By Ash Navabi Both economic decisions and political decisions involve choices and tradeoffs. The difference is that economic decisions are ultimately informed and rely upon monetary prices, revenues and costs. Political decisions, meanwhile, do not depend on market outcomes—they can be based on love, legacy, favors, or establishing power relations. Zoning is the practice … [Read more...] about The Economics and Politics of Zoning
Politics
How School Districts Put Politics Before Children
By Matthew Bankert Many people wary of government power rightly criticize public schools for being more indoctrination than education. When the institution is fully dependent on the state for support, why would any ideas be put forth that could put their lifeblood in jeopardy? On education, Mises wrote in Human Action: …as soon as one wants to go farther [than elementary … [Read more...] about How School Districts Put Politics Before Children
I Immigrated to the US to Pursue the American Dream, Not to Pay for Your College Degree
By Jen Sidorova Candidates were back at it last week, competing to see who could present the best student loan forgiveness plan. Sure, that might appeal to some of the party's base and America’s cash-strapped millennials. But for roughly 46 million immigrants like me, the idea that the government should forgive student loans is totally unfair. After all, when we came here, … [Read more...] about I Immigrated to the US to Pursue the American Dream, Not to Pay for Your College Degree
“Free Everything” and the First Law of Politics
By Dan Sanchez The other night, a politician criticized Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren for offering voters “free everything and impossible promises.” Remarkably, the critique came not from a Republican fiscal conservative but from a fellow Democrat during a primary debate. John Delaney, a former congressman from Maryland, said such policies were based on “fairytale … [Read more...] about “Free Everything” and the First Law of Politics
The Hidden Reason the Primary Debates Seem Extra Crazy This Year
By Jeffrey A. Tucker This is a remarkable story of how the best-laid plans produced results that no one anticipated, with profound consequences for the Democratic Party. For many viewers in television land, the spectacle has been bizarre. The 20 or so contenders for the Democratic nomination have not only become outlandishly left-wing (“Left vs. Crazy Left,” as Kimberley … [Read more...] about The Hidden Reason the Primary Debates Seem Extra Crazy This Year
The Case for Abolishing Minimum Wage Laws
By Antony Davies and James R. Harrigan Eighteen states impose minimum wages higher than the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour. Among the states, California’s $12 an hour minimum is currently the highest (the minimum wage in the District of Columbia is $13.25). States are free to set whatever minimum wage they think is appropriate. This latitude notwithstanding, the American … [Read more...] about The Case for Abolishing Minimum Wage Laws
Debt, Deficits and the Cost of Free Lunches
By Richard M. Ebeling It seems that every generation or two, fundamental economic ideas are questioned and challenged. The reasonable and important idea that governments should balance their budgets on an annual basis was challenged in the 1930s by the rise of Keynesian Economics and the counter-argument that deficit spending was desirable, if it was used to maintain full … [Read more...] about Debt, Deficits and the Cost of Free Lunches
Universal Basic Income Is Little More Than Smoke and Mirrors
By Max Gulker The U.S. government spends just shy of $1 trillion per year on aid to low-income Americans. This would be enough to give each of the estimated 40 million Americans living in poverty a check for over $20,000 per year. In two previous articles, I showed how the current failed system grew out of a snowballing bureaucracy and misguided paternalism from the left and … [Read more...] about Universal Basic Income Is Little More Than Smoke and Mirrors
The Plague of Meddling Political Busybodies
By Richard M. Ebeling Who knows what might be better or best for you? You or those in the government? We all make mistakes and misjudgments, but who is most likely to have a wider and deeper appreciation of your wants and desires, you or a bureaucrat in an often-faraway government agency? Who is more likely to have an insight into the options and opportunities for achieving … [Read more...] about The Plague of Meddling Political Busybodies
The Stone Cold Conservative Socialist
By Jon Rappoport “Is he a meth gooney bird? He seems to be flopping around the stage like a creature who’s lost his wings. He’s talking about VALUES, but it’s clear he’s lost those, too. Something happened to his brain somewhere along the line. Something bad. Maybe it all came from too much preaching. Talking super-simple to simpletons could cause contraction and shrinkage … [Read more...] about The Stone Cold Conservative Socialist
The Presidential Political Circus Has Begun
By Richard M. Ebeling Like the carnival side shows at the circus, the candidates for the Democratic party nomination — do I even need to name the more than 20 of them? — are all standing in front of their respective campaign tents trying to attract the potential voter onlookers to join them inside, hope for that campaign contribution and support during the primaries so they … [Read more...] about The Presidential Political Circus Has Begun
Electric Cars Aren’t Nearly as Green as People Think
By Catherine Alles For years, I’ve imagined how great it would be to own an electric car. Instead of spending almost 40 bucks every week or so on gas, I could just drop by my local outpost and charge my car while I buy organic vegetables. Wouldn’t that be great? Not only for myself but also for the environment? Maybe not. Although electric cars are a step in the right … [Read more...] about Electric Cars Aren’t Nearly as Green as People Think