Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Funny Computer Stories
With technology comes growing pains. Some of these will have you shaking your head.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Lot's Of Conservatives Out There...
From The Bobo Files:
The Gallup Poll linked above indicates that this is the highest number of individuals who have ever self-identified as Conservative versus Liberals. Now is the time for Conservatives to take back our country from those left-leaning liberal socialists who are bent on destroying the morals and very fiber of America through their immoral policies and agendas. Get out and vote in 2010 and let those arrogant bastards in D.C. know that we aren’t going to take it any longer.
The Gallup Poll
Comment: Democrats in the 2010 elections may find out the hard way that the U.S. is more of a center right nation than they think.
The Gallup Poll linked above indicates that this is the highest number of individuals who have ever self-identified as Conservative versus Liberals. Now is the time for Conservatives to take back our country from those left-leaning liberal socialists who are bent on destroying the morals and very fiber of America through their immoral policies and agendas. Get out and vote in 2010 and let those arrogant bastards in D.C. know that we aren’t going to take it any longer.
The Gallup Poll
Comment: Democrats in the 2010 elections may find out the hard way that the U.S. is more of a center right nation than they think.
Rose Friedman, Economist Partner of Husband Milton, Dies at 97
Rose Friedman, champion of liberty and free market economics has passed away. Godspeed, Rose, godspeed.
Monday, August 17, 2009
If The Government Controls Health Care...
Jonah Goldberg writes the following on health care:
Now, I don’t think Soylent Green-style solutions are coming down the pike. (Government cheese is people!) But every nationalized health-care system to one degree or another rations care based on the quality of life and number of “life years” a procedure will yield. That’s perfectly reasonable. If you put me in charge of everyone’s health care, I would do that, too. That’s a really good argument for not giving me — or anyone else — that power.
When it comes to civil liberties, liberals are often distrustful of government power. But, for reasons that baffle me, they are quite comfortable with Uncle Sam getting into the business of deciding, or providing “guidance” on, which lives are more valuable than others. A government charged with extending life expectancy must meddle not just with our health care, but with what we eat, how we drive, how we live. A government determined to cut costs must meddle not just with how we live, but how we die.
Now, I don’t think Soylent Green-style solutions are coming down the pike. (Government cheese is people!) But every nationalized health-care system to one degree or another rations care based on the quality of life and number of “life years” a procedure will yield. That’s perfectly reasonable. If you put me in charge of everyone’s health care, I would do that, too. That’s a really good argument for not giving me — or anyone else — that power.
When it comes to civil liberties, liberals are often distrustful of government power. But, for reasons that baffle me, they are quite comfortable with Uncle Sam getting into the business of deciding, or providing “guidance” on, which lives are more valuable than others. A government charged with extending life expectancy must meddle not just with our health care, but with what we eat, how we drive, how we live. A government determined to cut costs must meddle not just with how we live, but how we die.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Obama tries to compare healthcare to the USPS--Stupid Move
Larry Kudlow nails this issue perfectly:
It's hard to know why President Obama said what he said at Tuesday's health-care town hall in New Hampshire. He actually stated: "If you think about it, UPS and FedEx are doing just fine. It's the Post Office that's always having problems."
Oops. Freudian slip? Subliminally speaking, was the president inferring that private health insurers are doing just fine?
Government insurance is what's in trouble today. Medicare is in the hole by about $40 trillion on a discounted present-value basis over the next 40 or 50 years. And if we're going to equate government care to government mail, according to Steve Hayes of The Weekly Standard, the U.S. Postal Service is going bankrupt with a $7 billion net loss this year. With 633,000 career employees, the Post Office won't be able to make $5.4 billion in retiree health-benefit payments. How many of these federal employees will populate the new government-backed insurance plan if it passes?
...Obama's health-care gaffes are mounting. At a press conference a few weeks back, the president let fly with an attack on doctors who remove tonsils instead of handing out allergy pills. Since doctors are very popular in America, and with many Obamacare protesters opposed to putting government central planners between doctors and patients, this was a big mistake.
Whoops! Obama admitted that private companies do a better job delivering items than a government run entity. This is no surprise to me or anyone else that is an advocate for the free-market. If he wants his ObamaCare to survive he best stick to the script of vilifing private enterprise.
For those that want to argue that the United States Postal Service is semi-private or privatized, read the following: The USPS is exempt from paying federal, state, or local taxes on its income, sales, purchases, or property. Unlike private companies, it is immune from most forms of regulation, such as antitrust, motor vehicle registration, parking tickets, zoning, and land use restrictions. It is also able to borrow money at the lowest possible rate through the U.S. Treasury. And with all these advantages, the USPS still can not balance its books. As Kudlow points out, "the U.S. Postal Service is going bankrupt with a $7 billion net loss this year." Incredible. Where will health care end up if the government takes it over?
So, how is the USPS "semi-privatized?" Well, private firms who submit the lowest bids are allowed to do all of the long -haul trucking for the USPS. Air transportation firms are also allowed to bid for jobs as are sorting facilities for express mail. That's pretty much it. The USPS has fought proposals for full privitization for a long time with horrendous results. So when Obama gaffes by trying to compare the health care industry to UPS, FedEx, and the USPS, a closer examination is very revealing.
It's hard to know why President Obama said what he said at Tuesday's health-care town hall in New Hampshire. He actually stated: "If you think about it, UPS and FedEx are doing just fine. It's the Post Office that's always having problems."
Oops. Freudian slip? Subliminally speaking, was the president inferring that private health insurers are doing just fine?
Government insurance is what's in trouble today. Medicare is in the hole by about $40 trillion on a discounted present-value basis over the next 40 or 50 years. And if we're going to equate government care to government mail, according to Steve Hayes of The Weekly Standard, the U.S. Postal Service is going bankrupt with a $7 billion net loss this year. With 633,000 career employees, the Post Office won't be able to make $5.4 billion in retiree health-benefit payments. How many of these federal employees will populate the new government-backed insurance plan if it passes?
...Obama's health-care gaffes are mounting. At a press conference a few weeks back, the president let fly with an attack on doctors who remove tonsils instead of handing out allergy pills. Since doctors are very popular in America, and with many Obamacare protesters opposed to putting government central planners between doctors and patients, this was a big mistake.
Whoops! Obama admitted that private companies do a better job delivering items than a government run entity. This is no surprise to me or anyone else that is an advocate for the free-market. If he wants his ObamaCare to survive he best stick to the script of vilifing private enterprise.
For those that want to argue that the United States Postal Service is semi-private or privatized, read the following: The USPS is exempt from paying federal, state, or local taxes on its income, sales, purchases, or property. Unlike private companies, it is immune from most forms of regulation, such as antitrust, motor vehicle registration, parking tickets, zoning, and land use restrictions. It is also able to borrow money at the lowest possible rate through the U.S. Treasury. And with all these advantages, the USPS still can not balance its books. As Kudlow points out, "the U.S. Postal Service is going bankrupt with a $7 billion net loss this year." Incredible. Where will health care end up if the government takes it over?
So, how is the USPS "semi-privatized?" Well, private firms who submit the lowest bids are allowed to do all of the long -haul trucking for the USPS. Air transportation firms are also allowed to bid for jobs as are sorting facilities for express mail. That's pretty much it. The USPS has fought proposals for full privitization for a long time with horrendous results. So when Obama gaffes by trying to compare the health care industry to UPS, FedEx, and the USPS, a closer examination is very revealing.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The Hypocrisy Of The Left
The Left has been responding to the ruckus at town hall meetings by claiming that the Right's protests are completely different from the Left's protests. You see their protests (The Left) seem to have more legitimacy because they never tried to shut down debate at town hall-like meetings. Whoops! Except these protests at town hall meetings in 2005.
HT: Newmark's Door
HT: Newmark's Door
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
New Poll: Only 32% Favor Government-Run Health Care
Rasmussen Reports has a new poll: "Thirty-two percent (32%) of voters nationwide favor a single-payer health care system where the federal government provides coverage for everyone. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% are opposed to a single-payer plan."
I know what Obamacare supporters will say, "Rasmussen is biased and Republican." My answer to that is--prove that Rasmussen's polling methods are unsound. Additionally, when Rasmussen polls showed that Obama was clearly ahead of McCain last year, I didn't hear much complaining about bias from the Left.
Read the Rasmussen Report here
I know what Obamacare supporters will say, "Rasmussen is biased and Republican." My answer to that is--prove that Rasmussen's polling methods are unsound. Additionally, when Rasmussen polls showed that Obama was clearly ahead of McCain last year, I didn't hear much complaining about bias from the Left.
Read the Rasmussen Report here
On Life Expectancy
Another Democratic talking point challenged; this time its the low U.S. life expectancy myth that supporters of ObamaCare continuously parrot. From Samuel Preston and Jessica Ho:
Life expectancy in the United States fares poorly in international comparisons, primarily because of high mortality rates above age 50. Its low ranking is often blamed on a poor performance by the health care system rather than on behavioral or social factors. This paper presents evidence on the relative performance of the US health care system using death avoidance as the sole criterion. We find that, by standards of OECD countries, the US does well in terms of screening for cancer, survival rates from cancer, survival rates after heart attacks and strokes, and medication of individuals with high levels of blood pressure or cholesterol. We consider in greater depth mortality from prostate cancer and breast cancer, diseases for which effective methods of identification and treatment have been developed and where behavioral factors do not play a dominant role. We show that the US has had significantly faster declines in mortality from these two diseases than comparison countries. We conclude that the low longevity ranking of the United States is not likely to be a result of a poorly functioning health care system.
Read the entire paper here.
HT: Tyler Cowen at Marginal Revolution
Life expectancy in the United States fares poorly in international comparisons, primarily because of high mortality rates above age 50. Its low ranking is often blamed on a poor performance by the health care system rather than on behavioral or social factors. This paper presents evidence on the relative performance of the US health care system using death avoidance as the sole criterion. We find that, by standards of OECD countries, the US does well in terms of screening for cancer, survival rates from cancer, survival rates after heart attacks and strokes, and medication of individuals with high levels of blood pressure or cholesterol. We consider in greater depth mortality from prostate cancer and breast cancer, diseases for which effective methods of identification and treatment have been developed and where behavioral factors do not play a dominant role. We show that the US has had significantly faster declines in mortality from these two diseases than comparison countries. We conclude that the low longevity ranking of the United States is not likely to be a result of a poorly functioning health care system.
Read the entire paper here.
HT: Tyler Cowen at Marginal Revolution
Monday, August 10, 2009
ObamaCare = Longer Wait Times; Exhibit A: MASS
The Massachusetts experiment with public health care has not been working as well as it was advertised in 2006. The commonwealth's 2006 program closely resembles what Democrats are trying to push on the American public. Well, here are some inconvenient facts about the program:
From the 2009 Survey of Physician Appointment Wait Times (see p. 14):
As these numbers (in the chart above) indicate, Boston experiences by far the longest average wait times of any of the 15 metropolitan markets. In addition, wait times in Boston increased in 2009 over 2004 in three of the four specialties where comparisons are possible: dermatology, ob/gyn and orthopedic surgery. In general, wait times decreased in 2009 relative to 2004 in most metropolitan markets surveyed, with several exceptions.
Long wait times in Boston may be driven in part by the healthcare reform initiative that was put in place in Massachusetts in 2006. The initiative succeeded in covering many of the state’s uninsured patients. However, it has been reported that many patients in Massachusetts are encountering difficulty in accessing physicians. Survey results support these reports. Long appointment wait times in Boston also may signal what could happen nationally in the event that access to healthcare is expanded through healthcare reform. Increased demand resulting from improved access to care for approximately 47 million uninsured people can be expected to extend doctor appointment wait times in many markets.
HT: SBVOR and Carpe Diem
Dissent Is Patriotic
Debra J. Saunders has written a succinct and poignant piece on the town hall protests:
Now I don't think Obamaland was working on an "enemies list" - as some conservatives have charged. But I do want to note how deftly the left has abandoned its old rallying cry, "Dissent is patriotic."
Democratic leaders have taken to dissing health care dissenters who show up at town-hall meetings conducted by members of Congress visiting their districts - and not just for the boorish behavior of the loudmouths.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, dismissed protesters as "AstroTurf" - artificial grassroots support. On MSNBC's "Hardball," Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., exhorted the media to investigate town-hall protesters, as "This is just all organized."
And: "You in the media have to take a look at what's going on here. This is all planned. It's to hurt our president and it's to change the Congress."
When Boxer grilled Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice about what personal price the childless Rice paid for the Iraq war, Boxer later boasted that she was "speaking truth to power." But when angry voters try to do the same with elected officials, whether they're heckling them or just showing up, Boxer wants the media to investigate.
It's laughable: Democrats discrediting protests because - ooooooh - they're organized. Last year, weren't these same folks guffawing about Jesus being a community organizer?
Now I don't think Obamaland was working on an "enemies list" - as some conservatives have charged. But I do want to note how deftly the left has abandoned its old rallying cry, "Dissent is patriotic."
Democratic leaders have taken to dissing health care dissenters who show up at town-hall meetings conducted by members of Congress visiting their districts - and not just for the boorish behavior of the loudmouths.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, dismissed protesters as "AstroTurf" - artificial grassroots support. On MSNBC's "Hardball," Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., exhorted the media to investigate town-hall protesters, as "This is just all organized."
And: "You in the media have to take a look at what's going on here. This is all planned. It's to hurt our president and it's to change the Congress."
When Boxer grilled Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice about what personal price the childless Rice paid for the Iraq war, Boxer later boasted that she was "speaking truth to power." But when angry voters try to do the same with elected officials, whether they're heckling them or just showing up, Boxer wants the media to investigate.
It's laughable: Democrats discrediting protests because - ooooooh - they're organized. Last year, weren't these same folks guffawing about Jesus being a community organizer?
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Obama officials: Taxes may rise to pay health care
Barack Obama constantly repeated that taxes would not rise for the middle class during the Presidential campaign. Well, so much for that.
Monday, August 3, 2009
The Optimum Size of Government
From the Center for Freedom and Prosperity:
A new study by economists with the Institute for Market Economics (IME) in Sofia, Bulgaria, using the latest OECD data, finds that the government sectors in OECD (developed countries) are too large relative to their private sectors to maximize economic growth. Economists have long known that the government sector can be too small or too large to maximize economic growth, job creation, and the social welfare of its citizens. Governments that do not adequately protect the people and their property and the rule of law may be too small, while governments whose size and inefficiencies cause a misallocation of resources are too large.
Over the last several decades, economists have tried to determine and quantify the optimum size of government (recognizing that not all governments and societies are the same). Most studies have shown the optimum size of government is between 12% and 30% of GDP. The new IME study, entitled The Optimum Size of Government, finds (using standard methodology) the government sector should be no larger than 25% (and perhaps considerably smaller) to maximize GDP growth. All major governments, including the U.S., Germany, U.K., France, and Italy greatly exceed that level. The average government sector for the OECD countries now exceeds 41% of GDP.
Markets In Everything
Free online courses with distinguished professors from reputable colleges and universities:
They don't offer degrees but then they don't charge tuition either.
Colleges and universities across the United States are offering free courses online on virtually every subject imaginable, including videotaped lectures by some of their most distinguished professors.
Video-sharing site YouTube recently created a hub called YouTube EDU at youtube.com/edu for the more than 100 US colleges and universities offering free online learning.
HT: Mark J. Perry at Carpe Diem
They don't offer degrees but then they don't charge tuition either.
Colleges and universities across the United States are offering free courses online on virtually every subject imaginable, including videotaped lectures by some of their most distinguished professors.
Video-sharing site YouTube recently created a hub called YouTube EDU at youtube.com/edu for the more than 100 US colleges and universities offering free online learning.
HT: Mark J. Perry at Carpe Diem
Friday, July 31, 2009
Happy Birthday, Milton Friedman!!
The Cato Institute's David Boaz wrote a great piece on Friedman several years before his passing that wonderfully outlined his life.
Halo and the financial mess explained
A funny take on the financial crisis with Halo characters. Peak bees! LOL!!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Forced to become an expatriate. Now where to go?
Since our government seems driven to devalue the American dollar while continuing to implement massive wealth distribution schemes, some of us may sadly have to live out our retirement abroad where our dollars may have more purchasing power. Here are some lovely places for about $500 a month.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Sorry, But Organic Food Isn't Healthier...
So say scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine . So put down those expensive bananas because they're not worth it.
Your Fridge Tells a Story
Interesting snapshots of refrigerators and those that use them. I ran to see what my fridge looked like after viewing this. I need more veggies.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Words of economic wisdom from Nancy Pelosi
From the WSJ:
Blue Dogs who are dragged into Speaker Pelosi’s office should be aware of just how she is selling the health care bill. Yesterday, she told supporters it represented “real change,” because it meant “a cap on your [health care] costs, but no cap on your benefit.”
Yup. This is the kind of ass-backwards economics that is driving health care "reform" by Democrats. Doesn't Pelosi understand that what she is proposing is simply economically untenable? Apparently not. Here's a video of Ms. Pelosi selling her brand of economics.
Blue Dogs who are dragged into Speaker Pelosi’s office should be aware of just how she is selling the health care bill. Yesterday, she told supporters it represented “real change,” because it meant “a cap on your [health care] costs, but no cap on your benefit.”
Yup. This is the kind of ass-backwards economics that is driving health care "reform" by Democrats. Doesn't Pelosi understand that what she is proposing is simply economically untenable? Apparently not. Here's a video of Ms. Pelosi selling her brand of economics.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Health Care - Canadian Style
Yes, I know that Democrats and the White House are not proposing universal health care like in Canada. But the Canadian system started small and it eventually crowded out any semblance of the free market.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Obama The Bully
The CBO has been publishing unflattering stats on the overly optimistic budget numbers coming from the White House. Is the Obama administration now starting to bully the Congressional Budget Office?
A Bill To Force Congress To Sign Up For ObamaCare
It really is telling when Senate Democrats voted against requiring all members and their staffs to enroll in any new government-run health plan. That's right. It's not good enough for them but fine for the great unwashed. Even Mr. Socialist, Bernie Sanders, wouldn't sign himself up for the government-run health plan. Only brain addled liberals would support this ponzi scheme.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
President Obamas Dishonest Demagoguery on So-Called Tax Havens
The new video debunking the outlandish and mendacious rhetoric that President Obama has used to attack low-tax jurisdictions.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Libertarians Discuss Health Care On National T.V.
Penn Jillete, John Stossel, and Glenn Beck discuss health care reform. Good stuff.
Friday, July 17, 2009
The Coming Storm
This video is a Ron Paul political advertisement but I think that it is still relevant. Baby boomers will start to retire in great numbers, they will begin to tap into Social Security and Medicare. Bottom line--The U.S. can not afford these liabilities AND all of the ponzi schemes Obama and the Democrats are proposing for our economy.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Case Against College Entitlements
Reason TV examines Obama's plan to increase subsidies for higher education. The more you subsidize something the more of it you will get. Is that a good thing when it comes to college degrees? At what point does a surfeit of B.A. degrees water down its value?
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Single Payer health care Does Not Mean less Bankruptcies
E. Frank Stephenson over at Division of Labor notes the following: Single payer health care advocates have been claiming for some time now that a single payer health care system prevents bankruptcies due to medical expenses. A new study by the Fraser Institute (A Canadian think tank) finds that this claim is false. Bankruptcy rates are higher in Canada even though Canadians don't have to fret over medical expenses.
Capitalism and Surgical Technology
20 Scary Old School Surgical Tools. Without incentives to innovate, surgery would truly be barbaric.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Unintended Consequences
From the WSJ:
This story begins with Congress's 2005 highway bill. It included a subsidy to encourage businesses to power their motor vehicles with "alternative fuels" such as ethanol, rather than fossil fuels such as diesel. Congress said businesses could receive a 50-cent tax credit for every gallon of gasoline if they used a blend of a traditional fossil fuel and an alternative fuel.
Then in 2007, Congress extended this largesse beyond highway vehicles to a wider range of alternative fuel users. Enter "black liquor," a carbon-rich substance the paper industry has used for decades to power its mills. It also qualifies as an alternative fuel. All the paper industry had to do was blend some fossil fuel in with their alternative fuel and -- voila! -- billions of dollars in federal subsidies were within reach. So they did.
Once again we have a clear example of the law of unintended consequences; Politicians attempting to “do something” about climate change end up creating a conflict of interest and a mess.
This story begins with Congress's 2005 highway bill. It included a subsidy to encourage businesses to power their motor vehicles with "alternative fuels" such as ethanol, rather than fossil fuels such as diesel. Congress said businesses could receive a 50-cent tax credit for every gallon of gasoline if they used a blend of a traditional fossil fuel and an alternative fuel.
Then in 2007, Congress extended this largesse beyond highway vehicles to a wider range of alternative fuel users. Enter "black liquor," a carbon-rich substance the paper industry has used for decades to power its mills. It also qualifies as an alternative fuel. All the paper industry had to do was blend some fossil fuel in with their alternative fuel and -- voila! -- billions of dollars in federal subsidies were within reach. So they did.
Once again we have a clear example of the law of unintended consequences; Politicians attempting to “do something” about climate change end up creating a conflict of interest and a mess.
Michael Moore Is A Big Fat Liar
Michael Moore will subject the American public to more of his myth making Marxist propaganda when he releases his new documentary October 2, 2009. Yup, the guy who idolizes "free" Cuban health care and who does not understand a shred of economics is going to make a movie about capitalism. Hilarious.
HT: Carpe Diem
HT: Carpe Diem
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Walmart and The Noose Of National Health Care
If you haven't heard the news about Walmart and it's surrender to a national health care scheme, here it is. The best analysis of this whole sorry business comes from Megan McArdle at the Atlantic:
I find it hard to believe that none of the liberal commentators breathlessly celebrating Wal-Mart's "capitulation" on national health care have even entertained the most parsimonious explanation: that Wal-Mart is in favor of this because it raises the barriers to entry in the retail market, and hammers Wal-Mart's competition. Yet somehow, this appears nowhere in any of the analysis...
On the other side, there is regulatory capture. Wal-Mart is always going to have a seat at the table when employer mandates are discussed, because Wal-Mart is the nation's largest private employer. Target and Macy's probably won't have a seat at the table. So Wal-Mart can influence the rules in ways that benefit Wal-Mart at the expense of the competition. This is partly because the regulators often cycle into jobs at the firms they regulate, but also simply because the regulator's attention is finite, so being consistently at the table allows you to shape their views over time. Again, this isn't some kind of crazy right-wing analysis; regulatory capture was first diagnosed by a Marxist historian named Gabriel Kolko.
Walmart has pulled one of the oldest tricks in the book and it has positioned itself rather nicely to beat down competitors with nary a liberal backlash. Once again we see how a government scheme tilts the playing field in favor of big business. I don't fault Walmart for their tactic. In fact, I think that its the most rational approach to a federal government that is threatening to create a frightful business environment.
I find it hard to believe that none of the liberal commentators breathlessly celebrating Wal-Mart's "capitulation" on national health care have even entertained the most parsimonious explanation: that Wal-Mart is in favor of this because it raises the barriers to entry in the retail market, and hammers Wal-Mart's competition. Yet somehow, this appears nowhere in any of the analysis...
On the other side, there is regulatory capture. Wal-Mart is always going to have a seat at the table when employer mandates are discussed, because Wal-Mart is the nation's largest private employer. Target and Macy's probably won't have a seat at the table. So Wal-Mart can influence the rules in ways that benefit Wal-Mart at the expense of the competition. This is partly because the regulators often cycle into jobs at the firms they regulate, but also simply because the regulator's attention is finite, so being consistently at the table allows you to shape their views over time. Again, this isn't some kind of crazy right-wing analysis; regulatory capture was first diagnosed by a Marxist historian named Gabriel Kolko.
Walmart has pulled one of the oldest tricks in the book and it has positioned itself rather nicely to beat down competitors with nary a liberal backlash. Once again we see how a government scheme tilts the playing field in favor of big business. I don't fault Walmart for their tactic. In fact, I think that its the most rational approach to a federal government that is threatening to create a frightful business environment.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Milton Friedman - Rising Cost of Health Care
I'm back! Here is Uncle Milton on health care. This video is from the late 1970's and the same free market arguments against government mandated health care still apply aptly.
HT: Liberty Pen
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Killing Capitalism - Cap and Trade
If you haven't seen Glenn Beck comment on Cap and Trade, here is a video.
HT: Liberty Pen
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Massachusetts State Sponsored Health Care is a FLOP!
You won't find this story readily available in the mainstream media:
Only 26 percent of likely voters in Massachusetts believe health care reform has been a success and just 21 percent believe reform has made health care more affordable, according to newly released poll results. The Rasmussen Reports poll of 500 likely Massachusetts voters, taken in April, also found only 10 percent said the quality of health care is getting better under the reform law rules here.
For more read Rasmussen Reports.
Only 26 percent of likely voters in Massachusetts believe health care reform has been a success and just 21 percent believe reform has made health care more affordable, according to newly released poll results. The Rasmussen Reports poll of 500 likely Massachusetts voters, taken in April, also found only 10 percent said the quality of health care is getting better under the reform law rules here.
For more read Rasmussen Reports.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The Fairy Tale That is Universal Health Care
Thomas Sowell on the costs of medical care:
Just as medical care, houses and cars were all cheaper when they lacked things that they have today, so medical care in other countries is cheaper when they lack many things that are more readily available in the United States.
There are more than four times as many Magnetic Resonance Imaging units (MRIs) per capita in the United States as in Britain or Canada, where there are government-run medical systems. There are more than twice as many CT scanners per capita in the United States as in Canada and more than four times as many per capita as in Britain.
Is it surprising that such things cost money?
Just as medical care, houses and cars were all cheaper when they lacked things that they have today, so medical care in other countries is cheaper when they lack many things that are more readily available in the United States.
There are more than four times as many Magnetic Resonance Imaging units (MRIs) per capita in the United States as in Britain or Canada, where there are government-run medical systems. There are more than twice as many CT scanners per capita in the United States as in Canada and more than four times as many per capita as in Britain.
Is it surprising that such things cost money?
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
What's Your Energy IQ?
Some very sobering results from an API survey on how Americans continue to underestimate the amount of oil and natural gas we'll need in years to come. Test your energy IQ here.
HT: Jane Van Ryan
Arnold Kling discusses constraints of health insurance coverage
Arnold Kling is always worth listening to especially when it comes to health care costs.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Best Posts I've Read Today
Harrison Price over at Just Politics hits a home run with his commentary on politically powerful Unions in the state of California and the burgeoning environmental energy movement:
Liberals are fond of talking about “Big Oil” as if it is supposed to mean something. Oil is “big” because the stuff it produces (oil, gas, and diesel) runs the industrialized world. But what about “Big” union? Seems as though three topics “cherished” by Democrats are all nicely colliding in the muddled state of California: unions, “green” energy (it’s green because of how much public assistance it needs), and the environment.
______________
And our old friend Bobo at The Bobo Files tells us about the middle class tax hike coming down the pike.
Liberals are fond of talking about “Big Oil” as if it is supposed to mean something. Oil is “big” because the stuff it produces (oil, gas, and diesel) runs the industrialized world. But what about “Big” union? Seems as though three topics “cherished” by Democrats are all nicely colliding in the muddled state of California: unions, “green” energy (it’s green because of how much public assistance it needs), and the environment.
______________
And our old friend Bobo at The Bobo Files tells us about the middle class tax hike coming down the pike.
Dan Mitchell on cutting the Dept. of Education on CNBC
After watching this debate, there is simply no need for a Federal Department of Education. This Carter era bureaucracy needs to end.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Higher Taxes To Come!
House passes climate bill.
Democrats 219 votes; Republicans 212 votes. The final tally.
Up to the Senate it goes. Will it pass?
Democrats 219 votes; Republicans 212 votes. The final tally.
Up to the Senate it goes. Will it pass?
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Cap And Tax Vote Tomorrow!!
API has provided an updated SocialCapital widget that allows users to tell their representatives where they stand on this legislation. Do it now!!
George Will And Don Quixote
Subsidized windmills in Spain cost more than just failing to create substantial "green jobs."
Calzada, 36, an economics professor at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, has produced a report that, if true, is inconvenient for the Obama administration's green agenda, and for some budget assumptions that are dependent upon it.
Calzada says Spain's torrential spending -- no other nation has so aggressively supported production of electricity from renewable sources -- on wind farms and other forms of alternative energy has indeed created jobs. But Calzada's report concludes that they often are temporary and have received $752,000 to $800,000 each in subsidies -- wind industry jobs cost even more, $1.4 million each. And each new job entails the loss of 2.2 other jobs that are either lost or not created in other industries because of the political allocation -- sub-optimum in terms of economic efficiency -- of capital. (European media regularly report "eco-corruption" leaving a "footprint of sleaze" -- gaming the subsidy systems, profiteering from land sales for wind farms, etc.) Calzada says the creation of jobs in alternative energy has subtracted about 110,000 jobs elsewhere in Spain's economy.
Free market advocates have been warning for years that subsidizing industries deemed environmentally friendly by politicians that pander to environmentalists will not create enough jobs to justify the taxpayer expense. Clearly, from the Spanish example cited above, the result of government investing in "green" jobs has not panned out as the rhetoric claimed. Obama rode to the White House on the promise and hope that government "investment" in green industries would spur a wave of green collar jobs. Spain has tried "green investment" and it has turned out to be a very expensive fantasy. Why should we try the same expensive and fantastical experiment?
Calzada, 36, an economics professor at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, has produced a report that, if true, is inconvenient for the Obama administration's green agenda, and for some budget assumptions that are dependent upon it.
Calzada says Spain's torrential spending -- no other nation has so aggressively supported production of electricity from renewable sources -- on wind farms and other forms of alternative energy has indeed created jobs. But Calzada's report concludes that they often are temporary and have received $752,000 to $800,000 each in subsidies -- wind industry jobs cost even more, $1.4 million each. And each new job entails the loss of 2.2 other jobs that are either lost or not created in other industries because of the political allocation -- sub-optimum in terms of economic efficiency -- of capital. (European media regularly report "eco-corruption" leaving a "footprint of sleaze" -- gaming the subsidy systems, profiteering from land sales for wind farms, etc.) Calzada says the creation of jobs in alternative energy has subtracted about 110,000 jobs elsewhere in Spain's economy.
Free market advocates have been warning for years that subsidizing industries deemed environmentally friendly by politicians that pander to environmentalists will not create enough jobs to justify the taxpayer expense. Clearly, from the Spanish example cited above, the result of government investing in "green" jobs has not panned out as the rhetoric claimed. Obama rode to the White House on the promise and hope that government "investment" in green industries would spur a wave of green collar jobs. Spain has tried "green investment" and it has turned out to be a very expensive fantasy. Why should we try the same expensive and fantastical experiment?
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Waxman-Markey Cap and Trade Bill Fiasco
Jane Van Ryan brought this to my attention yesterday. It seems that two of the most liberal congressmen in America want to rush
an expensive cap and trade bill through Congress. Go figure. We've been through this before and here we go again. Cap and trade in any form is a tax increase, in my opinion. It doesn't even work to reduce emissions as promised and it threatens the economy. The Club For Growth stated:
This bill would set up several new government programs and regulations, redistribute money in the form of subsidies to individuals and for corporate welfare payments, and perhaps worst of all, it would slap "carbon trade barriers" on any country that doesn't implement a climate change scheme similar to this proposal. And, according to the Heritage Foundation, the direct and indirect taxes on a family of four would reach almost $3000 per year if Waxman-Markey passes. Heritage also reports that, in the aggregate, GDP would drop by over $9.4 trillion with unemployment increasing by 2.5 million. This bill should be vigorously opposed.
And from Jack Gerard of the American Petroleum Institute:
As independent analysis suggests, this legislation will drive up consumer prices for gasoline and other fuels. At today’s prices, it would mean gasoline at more than $4 a gallon. It also will create huge disincentives for the production of America’s abundant natural gas resources, and force jobs and productive capacity overseas.
We know that environmentalists want higher energy prices (particularly fossil fuels) in order to make alternatives attractive...even if it wreaks havoc on our economy. E-mail your congressman today and urge him or her to vote NO on Waxman-Markey (HR 2454).
an expensive cap and trade bill through Congress. Go figure. We've been through this before and here we go again. Cap and trade in any form is a tax increase, in my opinion. It doesn't even work to reduce emissions as promised and it threatens the economy. The Club For Growth stated:
This bill would set up several new government programs and regulations, redistribute money in the form of subsidies to individuals and for corporate welfare payments, and perhaps worst of all, it would slap "carbon trade barriers" on any country that doesn't implement a climate change scheme similar to this proposal. And, according to the Heritage Foundation, the direct and indirect taxes on a family of four would reach almost $3000 per year if Waxman-Markey passes. Heritage also reports that, in the aggregate, GDP would drop by over $9.4 trillion with unemployment increasing by 2.5 million. This bill should be vigorously opposed.
And from Jack Gerard of the American Petroleum Institute:
As independent analysis suggests, this legislation will drive up consumer prices for gasoline and other fuels. At today’s prices, it would mean gasoline at more than $4 a gallon. It also will create huge disincentives for the production of America’s abundant natural gas resources, and force jobs and productive capacity overseas.
We know that environmentalists want higher energy prices (particularly fossil fuels) in order to make alternatives attractive...even if it wreaks havoc on our economy. E-mail your congressman today and urge him or her to vote NO on Waxman-Markey (HR 2454).
On The Infant Mortality Rate
On a Disgruntled Republican, I posted this comment on the infant mortality rate:
The infant mortality rate is another misunderstood statistic that is commonly used by single-payer advocates to advance their agenda. The main issue with the infant mortality rate is how the OECD comes up with its data. In this case, the problem is the definition of “Live Birth.” The U.S. includes in its infant mortality rate extremely low-birth-weight infants (including those that will not survive) while many nations (many who score very high on the OECD list) DO NOT INCLUDE THESE SAME INFANTS. Even the WHO has gone on record and noted that across 23 European countries there are vast differences in recording and reporting live birth and fetal death within the European region. Essentially, the U.S. lands a lower ranking because it includes doomed low-birth-weight infants while many in the ranking do not. Now I ask you, how is this ranking fair and accurate? And how can anybody tie the quality of a country’s health care on this skewered ranking?
Liberals have been bashing the infant mortality rate statistic over free market conservatives for several years now with great results. But it is a faulty and disingenuous argument to say the least.
The infant mortality rate is another misunderstood statistic that is commonly used by single-payer advocates to advance their agenda. The main issue with the infant mortality rate is how the OECD comes up with its data. In this case, the problem is the definition of “Live Birth.” The U.S. includes in its infant mortality rate extremely low-birth-weight infants (including those that will not survive) while many nations (many who score very high on the OECD list) DO NOT INCLUDE THESE SAME INFANTS. Even the WHO has gone on record and noted that across 23 European countries there are vast differences in recording and reporting live birth and fetal death within the European region. Essentially, the U.S. lands a lower ranking because it includes doomed low-birth-weight infants while many in the ranking do not. Now I ask you, how is this ranking fair and accurate? And how can anybody tie the quality of a country’s health care on this skewered ranking?
Liberals have been bashing the infant mortality rate statistic over free market conservatives for several years now with great results. But it is a faulty and disingenuous argument to say the least.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Ronald Reagan and Star Wars
Harrison Price over at the Just Politics blog reminds us that it was under President Ronald Reagan that the SDI or Ballistic Missile Defense was created and established despite great opposition from Democrats. Of course, now that North Korea is saber rattling, the missle defense system frowned upon by Barack Obama is now to be used to protect America.
Competing With The Government
Cato's Michael Cannon on what the public health care option would do to the private health care market:
Enjoy That Cup Of Joe, Friends
Coffee is good!
Coffee drinkers, rejoice! The heavenly brew, once deemed harmful to health, is turning out to be, if not quite a health food, at least a low-risk drink, and in many ways a beneficial one. It could protect against diabetes, liver cancer, cirrhosis and Parkinson's disease.
What happened? Lots of new research, and the recognition that older, negative studies often failed to tease apart the effects of coffee and those of smoking because so many coffee drinkers were also smokers.
Coffee drinkers, rejoice! The heavenly brew, once deemed harmful to health, is turning out to be, if not quite a health food, at least a low-risk drink, and in many ways a beneficial one. It could protect against diabetes, liver cancer, cirrhosis and Parkinson's disease.
What happened? Lots of new research, and the recognition that older, negative studies often failed to tease apart the effects of coffee and those of smoking because so many coffee drinkers were also smokers.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
As California goes, so goes the nation
California unemployment rate at 11.5%. Ah, wishing for halcyon days.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Five Key Reasons to Reject Class-Warfare Tax Policy
The latest video from the Center for Freedom and Prosperity Foundation.
"I would look at raising the capital gains tax for the purpose of fairness." Barack Obama. Not very pragmatic, Mr. President.
Geithner The Babbler
Remember all the flack that George W. Bush received for his occasional incoherent public speaking? Listen to Tim "tax scofflaw" Geithner in this Charlie Rose interview. The man is pure political spin babble; He makes very little sense to me.
HT: Liberty Pen
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Americans Love Government
Walter E. Williams at his best:
Aside from the general level of disgust that Americans have for congressmen, there's the question of whether there is anything that Congress does well. What about Social Security and Medicare? Congress has allowed Social Security and Medicare to accumulate an unfunded liability of $101 trillion. That means in order to pay promised elderly entitlement benefits, Congress would have to put trillions in the bank today earning interest. Congressional efforts to create "affordable housing" have created today's financial calamity. Congress props up failed enterprises such as Amtrak and the U.S. Postal Service with huge cash subsidies, and subsidies in the forms of special tax treatment and monopoly rights. I can't think of anything that Congress does well yet we Americans call for them to take greater control over important areas of our lives.
I don't think that stupidity, ignorance or insanity explains the love that many Americans hold for government; it's far more sinister and perhaps hopeless.
Aside from the general level of disgust that Americans have for congressmen, there's the question of whether there is anything that Congress does well. What about Social Security and Medicare? Congress has allowed Social Security and Medicare to accumulate an unfunded liability of $101 trillion. That means in order to pay promised elderly entitlement benefits, Congress would have to put trillions in the bank today earning interest. Congressional efforts to create "affordable housing" have created today's financial calamity. Congress props up failed enterprises such as Amtrak and the U.S. Postal Service with huge cash subsidies, and subsidies in the forms of special tax treatment and monopoly rights. I can't think of anything that Congress does well yet we Americans call for them to take greater control over important areas of our lives.
I don't think that stupidity, ignorance or insanity explains the love that many Americans hold for government; it's far more sinister and perhaps hopeless.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The Coming Storm
You know its coming and it will not be pretty: Get ready for inflation and higher interest rates.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Markets In All Things
Rock out at Denny's! Listen to some live acoustic music while digging your burger.
New Energy Blog
Jane Van Ryan and Jack N. Gerard have launched a new blog concentrating on domestic energy issues. So, if you want any information on energy issues or have any questions on petroluem and gas, head on over to Energy Tomorrow.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wishing Uncle Milty Were Here
There has been a lot of free form myth making by the left lately regarding free-market capitlism and Milton Friedman.
An Ode To Cheap Kiwi's
A kiwi costs 33 cents
Simply because no one prevents
Another farm or New York store
From entering and selling more.
In contrast apples may be dear,
For reasons that will soon be clear:
Picking them’s below our station,
To lower costs we need migration.
Bananas have a different story,
Seedless magic, breeder’s glory,
Cheap to harvest and to ship,
Who cares if workers get paid zip?
Read the whole poem here
Simply because no one prevents
Another farm or New York store
From entering and selling more.
In contrast apples may be dear,
For reasons that will soon be clear:
Picking them’s below our station,
To lower costs we need migration.
Bananas have a different story,
Seedless magic, breeder’s glory,
Cheap to harvest and to ship,
Who cares if workers get paid zip?
Read the whole poem here
The Essence of Political Science
Feudalism---You have two cows. Your lord takes some of the milk.
Pure Socialism---You have two cows. The government takes them and puts them in a barn with everyone else's cows. You have to take care of all the cows. The government gives you all the milk you need.
Read More.
Pure Socialism---You have two cows. The government takes them and puts them in a barn with everyone else's cows. You have to take care of all the cows. The government gives you all the milk you need.
Read More.
Posts Of Worth And Note
From The Bobo Files: Obama driving the U.S. towards Fascism at record pace!
Shaving Leviathan reminds us of the scary fiscal truth soon to unfold.
Just Politics comments on Playboy's attack on conservative women.
Shaving Leviathan reminds us of the scary fiscal truth soon to unfold.
Just Politics comments on Playboy's attack on conservative women.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Demographics By Zip
This is a cool site to check out demographics by inserting a zip code. How well do you know your neighborhood?
Monday, June 1, 2009
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