Thursday, May 1

NASA, the Aerospace Welfare Queen

"Instead of perpetuating its gold-plated make-work projects and revering its state-sponsored 'official heroes,' we should recognize NASA for what it is—a resuscitated Roman coliseum that stages useless spectacles that hypnotize taxpayers while bleeding them dry."  Column by Lawrence Ludlow.

But What About the Children?

“State campaigns for the welfare of children have long been a major justification for the expansion of Leviathan.…Indeed, it is possible to erect a totalitarian state in the name of helping the children.”

Crossing Guards Become Big Brothers

Understanding the Global Rice Crisis

“Is there a worldwide shortage of rice? No, there is an artificial shortage because of measures taken by governments of rice-exporting nations.” Nice Q&A on the crisis du jour (2 pages).

Food Prices Up. Farm Bill...Also Up?

‘The Amazing Hillary’

“Candidate Clinton ’s 'trick' is to swap the gas tax for a special tax on oil companies. Because she intends for the windfall profits tax to generate the same revenue as the gas tax, the windfall profits tax will have the same effect on gasoline supply, demand, and price as the current gas tax. The only difference is that the gas tax is transparent to consumers while the windfall profits tax is not. Voilà — the gas tax seems to disappear, but gas prices stay the same and the government still gets its money.” Tax incidence 101.

Entering the Brain-Free Zone

“So if these Gun-Free Zones don't stop people from shootin' people, why do they have Gun-Free Zones?” Good question.

Hiring Leaps in Public Sector

“Federal, state and local governments are hiring new workers at the fastest pace in six years, helping offset job losses in the private sector.” Or maybe, just maybe, the new government jobs (and their pay) are a cause of private sector losses, rather than offsetting them.

America's Most Overrated Product: the Bachelor's Degree

Natural Changes May Offset Global Warming Briefly

“This short-term situation might create a problem if policymakers regarded it as a sign they could ease efforts to limit greenhouse gases or play down global warming.” Oh no, global non-warming is a big problem too!

Cigarette Smuggling

“In comes my hero the smuggler to the rescue. He's the guy who, in effect, tells us, ‘I know the government wants to interfere with your consumption of booze, tobacco, or tea, but I can get a deal for you.’…The easy solution to cigarette smuggling, and its attendant activities, is to eliminate the confiscatory taxes.”

NYC Marijuana Possession Arrests Skyrocket

Just look at that graph. Who says government can’t accomplish anything?

Albert Hofmann: 1906-2008

“Which individual exerted the biggest influence on underground culture in the 20th century? I'll give you some clues as to my suggestion: he's Swiss, a scientist, the average man on the street hasn't heard of him, and he died yesterday at the ripe old age of 102.”

New Jersey Lawmakers Consider Tax On Fast Food

Definitely not satire.

The Lost Compass

A photo blog.