Sir, Although I endorse Sir Samuel Brittan’s call to distinguish between Santa Claus and government “handouts”, his analysis is seriously flawed (”There is no such thing as the state”, December 17 [$link]).

After reading Michael Crichton’s latest book, State of Fear, I bought a copy of it as a Christmas present for a family member. This isn’t the “normal” Michael Crichton book. For one thing, unlike many of his books, there isn’t an over-aggressive company engaging in reckless behaviour. Rather, the target of scorn is rightfully the environmentalist movement, and the fanatic fear-mongering regarding global warming.

When you throw out the Christmas this year, leave the lights on it and let the garbage people haul the whole mess away. Everyone knows that taking off the lights is the most frustrating part of taking the tree down. They get tangled, stepped on, and cause tree needles to spread. The old lights won’t shine as bright next year in any case, and you will be spared the frustration that comes with untangling and repairs. But wait. Isn’t this wasteful?

BKMarcus sent this to me. I have no idea how long this has languished on the web, but it is surprisingly good. Very good in fact. Bracing and true, and one of the only succesful attempts to present libertarian ideas in a web/media format that I’ve seen.

AP: “Housing construction cooled last month as the number of housing projects builders started plunged 13 percent. The decline is the biggest in nearly 11 years and it takes housing starts to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.77 million units, the lowest level since May 2003. The Commerce Department also reports that a sign of future building slipped.

There are different forms of tyranny. There is tyrannus in regimine, a home-grown despot who comes to power through (more or less) legitimate means and then begins to abuse that power and oppress people. If the tyrannus in regimine plays his cards right, he can pay off enough and protect enough interest groups to stabilize his rule. In terms of prudence, it might be better to put up with him or attempt to restrain him than to overthrow him – at least this is what Jefferson taught. The second kind is the tyrannus in titula.

At least two bloggers ( 1 and 2) have cheerfully cited Steve Landsburg’s article in praise of misers. Although it is refreshing anytime someone takes such an unconventional and pro-capitalist position, I’m afraid that I must be a Scrooge with the kudos.