The debate between the economists reminds me of a long-past humorous saying about the dismal practitioners (only teasing there):  “If you laid all the economists of the world end-to-end they would never reach a conclusion.”  I guess they still haven’t regarding this question of whether the Republicans and Democrats are essentially different or the same. […]

There are few things more fun than sitting back and watching economists fight. My good colleagues Drs. Wheeler and Haymond are in the midst of a tussle over the differences, or lack of differences, between our political parties. Their back and forth is worth a read. In some ways, this is the argument between those […]

Fellow Berean Jeff Haymond responded to a post I made on election day on what I see as very distinct similarities between Republicans and Democrats on economic issues. Rather than commenting on Jeff’s post by responding in the text box underneath his post I’d like to include a couple of diagrams. In order to include those diagrams […]

In a provocative post, Berean Bert Wheeler suggested that there is not much difference between Republicans and Democrats, at least economically.  I understand the urge to think this, and I certainly agree given my frustrations with both parties; “a pox on them all.” But to say there is no real substantive difference between the parties […]

Gordon Tullock died the other day.  He was about 92.  For those who didn’t know, Tullock was a founder of the Public Choice School of economic thought, famous for its use of microeconomic principles applied to problems of government, in particular government failure. Tullock was known as the “inventor” of the concept of rent-seeking, known […]

The Grand Old Party had an excellent night. As of now, Republicans have tightened their grip on the U.S. House, 246-181 with 8 races undetermined, and stormed the gates of the U.S. Senate, picking up at least seven seats with a good possibility of two still pending in Alaska and Louisiana (which will go to […]

I was able to attend the Free-Market Forum weekend before last. FMF is a group of Christian professors gathering to learn more about free-market principles and economics. While I do not think it was part of his planned  talk, one of the speakers said that Republicans and Democrats reminded him of Coke and Pepsi – the basic […]

You may think this is piling on, but I am okay with that.  Some things need to be jumped on.  Our national anthem ends with the following line, “O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave, o’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?”  I am seeing precious little freedom or […]

Let’s run through the basics. As of now, the Republicans control the House (233-199) and the Democrats control the Senate (55-45). There is little doubt the GOP will hang onto the House (most people think they will pick up some seats there), but the Senate could go either direction. There are 36 Senate seats being […]

One of the calumnies of those espousing an ever-expanding view of the state in determining social outcomes against those who would prescribe any limitations on what the government could do is that it is pure “selfishness.”  Indeed, it is alleged that opponents of a larger state believe in a “rugged individualism” where, as President Obama […]