lobbyists, policy analysts, and politicians all crave this kind of opportunity because they know that triggering events are rare. People […]
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At their best, our Presidents can fill a psychic void that opens in the context of national tragedy. When the Challenger disaster shook America, President Reagan began the healing process by declaring the astronauts had “slipped the surly bonds of earth” to “touch the face of God.” Our leaders can also become a focal point […]
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The Kermit Gosnell stories keep piling up. I have nothing to add to this column by Kirsten Powers. It is one of those times when I wish I had written it myself.
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IRS and Email “Privacy”
11 Apr 2013
The patter of rain upon my window suggests Spring has arrived. The April showers signal renewal, growth, and TAXES. Yes, tax season–when accountants are sexy and when we, for at least a moment, pause to reflect on the often gross nature of our tax burden in the United States. I complain, of course, though I […]
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“You Don’t Own Me”
10 Apr 2013
Just when you think the Left has pretty much “let it all hang out” (I am partly a child of the 60s/70s), you are surprised. I read about (but did not see, except in a short clip) a “sermonette” by Melissa Harris-Perry of MSNBC in which she stated that “We have to break through our […]
Bert Wheeler
Jeff Haymond
Marc Clauson
Mark Caleb Smith
Tom Mach