By Raymond C. Niles It is now estimated that half of all bars and restaurants in New York City will close forever, as a result of the loss of customers due to fears of Covid transmission, mandatory lockdowns, and the slow pace of reopening. Just a few days ago, the City finally permitted indoor dining, but in only ¼ of available restaurant space. This happens just as colder … [Read more...] about Goodbye Grounded, My Favorite Coffee Bar Destroyed by Lockdowns
Raymond Niles
Ride Sharing and the Absurdity of “Protecting” Workers Out of a Job
By Raymond C. Niles Lyft and Uber have gotten a temporary reprieve and have been walked back from the gallows. A California appeals court has issued a temporary restraining order barring enforcement of California law AB5, which would have forced both companies to reclassify their drivers as employees, rather than as independent contractors. Both companies had planned to shut … [Read more...] about Ride Sharing and the Absurdity of “Protecting” Workers Out of a Job
Controls Breeding More Controls
By Raymond C. Niles We are experiencing an extraordinary example of the political-economic principle that “controls breed controls.” For example, whenever a government imposes large-scale price controls that results in widespread shortages across an economy, it faces an inevitable subsequent choice: repeal the controls, or impose comprehensive rationing across the economy. … [Read more...] about Controls Breeding More Controls