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Not a Government Policy | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Income inequality is the wrong focus for government policy. After all, if we doubled the income of every American tomorrow, inequality would actually increase — but we would also lift a lot of Americans out of poverty.
In the context of deficit reduction, that means we should keep this goal in mind: not punishing the rich, but reducing poverty. And we know that in the long run, the best way to reduce poverty is to create more jobs and opportunity. Too many think of the economy as a fixed pie, and the role of government is to divide up the slices of that pie. If one person gets a bigger portion of pie, others of necessity get smaller pieces.
But in reality the size of the pie is not fixed. We can pursue policies that grow a bigger pie, allowing a bigger slice for everyone. Conversely, we can shrink the pie, meaning everyone gets less. And unfortunately, if the pie shrinks, those without skills and connections in society — the poor — are likely to end up with little more than crumbs."
Thursday, December 30, 2010
What Threat, China? - Kel Kelly - Mises Daily
What Threat, China? - Kel Kelly - Mises Daily: "A powerful military can come only from a powerful economy. Countries that have little capital and little ability to produce factories, tools, machines, and consumer goods likewise have little ability to produce tanks, missiles, fighter jets, and satellite systems. The lesson for the United States in this case is that we need to do everything possible to promote capital accumulation and increased labor productivity.
But even that consideration misses the real issue at hand. Military threats come only from political leaders, not from individual citizens. Thus, centrally controlled nation-state structures are the problem."
But even that consideration misses the real issue at hand. Military threats come only from political leaders, not from individual citizens. Thus, centrally controlled nation-state structures are the problem."
Real Death Panels Are Coming Our Way | Nat Hentoff | Cato Institute: Commentary
Real Death Panels Are Coming Our Way | Nat Hentoff | Cato Institute: Commentary: "during a discussion on balancing the federal budget against alarming deficits, [Paul Krugman] proclaimed the way to solve this problem is through deeply cost-effective health care rationing.
'Some years down the pike,' he said, 'we're going to get the real solution, which is going to be a combination of death panels and sales taxes.' That would mean the U.S. Debt Reduction Commission 'should have endorsed the panel that was part of the [Obama] health care reform.'"
"[Sarah Palin] was mocked, scorned from sea to shining sea, including by the eminent Paul Krugman for being, he said, among those spreading 'the death penalty lie' as part of 'the lunatic fringe.'"
'Some years down the pike,' he said, 'we're going to get the real solution, which is going to be a combination of death panels and sales taxes.' That would mean the U.S. Debt Reduction Commission 'should have endorsed the panel that was part of the [Obama] health care reform.'"
"[Sarah Palin] was mocked, scorned from sea to shining sea, including by the eminent Paul Krugman for being, he said, among those spreading 'the death penalty lie' as part of 'the lunatic fringe.'"
For Big-Spending Hawks, the U.S. Military's Work Is Never Done | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute: Commentary
For Big-Spending Hawks, the U.S. Military's Work Is Never Done | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute: Commentary: "The Constitution authorizes the national government to act in the 'common defense' — of America, not the rest of the world. None of the founders imagined that the U.S. would become Globocop, busy protecting populous and prosperous allies (international social welfare) and attempting to rebuild failed societies (foreign social engineering)."
Massachusetts Cop Was Killed by Career Criminal Out on Parole Despite Three Life Sentences - FoxNews.com
Massachusetts Cop Was Killed by Career Criminal Out on Parole Despite Three Life Sentences - FoxNews.com: "Cinelli had a lengthy rap sheet filled with armed robberies, assaults and other offenses, had been serving three life sentences since 1976, and had chronic disciplinary problems while in prison including two escapes during which he committed crimes, the Globe reported.
Still, he won the board over by saying the deaths in the family, including his mother's, and drug counseling changed him, the paper reported."
Still, he won the board over by saying the deaths in the family, including his mother's, and drug counseling changed him, the paper reported."
Korean schools welcome more robot teachers | Crave - CNET
Korean schools welcome more robot teachers | Crave - CNET: "state education budgets have been strained by importing thousands of foreign teachers, who are increasingly unwilling to live in remote areas and on islands. I don't think a telepresence robot can really replace a human teacher, but then again I nearly nodded off a few times in class during my teaching stint in Korea. A robot would never do that."
Man Arrested at Miami Airport After Bullet Parts Found in Bag - FoxNews.com
Man Arrested at Miami Airport After Bullet Parts Found in Bag - FoxNews.com: "A 37-year-old man is facing a federal charge after bullet primers [of several hundred] ignited in his bag as it was being unloaded at Miami International Airport from a flight that had just arrived."
They didn't find them on the way in?
They didn't find them on the way in?
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Politicians' Time Is Not Much More Important Than Ours | Gene Healy | Cato Institute: Commentary
Politicians' Time Is Not Much More Important Than Ours | Gene Healy | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Asked last week whether she would submit to a Transportation Security Administration pat-down, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton snorted: 'Not if I could avoid it, ha, ha, ha! ... Who would?'
As a Cabinet secretary, she can avoid it, as can top congressional leaders. Membership has its privileges."
"In 2006, the Secret Service insisted that the Virginia Department of Transportation shut down all HOV lanes on Interstate 395 for six hours so President Bush could get to a fundraiser"
As a Cabinet secretary, she can avoid it, as can top congressional leaders. Membership has its privileges."
"In 2006, the Secret Service insisted that the Virginia Department of Transportation shut down all HOV lanes on Interstate 395 for six hours so President Bush could get to a fundraiser"
Politicians' Time Is Not Much More Important Than Ours | Gene Healy | Cato Institute: Commentary
Politicians' Time Is Not Much More Important Than Ours | Gene Healy | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Asked last week whether she would submit to a Transportation Security Administration pat-down, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton snorted: 'Not if I could avoid it, ha, ha, ha! ... Who would?'
As a Cabinet secretary, she can avoid it, as can top congressional leaders. Membership has its privileges."
"In 2006, the Secret Service insisted that the Virginia Department of Transportation shut down all HOV lanes on Interstate 395 for six hours so President Bush could get to a fundraiser"
As a Cabinet secretary, she can avoid it, as can top congressional leaders. Membership has its privileges."
"In 2006, the Secret Service insisted that the Virginia Department of Transportation shut down all HOV lanes on Interstate 395 for six hours so President Bush could get to a fundraiser"
New tax law packed with obscure business tax cuts - FoxNews.com
New tax law packed with obscure business tax cuts - FoxNews.com: "The massive new tax bill signed into law by President Barack Obama is filled with all kinds of holiday stocking stuffers for businesses: tax breaks for producing TV shows, grants for putting up windmills, rum subsidies for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
There is even a tax break for people who buy race horses."
"Most of the business tax breaks — about 50 in all — are part of a package that expires each year, creating uncertainty for tax planners but lots of business for lobbyists."
"There is a generous tax break for banks and insurance companies that invest overseas, a tax credit for railroad track maintenance, more generous write-offs for upgrading motorsport race tracks, and increased deductions for businesses that donate books and computers to public schools and libraries."
There is even a tax break for people who buy race horses."
"Most of the business tax breaks — about 50 in all — are part of a package that expires each year, creating uncertainty for tax planners but lots of business for lobbyists."
"There is a generous tax break for banks and insurance companies that invest overseas, a tax credit for railroad track maintenance, more generous write-offs for upgrading motorsport race tracks, and increased deductions for businesses that donate books and computers to public schools and libraries."
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