A new Gallup poll shows that one in five Americans believes Barrack Obama is Muslim. But what I can’t get my head around is why. I don’t think you can chalk it up to simple racism. Certainly there’s overlap; racists likely believe Obama is a “secret Muslim”, but not all of those who believe President [...]
There’s been a lot of to-do lately about Colorado’s newly proposed House Bill 1192 that would allow chain liquor sales in the state. Specifically, outlets such as King Soopers and Safeway would be allowed to carry full-strength beer. My guess is this will also open the door for Trader Joes to enter the state (though [...]
I’m reading and reviewing The Wealth of Nations for a senior project. No better place to take notes than one’s blog: Everything in The Wealth of Nations is old. There are no new concepts. Smith talks about equilbrium prices, rationality, and why markets “just work.” What’s so amazing is that this was the genesis of [...]
The problem with rational choice economics is that assumes people act…well…rationally. If you assume that rationality can be equated with self-interest then rational choice economics says people only act in their own interest. People don’t pay $10 for a candy bar. People don’t run around asking their bosses for a salary decrease. Then why do [...]
The Chicago Tribune has endorsed Barack Obama, a Democrat, for the first time in the paper’s history. What’s most interesting to me is that the paper says what I’ve figured about the man for a long time, that he’s a pragmatist first, and that he will govern with a more centrist hand than anyone else [...]
Paul Krugman writes about fiscal policy and the current recession. I agree with him in principle; the government should use fiscal policy in times like these to keep us out of a deep recession. The problem is that they can’t stop when it’s time to put down the checkbook. I’m reminded of the parable of [...]
I’m in the “Friends of Liberty” group at school (no, I didn’t come up with the name) where we discuss…um…liberty, among other things. It’s not so much that I agree with most über-libertarian ideals (or even a majority) but that I enjoy debate. I believe that government intervention can be good, though it usually isn’t. [...]
Just kidding. No, it doesn’t. But I am curious how apologists for economic authoritarianism are going to frame the debate when Venezuela collapses in on itself. The Economist is running a story on Venezuela’s take-over of the privately owned Banco de Venezuela. I haven’t been following every last detail of Chavez’s antics, but this doesn’t [...]
No one told me what an douchebag I’d become after Lisa graduated from law school. Here’s the deal: when you live with someone through three years of law school, your perception of the law changes. The flash cards, the quiz sessions, the law school social events and the late-night discussions give you an insight into [...]
I had an angry rant here for a while. But I’ve been trying to elevate my game as of late. To be nicer. To not be such an asshole. So I deleted the rant. I’m very perplexed at why friends and family continue to forward me emails which are almost all obviously false. I think [...]
