Jobs and Economics

Herbert Meyer at American Thinker explains some basic economic principles, and why free market principles are the best way to create new jobs.

Broadly speaking, a country can choose one of two economic operating systems. It can be a free-market economy, or it can be a command economy. In a free-market economy, businesses work within the rules set by government to sell their products and services, but no one is in charge. In a command economy, there may still be privately owned businesses, but the government’s role is so large that it really calls the shots. Because each country — unlike each cell phone owner — designs its own operating system, no two economies are precisely the same. So our country’s free market is somewhat different from Canada’s, which itself is different from Germany’s, Australia’s, Poland’s, and so forth. Likewise with command economies. Still, the similarities among all free-market economies are more striking than the differences, and all command economies are pretty much the same, whether it’s a left-wing or a right-wing government in power.

Reason Saves Cleveland with Drew Carey! (Updated)

Reason TV has been compiling a series of videos featuring Drew Carey on how liberal policies have destroyed the city of Cleveland, and how free market principles can save it.

These are episodes 1-5 out of six. When the sixth video is available, I will update and bump this post. Episode 6 is now included! All six episodes appear here for your personal enlightenment.

Free Markets Make People More Fair

Ronald Bailey at Reason Magazine comments on an interesting study that shows that free markets cause people to treat each other more fairly. Bailey has discussed similar ideas previously.

Are people innately fair-minded or is it learned behavior? A fascinating new study, “Markets, Religion, Community Size, and the Evolution of Fairness and Punishment,” that is a big step toward resolving this question is being published today in the journal Science [subscription required]. The researchers find strong evidence that market institutions cause people to treat each other, especially, strangers more fairly. The research is based on the results of behaviorial experiments in 15 different societies which have varying amounts of integration into markets.

Fixing Failing Schools

Lisa Snell at Reason Magazine pens an article on methods to fix ineffective schools that have been successfully employed in New Orleans, and how they might be employed in other cities. In specific, Snell compares the innovations and free-market approaches being taken in New Orleans to he debt-laden school system in Cleveland, Ohio.

How Government Spending Harms Private Investment

Damon Root at Reason Magazine references Independent Institute economist Robert Higgs, who argues that government spending and economic intervention harms development of the private sector economy. Higgs presents a solid case against government interference in the economy and Keynesian economics in general.

Drugs, Organ Trade, and Media Hype

Reason.tv has a 30-minute segment from John Stossel’s show on Fox Business featuring some of the heavy-hitters from Reason Magazine:

On March 4, 2010, Jacob Sullum, Nick Gillespie and Virginia Postrel appeared on a special episoode of Fox Business Network’s Stossel devoted to prohibition to discuss drug laws, ridiculous media scare stories, and legalizing markets in human organs.

Approximately 30 minutes.

With a discussion involving recreational drugs and trafficing in human organs, how can you go wrong?

I can’t embed it, so follow the link to see the video.

The Swedish Model

The Center for Freedom and Prosperity has put together a nice little video about how Sweeden, long hailed by the Left as an example of how well the welfare state works, nearly had its economy destroyed by socialist policies, and is now shifting back to a freer market system.

Executive Summary: Sweden is a powerful example of the importance of public policy. The Nordic nation became rich between 1870 and 1970 when government was very small, but then began to stagnate as welfare state policies were implemented in the 1970s and 1980s. The CF&P Foundation video explains that Sweden is now shifting back to economic freedom in hopes of undoing the damage caused by an excessive welfare state. . (March 8, 2010) 5:17 minutes

Is Capitalism Evil?

Jim Gammon at American Thinker asks the question, “Is Capitalism Evil?” Gammon comments on the common mischaracterizations of capitalism by the Left, and how bad management techniques do not signify an inherent flaw in the capitalist system.

Why Regulating Nutritional Suppliments is Stupid

Melissa Clouthier at Right Wing News rebuts a previous article by John Hawkins calling for increased regulation of dietary suppliments. Her arguments prettyt much come down to consumer education and free market solutions, and I’m inclined to agree. It is not for the government to wipe people’s bottoms and tell them they can’t take a vitamin or herbal suppliment because some pharmeceutical company has lobbied government.

Free Market Health Care

One of the problems with the Left is that they are convinced that the government is the solution to everything. They even think this when the problem they are trying to correct is caused by government interference.  Take health care. Government regulation and red tape has dramatically increased the cost of health insurance and medical care. AMA-lobbied restrictions placed on medical schools limit the number of medical school and medical students — and hence the number of doctors — so that there won’t be so many doctors that their salaries decrease. Courts support frivilous malpractice suits. The proposed solution? More government control of the medical industry.