The myth of excessive wealth

I sent the following letter concerning wealth to the Daily Beacon, the University of Tennessee’s student newspaper, on February 15, but it was never printed: Sam Smith’s February 15 column was illogical and economically ignorant. He begins by declaring that the federal government spends too much. His only solution to this problem: increase taxes on [...]

Liberty, justice, taxes, and the U.S. Constitution

Article 1 Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution limits the taxation powers of Congress, saying: “No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.” This simply outlaws income taxes. The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ends: “…nor be deprived of [...]

Henry Hazlitt and I on the Auto Bailout

“Dying industries absorb labor and capital that should be released for the growing industries.  It is only the much vilified price system that solves the enormously complicated problem of deciding precisely how much of tens of thousands of different commodities and services should be produced in relation to each other.  These otherwise bewildering equations are [...]

Who are the true patriots?

“Complacency and fear drive our legislation without any serious objection by our elected leaders.  Sadly though, those few who do object to the self-evident trend away from personal liberty and empire building overseas are portrayed as unpatriotic and uncaring. Though welfare and socialism always fail, opponents of them are said to lack compassion.  Though opposition [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

The role of government, as taught in university

I like studying the arguments of those who disagree with me, mostly because of the proof that they provide, that the American educational system is worthless, even at its highest levels. In my earnest opinion (and I think most would agree), Americans should not spend a penny on anything that is worthless, and they certainly [...]

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 role of [...]

Socialist Illusions

I read a blog in which someone was ranting about fish depletion, and I couldn’t resist commenting.  All the planners are ruining our country by creating the illusion that they care about whatever plan you happen to have.  There are more important things than the fish population going on around you.  You really ought to [...]

Old government should be replaced

Prudence often precedes implementation of government programs, regulations, or taxes. Precaution is wise, but it does not guarantee good results. Some government endeavors, most haloed in conception, turn devilish in practice. Therefore, policymakers should scrutinize their decisions just as closely after implementation, recognizing that government and failure are seldom far apart. Unseemly consequences often result [...]