SCOTUS Attacked Indian Tribe Sovereignty in Castro-Huerta, and That’s a Bad Thing.

Indian tribe sovereignty has long been a much neglected, yet important, tool in decentralizing and limiting government power in the United States. Since the early nineteenth century, it has been recognized by US courts and policy makers that—at least in theory—US governments have very limited jurisdiction within tribal lands beyond what is granted by treaties between the US and each individual tribe. Thus, in theory, tribal lands within the US function to limit the territorial sovereignty of both the US government and the state governments. 

If Government Can Take from One Group, It Can and Will Take from Everyone

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to argue that private property rights, as understood by classic liberal thinkers, by those who embrace Austrian economic theory, and by all members of an enlightened society, are not only the cornerstone, but also the last defense of human civilization and the Western way of life in particular. Nothing stands a chance without this premise. No prosperity can ever come about or even be maintained, none of the civil liberties and human freedoms we so often take for granted these days, no innovation in business, technology or science.

Dear Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s hyperinflation problems are the stuff of economic legend. No matter how bad our inflation problem gets here, one can bet theirs will be a lot worse. Just last week, CNBC had a headline still beyond comprehension for most Americans:

Zimbabwe hikes key interest rate to 200% from 80% amid runaway inflation

To clarify, it does not say 200 basis points (i.e., 2%), rather 200 percent!