Great Big Ugly Surveillance State

On March 20, President Trump signed an executive order “Eliminating Information Silos.” The order directed heads of federal agencies to make sure officials designated by the president “have full and prompt access to all unclassified agency records, data, software systems, and information technology systems.” The executive order did not attract much attention until it was more recently revealed that the administration was working with tech company Palantir to create a database containing all information collected by all federal agencies on all US citizens.

Does the “Economy” Actually Exist?

On a regular basis various “experts” in the field of economics make comments on the state of the “economy.” For instance, they report that the “economy” grew by such and such percentage, or that the widening in the trade account deficit threatens the “economy.” According to commentators, the “economy” produces goods and services, called total national output. Once the output is produced, what is then required is its distribution among individuals in the fairest way.

What’s a Fair Wage?

One of the most common grievances people have with their employers is about their pay. Many lament that their employers inadequately compensate them for the work they do, and that their salaries are too low. In their opinion, the free market is to blame for salaries being too low as companies hold bargaining power while the employees simply take whatever they can take. However, this sort of argument implies that work has intrinsic value and to state that is to misunderstand the nature of work.