"It is no crime to be ignorant of economics, which is, after all, a specialized discipline and one that most people consider to be a 'dismal science.' But it is totally irresponsible to have a loud and vociferous opinion on economic subjects while remaining in this state of ignorance." ― Murray N. Rothbard
Far be it for me to speak for Kinsella, but I think you misunderstand him. His point is that economics can only tell you "is", and never "ought".
For example, an economist can tell you that the minimum wage increases unemployment, but that he can't tell you that you "ought" not to have minimum wage. If your goal is to increase unemployment among poor people and minorities, then a minimum wage is exactly what you should have.
But such a determination is normative, and not scientific.
You can say, scientifically, what the effects are of raising or lowering taxes, but once you say whether or not we should raise or lower taxes, you are no longer doing science; You're just giving an opinion.
Just because our ship is sinking slower than Europe's doesn't mean we're not going to drown anyway, especially since there's a rope connecting us to them and the slack in it is rapidly running out.
"The first lesson of economics is scarcity: There is never enough of anything to satisfy all those who want it.
The first lesson of politics is to disregard the first lesson of economics." - Thomas Sowell
Here's the complete guide to winning the hearts of voters:
1. People want stuff.
2. People don't want to pay for any of it.
If you say you're not going to give people stuff, they don't vote for you.
If you say you're going to tax people more so that you can buy them the stuff, they won't vote for you.
To get elected, you have to say you're going to give them stuff, but also convince them that they will never have to pay for it. This means (a) borrowing until the economy collapses, or (b) printing money until the economy collapses. Rinse and repeat.
The problem with politics is not politicians; the problem with politics is the voters. Every country gets the leaders it deserves.
"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. [...] It can only exist until the majority discovers it can vote itself largess out of the public treasury."
You mean like how Monsanto sows their genetically modified seeds on farmers' property, then sues them in a government court for violating their government-granted gene patents in order to force them to use and pay for Monsanto's terminating seeds? Have I mentioned how the government is perfectly happy about this, and how they have a revolving door between Monsanto and government agencies like the FDA?
Yeah, that shit's on the tab of people like you, who think that if you can just give the government enough power, eventually they'll start using it in your favor instead of in favor of the corporations.
"Just one more regulation!"
"Maybe this time it'll be different!"
"If we just got the right people in charge!"
most cities have very strict regulations on cabs -- which they always position as being for the protection of customers, but in reality are always about limiting the market and keeping competition out.
It's almost like the government is using regulation to create the very monopolies that people claim we need the government to protect us from!
Free speech at no point imples consequence-free speech.
Um, but it does imply speech free of prosecution by government thugs. If people see his sign, are offended, and then decide to no longer associate with, or to post mean things about him on the internet, those are consequences that don't violate his right to free speech.
Because I, as a savvy consumer, might tend to prefer those who got certified from some third party as opposed to someone who didn't get certified. Knowing this, some hairdressers will choose to get certified by a third party to cater to this segment of the market, and some will decide it's not worth the time and money. But then it's the choice of (a) the hairdresser, to properly assess the market and (b) me, to decide how much risk I'm willing to take.
Notice how bureaucrats and their armed thugs are conspicuously absent from this equation.
On the post: Google Fiber Is Official; Free Broadband Up To 5 Mbps, Or Pay For Symmetrical 1 Gbps
Re: Re: Re: Does Google then own all of your data?
Google is paying their subscribers with free broadband.
On the post: When Every Practical Economic Idea Is Political Suicide, Something's Wrong With Politics
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Hmmm
Makes sense, and it's worked so well thus far!
On the post: When Every Practical Economic Idea Is Political Suicide, Something's Wrong With Politics
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Hmmm
Stealing money from the next generation to pay us back would be just as bad. Break the cycle.
On the post: When Every Practical Economic Idea Is Political Suicide, Something's Wrong With Politics
Re: Crazy
On the post: When Every Practical Economic Idea Is Political Suicide, Something's Wrong With Politics
Re: Re: Most of these ideas are bad
For example, an economist can tell you that the minimum wage increases unemployment, but that he can't tell you that you "ought" not to have minimum wage. If your goal is to increase unemployment among poor people and minorities, then a minimum wage is exactly what you should have.
But such a determination is normative, and not scientific.
You can say, scientifically, what the effects are of raising or lowering taxes, but once you say whether or not we should raise or lower taxes, you are no longer doing science; You're just giving an opinion.
On the post: When Every Practical Economic Idea Is Political Suicide, Something's Wrong With Politics
Re: Re: Re: Re:
If you're on the gold standard, printing/borrowing to get elected becomes a LOT harder.
On the post: When Every Practical Economic Idea Is Political Suicide, Something's Wrong With Politics
Re: Re:
On the post: When Every Practical Economic Idea Is Political Suicide, Something's Wrong With Politics
Re: progressive taxation
On the post: When Every Practical Economic Idea Is Political Suicide, Something's Wrong With Politics
Re: Re:
On the post: When Every Practical Economic Idea Is Political Suicide, Something's Wrong With Politics
The first lesson of politics is to disregard the first lesson of economics." - Thomas Sowell
Here's the complete guide to winning the hearts of voters:
1. People want stuff.
2. People don't want to pay for any of it.
If you say you're not going to give people stuff, they don't vote for you.
If you say you're going to tax people more so that you can buy them the stuff, they won't vote for you.
To get elected, you have to say you're going to give them stuff, but also convince them that they will never have to pay for it. This means (a) borrowing until the economy collapses, or (b) printing money until the economy collapses. Rinse and repeat.
The problem with politics is not politicians; the problem with politics is the voters. Every country gets the leaders it deserves.
"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. [...] It can only exist until the majority discovers it can vote itself largess out of the public treasury."
On the post: DC Seeks To 'Legalize' Uber... By Forcing It To Be Way More Expensive Than Cabs
Re: Re: Re: Re: *gasp*
Yeah, that shit's on the tab of people like you, who think that if you can just give the government enough power, eventually they'll start using it in your favor instead of in favor of the corporations.
"Just one more regulation!"
"Maybe this time it'll be different!"
"If we just got the right people in charge!"
You'll never learn. Lambs to the slaughter.
On the post: DC Seeks To 'Legalize' Uber... By Forcing It To Be Way More Expensive Than Cabs
Re: Re: *gasp*
On the post: Movie About Jimi Hendrix... Won't Use Any Jimi Hendrix Music Due To Licensing Issues
Re:
I can see it now: "The Official Biography of Abraham Lincoln, as approved by the noted historians at Sony Music"
Err, copyright is force. So you're saying they should be able to use the music without permission?
On the post: DC Seeks To 'Legalize' Uber... By Forcing It To Be Way More Expensive Than Cabs
*gasp*
Someone should tell the libertarians!
On the post: Funniest/Most Insightful Comments Of The Week At Techdirt
Remember
1. We're a lunatic, fringe group with no real influence and no real power.
2. We're responsible for every ill that befalls society.
Pick the one that best suits your current argument. Bonus points if you can get them back-to-back inside a paragraph.
On the post: UK Pensioner Could Face Arrest For Atheist Poster
Re: Re:
On the post: Charles Carreon Keeps Digging & Digging: Inman And IndieGoGo Hit Back
Re: Re: Crazy
On the post: Why You Can't Braid Someone's Hair In Utah For Money Without First Paying $16k
Re:
*boggle*
On the post: Why You Can't Braid Someone's Hair In Utah For Money Without First Paying $16k
Re:
On the post: Why You Can't Braid Someone's Hair In Utah For Money Without First Paying $16k
Re: Re: Re:
Notice how bureaucrats and their armed thugs are conspicuously absent from this equation.
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