About Bush’s tax and spend policies
In recent months, certain Bush supporters have been gloating over the recent surge in federal tax revenues and the resulting reduction in the budget deficit, claiming that it vindicates the Laffer curve.
Buckley Warms to Central Planning
From Cold War militarism, to the draft, to his new scheme for national gas vouchers, W.F. Buckley is always on the cutting-edge of conservative statism:
How to know that the price is too low
Thousands show up for computer sale: People trampled, beaten with a folding chair. A woman urinating on herself. The police called, then themselves calling for backup. All to get a bargain.
Austrians in Academia: A Battle Plan
Walter Block presents his strategic agenda for Austrians or libertarians, Misesians or Rothbardians, anarcho-capitalists or minarchists, or any combination thereof.
Another Tax Song
Following up on last week’s post on the tax song “Taxes Are Best When You Pay Nothing At All”, the Tax Guru (a libertarian tax professional) has made available an mp3 recording of the Beatles’ The Tax Man (this link has the lyrics to the song), as performed by bluegrass group Nickel Creek on PBS
They’ve Seen the Future
Last Friday, as the puppet leaders in Iraq were arguing about what is going to be the Iraqi constitution, they had to speak especially loudly to be heard over the explosions and bombs outside. These are not ideal conditions under which to forge a new governing authority, especially one purporting to grant liberty and rights. The first ambition of the state will always be to exercise power. And if there were ever a constitution designed to enhance government power, this is it. And yet, there will always be “political pilgrims” who say otherwise.
What They Won’t Tell You About Capitalism
Thomas DiLorenzo has written a masterpiece, says Laurence M. Vance. We have not only a great reference source, but a great weapon in our arsenal against all varieties of socialism, interventionism, and anticapitalism.
Ethanol and the Calculation Issue
From the point of view of economic rationality, ethanol makes no sense, writes Peter Anderson. If it did, it wouldn’t need subsidies to bring it into existence and make it marketable.
Game Theory: The Business Tool That Isn’t
Game theory can be fun and interesting. It’s central to current mainstream research in industrial organization and corporate strategy. It’s been taught to a generation of MBA students. Unfortunately, according to FastCompany, nobody in business actually uses it.
(Hat tip: Nicolai Foss.)
Please don’t save this system
Among Bush’s many defeats we must include the proposal to “privatize” Social Security—a cockamamie and deliberately foggy scheme that tried to pass itself off as increased choice but upon close inspection revealed itself to be nothing more than a scheme of forced savings and socialized investment. Yes, it was to be “pay as you go” in contrast to the present system of debt finance but this hardly matters from the individual’s point of view.
