The following is a thought experiment wrapped in a story. While the idea seems unlikely, if it were to happen, most of us would not find it unbelievable. Nevertheless, you have to admit you'd like to know what would happen if someone actually did this. Despite the title, this is a story about economics. Not just local economics, but an the entire body of macro-economics as it exists in our country today. But please don't let that boring subject scare you away. I promise there are no charts, … [Read more...] about The Suitcase
The Health Insurance Paradox
or Why the Economics of Healthcare is Failing Healthcare insurance has evolved into an unsustainable enterprise. The why is different than the how, but it's important to understand both. It is however a paradoxical result that what has essentially become a Ponzi scheme has yielded some of the most amazing innovations the world has ever seen. But only those like me who believe in free market enterprise would see this as a paradox. Statists, socialists, and progressives (forgive the redundancy … [Read more...] about The Health Insurance Paradox
There’s Nothing Wrong With a War on Drugs – We’re Just Doing it Wrong
I am a proponent of legalizing all drugs. Not just marijuana, but everything including heroin, cocaine, meth, etc. Those of you who know me, know that addiction has become a sad part of my family's life with a daughter who is addicted to opiates and opioids. You might ask, how could I possibly be a proponent for legalizing something that has been the root of so much pain in the lives of my family? The answer is, drugs are not the root of the problem. They are merely a symptom of a much … [Read more...] about There’s Nothing Wrong With a War on Drugs – We’re Just Doing it Wrong
What I’ve Learned About Drug Addiction
No one disputes that addiction is a growing problem. The rate of growth is alarming and calls for solutions are becoming more frequent and louder. These solutions are often framed under a public policy umbrella. My views on public policy have changed substantially since addiction has affected our family, but only because I've taken the time to research it more thoroughly. It is understandable, but unfortunate that a healthy knowledge of the subject is missing from public opinion. This is … [Read more...] about What I’ve Learned About Drug Addiction
The Wrong Question Distraction: You’re Being Manipulated
COVERT POLITICAL TOOLSUsing covert tools has and probably always will be used in politics. It's unfortunate, because the fact that they're covert implies deception of one sort or another. Sometimes they involve misinformation, sometimes outright lies, and other times they're more subtle. This is about one of the more subtle ones which I refer to as the Wrong Question Distraction. My premise is that political debates are often shaped to get the public to argue about the wrong things, all for … [Read more...] about The Wrong Question Distraction: You’re Being Manipulated