Big Government

Citing railroads, the TVA, and interstate highways, Michael Kelly of The Atlantic Monthly says government has done wonders for us. Tibor Machan raises the question: At what cost?

They hail from Harvard, Yale, and Cornell, but these economists haven't learned the first lesson of economics. William Anderson corrects their errors.

Part of the reason seat belt laws and speed limits bother me is that they extend a tentacle of government into automobile safety issues-- yet another place it does not belong. Not only are such laws immoral, but they set a precedent for even more intrusive regulations. Next thing I know, the Food and Drink Police will be snatching candy bars from my hand and replacing them with rice cakes.

The Santa Monica City Council seems to think that government can work miracles by passing them into law, with the blessing of economists. Lew Rockwell explains.

Former Clinton economist Laura D’Andrea Tyson continues her campaign against the free market, this time calling for price controls. William Anderson straightens her out.

Propose that energy needs be met through more production, and up will go the cry from the left: not production but conservation! Karen De Coster explains the error.

New York Governor George Pataki has abandoned his original platform for the same reason that Republicans usually sell out: he has chosen staying in power over cutting government.

When the state passes a law, even if trivial, it backs that law by the threat of force. Sometimes it actually uses it. Ray Haynes explains. 

Will the free market underproduce roads? Not a chance. Chris Westley explains how government intervention causes traffic congestion. 

If power-hungry government officials and misanthropic environmentalists would get out of the way, California could avoid energy shortages this summer. George Reisman explains.