FOXNews.com - House approves overhaul for program providing insurance to those in flood-prone areas

FOXNews.com - House approves overhaul for program providing insurance to those in flood-prone areas: "Among those opposing the bill were Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich., who said her state 'feels like the ATM machine for this flood program.' Miller, who said Congress should create a national catastrophic fund, said Michigan residents have paid out $200 million in premiums since 1978 while receiving only $44 million in claims."

Would it have been better for Michigan to have more floods? :-/

Killer Drones: Where's the Accountability? | Nat Hentoff | Cato Institute: Commentary

Killer Drones: Where's the Accountability? | Nat Hentoff | Cato Institute: Commentary: "'To eavesdrop on the terrorism suspect, intelligence agencies would have to get a court warrant. But designating him for death ... required no judicial review.' (New York Times, May 13)"

Politicians Are the Problem for Higher Ed | Neal McCluskey | Cato Institute: Commentary

Politicians Are the Problem for Higher Ed | Neal McCluskey | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Adding those subsidies to government student aid reveals total taxpayer burdens, and suddenly for-profits don't look so singularly terrible. The annual burden per undergraduate at a four-year public school is around $15,794 vs. just $10,272 at a for-profit. For a two-year program, the for-profit is just somewhat costlier: $10,960 vs. $8,489."

Time to Fire America's Management | Richard W. Rahn | Cato Institute: Commentary

Time to Fire America's Management | Richard W. Rahn | Cato Institute: Commentary: "'Higher effective corporate income taxes are also associated with lower investment in manufacturing but not in services, a larger unofficial economy, and greater reliance on debt as opposed to equity finance. In these new data, corporate taxes matter a lot, and in ways consistent with basic economic theory.' (If you tax something, you get less of it.)

Many of the members of Congress who consistently wail about the loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs are the same ones who, time and time again, vote to crush U.S. companies with more taxes and regulations."

Defending the Litterer - Walter Block - Mises Daily

Defending the Litterer - Walter Block - Mises Daily: "When large crowds leave a ballpark, movie, theater, concert, or circus, what remains among the seats and aisles is not and cannot be litter. It is garbage, dirt, or waste, but not litter."

"in the market, the decision of whether and how much litter to allow is based ultimately on the wishes and desires of the consumers! The question is not treated simplistically and there is no general outcry to 'get rid of litterbugs.'

There is rather a careful weighing of the costs and benefits of allowing waste materials to accumulate."

"If litter were a violation of rights and a refusal to consider the comfort of others, what of the 'litter' in restaurants, ballparks, factories, etc.? Litter comes about in the private market precisely as a means of satisfying the desires of consumers for comfort. One no more violates the restaurant owner's rights by littering than by eating, since both are paid for."