Fannie, Freddie Lose Relevance | Arnold Kling | Cato Institute: Commentary

Fannie, Freddie Lose Relevance | Arnold Kling | Cato Institute: Commentary: "To achieve this gradual phase-out, the provision of government mortgage support will need to be rationed in some way. It can be rationed by price, with the agencies raising their fees until private firms are able to compete. It can be rationed by quantity, with limits imposed on the market share of the agencies. And it can be rationed by market segment, with the agencies prevented from purchasing certain types of mortgages.

The administration report includes suggestions for all three types of rationing."

A Tortured History Pursues George W. Bush | Nat Hentoff | Cato Institute: Commentary

A Tortured History Pursues George W. Bush | Nat Hentoff | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Switzerland, like the United States, is a signatory to the international Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. And every nation signing this treaty is required to prosecute anyone, including government officials, who have been involved in 'complicity or participation in torture.'

Moreover, the Convention makes it unmistakably clear that 'no exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war ... or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of torture.'"

State and local budget cuts are slowing US economy - FoxNews.com

State and local budget cuts are slowing US economy - FoxNews.com: "Deep spending cuts by state and local governments pose a growing threat to an economy"

Government spending doesn't help the economy -- that has been shown many times.

Psst. No shutdown during a 'government shutdown' - FoxNews.com

Psst. No shutdown during a 'government shutdown' - FoxNews.com: "That's the little-known truth about a government shutdown. The government doesn't shut down."

"But from a practical perspective, shutdowns usually aren't that big a deal. They happened every year when Jimmy Carter was president, averaging 11 days each. During President Reagan's two terms, there were six shutdowns, typically of just one or two days apiece"

"Lawmakers, however, typically provide back pay, even for employees who weren't required to work. A repeat of that could raise hackles with some in the tea party-backed House GOP freshman class."

"Many contract workers could be furloughed without pay and not receive lost wages retroactively, especially in an extended shutdown."

NR students support local teachers | New Richmond News | New Richmond, Wisconsin

NR students support local teachers | New Richmond News | New Richmond, Wisconsin: "The end of unions not only affects the teachers now, but also the quality of education in the future"

What do unions have to do with quality? I thought unions supported rules that reward based on years of service -- not quality. :-/

Discount for foreclosed homes widened in 2010 - FoxNews.com

Discount for foreclosed homes widened in 2010 - FoxNews.com: "Buyers who purchased a foreclosed home last year got, on average, a 28 percent discount to a non-foreclosure sale. That's up from a 27 percent average discount in 2009, RealtyTrac said."

"Generally, about 30 percent of banks' foreclosure inventory is on the market"

To invite plug-in cars, cities work on permitting | Green Tech - CNET News

To invite plug-in cars, cities work on permitting | Green Tech - CNET News: "One of the concerns automakers and potential buyers have is long delays in getting these chargers installed since building codes don't always explicitly address them.
In an effort to avoid delays in installations, Oregon last year adjusted its building codes to clarify the situation for electricians. Home charging stations now fall under the same building codes as large appliances, such as electric water heaters."

That shows one problem with government regulation. They often only address common situations.

With Mubarak gone, Egyptians turn to courts for justice - CSMonitor.com

With Mubarak gone, Egyptians turn to courts for justice - CSMonitor.com: "According to a public prosecutor in the Ministry of Justice who spoke on condition of anonymity, so many corruption cases have been filed at the office of the attorney general recently that his team of specialist investigators expanded fourfold on Saturday."

Commodity Money in Colonial America - Murray N. Rothbard - Mises Daily

Commodity Money in Colonial America - Murray N. Rothbard - Mises Daily: "It is important to realize that gold and silver are international commodities, and that therefore, when not prohibited by government decree, foreign coins are perfectly capable of serving as standard moneys. There is no need to have a national government monopolize the coinage, and indeed foreign gold and silver coins constituted much of the coinage in the United States until Congress outlawed the use of foreign coins in 1857. Thus, if a free market is allowed to prevail in a country, foreign coins will circulate naturally. Silver and gold coins will tend to be valued in proportion to their respective weights, and the ratio between silver and gold will be set by the market in accordance with their relative supply and demand."

Government operations: slow and steady or pick up the pace? | Wide White

Government operations: slow and steady or pick up the pace? | Wide White: "Should the government and Congress operate more quickly and efficiently or should legislation and initiatives take months to push through?"