A letter concerning economic reality

As a response to this bloomberg.com article, which declares and celebrates the end of laissez-faire economic influence, I shared with my mother (who forwarded the article to me) thoughts so relevant to the economic discussion in America today, they are worth repeating here:
This article, besides unpardonably confounding economic liberty with imperial oppression and brutal dictatorhip, [...]

Emerson cherished gold standard, limited government

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s writing is popular among progressives, who often share his criticisms of materialism, simony, and intolerance.  When I began reading his complete works, I wrongly expected to see “progressive” economic and political views; I did not.  I was surprised to learn that, regarding the size and scope of government, Emerson is at odds [...]

Open bailout opposition letter to Congress

“That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves.” – Thomas Jefferson
There is a lot of hype in Washington this week, a lot of short-term thinking, but very little honest reflection and philosophically sound governance based on the long term prospects of the American economy.  Jefferson was right: our financial markets [...]

Sifting through the crap

99.9% of everything you will ever hear from a U.S. politician or media pundit is total crap. I present to you five widely discussed issues that do not matter, so that next time you hear them on the radio or television, you can say to yourself “this is pointless conversation”:

Energy policy: The energy industry [...]

If we the people leave, do they the rulers win?

“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” – Ron Paul
The long-term economic outlook for this country is so grim–and this is well-researched and almost universally accepted–that I can hardly see myself sticking around to endure it. A free and great industrial republic has become a credit-addicted empire, propped up today not by human [...]

So many reasons to love Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine was, by some accounts, the most well-read Englishman ever to live. If you are reading this, regardless of who you are, or how many Nobel prizes you have won, you can rest assured that Paine’s education was more complete than your own. When you read his commentaries on money and the [...]

Free money: explaining 2008 U.S. stocks

Investing tip: put all of your money in the stock market the afternoon before a Federal Reserve announcement.  Take it all out the next afternoon.
 U.S. stocks have been in free fall this year, except on the days when the Federal Reserve announced it would be pumping extra cash into the banking system.  Every rate cut [...]

Dollar tanks; sheep discuss a sleaze and a whore

Prostitution: it has been around a long time, and it is never going away.  I do not understand why all of you sheep are so fascinated by this one.  Any bloke can fornicate, especially if he is willing to pay.  This has always been the case, and it always will be.  Newsflash: men sometimes stick their peckers where [...]