President Nixon appointed Arthur F. Burns Fed chairman. He was supposed to be one of the "good guys" -- an advocate for free markets, sound money and the gold standard. But Nixon badgered and bullied him into lowering interest rates and signing off on economic "reforms" that included severing the dollar from its last connection..
Read more133 Words or Less: Huckabee Another Fake Constitutional Conservative
Mike Huckabee doesn't want to cut funding to the National Endowment for the Arts. The former Arkansas governor wrote a Washington Post op-ed defending the federal program. Huckabee makes a wonderful utilitarian case for federal arts funding, but what about the fact the Constitution doesn't authorize it? Huckabee often positions himself as a constitutionalist -..
Read more133 Words or Less: The Left’s Chickens Come Home to Roost
Here's my post-election prediction: the left will suddenly become very interested in limiting the power of the federal government. Expansive executive power was great when their guy was in charge. But in a few months, Donald J. Trump inherits all of that unconstitutional presidential authority. For years, I've preached the danger of ignoring Constitutional limits just..
Read more133 Words or Less: Crying Over Spilled Milk (Crony Capitalism Strikes Again)
Two years ago, there was a milk shortage. Dairy producers expanded operations and cashed in on market conditions. But they overcompensated. Now we have a milk glut. As a result, prices tanked. Through the first eight months of this year, producers simply dumped 43 million gallons of milk. Prices now signal cut production. Inefficient dairy..
Read more133 Words or Less: Feelings Can’t Trump Economics
Far too many Americans think their feelings trump economics. At no point does this become more clear than during a disaster when millions decry "price gouging." Plenty of articles explain the economic importance of sharply higher prices during a crisis, both in protecting supply, and enticing goods and services into the affected region. (For example..
Read more133 Words or Less: Bernie Bought a House
Many people seemed shocked at the news Bernie Sanders plopped down $600K for a new (third) home. Or maybe it was just shock at the 21st century Pied Piper for "Democratic Socialism" opting in for such a blatant display of hypocrisy. But I doubt Bernie sees the purchase of a lakefront vacation home hypocritical. You..
Read more133 Words or Less: Want to Reduce the Influence of Lobbyists and Corporate Interests?
Do you want to get the influence of lobbyists and corporate money out of politics? Decentralize the system. With governopoly in Washington D.C., lobbyists and influence peddlers can do one-stop shopping. A single policy implemented at the federal level impacts the entire United States. But in a decentralized system, lobbyists must push for changes in..
Read more133 Words or Less: Extreme Republican Constitutional Hypocrisy
A number of Republican state elected officials have expressed outrage at Pres. Obama unconstitutional federal bathroom mandates. In the process they reveal their extreme constitutional hypocrisy. The Obama administration’s threat to withhold education funding if states don’t adhere to unconstitutional federal bathroom guidelines raised the ire of many Republican state legislators and governors. For instance,..
Read moreMobs Vying for Power
Over the last few weeks, several videos popped up showing Donald Trump supporters roughing up protesters. In Louisville Trump disciples shoved a young girl around. In North Carolina, a guy sucker punched a young black man heckling the crowd. Police threw the protester to the ground. On Friday, Trump canceled a campaign event in Chicago..
Read more133 Words or Less: You Don’t ‘Need’ an ‘Assault Rifle’
Over the last few days, several people have said to me, “Nobody needs an ‘assault weapon.’” The implication: nobody should oppose banning such firearms because nobody needs them. I can think of many scenarios I would need a weapon more powerful than a handgun to defend myself, my family and my property. These include any..
Read more