I want to be wealthy.
The wealthy take fabulous vacations, drive expensive sports cars, and surround themselves with luxury.
Therefore, I am going to New York for a week at The Plaza. While there, I will do some amazing shopping; eat at Tavern on the Green, The Russian Tea Room, et al.; and take in some fabulous theater. Upon my return, I am buying a Ferrari.
Of course . . . it doesn’t work that way.
Will someone please tell local governments that? Please? Please? Please? Please?
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Partial List of (additional) Low-Hanging Public Policy Fruit
These are addenda to The Big Five.
While The Big Five were largely federal issues, these (2/3) are largely state and local issues.
While The Big Five were largely federal issues, these (2/3) are largely state and local issues.
- Sunset most if not all zoning laws
- End most if not all occupational licensure (don't miss the video)
- Allow (subsidizing for the poor) fully portable, catastrophic health insurance
They are based on simple principles allowing for straightforward application if we would be so bold. Alas, the incumbent, vested interests would resist with every fiber of their selfish being.
But I for one will keep fighting the good fight with hope that reason and justice will prevail.
Monday, September 2, 2019
Partial List of Political/Ideological Religious Symbols
The Left (progressive minds):
- Bike lanes (inspired by this)
- Organic food
- Recycling logo
The Right (conservative minds):
- War memorials that honor battles, victory, and the nobility of soldiers
- Flags
- "Buy American" & "Made in the USA" labeling and sloganeering*
*Yes, this puts labor unions (the organizations rather than the members, per se) on the right, where they have always been--a backwards-looking mindset focused on protecting the status quo.
Related: The right has its own political correctness.
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Honesty versus Politeness in a 2x2 Grid
I have a number of things I've been thinking about in the form of a 2x2 grid for comparison and contemplation. This is the first of these: honesty against politeness.
Examples of each of the four resulting categories (one fictional character and one real-life one):
Rude |
Polite
| |
Dishonest | Bugs Bunny, Donald Trump | Eddie Haskell, Barrack Obama |
Honest | Colonel Nathan Jessup, Ayn Rand | Atticus Finch, Abraham Lincoln |
Saturday, August 17, 2019
We're on a Highway to Hell
And we're paving our way there with good intentions of course.
Incentives matter. A key hallmark of higher-level thinking is understanding this and understanding the true implications behind certain actions looking beyond the good intentions.
Partial list of cases in point:
Incentives matter. A key hallmark of higher-level thinking is understanding this and understanding the true implications behind certain actions looking beyond the good intentions.
Partial list of cases in point:
- Anti vaping = pro cigarette smoking
- Minimum wage = worse labor conditions for low-wage workers
- Taxing income = less work
- Taxing capital = less investment
- Rent control = housing shortages
- Zoning = higher real estate cost & more inequality
- Drug prohibition = large profit to smugglers and gangsters
- Anti prostitution = pro pimp
- Industry regulation = protection for incumbent firms
- Prohibition on organ donation compensation = more death and suffering
- Forced recycling = environmental harm
Monday, August 12, 2019
What I'm Listening To (Podcast Rundown) circa August 2019
This is an update to my prior list of podcasts I am currently listening to. No comments this time, but after listing my favorites, I will group them into those I listen to every episode and those I listen to occasionally (alphabetical after the favorites). Just because one is listed under "occasional" doesn't mean you should dismiss it--there are gold in some of those occasions.
Thinking about the list today I notice that there have been many that have come and gone--some were just tried on for size and others were one-time staples. I think this has been healthy turnover.
Every Episode (favorites):
Occasional:
Thinking about the list today I notice that there have been many that have come and gone--some were just tried on for size and others were one-time staples. I think this has been healthy turnover.
Every Episode (favorites):
EconTalk |
Conversations with Tyler |
Reason Podcast |
The Fifth Column - Analysis, Commentary, Sedition |
Free Thoughts |
The Fribrary Podcast |
Libertarian |
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe |
Every Episode (others):
Occasional:
Saturday, August 10, 2019
The Beary Best
Partial list of the best bears:
- Walter Payton (heroically)
- Winnie-the-Poo (philosophically)
- Fozzie Bear (comedically)
- Grumpy Bear (contrarily)
- Hair Bears (rebelliously)
- Baloo (fatherly)
- Da 1908 Cubs (aspirationally)
- Da 1985 Bears (musically)
- Smokey the Bear (dictatorially . . . err, maybe this one)
- Gummy Bears (deliciously)
- [updated to add] Water Bears (indestructibly)
My strange mind had thought of this some time ago, but it was Bearmageddon's appearance on The Remnant Podcast with Jonah Goldberg that inspired me to post it.
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