Tag Archive

The “Wonders” of the Biden Economy

Published on June 4, 2023 By sirrahc

“Although the pandemic recession was the shortest recession on record, the economic chaos it created was incredible.” — Andrew F. Puzder, businessman and author This week I present an excerpt from a recent talk given by Andrew F. Puzder at a Hillsdale College National Leadership Seminar. If, like me, you are not familiar with Puzder, […]

When Minimum Wage Laws Hit Home

Published on May 18, 2015 By sirrahc

“It would be comforting to believe that the government can simply decree higher pay for low-wage workers, without having to worry about unfortunate repercussions, but the preponderance of evidence indicates that labor is not exempt from the basic economic principle that artificially high prices cause surpluses. In the case of surplus human beings, that can […]

Primer on Net Neutrality

Published on March 1, 2015 By sirrahc

“Title II regulation of the Internet is a solution in search of a problem.” — Logan Albright, Research Analyst at FreedomWorks I confess, I have been putting off taking the time & effort to get up to speed on this whole “Net Neutrality” thing. I mean, I had the gist of it but didn’t know […]

Is Bigger Always Better?

Published on May 12, 2013 By sirrahc

While I work on a new series of articles, I’d like to offer you a little economics lesson this week, courtesy of Jay W. Richards and his terrific book, Money, Greed, and God (2009). In the midst of a chapter discussing capitalism, consumerism, and the local vs. global issue, Richards gives a little perspective on […]

Why the ‘Occupy’ Crowd Should Be Thankful

Published on November 23, 2011 By sirrahc

Note to self: Need to come up with something Thanksgiving-themed to post before traveling for the holidays. Hmmm, what to write, what to write…? Ah, I know… “Everybody’s been too damn polite about this nonsense: …’Occupy’ is nothing but a pack of louts, thieves, and rapists, an unruly mob, fed by Woodstock-era nostalgia and putrid […]

Why Capitalism Is the Best Thing Goin’

Published on November 20, 2011 By sirrahc

We hear a lot these days — even before all the ‘Occupy Wall Street’ nonsense — about the evils of capitalism. They say it is inherently corrupt, immoral, selfish, unfair, and brutal. It’s based on pure greed and exploitation. I say, “Baloney!” People are by nature imperfect and selfish, some more than others, so anywhere […]

How Jobs, Marriage, and Illegal Immigration Affect Poverty

Published on October 30, 2010 By sirrahc

Poverty is a terrible thing and, in many cases, avoidable and unnecessary. Especially in the United States. What puts & keeps people in poverty? Without going into a huge discussion, I think the causes can be grouped into two, broad categories: environmental circumstances and personal choices. (By “environmental”, I do not mean ecological; rather, I’m […]

Is “The Man” Keepin’ You Down?

Published on October 17, 2010 By sirrahc

Who is “The Man,” anyway? I don’t know if the term is really used that much, anymore. But, my understanding was that it usually referred to groups & individuals of authority — those in power and influence. It could be the government, some big corporation, “the Law” (i.e., cops, courts, the legal system in general). […]

Free Markets vs Government Intervention: A Freedomnomical Epilogue

Published on October 3, 2010 By sirrahc

Consider this a “bookend” post, following up on some of the sentiments from my series on Jews and Liberalism — particularly the “Jewish Freedom and the Free Market” post of the other day. It comes primarily from the final ‘Parting Thoughts’ chapter of economist John R. Lott, Jr.’s book Freedomnomics: Why the Free Market Works […]

Jewish Freedom and the Free Market

Published on September 29, 2010 By sirrahc

In today’s excerpt from Why Jews Should NOT Be Liberals (2001, rev. 2006), Larry Sternberg returns to the issue of free market capitalism, its benefits, and what part a good Jew should play in the system…. Most observers of American politics would agree that between the two competing political doctrines of liberalism and conservatism, when […]