The Best of Mises University 2014
It was an amazing and encouraging week at Mises University this year.
Ron Paul Poll: Economics, Not Political
The Haven has posted the following poll question:
What do you think? Is Ron Paul right to think that a crash will be forthcoming? Or will the stock market continue to plow ahead as it has done since 2009?
“If Ron Paul Is Right, Then It’s Only A Matter Of Time Before This Happens… Again”
Politicking Think Tanks vs. the Mises Institute
The execrable Washington Post discusses how DC think tanks have become increasingly activist in the political sense, and (thereby) increasingly self-serving:
Protectionism, the Freedom to Contract, and Immigration “Reform”
Congressman Kerry Bentivolio of Michigan has declared that he doesn’t want an award from the US Chamber of Commerce, which he says isn’t really devoted to “free enterprise.” So far, so good. The US Chamber of Commerce is indeed anything but devoted to free markets as is obvious from its frequent support for corporatist programs from the “stimulus” to the auto bailouts to No Child Left Behind.
New online interviews with Mark Thornton and Walter Block
On the “Wake Up Call Podcast”: Mark Thornton. Walter Block.
Big Mac and the Dollar
Using McDonals’s Big Mac as the standard, the US Dollar looks relative firm compared to some other currencies. The chart below from The Economist looks at the purchasing power of currencies relative to the Big Mac in 2009 and 2014. A half dozen currencies have been relatively weak compared to the dollar and a half dozen have been in line with the dollar.
Congratulations to All Who Passed the Mises U Exams
At the end of Mises University, many students chose to take the optional — and highly rigorous — Mises University examinations for cash awards. 64 students took the written exam, and 30 of those passed to go on and take the oral exam. The first-place prize of $2,500, made possible by Douglas E. French, was awarded to Kyle Marchini. The second-place prize of $1,500, made possible by Mrs. Joele Eddy and the late Dr. George Eddy, was awarded to Matei Apavaloaei. The third-place prize of $750, made possible by Mrs.
Argentina Is Now In Default, But There Is Life After Default
The Wall Street Journal declares it a done deal.
Nicolás Cachanosky explains the road that got us here.
Austerity for Whom?
Steve Hanke points out that the anti-austerity faction in the EU led by Italy, France, and Spain is hypocritical when it claims that “there is nothing left to cut” in their budgets. Senior civil servants in Italy get paid over 12 times the national average salary.
