Posts
Why Citizens United Has Nothing to Do with What Ails American Politics | Ilya Shapiro | Cato Institute: Commentary: "President Obama’s famous statement that the decision “reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests—including foreign corporations—to spend without limit in our elections.”"
"the overturned precedent was a 1990 case"
"there’s no significant change in corporate spending this cycle"
"the rights of foreigners—corporate or otherwise—is another issue about which Citizens United said nothing"
"[all these “evil” companies] spend little money on political advertising, partly because it’s more effective to lobby, but mostly because they wouldn’t want to alienate half of their customers."
"Political money is like water: It’ll flow somewhere because what government does matters and people want to speak about their concerns. To the extent that “money in politics” is a problem, the solution is to reduce the political scope that the money can influence. Shrink government, and you’ll shrink the amount people spend trying to get a piece of the pie."
"By rewriting the Watergate-era Federal Election Campaign Act to remove spending limits but not contribution caps, Buckley upset Congress’s balanced reform. That’s why politicians spend all their time fundraising. Moreover, the regulations have pushed money away from candidates and toward advocacy groups—undermining the worthy goal of government accountability."
"Get rid of limits on individual contributions and then require disclosures for those who donate amounts big enough for the interest in preventing corruption to outweigh the potential for harassment. Then the big boys will have to put their reputations on the line, but not the average person. Let voters weigh what a donation’s source means to them, rather than allowing politicians to write rules benefiting themselves."
Friday, August 31, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
The Hidden Truths about Calories | Guest Blog, Scientific American Blog Network
The Hidden Truths about Calories | Guest Blog, Scientific American Blog Network: "If the plant material we eat has more of its cell walls broken down we get more calories from it. In some plants, cooking ruptures most cell walls; in others, such as cassava, cell walls hold strong and hoard their precious calories in such a way that many of them pass through our bodies intact."
"when the “average” person eats almonds she receives just 128 calories per serving rather than the 170 calories “on the label.”"
"Proteins can require ten to twenty times as much heat-energy to digest as fats, but the loss of calories as heat energy is not accounted for at all on packaging."
"The accounting associated with this process of sharing with the microbes is not considered in calorie counting."
"some foods require our immune system to get involved during digestion"
"the more processed foods are the more they actually give us the number of calories we see on the box"
"Each of us gets a different number of calories out of identical foods because of who we are and who our ancestors were."
"individuals appear to differ in their metabolism depending on just which microbes they have"
"what we inherit as our unique recent history is not the need for some specific amount of meat or fat but instead the preference for as many calories as we can get as quickly as we can get them so that we might have leisure time to invent, organize, and text each other"
"when the “average” person eats almonds she receives just 128 calories per serving rather than the 170 calories “on the label.”"
"Proteins can require ten to twenty times as much heat-energy to digest as fats, but the loss of calories as heat energy is not accounted for at all on packaging."
"The accounting associated with this process of sharing with the microbes is not considered in calorie counting."
"some foods require our immune system to get involved during digestion"
"the more processed foods are the more they actually give us the number of calories we see on the box"
"Each of us gets a different number of calories out of identical foods because of who we are and who our ancestors were."
"individuals appear to differ in their metabolism depending on just which microbes they have"
"what we inherit as our unique recent history is not the need for some specific amount of meat or fat but instead the preference for as many calories as we can get as quickly as we can get them so that we might have leisure time to invent, organize, and text each other"
Friday, August 24, 2012
Court affirms $675,000 penalty in music-downloading case | Politics and Law - CNET News
Court affirms $675,000 penalty in music-downloading case | Politics and Law - CNET News: "a $675,000 damages award against Joel Tenenbaum, who was accused of illegally downloading 31 songs from a fire-sharing Web site and distributing them and was sued by the main recording companies in the U.S."
"The penalty is at the low end of the range for willful infringement and below the limit for even nonwillful infringement, and thus was not excessive, the judge ruled."
It certainly seems excessive to me!
"The penalty is at the low end of the range for willful infringement and below the limit for even nonwillful infringement, and thus was not excessive, the judge ruled."
It certainly seems excessive to me!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Colorado man survives fall after rescue by railroad crew | Fox News
Colorado man survives fall after rescue by railroad crew | Fox News: "Colorado man survives fall after rescue by railroad crew"
The title makes it sound like he fell after being rescued!
The title makes it sound like he fell after being rescued!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Indiana public schools wage unusual ad campaign | Fox News
Indiana public schools wage unusual ad campaign | Fox News: "If a large number of families abandon local districts, millions of dollars could be drained from the state's public education system."
That seems like a bad focus. They shouldn't focus on how much money the "state's public education system" gets but by how the students are served.
"A district loses $5,300 to $8,400 for each student who leaves."
"a voucher worth $4,500 at a small private school"
Does the state actually benefit financially from students that leave public schools?
"In Fort Wayne, public schools lost 392 students to vouchers last year, the most in the state. That cost the district more than $2.6 million in state aid and led officials to cut 10 art, music and physical education teaching positions at elementary schools."
That seems like a very unbalanced way to handle a change in students.
That seems like a bad focus. They shouldn't focus on how much money the "state's public education system" gets but by how the students are served.
"A district loses $5,300 to $8,400 for each student who leaves."
"a voucher worth $4,500 at a small private school"
Does the state actually benefit financially from students that leave public schools?
"In Fort Wayne, public schools lost 392 students to vouchers last year, the most in the state. That cost the district more than $2.6 million in state aid and led officials to cut 10 art, music and physical education teaching positions at elementary schools."
That seems like a very unbalanced way to handle a change in students.
Friday, August 17, 2012
CO2 emissions in US drop to 20-year low; some experts optimistic on global warming | Fox News
CO2 emissions in US drop to 20-year low; some experts optimistic on global warming | Fox News: "Many of the world’s leading climate scientists didn’t see the drop coming, in large part because it happened as a result of market forces rather than direct government action"
“There’s a very clear lesson here. What it shows is that if you make a cleaner energy source cheaper, you will displace dirtier sources,”
Duh!
“There’s a very clear lesson here. What it shows is that if you make a cleaner energy source cheaper, you will displace dirtier sources,”
Duh!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Unilateral Free Trade - Patrick Barron - Mises Daily
Unilateral Free Trade - Patrick Barron - Mises Daily: "the European Union harms its own citizens, for they must pay more for oil, buy inferior oil, or suffer some kind of inconvenience. Otherwise, why would they have purchased Iranian oil in the first place? One could even go so far as to say that the EU wages war against its own citizens and not against Iran, for, undoubtedly, there are police sanctions that the EU would employ against its members for violating the Iranian trade prohibition that must rest on the threat of violence."
"The United States has complained for some time that China intervenes in its own currency markets to hold down the value of the yuan in order to increase export sales."
"America enjoys an outright subsidy from China. China sells the United States goods below cost and causes its own citizens to suffer higher prices; that is, higher Chinese domestic prices are caused by its currency intervention that gives American importers more yuan than the free-market rate"
"The only international economic policy that a country needs is to mind its own business and set a good example to the rest of the world. A just economic policy for a free and prosperous nation would be based on the twin pillars of unilateral free trade and nonintervention into its own markets."
"If the currency never finds its way back to the nation that adopted unilateral free trade and is held indefinitely in the coffers of some foreign bank or central bank, that nation has simply been on the receiving end of a gift. An analogy would be that of a friend or neighbor who sells you something and then never cashes your check."
"The United States has complained for some time that China intervenes in its own currency markets to hold down the value of the yuan in order to increase export sales."
"America enjoys an outright subsidy from China. China sells the United States goods below cost and causes its own citizens to suffer higher prices; that is, higher Chinese domestic prices are caused by its currency intervention that gives American importers more yuan than the free-market rate"
"The only international economic policy that a country needs is to mind its own business and set a good example to the rest of the world. A just economic policy for a free and prosperous nation would be based on the twin pillars of unilateral free trade and nonintervention into its own markets."
"If the currency never finds its way back to the nation that adopted unilateral free trade and is held indefinitely in the coffers of some foreign bank or central bank, that nation has simply been on the receiving end of a gift. An analogy would be that of a friend or neighbor who sells you something and then never cashes your check."
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Drought Not a Big Calamity in India Anymore | Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar | Cato Institute: Commentary
Drought Not a Big Calamity in India Anymore | Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Foreign experts opined that India could never feed itself. William and Paul Paddock wrote a best-seller titled Famine 1975, arguing that the world was running out of food and would suffer global famine by 1975. They said aid-givers couldn't possibly meet the food needs of high-population countries like India. So, the limited food surpluses of the West should be conserved for countries capable of being saved."
"How then did the spectre of starvation vanish? Largely because of better distribution. Employment schemes in rain-deficit areas injected purchasing power where it was most needed. The slow but steady expansion of the road network helped grain to flow to scarcity areas. The public distribution system expanded steadily. Hunger remained, but did not escalate into starvation. By the 1990s, hunger diminished too.
Second, the spread of irrigation stemmed crop losses. The share of the irrigated area expanded from roughly one-third to 55% of total acreage."
"in 2009, which witnessed one of the worst monsoon failures for a century, agricultural production actually rose 1%"
"Agriculture accounted for 52% of GDP in 1950, and for 29.5% even in 1990. This is now down to just 14%. Even if one-twentieth of this is lost to drought, it will be less than 1% of GDP."
"How then did the spectre of starvation vanish? Largely because of better distribution. Employment schemes in rain-deficit areas injected purchasing power where it was most needed. The slow but steady expansion of the road network helped grain to flow to scarcity areas. The public distribution system expanded steadily. Hunger remained, but did not escalate into starvation. By the 1990s, hunger diminished too.
Second, the spread of irrigation stemmed crop losses. The share of the irrigated area expanded from roughly one-third to 55% of total acreage."
"in 2009, which witnessed one of the worst monsoon failures for a century, agricultural production actually rose 1%"
"Agriculture accounted for 52% of GDP in 1950, and for 29.5% even in 1990. This is now down to just 14%. Even if one-twentieth of this is lost to drought, it will be less than 1% of GDP."
President Obama: Deporter-In-Chief | Alex Nowrasteh | Cato Institute: Commentary
President Obama: Deporter-In-Chief | Alex Nowrasteh | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Obama's DHS has so far deported more people than during the first six and a half years of George W. Bush's administration. Just shy of 1.5 million unauthorized immigrants have been forcefully deported from the United States under Napolitano's leadership. These annual deportation figures are higher that at any other time in U.S. history, pushing the backlog for deportation cases to a record 314,147 this June. The government is apprehending unauthorized immigration so quickly that it cannot effectively process them all."
"The so-called "Morton Memo" laid out the process of discretion and who would be eligible. Since then, a mere 5684deportations have been delayed — only 1.9 percent of the total."
" "Everyone eligible for a deferral under Obama's June announcement was already eligible under the Morton Memo," said immigration attorney Matthew Kolken of Buffalo, New York. "But since the Morton memo only favorably exercised prosecutorial discretion for 1.9 percent of all reviewed deportation cases, it's hard to be optimistic about Obama's most recent attempt to stem deportations for DREAMers." "
"The so-called "Morton Memo" laid out the process of discretion and who would be eligible. Since then, a mere 5684deportations have been delayed — only 1.9 percent of the total."
" "Everyone eligible for a deferral under Obama's June announcement was already eligible under the Morton Memo," said immigration attorney Matthew Kolken of Buffalo, New York. "But since the Morton memo only favorably exercised prosecutorial discretion for 1.9 percent of all reviewed deportation cases, it's hard to be optimistic about Obama's most recent attempt to stem deportations for DREAMers." "
Fool's Gold: British Taxpayer Is Olympics' Biggest Loser | Patrick Basham | Cato Institute: Commentary
Fool's Gold: British Taxpayer Is Olympics' Biggest Loser | Patrick Basham | Cato Institute: Commentary: "For the 2012 Games, London originally estimated total costs at $4.7 billion."
"an analysis by the Sky Sports TV network, which included the costs of upgrading public transportation, now puts the cost of the Olympics at a staggering $38.5 billion!"
"The Chinese government budgeted $14.2 billion but spent $40 billion on the 2008 Beijing Games. The 2004 Athens Olympics costs ten times the original estimate of $1.6 billion. A decade earlier, Spanish taxpayers were left $6.1 billion in the hole at the conclusion of the 1992 Barcelona Games.
And, it was three decades before the $2.7 billion owed from the 1976 Montreal Olympics was paid off."
"an analysis by the Sky Sports TV network, which included the costs of upgrading public transportation, now puts the cost of the Olympics at a staggering $38.5 billion!"
"The Chinese government budgeted $14.2 billion but spent $40 billion on the 2008 Beijing Games. The 2004 Athens Olympics costs ten times the original estimate of $1.6 billion. A decade earlier, Spanish taxpayers were left $6.1 billion in the hole at the conclusion of the 1992 Barcelona Games.
And, it was three decades before the $2.7 billion owed from the 1976 Montreal Olympics was paid off."
How Uncle Sam's Making Us Fat | Patrick Basham | Cato Institute: Commentary
How Uncle Sam's Making Us Fat | Patrick Basham | Cato Institute: Commentary: "This year, the USDA will spend more than $1 billion subsidizing the growth of four common food additives: corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, corn starch and soy oils (hydrogenated vegetable oil)."
"The USDA lectures and hectors us to avoid anything that's fatty, salty, sugary or filled with processed ingredients — like the ones our tax dollars subsidize."
"Last year, taxpayers subsidized farmers to the tune of $16 billion, reports the Congressional Budget Office. Among the more idiotic subsidies are $5 billion in so-called "direct payments" to farmers of corn, soybeans and other crops. These are paid simply for owning tillable farm land, even if the farmers don't plant on it.
On top of costing huge sums that could be better spent (or saved) elsewhere, farm subsidies perversely redistribute wealth to a comparatively few affluent farmers and agribusinesses."
"The USDA lectures and hectors us to avoid anything that's fatty, salty, sugary or filled with processed ingredients — like the ones our tax dollars subsidize."
"Last year, taxpayers subsidized farmers to the tune of $16 billion, reports the Congressional Budget Office. Among the more idiotic subsidies are $5 billion in so-called "direct payments" to farmers of corn, soybeans and other crops. These are paid simply for owning tillable farm land, even if the farmers don't plant on it.
On top of costing huge sums that could be better spent (or saved) elsewhere, farm subsidies perversely redistribute wealth to a comparatively few affluent farmers and agribusinesses."
Obama Didn't Build That | Marian L. Tupy | Cato Institute: Commentary
Obama Didn't Build That | Marian L. Tupy | Cato Institute: Commentary: "it is both morally and logically suspect for advocates of bigger government to berate businesses for using government services to which there is no private alternative because of government legislation. That is true of the de facto government monopoly on the provision of primary and secondary education, and high regulatory costs associated with private road-building."
"If it were as easy to succeed in business as the president suggests — just put together all the services that the government provides you with and enjoy your fame and fortune — why isn't everyone a successful entrepreneur?"
"successful entrepreneurs tend to be people who are alert to the opportunities that surround us but others cannot see"
"If it were as easy to succeed in business as the president suggests — just put together all the services that the government provides you with and enjoy your fame and fortune — why isn't everyone a successful entrepreneur?"
"successful entrepreneurs tend to be people who are alert to the opportunities that surround us but others cannot see"
In Praise of Government Gridlock - Mike Reid - Mises Daily
In Praise of Government Gridlock - Mike Reid - Mises Daily: " join in with the state to rob the rich or cut your kids' education (which you are already forced to pay for).
Californians do not get to choose between increasing taxes and cutting their state's bloated public pensions, which are now unfunded to the tune of $497 billion dollars. Neither do the voters have the option to cut the governor's pet project — a $68 billion high-speed rail line. That's not on the chopping block either."
Californians do not get to choose between increasing taxes and cutting their state's bloated public pensions, which are now unfunded to the tune of $497 billion dollars. Neither do the voters have the option to cut the governor's pet project — a $68 billion high-speed rail line. That's not on the chopping block either."
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Op-Ed: Sikh temple shooting will disappoint gun prohibitionists
Op-Ed: Sikh temple shooting will disappoint gun prohibitionists: "82 percent of so-called “rampage killers” got their guns legally"
Irrational Infatuation with Biofuels | Richard W. Rahn | Cato Institute: Commentary
Irrational Infatuation with Biofuels | Richard W. Rahn | Cato Institute: Commentary: "So when you turn on your TV news and see very hungry people in poor countries, food riots in Europe and the Middle East, and Americans getting upset and suffering from high food prices and unnecessarily high energy prices, you should remember that the real villains in this global tragedy are the members of Congress and politicians in other countries who voted for these insane policies."
Philadelphia woman faces $600-a-day fine for feeding needy neighborhood kids | Fox News
Philadelphia woman faces $600-a-day fine for feeding needy neighborhood kids | Fox News: "Prattis lives in a residential zone, hence handing out food to children is not allowed. The township says she needs to go before a zoning board to ask for a variance, which would cost her up to $1,000 in administrative fees.
"I don't think it's my responsibility to go to her to say, 'why don’t you come to talk to me to see if there’s something that we can do to help your program,'" William Pisarek, the Chester Township business manager, said."
"I don't think it's my responsibility to go to her to say, 'why don’t you come to talk to me to see if there’s something that we can do to help your program,'" William Pisarek, the Chester Township business manager, said."
Monday, August 13, 2012
A Hungry World Population? Oh Well, Let Them Eat Ethanol! | Patrick J. Michaels | Cato Institute: Commentary
A Hungry World Population? Oh Well, Let Them Eat Ethanol! | Patrick J. Michaels | Cato Institute: Commentary: "The amount [of ethanol] to be produced is a mandate, not a choice. It’s 13.2 billion gallons this year. Last year we burnt up 40% of our crop. This year, given the expected yield reductions, we could easily destroy over half of our corn."
"Now, the Saudi Arabia of corn burns up half of its supply, instead of selling it to a hungry world. All of this was brought to you by our greener friends and, yes, Republicans, working the political process hand in hand. Later, the environmental community realized—as some of us had been telling them for years—that corn ethanol results in an increase in carbon dioxide emissions, not a decrease.
Of course, there is little chance that the disproportionately influential farm lobby is going to swallow changing the ethanol mandate when its constituents are making money hand-over-fist because of an artificially induced shortage."
"Now, the Saudi Arabia of corn burns up half of its supply, instead of selling it to a hungry world. All of this was brought to you by our greener friends and, yes, Republicans, working the political process hand in hand. Later, the environmental community realized—as some of us had been telling them for years—that corn ethanol results in an increase in carbon dioxide emissions, not a decrease.
Of course, there is little chance that the disproportionately influential farm lobby is going to swallow changing the ethanol mandate when its constituents are making money hand-over-fist because of an artificially induced shortage."
Zimmerman defense lawyers won't argue 'stand-your-ground' in Florida shooting case | Fox News
Zimmerman defense lawyers won't argue 'stand-your-ground' in Florida shooting case | Fox News: "the traditional self-defense approach is appropriate because the facts suggest his client couldn't retreat from a beating Martin was giving him."
Obamacare: No Free Lunches | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: Commentary
Obamacare: No Free Lunches | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: Commentary: "according to the Department of Health and Human Services, the cost of continuing coverage from 18 to 26 could run as high as $3,400 per child per year. Much of that additional cost is passed back to companies that provide insurance coverage to dependents of their employees.
Politicians often act as though government programs are cost free.
The predictable result: Companies are dropping dependent coverage altogether. Among them is one of the largest union-administered health-insurance funds in New York, SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, which is now dropping dependent coverage for 30,000 workers. Ironically, the fund had previously covered nearly 6,000 workers’ children, some up to age 23. "
"Lenoir-Rhyne University of Hickory, N.C., the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., and Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, are all dropping school-sponsored plans starting in the fall. The colleges said that Obamacare’s regulations would have driven up students’ premiums tenfold. And, Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan., was forced to raise the premium on the plan it offered students from $445 to more than $2,000 to pay for the new level of coverage required by the health-care law.
The Obama administration’s requirement that insurance include contraceptive coverage is also causing Catholic universities to drop student coverage."
"insurers in 20 states have responded by discontinuing “child only” insurance coverage"
"at least 10 percent of employers plan to drop their coverage in the next couple of years as a result of Obamacare"
Politicians often act as though government programs are cost free.
The predictable result: Companies are dropping dependent coverage altogether. Among them is one of the largest union-administered health-insurance funds in New York, SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, which is now dropping dependent coverage for 30,000 workers. Ironically, the fund had previously covered nearly 6,000 workers’ children, some up to age 23. "
"Lenoir-Rhyne University of Hickory, N.C., the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., and Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, are all dropping school-sponsored plans starting in the fall. The colleges said that Obamacare’s regulations would have driven up students’ premiums tenfold. And, Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan., was forced to raise the premium on the plan it offered students from $445 to more than $2,000 to pay for the new level of coverage required by the health-care law.
The Obama administration’s requirement that insurance include contraceptive coverage is also causing Catholic universities to drop student coverage."
"insurers in 20 states have responded by discontinuing “child only” insurance coverage"
"at least 10 percent of employers plan to drop their coverage in the next couple of years as a result of Obamacare"
Fairness Act a Step Toward a Logical Immigration Policy | Alex Nowrasteh | Cato Institute: Commentary
Fairness Act a Step Toward a Logical Immigration Policy | Alex Nowrasteh | Cato Institute: Commentary: "The current rule allows only 7 percent of employment-based green cards to be allotted to immigrants from any one country — creating an enormous backlog for skilled immigrants from India, China and the Philippines. The Fairness act would eliminate the per-country limit and decrease wait times.
Critics of legal immigration argue that allowing skilled immigrants to come to the United States deprives native-born Americans of job opportunities at a time when unemployment is 8.2 percent. This argument rests on the fallacy that the job market is a fixed pie and that each immigrant hired by a U.S. business means one fewer job is available to a native-born citizen."
Critics of legal immigration argue that allowing skilled immigrants to come to the United States deprives native-born Americans of job opportunities at a time when unemployment is 8.2 percent. This argument rests on the fallacy that the job market is a fixed pie and that each immigrant hired by a U.S. business means one fewer job is available to a native-born citizen."
Treasury: U.S. to lose $25 billion on auto bailout | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com
Treasury: U.S. to lose $25 billion on auto bailout | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com: "The Treasury Department says in a new report the government expects to lose more than $25 billion on the $85 billion auto bailout. That's 15 percent higher than its previous forecast."
"The auto industry rescue helped save more than one million jobs throughout our nation's industrial heartland"
That is only $25,000/job saved -- what a steal!
"The auto industry rescue helped save more than one million jobs throughout our nation's industrial heartland"
That is only $25,000/job saved -- what a steal!
The Daily Caller: Senators: ‘bloated’ government IT departments need to clean house before ‘dictating standards to businesses’ - In the News - Newsroom - Ron Johnson, United States Senator for Wisconsin
The Daily Caller: Senators: ‘bloated’ government IT departments need to clean house before ‘dictating standards to businesses’ - In the News - Newsroom - Ron Johnson, United States Senator for Wisconsin: "“Before dictating standards to businesses, the government should certify that it meets the same levels of IT security and efficiency that it intends to impose on the private sector.”"
Federal News Radio: Bill would give DoD incentives to audit its books on time - In the News - Newsroom - Ron Johnson, United States Senator for Wisconsin
Federal News Radio: Bill would give DoD incentives to audit its books on time - In the News - Newsroom - Ron Johnson, United States Senator for Wisconsin: ""When the Pentagon can't tell Congress, or itself, how it is spending money, good programs face cuts along with wasteful programs, which is the situation in which we find ourselves today under sequestration.""
Daily Caller: Ron Johnson: ‘There is way too much political demagoguery out there that sounds good’ - In the News - Newsroom - Ron Johnson, United States Senator for Wisconsin
Daily Caller: Ron Johnson: ‘There is way too much political demagoguery out there that sounds good’ - In the News - Newsroom - Ron Johnson, United States Senator for Wisconsin: "“It’s like President Obama says he’s all about making the rich pay their fair share,” he added. “Does that imply that I don’t want the rich to pay their fair share? I mean I do, and the fact of the matter is the wealthiest 1 percent paid, in 2007, over 40 percent of the total income tax burden. And the bottom 95 percent paid less than that.”"
Political News.me: Senators Introduce Bipartisan Pay for Printing Act - In the News - Newsroom - Ron Johnson, United States Senator for Wisconsin
Political News.me: Senators Introduce Bipartisan Pay for Printing Act - In the News - Newsroom - Ron Johnson, United States Senator for Wisconsin: "the Pay for Printing Act, which would require senators to pay for celebratory or commemorative resolutions out of their own budgets, rather than using taxpayer funds."
"These resolutions incur printing costs of about $1,200 per page. So far in the 112th Congress, simple resolutions may have already cost taxpayers nearly $400,000 in printing costs alone."
"These resolutions incur printing costs of about $1,200 per page. So far in the 112th Congress, simple resolutions may have already cost taxpayers nearly $400,000 in printing costs alone."
Complaints prompt water park to end discounts for church groups | Fox News
Complaints prompt water park to end discounts for church groups | Fox News: "The Freedom from Religion Foundation, a national non-profit dedicated to the separation of church-and-state, got wind of what had happened, and a lawyer from the group fired off a letter to Ratliff, informing him that he'd better not reinstitute the discount for church groups in the future"
"A Pennsylvania atheist filed a grievance with the state's Human Relations Commission this summer after he learned that Prudhomme’s Lost Cajun Kitchen in Columbia was offering a 10 percent discount on meals to people who brought their church bulletin with them."
Why does it matter if a private company provides a discount to a group? Does that mean that senior discounts are age discrimination also?
"A Pennsylvania atheist filed a grievance with the state's Human Relations Commission this summer after he learned that Prudhomme’s Lost Cajun Kitchen in Columbia was offering a 10 percent discount on meals to people who brought their church bulletin with them."
Why does it matter if a private company provides a discount to a group? Does that mean that senior discounts are age discrimination also?
Call for probe in jet ski security breach at New York's Kennedy airport | Fox News
Call for probe in jet ski security breach at New York's Kennedy airport | Fox News: "a swamped jet skier was able to breach Kennedy Airport’s troubled $100 million security system"
"Neither motion sensors nor closed-circuit cameras of the Perimeter Intrusion Detection System, or PIDS, detected Casillo [in a bright yellow life vest], who was only busted when he approached a startled Delta Airlines worker near Gate 10."
"Neither motion sensors nor closed-circuit cameras of the Perimeter Intrusion Detection System, or PIDS, detected Casillo [in a bright yellow life vest], who was only busted when he approached a startled Delta Airlines worker near Gate 10."
Friday, August 10, 2012
You Didn't Build That? Oh, Mr. Obama, You Can't Be Serious | Jim Powell | Cato Institute: Commentary
You Didn't Build That? Oh, Mr. Obama, You Can't Be Serious | Jim Powell | Cato Institute: Commentary: "
Politicians scold citizens for consuming too much sugar, but the government provides subsidies for producing high fructose corn syrup that's widely used in sodas, cookies and other sweets.
Taxes are higher because government subsidizes some farmers to grow crops and subsidizes other farmers not to grow crops.
Government subsidizes home ownership and restricts the number of homes that can be built.
Politicians criticize business executives who take on too much debt, but government encourages debt by providing tax deductions for interest (no deductions for equity capital), and of course the government itself is deeper in debt than anybody else.
Politicians complain that companies invest so much money overseas, but the government imposes a 35 percent tax on earnings brought back to the United States.
Politicians bemoan our dependence on foreign oil, while restricting oil drilling on public lands and offshore.
Businesses can be prosecuted for (1) "predatory price cutting" if they charge too little, (2) "price gouging" if they charge too much or (3) "price fixing" if they charge the same as their competitors.
By providing billions of dollars of federal aid for attending college, government subsidizes demand, which has had the effect of making college more expensive and more difficult to pay for than it otherwise would be for everybody who doesn't get federal aid.
Politicians promote the virtues of small, high-mileage cars, and they enforce laws that make it hard to produce such cars profitably in the United States.
There are laws that make it harder for employers to hire people and laws that provide income for the unemployed.
The government shuts off water in California, intensifying a drought and leading to higher unemployment, all to save small fish, while proposing thousands of square miles of windmills that kill birds.
Politicians encourage more couples to get married, but there have been higher taxes on married people than on single people, providing incentives not to get married.
Politicians say they want more doctors, while enforcing laws that limit the number of students who can enter medical schools.
Government promotes health care inflation by channeling hundreds of billions of dollars a year into the health care sector, enabling people to bid up health care prices — and then the government tries to limit health care price increases with health care rationing, such as excluding more treatments from coverage.
Government provides subsidies for growing tobacco and enforces prohibitions on smoking."
"In 1978, when it was estimated that people spent almost a billion hours a year filling out federal forms, Congress passed the Government Paperwork Elimination Act" " It has been estimated that people now spend more than 10 billion hours a year filling out some 8,000 different federal forms."
"In 1985, it was estimated to cost $2.6 billion" ... "The project ended up costing $14.6 billion"
"The airport was supposed to cost $1.5 billion, but the tab turned out to be $5.3 billion."
Politicians scold citizens for consuming too much sugar, but the government provides subsidies for producing high fructose corn syrup that's widely used in sodas, cookies and other sweets.
Taxes are higher because government subsidizes some farmers to grow crops and subsidizes other farmers not to grow crops.
Government subsidizes home ownership and restricts the number of homes that can be built.
Politicians criticize business executives who take on too much debt, but government encourages debt by providing tax deductions for interest (no deductions for equity capital), and of course the government itself is deeper in debt than anybody else.
Politicians complain that companies invest so much money overseas, but the government imposes a 35 percent tax on earnings brought back to the United States.
Politicians bemoan our dependence on foreign oil, while restricting oil drilling on public lands and offshore.
Businesses can be prosecuted for (1) "predatory price cutting" if they charge too little, (2) "price gouging" if they charge too much or (3) "price fixing" if they charge the same as their competitors.
By providing billions of dollars of federal aid for attending college, government subsidizes demand, which has had the effect of making college more expensive and more difficult to pay for than it otherwise would be for everybody who doesn't get federal aid.
Politicians promote the virtues of small, high-mileage cars, and they enforce laws that make it hard to produce such cars profitably in the United States.
There are laws that make it harder for employers to hire people and laws that provide income for the unemployed.
The government shuts off water in California, intensifying a drought and leading to higher unemployment, all to save small fish, while proposing thousands of square miles of windmills that kill birds.
Politicians encourage more couples to get married, but there have been higher taxes on married people than on single people, providing incentives not to get married.
Politicians say they want more doctors, while enforcing laws that limit the number of students who can enter medical schools.
Government promotes health care inflation by channeling hundreds of billions of dollars a year into the health care sector, enabling people to bid up health care prices — and then the government tries to limit health care price increases with health care rationing, such as excluding more treatments from coverage.
Government provides subsidies for growing tobacco and enforces prohibitions on smoking."
"In 1978, when it was estimated that people spent almost a billion hours a year filling out federal forms, Congress passed the Government Paperwork Elimination Act" " It has been estimated that people now spend more than 10 billion hours a year filling out some 8,000 different federal forms."
"In 1985, it was estimated to cost $2.6 billion" ... "The project ended up costing $14.6 billion"
"The airport was supposed to cost $1.5 billion, but the tab turned out to be $5.3 billion."
Feds: Student rights violated in east Miss. city | Fox News
Feds: Student rights violated in east Miss. city | Fox News: "incarcerates students for disciplinary infractions as minor as dress code violations"
Connecticut town threatens to take overgrown pet bunny from girl, 7 | Fox News
Connecticut town threatens to take overgrown pet bunny from girl, 7 | Fox News: "Zoning Enforcement Officer Arthur Hausman issued a cease-and-desist order to the Lidsky family two weeks ago, informing them that they were violating town zoning regulations because their property was smaller than the 2 acres required to keep rabbits and other types of livestock."
"North Haven First Selectman Michael Freda said town officials are not trying to take the bunny away from the girl, but are instead trying to get Josh Lidsky to respond to neighbors' complaints about blighted conditions on his property."
They want them to clean up there property so they bug them about the rabbit?!?
"North Haven First Selectman Michael Freda said town officials are not trying to take the bunny away from the girl, but are instead trying to get Josh Lidsky to respond to neighbors' complaints about blighted conditions on his property."
They want them to clean up there property so they bug them about the rabbit?!?
2 Pa. teens cited for parking lot chalk drawings | Fox News
2 Pa. teens cited for parking lot chalk drawings | Fox News: "Doylestown police Chief James Donnelly says although chalk washes off, the drawings are "an attempt at vandalism.""
Let's ban finger painting in kindergarten because it might lead to vandalism!
Let's ban finger painting in kindergarten because it might lead to vandalism!
Make Profits, Not War - Gary North - Mises Daily
Make Profits, Not War - Gary North - Mises Daily: "In the days before the income tax, anyone could come into the United States. There were no passports. Late in the 19th century, there was an entry point at Ellis Island. Immigration bureaucrats blocked the entry of sick people. This meant that immigration restrictions were a public-health issue. The authorities blocked out microscopic invaders by blocking the people who carried them. But healthy people were allowed to enter the nation."
"When immigrants could become citizens and vote their way into other Americans' wallets, the barriers went up."
"You mean we should charge Americans an extra 20 percent or 30 percent because the government on the other side of the line is going to nuke us? Does this make sense?"
"When immigrants could become citizens and vote their way into other Americans' wallets, the barriers went up."
"You mean we should charge Americans an extra 20 percent or 30 percent because the government on the other side of the line is going to nuke us? Does this make sense?"
Thursday, August 09, 2012
Nobel economist: Inequality weighs on US economy | Fox News
Nobel economist: Inequality weighs on US economy | Fox News: "To Joseph Stiglitz, the Nobel Prize-winning economist, the economy's strange behavior can be traced to the growing gap between wealthy Americans and everyone else."
Why do we see Nobel prize winners so often making statements about areas in which they didn't win the Nobel prize? This guy got his prize for "research was on screening, a technique used by one economic agent to extract otherwise private information from another." It's like they are saying, "because I got a Nobel in one area, you should believe what I say in other areas." Krugman seems to do that a lot too.
Why do we see Nobel prize winners so often making statements about areas in which they didn't win the Nobel prize? This guy got his prize for "research was on screening, a technique used by one economic agent to extract otherwise private information from another." It's like they are saying, "because I got a Nobel in one area, you should believe what I say in other areas." Krugman seems to do that a lot too.
How Apple and Amazon Security Flaws Led to My Epic Hacking | Gadget Lab | Wired.com
How Apple and Amazon Security Flaws Led to My Epic Hacking | Gadget Lab | Wired.com: "the very four digits that Amazon considers unimportant enough to display in the clear on the web are precisely the same ones that Apple considers secure enough to perform identity verification"
"the Apple rep didn’t bother to tell me about the first call concerning my account, despite the 90 minutes I spent on the phone with tech support"
"Apple issued a temporary password. It did this despite the caller’s inability to answer security questions I had set up"
"First you call Amazon and tell them you are the account holder, and want to add a credit card number to the account. All you need is the name on the account, an associated e-mail address, and the billing address. Amazon then allows you to input a new credit card. (Wired used a bogus credit card number from a website that generates fake card numbers that conform with the industry’s published self-check algorithm.) Then you hang up.
Next you call back, and tell Amazon that you’ve lost access to your account. Upon providing a name, billing address, and the new credit card number you gave the company on the prior call, Amazon will allow you to add a new e-mail address to the account. From here, you go to the Amazon website, and send a password reset to the new e-mail account."
"the Apple rep didn’t bother to tell me about the first call concerning my account, despite the 90 minutes I spent on the phone with tech support"
"Apple issued a temporary password. It did this despite the caller’s inability to answer security questions I had set up"
"First you call Amazon and tell them you are the account holder, and want to add a credit card number to the account. All you need is the name on the account, an associated e-mail address, and the billing address. Amazon then allows you to input a new credit card. (Wired used a bogus credit card number from a website that generates fake card numbers that conform with the industry’s published self-check algorithm.) Then you hang up.
Next you call back, and tell Amazon that you’ve lost access to your account. Upon providing a name, billing address, and the new credit card number you gave the company on the prior call, Amazon will allow you to add a new e-mail address to the account. From here, you go to the Amazon website, and send a password reset to the new e-mail account."
Is There a Right to Unionize? - Walter Block - Mises Daily
Is There a Right to Unionize? - Walter Block - Mises Daily: "Yes, theoretically, a labor organization could limit itself to organizing a mass quit unless they got what they wanted. That would indeed be an implication of the law of free association.
But every union with which I am familiar reserves the right to employ violence (that is, to initiate violence) against competing workers — "scabs" — whether in a "blue-collar way" by beating them up, or in a "white collar way" by getting laws passed compelling employers to deal with them, and not with the scabs."
"Why, by the way, is it not "discriminatory," and "hateful," to describe workers willing to take less pay, and to compete with unionized labor, as "scabs"? Should not this be considered on a par with using the "N" word for blacks, or the "K" word for Jews?"
But every union with which I am familiar reserves the right to employ violence (that is, to initiate violence) against competing workers — "scabs" — whether in a "blue-collar way" by beating them up, or in a "white collar way" by getting laws passed compelling employers to deal with them, and not with the scabs."
"Why, by the way, is it not "discriminatory," and "hateful," to describe workers willing to take less pay, and to compete with unionized labor, as "scabs"? Should not this be considered on a par with using the "N" word for blacks, or the "K" word for Jews?"
Wednesday, August 08, 2012
Obama Encouraging Americans to Get on Welfare | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: Commentary
Obama Encouraging Americans to Get on Welfare | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Combined with state and local spending, government spends $20,610 for every poor person in America — or $61,830 per poor family of three.
Given that the poverty line for that family is just $18,530, we should have theoretically wiped out poverty in America many times over."
"we actually have a pretty good idea of what the keys are to getting out of or staying out of poverty: (1) finish school; (2) do not get pregnant outside marriage; and (3) get a job, any job, and stick with it.
None of this has anything to do with getting more people to sign up for welfare benefits."
Given that the poverty line for that family is just $18,530, we should have theoretically wiped out poverty in America many times over."
"we actually have a pretty good idea of what the keys are to getting out of or staying out of poverty: (1) finish school; (2) do not get pregnant outside marriage; and (3) get a job, any job, and stick with it.
None of this has anything to do with getting more people to sign up for welfare benefits."
China Beats India Again, This Time in Corruption | Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar | Cato Institute: Commentary
China Beats India Again, This Time in Corruption | Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Top politicians claim they have no links with the businesses of relatives. But a veteran diplomat says "everything is controlled by a couple of hundred powerful families... most foreign companies are trying to hire the sons and daughters of Chinese officials so they can get access and do business."
Multinationals often start joint ventures with the princelings, who typically hold their stakes through holding companies in Hong Kong or Caribbean tax havens. This helps hide business secrets."
Multinationals often start joint ventures with the princelings, who typically hold their stakes through holding companies in Hong Kong or Caribbean tax havens. This helps hide business secrets."
DREAM Act a nightmare for legal immigrant | Fox News
DREAM Act a nightmare for legal immigrant | Fox News: "If Lauren Gray's parents had been illegal immigrants, she wouldn't be facing deportation"
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
Court strikes blow to Illinois eavesdropping law | Fox News
Court strikes blow to Illinois eavesdropping law | Fox News: "In a blow to Illinois' sweeping eavesdropping law, a federal appeals court on Tuesday blocked its enforcement in cases where someone is recording a police officer at work."
Monday, August 06, 2012
Dead-tree format's demise is slow, steady | Business Tech - CNET News
Dead-tree format's demise is slow, steady | Business Tech - CNET News: "Paper demand peaked in 2006 and has declined every year subsequently between 3-10 percent year over year and is now tracking 20 percent+ below the 2006 the peak"
Even "Primitives" Pursue Profit - Mike Reid - Mises Daily
Even "Primitives" Pursue Profit - Mike Reid - Mises Daily: "These "dirty, greasy" bits of shell were in fact prestige goods, just as valuable and just as arbitrary as Rolex watches, luxury cars, and sports trophies. Such goods attract attention and advertise your achievements. They say, "I am powerful enough to have this."
In North America, when a team in the National Hockey League wins the Stanley Cup, it brings the team members enormous fame (at least in Canada). But instead of making a new cup each year, the NHL uses the same trophy over and over; so the winning team holds the Stanley Cup only until the next team wins it away. The cup is a storied artifact that brings fame to any man who possesses it, even though no man can possess it forever."
"In short, the decentralized network of Kula gift exchanges provided the social scaffolding for international trade protected from robbery and warfare. No state required."
In North America, when a team in the National Hockey League wins the Stanley Cup, it brings the team members enormous fame (at least in Canada). But instead of making a new cup each year, the NHL uses the same trophy over and over; so the winning team holds the Stanley Cup only until the next team wins it away. The cup is a storied artifact that brings fame to any man who possesses it, even though no man can possess it forever."
"In short, the decentralized network of Kula gift exchanges provided the social scaffolding for international trade protected from robbery and warfare. No state required."
The Remarkable Story of Chile's Economic Renaissance | Daniel J. Mitchell and Julia Morriss | Cato Institute: Commentary
The Remarkable Story of Chile's Economic Renaissance | Daniel J. Mitchell and Julia Morriss | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Thirty years ago, Chile was a basket case. A socialist government in the 1970s had crippled the economy and destabilized society, leading to civil unrest and a military coup. Given the dismal situation, it's no surprise that Chile's economy was moribund and other Latin American countries, such as Mexico, Venezuela, and Argentina, had about twice as much per-capita economic output.
Today, by contrast, Chile has passed Argentina to become the richest nation in all of Latin America. For three decades, it has been the fastest-growing economy in the region. Poverty has fallen dramatically, and living standards have soared."
"The number of people below the poverty line dropped from 40 percent to 20 percent between 1985 and 1997 and then to 15.1 percent in 2009. Public debt is now under 10 percent of GDP and after 1983 GDP grew an average of 4.6 percent per year. But growth isn't a random event. Chile has prospered because the burden of government has declined. Chile is now ranked number one for freedom in its region and number seven in the world, even ahead of the United States.
The lesson from Chile is that free markets and small government are a recipe for prosperity. The key for other developing nations is to figure out how to achieve these benefits without first suffering through a period of socialist tyranny and military dictatorship."
Today, by contrast, Chile has passed Argentina to become the richest nation in all of Latin America. For three decades, it has been the fastest-growing economy in the region. Poverty has fallen dramatically, and living standards have soared."
"The number of people below the poverty line dropped from 40 percent to 20 percent between 1985 and 1997 and then to 15.1 percent in 2009. Public debt is now under 10 percent of GDP and after 1983 GDP grew an average of 4.6 percent per year. But growth isn't a random event. Chile has prospered because the burden of government has declined. Chile is now ranked number one for freedom in its region and number seven in the world, even ahead of the United States.
The lesson from Chile is that free markets and small government are a recipe for prosperity. The key for other developing nations is to figure out how to achieve these benefits without first suffering through a period of socialist tyranny and military dictatorship."
Social Security: How much I pay, how much I get | Fox News
Social Security: How much I pay, how much I get | Fox News:
"If you turned 65 in 1960:
Lifetime Social Security benefits: $259,000.
Lifetime Social Security taxes: $36,000.
___
If you turn 65 in 2030:
Lifetime benefits: $699,000.
Lifetime taxes: $796,000."
Another example showing the breakdown of the system.
"If you turned 65 in 1960:
Lifetime Social Security benefits: $259,000.
Lifetime Social Security taxes: $36,000.
___
If you turn 65 in 2030:
Lifetime benefits: $699,000.
Lifetime taxes: $796,000."
Another example showing the breakdown of the system.
Friday, August 03, 2012
NY officials spare yoga studios from sales tax | Fox News
NY officials spare yoga studios from sales tax | Fox News: "while many students do reap health benefits, yoga's main objective is spiritual balance.
Executive director Allison West of Yoga New York says the 4.5 percent sales tax would have made yoga classes too expensive for some practitioners."
Executive director Allison West of Yoga New York says the 4.5 percent sales tax would have made yoga classes too expensive for some practitioners."
White House: Automatic cuts 'highly destructive' | Fox News
White House: Automatic cuts 'highly destructive' | Fox News: "The White House is telling agency officials to "continue normal spending and operations" even as they face what the administration is calling "highly destructive" across-the-board budget cuts in January."
Typical -- polititions ignoring foreseeable problems and continuing as normal!
Typical -- polititions ignoring foreseeable problems and continuing as normal!
Romney calls for 1-year delay on spending cuts | Fox News
Romney calls for 1-year delay on spending cuts | Fox News: "Mitt Romney says Congress and the president should delay looming cuts in military and domestic spending for at least one year."
I thought he wanted to "bring federal spending below 20 percent of GDP by the end of his first term"?
I thought he wanted to "bring federal spending below 20 percent of GDP by the end of his first term"?
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
In New Zealand, Farmers Don't Want Subsidies | Mark Ross and Chris Edwards | Cato Institute: Commentary
In New Zealand, Farmers Don't Want Subsidies | Mark Ross and Chris Edwards | Cato Institute: Commentary: "New Zealand's government decided to eliminate nearly all farm subsidies. That was a dramatic reform because New Zealand farmers had enjoyed high levels of aid and the country's economy is more dependent on agriculture than is the U.S. economy.
[R]ather than passing another big government farm bill that taxpayers can't afford, the U.S. Congress should step back and explore the proven alternative of free market farming.
Despite initial protests, farm subsidies were repealed in 1984. Almost 30 different production subsidies and export incentives were ended. Did that cause a mass exodus from agriculture and an end to family farms? Not at all. It did create a tough transition period for some farmers, but large numbers of them did not walk off their land as had been predicted. Just one percent of the country's farmers could not adjust and were forced out."
"The vast majority of New Zealand farmers proved to be skilled entrepreneurs — they restructured their operations, explored new markets, and returned to profitability. Today, New Zealand's farming sector is more dynamic than ever, and the nation's farmers are proud to be prospering without government hand-outs."
"Measured agricultural productivity had been stagnant in the years prior to the reforms, but since the reforms productivity has grown substantially faster in agriculture than in the New Zealand economy as a whole."
"More efficient agricultural production in New Zealand has also spurred better environmental management. Cutting farm subsidies, for example, has reduced the previous overuse of fertilizer. And cutting subsidies has broadened farm operations to encompass activities such as rural tourism that bring management of the rural environment to the fore."
[R]ather than passing another big government farm bill that taxpayers can't afford, the U.S. Congress should step back and explore the proven alternative of free market farming.
Despite initial protests, farm subsidies were repealed in 1984. Almost 30 different production subsidies and export incentives were ended. Did that cause a mass exodus from agriculture and an end to family farms? Not at all. It did create a tough transition period for some farmers, but large numbers of them did not walk off their land as had been predicted. Just one percent of the country's farmers could not adjust and were forced out."
"The vast majority of New Zealand farmers proved to be skilled entrepreneurs — they restructured their operations, explored new markets, and returned to profitability. Today, New Zealand's farming sector is more dynamic than ever, and the nation's farmers are proud to be prospering without government hand-outs."
"Measured agricultural productivity had been stagnant in the years prior to the reforms, but since the reforms productivity has grown substantially faster in agriculture than in the New Zealand economy as a whole."
"More efficient agricultural production in New Zealand has also spurred better environmental management. Cutting farm subsidies, for example, has reduced the previous overuse of fertilizer. And cutting subsidies has broadened farm operations to encompass activities such as rural tourism that bring management of the rural environment to the fore."
Romney's Chance to Embrace Outsourcing | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: Commentary
Romney's Chance to Embrace Outsourcing | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Contrary to the president’s complaints, outsourcing is generally good for America.
As Friedman pointed out, economic policy is not about preserving every single job that currently exists at any cost. Rather, it should be about creating general prosperity. The United States once had a thriving buggy-whip industry. Would we be better off if we had blocked development of the automobile in order to preserve those jobs?
[E]conomic policy is not about preserving every single job that currently exists at any cost.
That’s not so farfetched. After all, President Obama has already blamed ATMs and self-service gas stations for unemployment.
Outsourcing is based on an unpleasant truth: Certain types of operations, such as call centers, for example, or unskilled product assembly, are simply too costly for companies to do in the United States. By having those jobs performed overseas, companies are able to preserve their resources for the things those companies do best, their “core competencies.”"
"Additionally, having some jobs done overseas makes it easier for U.S. companies to serve foreign markets, by shortening shipping distances, avoiding foreign trade barriers, and creating an on-the-ground presence in emerging markets. If Ford is going to sell cars in China, it makes sense for them to build those cars in China rather than build them here and ship them across the Pacific. Far more outsourcing occurs because of the need to serve foreign markets than because of a search for cheaper labor. In fact, studies suggest that more than 90 percent of outsourcing jobs involves foreign-market considerations rather than labor costs.
All of this makes U.S. companies that outsource more competitive in a world market, allowing them to hire more workers here at home. And generally the jobs created here are better paying than those unskilled jobs that have been forgone. Reduced production costs also mean lower prices for Americans, especially on basic goods such as clothing. One would think that a president who was concerned about the plight of the poor would favor policies that helped low-income Americans to stretch their dollars. And, finally, lower production costs increase profits and stock prices. And who benefits when stock values go up? Everyone who owns stocks, including all Americans with a 401(k), as well as institutional investors such as universities and charities."
As Friedman pointed out, economic policy is not about preserving every single job that currently exists at any cost. Rather, it should be about creating general prosperity. The United States once had a thriving buggy-whip industry. Would we be better off if we had blocked development of the automobile in order to preserve those jobs?
[E]conomic policy is not about preserving every single job that currently exists at any cost.
That’s not so farfetched. After all, President Obama has already blamed ATMs and self-service gas stations for unemployment.
Outsourcing is based on an unpleasant truth: Certain types of operations, such as call centers, for example, or unskilled product assembly, are simply too costly for companies to do in the United States. By having those jobs performed overseas, companies are able to preserve their resources for the things those companies do best, their “core competencies.”"
"Additionally, having some jobs done overseas makes it easier for U.S. companies to serve foreign markets, by shortening shipping distances, avoiding foreign trade barriers, and creating an on-the-ground presence in emerging markets. If Ford is going to sell cars in China, it makes sense for them to build those cars in China rather than build them here and ship them across the Pacific. Far more outsourcing occurs because of the need to serve foreign markets than because of a search for cheaper labor. In fact, studies suggest that more than 90 percent of outsourcing jobs involves foreign-market considerations rather than labor costs.
All of this makes U.S. companies that outsource more competitive in a world market, allowing them to hire more workers here at home. And generally the jobs created here are better paying than those unskilled jobs that have been forgone. Reduced production costs also mean lower prices for Americans, especially on basic goods such as clothing. One would think that a president who was concerned about the plight of the poor would favor policies that helped low-income Americans to stretch their dollars. And, finally, lower production costs increase profits and stock prices. And who benefits when stock values go up? Everyone who owns stocks, including all Americans with a 401(k), as well as institutional investors such as universities and charities."
A New Military Draft Would Revive a Very Bad Old Idea | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute: Commentary
A New Military Draft Would Revive a Very Bad Old Idea | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Even when the army was reducing its requirements during the worst of the Iraq years, its quality standards remained well above those of conscript forces. "
"The end of the draft also has dramatically improved commitment and morale in the armed forces."
"The end of the draft also has dramatically improved commitment and morale in the armed forces."
The Right to National Bankruptcy - Andrew Foy, MD - Mises Daily
The Right to National Bankruptcy - Andrew Foy, MD - Mises Daily: "Many who push the idea that healthcare is a right strive to eliminate all personal economic considerations that ultimately affect how an individual would balance health risks against other needs. They believe one should not have to balance such things. They strive to eliminate the distinction between health emergencies, which are insurable events, and health maintenance, which cannot be properly insured against. They incorrectly believe that all healthcare decisions are a matter of life and death. This is a tremendous boon to the medical-industrial complex."
"cost sharing consistently reduced spending because patients actually sought less treatment. Those who had free care spent an average of 50 percent more per person per year than those with the highest level of cost sharing. However, despite differences in treatment, cost sharing had no adverse health effects. There were no significant differences between those with free care and those with cost sharing on any major health outcomes"
"with few exceptions, paying for health maintenance upstream simply increases costs upstream without significantly impacting health downstream. This is true whether we are talking about primary or secondary prevention measures."
"one of the main reasons America enjoys the highest healthcare costs per capita and the most excessive healthcare-cost growth is because we have the most generous healthcare entitlement in the world: Medicare."
"cost sharing consistently reduced spending because patients actually sought less treatment. Those who had free care spent an average of 50 percent more per person per year than those with the highest level of cost sharing. However, despite differences in treatment, cost sharing had no adverse health effects. There were no significant differences between those with free care and those with cost sharing on any major health outcomes"
"with few exceptions, paying for health maintenance upstream simply increases costs upstream without significantly impacting health downstream. This is true whether we are talking about primary or secondary prevention measures."
"one of the main reasons America enjoys the highest healthcare costs per capita and the most excessive healthcare-cost growth is because we have the most generous healthcare entitlement in the world: Medicare."
Obama Plans to Fund Government for Eight Days | Richard W. Rahn | Cato Institute: Commentary
Obama Plans to Fund Government for Eight Days | Richard W. Rahn | Cato Institute: Commentary: "President Obama has called for a tax increase on job creators, which will only fund the government for eight days, while I have an economic growth program that will fund the government for eight years and beyond."
"The bumper sticker
Reagan tax rates + Clinton spending policies = high growth and full employment!"
"The bumper sticker
Reagan tax rates + Clinton spending policies = high growth and full employment!"
Let Them Eat Hope | Gene Healy | Cato Institute: Commentary
Let Them Eat Hope | Gene Healy | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Contemplating the policy wreckage that surrounds him, the president has concluded that what this country needs is a fresh injection of presidential hope."
"On the campaign trail last time around, Obama pledged, among other things, to provide "a cure for cancer in our time," to deliver "a complete transformation of the economy," "end the age of oil in our time," and, perhaps most quixotically, to "fundamentally change the way Washington works." "
"On the campaign trail last time around, Obama pledged, among other things, to provide "a cure for cancer in our time," to deliver "a complete transformation of the economy," "end the age of oil in our time," and, perhaps most quixotically, to "fundamentally change the way Washington works." "
Timber Payments Subisidize Counties at Taxpayers' Expense | Randal O'Toole | Cato Institute: Commentary
Timber Payments Subisidize Counties at Taxpayers' Expense | Randal O'Toole | Cato Institute: Commentary: "taxpayers in these counties (of which I am one) have been getting a free ride for decades. While federal lands impose little cost on counties, the payments out of timber receipts have been many times greater than the federal government would have paid if it had paid ordinary property taxes."
"these counties have some of the lowest property tax rates in the state. While the average Oregon property owner pays more than $2.80 per $1,000 in assessed value to the county, property owners in Curry and Josephine counties pay only 60 cents"
"Raising property taxes to somewhere around the statewide average would solve the problems in all of these counties except Lake and Lane. But Oregon law prevents counties from raising taxes without voter approval, and county commissioners suspect that few voters will be willing to double or quadruple their county tax burden."
"these counties have some of the lowest property tax rates in the state. While the average Oregon property owner pays more than $2.80 per $1,000 in assessed value to the county, property owners in Curry and Josephine counties pay only 60 cents"
"Raising property taxes to somewhere around the statewide average would solve the problems in all of these counties except Lake and Lane. But Oregon law prevents counties from raising taxes without voter approval, and county commissioners suspect that few voters will be willing to double or quadruple their county tax burden."
NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn asks NYU to evict Chick-fil-A | Fox News
NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn asks NYU to evict Chick-fil-A | Fox News: "A powerful New York politician claims she was just speaking as a private citizen when she tried to run Chick-fil-A out of town, but she used her official letterhead and even invoked her position as City Council speaker to apply pressure on the embattled chicken chain.
New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who has mayoral aspirations, sent a letter to New York University president John Sexton on Saturday asking the school to immediately end their contract with the fast food restaurant. The Atlanta-based company's sole New York City outlet is in the school's food court.
"I write as the Speaker of the NYC Council, and on behalf of my family. "
New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who has mayoral aspirations, sent a letter to New York University president John Sexton on Saturday asking the school to immediately end their contract with the fast food restaurant. The Atlanta-based company's sole New York City outlet is in the school's food court.
"I write as the Speaker of the NYC Council, and on behalf of my family. "
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