Mises on bad governments

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The worst evils which mankind has ever had to endure were inflicted by bad governments. The state can be and has often been in the course of history the main source of mischief and disaster.

Ludwig von Mises

Blog Review 970

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The male teenager is an ugly beast that needs socialising: thus raising the school leaving age is a good or a bad idea?

Another way of stating the old saw: Don't just do something, stand there!

Even the unions don't think that the equity in Chrysler has any value: and that's after the bailout.

Worth checking out, a defence of free trade from 75 years before Adam Smith's.

On the meaning of paedgnostic and the spotting of true stupidities in the public sphere.

Something to occupy those long speeches. How to play Brown bingo.

And finally, when an African in America is not an African American.

What is the difference between France and Califorina?

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No very much, according to Dan Mitchell on the sublime Kudlow Report.

Blog Review 969

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Increasing the CAFE standards: the only real problem is that it won't in fact work.

Sarcasm rather becomes this comment on the same CAFE standards.

Light rail isn't any better either.

How strange, when the taxpayers are actually asked the say no to more spending, no to more taxes and yes to paying politicians less.

On that M&S 1 p store story. Well of course the items ran out before the queue did!

No, the disdain for Gorbals Mick doesn't have anything at all to do with his religion.

And finally, did you know that information about driving licences is translated into braille?

Blog Review 968

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Advancing medical technology is not necessarily entirely a good thing.

Will California go bankrupt? More importantly, should it? (yes,-Ed)

A lot of politics seems to be about how to get other peoples' money spent on your own desires.

Sadly, lawmakers don't seem to understand the effects of the laws that they pass.

Excellent! They've worked out how swine flu spreads.

Poor Yazzmonster, she's so upset over recent events.

And finally, what colour is this revolution? Fuschia perhaps?

It's all in the database

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Mapping expenses

Blog Review 967

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One theory: house prices are high because it's in the interests of MPs with two of them that prices continue to rise.

This independent regulator of Parliament. How is this going to work and how embarrassing is it anyway?

Should that independent regulator be us?

And how Brownite is all this? The solution is a new quango?

Has Gordon Brown just pointed out that he must stand down as an MP?

No, it's really not a good idea at all.

And finally, the ultimate political insult.

Printing money: who benefits?

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There are some who would benefit from hyper-inflation.

Blog Review 966

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It's true, this is one of the things that is desperately needed in British politics. That the left will actually start looking at the evidence of what works rather than what they desire might work.

For example, regulation almost always simply benefits the largest incumbents.

And yes, high tax rates really do make some people flee the jurisdiction.

This might not be the most surprising number ever.

Why do politicians prefer cap and trade over a carbon tax? Because cap and trade offers greater opportunities for politicians to meddle.

More dystopian writing from The Guardian.

And finally, the first line here shows why economists are different.

IPN: 2009 Bastiat prize for journalism

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ipn-2009-bastiat-prize-for-journalism

International Policy Network (IPN) is now accepting submissions for the 2009 Bastiat Prize for Journalism. The Prize is open to writers anywhere in the world whose published articles eloquently and wittily explain, promote and defend the principles and institutions of the free society. Submissions must be received on or before 30 June, 2009.

This year, IPN will award two prizes. In addition to the Bastiat Prize for Journalism (First - $10,000; Second - $4,000; Third - $1,000), they will award a Bastiat Prize for Online Journalism (one winner only, $3,000).

Click here to find out more.