tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20302414454282999462024-02-06T22:59:45.426-06:00Ultimate List of Economic VideosFun and educational videos on the economic theories, problems and solutions that we all share.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-25356819802868220172014-03-02T13:15:00.001-06:002014-03-02T13:15:57.705-06:00Mike Rowe from the series Dirty Jobs talks about reward theory and the dynamic aspect of social economics.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-72978881496556166322013-04-21T07:40:00.000-05:002013-04-21T07:40:00.694-05:00John LawApril 21st is the birthday of <a href="http://mises.org/daily/4800" target="_blank">John Law</a> (1671 - 1729) who came from a wealthy Scottish banking family. Having a great grasp on economics yet allowing vice to bankrupt him, Law figured out a way out of his situation by pairing up with the French royalty who likewise had bankrupted themselves with the king's past war endeavors.<br />
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We may recall the 2001 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mQMY1q4I0hePmoqtUQVSWLD5s_ZfVmmUzMuNClbgazVv14rXTxarKSyPnK_cTpWEJ4ELPMr3x3y323uWHDwdqRvETdN0ZaRIL1ajrjuaRbf_XiEGypGoCNnK59co-TF9tuFVchL3DbSw/s400/1-dot+com+bubble.png" target="_blank">Dot Com Bubble</a> in computer stock trading but stock bubbles are at least 300 years old. Mr. Law tied the French money supply to a central bank and then used stock as paper money which created an investment bo<span style="font-family: inherit;">om. This scheme came complete with speculation, deflation, stock splits and finally a bust - all in only four years! </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The most sensational get-rich-quick scheme in history" courtesy of a central bank and nefarious government leaders.</span></i></div>
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This 1978 video about John Law and the "Mississippi Bubble" from <a href="http://www.awn.com/condie/index.html" target="_blank">Richard Condie</a> details the problems found with compulsive people, irrational behavior, fractional reserve, using law to manipulate the money supply and finally the tendency for underground trade in response to poor central policy.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Law's royal central bank of France, the <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banque_Royale" target="_blank">Banque Générale</a></span>, still survives today in another form. So</span>me of his economic theories are well noted but one should keep in mind the <a href="http://praxeology.net/praxeo.htm" target="_blank">nature of man</a> when he has control of <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/02/opinion/dubya-s-double-dip.html" target="_blank">monetary supply</a>.<br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0Paris, France48.856614 2.352221948.773036 2.1942934 48.940192 2.5101504tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-28742068332278424822013-04-20T06:38:00.000-05:002013-04-20T06:38:00.878-05:00Earth DayFor Earth Day 2013 let us look back at this video on endangered species from the <a href="http://econvids.blogspot.com/p/learn-liberty.html" target="_blank">Learn Liberty</a> queue.<br />
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Additionally we can find more direct economic ties to natural resources in <a href="http://www.thefreemanonline.org/columns/how-capitalism-saved-the-whales/" target="_blank">How Capitalism Saved the Whales</a>. A couple of highlights from this post by James S. Robbins:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, lucinda, verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, lucinda, verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">In northern climes, whalers sometimes killed blubber-rich arctic seals to augment their oil stores. Both of these animals were saved by the decline of whaling. Oil-drilling in Pennsylvania restored many lakes which had been contaminated by natural petroleum leaks."</span></blockquote>
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"<span style="font-family: arial, lucinda, verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><i>the American whaling industry peaked in the 1850s. <b>The reason for its decline was not because of public awareness of the evils of whaling, it was not because of consciousness-raising efforts by pioneer environmentalists, and it definitely was not because of legislation.</b> <b>The whales were saved because of the march of technology.</b></i>"</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: arial, lucinda, verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">emphasis above in bold by this editor</span></span></div>
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"<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, lucinda, verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><i>As kerosene became generally available throughout the country, the demand for whale oil dropped precipitously. The 735-ship fleet of 1846 had shrunk to 39 by 1876.</i>"</span></blockquote>
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Calamity in the cities, havoc on the highway, chaos in the court system as sequestration came to light!!! Eh, well not really so much huh? Even as politicians turned up the heat and pointed fingers.<br />
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Let us turn to David Angelo's <b>eEconomics</b> channel for his take on things:<br />
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You know you have a comment, go ahead and broadcast it here!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-49609001891401285292013-02-17T08:40:00.000-06:002013-02-17T08:40:06.707-06:00The Robin Hood MythAnother classic from Milton Friedman. This one on why government programs always favor the middle class.<br />
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It would be great to see his challenge accepted today:<br />
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"I have often challenged people to find a single governmental program in which the people who pay taxes have higher incomes than those who get the benefits.<br /><br />I know only one. And that's direct relief public assistance. The aid to families of dependent children. It's not a good program its a terrible program, it's a welfare mess. But so far as I can find out its the only program that demonstrably transfers income from higher income classes to lower income classes, and thats why its such an unpopular program."</blockquote>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-37299307364965305162013-01-27T08:43:00.000-06:002013-01-27T08:43:00.361-06:00The Impact School Choice Can Make On Lives And Wallets<div style="text-align: center;">
Consider the wide range of costs in schools today and also the cost for those who do not complete a basic education.</div>
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You can find more on the benefits of School Choice at <a href="http://www.schoolchoiceweek.com/train">http://www.schoolchoiceweek.com/train</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0Philadelphia, PA, USA39.952335 -75.16378939.757580499999996 -75.479645999999988 40.1470895 -74.847932tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-84280952541277656282013-01-11T19:04:00.000-06:002013-01-11T19:04:00.688-06:00A New SeriesHere is the first in what promises to be several two minute installments on basic economic topics. <br />
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Perfect for those moments when your school age children are trying to grasp these elements or for your ADHD friends as well.<br />
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We can't wait to see more of what Dorian has planned.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-68503941539806583952013-01-08T06:02:00.002-06:002013-01-08T06:02:00.526-06:00National Debt Awareness Day - January 8th<span style="font-size: large;"><b> O</b></span>n January 8th, 1835 the U.S. national debt dropped to $0 for the first (<i>and last</i>) time in it's history. Some attribute this instance to President Andrew Jackson's efforts which included allowing the charter for the Second Bank of the United States to expire. But whatever the strategy it has unfortunately never been repeated.<br />
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In 2004 our debt was nearly $7 trillion. Only seven years later, January 8th 2011, the amount had doubled to <i>$14 trillion</i>! 2011 was the first <b>National Debt Awareness Day</b>, an effort to draw attention to the fact that massive amounts of debt are being racked up in our name. In other words, the government has a gigantic credit card and politicians are wearing it out; you, the taxpayer, along with future taxpayers get stuck with the payments.<br />
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The second NDA day found the debt had risen to $15.2 trillion, and that was<i> after</i> the U.S. Congress supposedly "got serious" about the debt and deficit! At the same time, the president expressed his desire to increase the debt to $16 trillion within a year. Congress accommodated the president and just like clockwork the new debt <i>limit</i> was reached again, no surprise for most.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is behind all of this debt and how will it be paid when interest payments are already billions of dollars? Politicians focus on the yearly deficit as a way to avoid the massive debt and snowballing interest and future tax burden. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Share this post to let your friends know and promote discussion of National Debt Awareness Day!</b></span><sup></sup></span></div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_public_debt#History" target="_blank" title="US debt"></a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_public_debt#History" target="_blank" title="US debt"></a><br />
<b>George Washington</b> on debt in his <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington%27s_Farewell_Address" target="_blank" title="Farewell Debt?">Farewell Address</a><br />
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"As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible, avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace, but remembering also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it, avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertion in time of peace to discharge the debts which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear. The execution of these maxims belongs to your representatives, but it is necessary that public opinion should co-operate. To facilitate to them the performance of their duty, it is essential that you should practically bear in mind that towards the payment of debts there must be revenue; that to have revenue there must be taxes; that no taxes can be devised which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant; that the intrinsic embarrassment, inseparable from the selection of the proper objects (which is always a choice of difficulties), ought to be a decisive motive for a candid construction of the conduct of the government in making it, and for a spirit of acquiescence in the measures for obtaining revenue, which the public exigencies may at any time dictate."</blockquote>
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<b>Thomas Jefferson</b><br />
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"We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty or profusion and servitude. If we run into such debt, as that we must be taxed in our meat and in our drink, in our necessaries and our comforts, in our labors and our amusements, for our calling and our creeds...[we will] have no time to think, no means of calling our miss-managers to account but be glad to obtain subsistence by hiring ourselves to rivet their chains on the necks of our fellow-sufferers... And this is the tendency of all human governments. A departure from principle in one instance becomes a precedent for[ another]... till the bulk of society is reduced to be mere automatons of misery... And the fore-horse of this frightful team is public debt. Taxation follows that, and in its train wretchedness and oppression."</blockquote>
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I hope you enjoy being a part of this occasion - the third annual National Debt Awareness Day! Maybe one day we will have an annual celebration of the <i>2nd</i> debt free day in the U.S. and find that it will remain that way for many years to come. <span style="color: red;"><b>Interest paid is freedom wasted.</b></span><br />
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<b>Links about the federal budget and related items:</b><br />
<a href="http://www.usdebtclock.org/" target="_blank" title="US Debt Clock.org">http://www.usdebtclock.org/</a> - This has a good breakdown of our debt<br />
<a href="http://www.federalbudget.com/" target="_blank" title="Federal Budget.com">http://www.federalbudget.com/</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-42068640834299164622012-12-23T19:32:00.000-06:002012-12-23T19:32:33.856-06:00The Washington Shell GameFollow economist Robert Murphy and see if you can keep up with the shifting funds.<br />
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Is it a deficit, a bond, a treasury, keep your eye on the dollar bill folks!<br />
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Same thing done here with a pea, rubber ball and tennis ball.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-17147620674352466502012-12-07T09:18:00.000-06:002012-12-07T09:18:17.747-06:00The Reality of Tax Rates and Actual RevenueA great new find this week, <b>eEconomics</b>! No that isn't a typo, it is the title for <a href="http://www.davidangelo.info/home.php" target="_blank">David Angelo</a>'s YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/eEconomics" target="_blank">channel</a>. "Regular economics with a modern digital edge."<br />
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In his third show here he points out that 1959's 90% tax bracket brought in less than the 2007 bracket of 35% by 1.2.6% of GDP.<br /><br />Anyone who digs into this more than 30 seconds will find that the income tax rates people commonly talk about don't even begin to factor in on billionaires. A lot is made of Warren Buffet paying so little, and recently Mitt Romney as well, they don't "earn" money - instead they get "capital gains." D'oh! Simply raising the tax bracket to 90% encourages more people who have money to restructure their "work" so they don't pay more money out. <br />
<br />Louis Basenese shows how this went over in England recently in <a href="http://www.wallstreetdaily.com/2012/12/03/another-tax-myth-bites-the-dust/" target="_blank">Another Tax Myth Bites the Dust</a>.<br />
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On April 6, 2010, the top income tax rate in the U.K. jumped from 40% to 50%. The result? The number of people declaring incomes of more than one million pounds plummeted from 16,000 to 6,000, according to The Telegraph.</blockquote>
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Fast-forward to 2012, and U.K. Chancellor, George Osborne, announced that the top rate would be reduced to 45% in April 2013.</blockquote>
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Surprise, surprise! “Since the announcement, the number of people declaring annual incomes of more than one million pounds has risen to 10,000,” The Telegraph adds.</blockquote>
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And let's finish with <a href="http://mercatus.org/publication/despite-dramatic-fluctuations-top-marginal-rate-federal-revenue-remains-flat" target="_blank">Veronique De Rugy</a>'s chart showing the last four decades of tax revenue being flat regardless of the TMR being near 50%, 30% or somewhere in between. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-42925078539946903522012-11-22T14:02:00.001-06:002012-11-22T14:02:19.676-06:00Happy Thanksgiving<br />
An economic perspective on Thanksgiving, with a rather funny narrator.<br />
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Share your thoughts on community assets and shared workloads.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-74434572373561202222012-11-18T11:54:00.003-06:002012-11-21T13:08:39.645-06:00Informed Consumers and Lower Health Care Costs Recently <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/29/opinion/krugman-medicaid-on-the-ballot.html" target="_blank">Paul Krugman</a> touted drug costs under Medicaid as a big win as compared to the hobbled Medicare Part D which is run by private insurors. <br />
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"Last year a government study compared the prices that Medicaid paid for
brand-name drugs with those paid by Medicare Part D — also a government
program, but one run through private insurance companies, and explicitly
forbidden from using its power in the market to bargain for lower
prices. The conclusion: Medicaid pays almost a third less on average."</blockquote>
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One thing missing in the medical market is the price tag. We see direct pricing on everything we need: housing, food, automobiles. Everyone manages to select from cable TV, satellite service and phone company options by listed prices on their entertainment channels and options. Yet few people are engaged in comparing prices when it comes to something as important as medical care. Why is this?<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ReasonTV" target="_blank">Reason TV</a> brings us a view on what can happen to costs when the consumer gets pricing ahead of time, even if insurance is not involved.<br />
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Free market supporters obviously point to the <a href="http://www.surgerycenterok.com/" target="_blank">Surgery Center of Oklahoma</a> and <a href="http://www.medibid.com/" target="_blank">Medibid</a> as a direction to investigate. Paul Krugman favors more control from above and less personal involvement. It is for your own good after all...<br />
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Annie Wilkes administers Dr. Krugman's prescription for fair prices</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com1Oklahoma City, OK35.4675602 -97.516427635.053704700000004 -98.1481416 35.8814157 -96.8847136tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-34733113752753239122012-11-03T12:32:00.001-05:002012-11-18T09:29:51.300-06:00Salt In The Wound For Those Affected By Hurricane SandyWe last brought up <a href="http://econvids.blogspot.com/2012/05/economics-of-destruction.html" target="_blank">the economic aspect of natural disasters</a> back in May, this week Reason.TV brings us word on why there is a gas shortage after Hurricane Sandy wrecked havoc in New Jersey and New York states. <br />
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Politicians with good intentions trying to make price controls work
proves too tempting for some. It is pretty safe to say that stores
would indeed charge more for gas since delivery trucks and fuel storage
were also affected by Sandy's destruction. Trucks coming from farther
away simply add more to the cost. But would customers be paying twice
as much? If stores could charge more would they have more incentive to refill their tanks?<br />
<br />
Learn Liberty has this quick study on the ways price bumps can be beneficial during tough times.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/h9QEkw6_O6w" width="560"></iframe></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0New Jersey, USA40.0583238 -74.405661238.503006299999996 -76.9325167 41.6136413 -71.8788057tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-31913356639951917362012-11-02T06:00:00.000-05:002012-11-02T06:00:06.937-05:00DO NOT VOTEP. J. O'Rourke wrote <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-vote-it-just-encourages-the-bastards-christopher-lane/1023206259" target="_blank">Don't Vote It Just Encourages The Bastards</a> and in the next week we'll re-elect some, toss a few out and at the same time add a fresh batch. <br />
<br />
Two years ago he stated "We lost that election, because almost every political contest yesterday was won by a politician. In a couple of cases angry nuts won, which is an improvement over politicians. But it's just no good enough."<br />
Here's a clip of him speaking on the topic and his vision for what would make a better political situation: <i>Kill, Screw, Marry</i>. Economic freedom via the Free Market. "Wrong rights" which kill freedom and what political power is verses freedom.<br />
<a href="http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/296475-1">http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/296475-1</a><br />
<br />
John Stossel did a segment featuring <a href="http://books.google.com/books/about/The_myth_of_the_rational_voter.html?id=jLHzchx0deEC" target="_blank">The Myth of the Rational Voter</a> author <a href="http://econfaculty.gmu.edu/bcaplan/" target="_blank">Bryan Caplan</a>: <i>Don't Know? Don't Vote!</i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5XWJVzyQHjM" width="560"></iframe></div>
<br />
Now I hope our followers are rational and vote wisely if they do vote... just remember that you're encouraging those bastards. ;) I'm sure you have connected the power of voting to how it relates to economics so share this with your friends who may not have made that connection yet and start the conversation next time you see them!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-60970058159239988032012-10-31T12:50:00.004-05:002012-10-31T12:50:45.014-05:00Choosing Planners<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Do we pick a Man of System?</b></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oiZIsP7Ttqw" width="560"></iframe></div>
<br />
To expand on Adam Smith's <a href="http://www.econlib.org/library/Smith/smMS.html" target="_blank">The Theory of Moral Sentiments</a> you can read and search the full text <a href="http://www.econlib.org/library/Smith/smMS.html" target="_blank">here</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-80164187926174954872012-10-17T15:20:00.000-05:002012-10-17T15:20:05.932-05:00The Unseen Factors of the Auto Bailout "Success"<a href="http://freedomandprosperity.org/" target="_blank">The Center for Freedom and Prosperity</a>'s Jenna Huhn has posted this response to the great auto company bailout which some people are calling sucessful. What happens when Jenna looks deeper into some of the things Bastiat called <i>the unseen</i>?<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BGFY6Rg2uMg" width="560"></iframe></div>
<br />
We look forward to hearing your thoughts. Are there any other factors you can think of?<br /><br />More CF&P Econ 101 videos <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CFPEcon101" target="_blank">here</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-60506905091332946072012-09-21T15:46:00.000-05:002012-09-21T22:05:12.124-05:00The Canadian Cure for America's Ailment<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">A</span>re you suffering from hEaDaChEs related to political faction disputes?</b><br />
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<b>Do <span style="font-size: large;">large</span> <span style="font-size: large;">deficits</span> keep you awake all night?</b></div>
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<b>Public debt interest payments eating up your taxes?</b></div>
<br />
If so you may need <b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Sound Fiscal Policy</span></b><b>! </b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Canadian Remedy for economic woes</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(TM)</span></div>
<br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Sound Fiscal Policy has been used successfully to overcome national spending problems. </span></b><b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Sound Fiscal Policy can alleviate, even rid you of monetary maladies. Please view this brief video for more information about </span></b><b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Sound Fiscal Policy.</span></b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/C967NfhwU78" width="420"></iframe></div>
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<br />
<b><span style="color: purple;">Sound Fiscal Policy</span></b> may cause free riders to whine loudly, subsidized corporations to bleed, and your government to shrink. <span style="color: red;">But it just may be that those side effects are exactly what you need.</span><br />
<br />
<i>Use only under direction of a sensible economist. Beware of fat cat politicians with poor imitations of Sound Fiscal Policy. Do not use in conjunction with Keynesian remedies. For best results use with a flat tax structure and politicians who know when to stop dorking with things they do not understand. You may also experience surpluses, this benefit should be used with ever more wisdom.</i><br />
<b><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: purple;">Sound Fiscal Policy</span></b><i> makes no claim that every application will have equal results but it is probably the best medicine available for your country's ailment.</i><br />
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<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.697193145.0649016 -76.328907100000009 45.7781576 -75.0654791tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-28510896290475696262012-09-19T17:53:00.000-05:002012-09-19T17:53:00.428-05:00What happens after government stimulus spending?<br />
A very quick look at post stimulus facts. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Does Stimulus Spending Work?</b> from <a href="http://www.learnliberty.org/" target="_blank">Learn Libery</a>.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Zo0h_AR_lJM" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0Washington, DC, USA38.8951118 -77.036365838.7962463 -77.1942943 38.993977300000005 -76.8784373tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-10200849693579082192012-08-21T14:15:00.000-05:002012-08-21T14:15:29.343-05:00The Half-Billion Dollar Garden SculptureWhen I look back at stats for past blog posts it seems that the <a href="http://econvids.blogspot.com/2012/04/billion-dollar-home.html" target="_blank">Billion Dollar Home</a> is always popular.<br />
<br />
I think this art project should line up with the Billion Dollar House, I wonder if we could <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3c/Zimbabwe_Hyperinflation_2008_notes.jpg" target="_blank">buy</a> them both and install them in one place?<br />
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If you ever wondered what was left of <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2012/06/06/technology/solyndra/index.htm" target="_blank">Solyndra</a> and the half-billion tax dollars that poured into it prior to going totally bankrupt well now you have<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://pjmedia.com/zombie/2012/08/20/where-our-500-million-went-solyndra-glass-tubes-used-as-modern-art/" target="_blank">the answer</a>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ua-YbX08Ep4" width="420"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLku_gAQE0ZWPXCfvG4A58PiHc761pxQX1cLRrsyamWh6MLvfAbGmHs-fkP88mNeA_yTTEM_Iui-TsEsh5e9T0R6IH2-L2vN-rAI-Lsn4mzClYzUSr9ow-5Hizmvj4thmNVjQDwaN1eAJp/s1600/SolyndraLogo_202x41.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLku_gAQE0ZWPXCfvG4A58PiHc761pxQX1cLRrsyamWh6MLvfAbGmHs-fkP88mNeA_yTTEM_Iui-TsEsh5e9T0R6IH2-L2vN-rAI-Lsn4mzClYzUSr9ow-5Hizmvj4thmNVjQDwaN1eAJp/s1600/SolyndraLogo_202x41.png" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0Berkeley, CA, USA37.8715926 -122.27274737.8214551 -122.351711 37.9217301 -122.193783tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-23467936180858957982012-08-18T09:48:00.000-05:002012-08-18T09:48:00.227-05:00Economic Freedom on the FarmFarmers have been selling their produce since the early stages of civilization, so just what is going on with vegetables and the authorities in Fauquire County, Virginia? Could this really all be about a birthday party, did someone not invite a special child.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1e7Mwjf-QPI" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<br />
If a person can't raise a crop and sell it to people who want to eat is either party free? How much regulation do local officials need to place on selling farm plants?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0Fauquier, VA, USA38.7208787 -77.790977638.3244512 -78.422691600000007 39.1173062 -77.1592636tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-47691310376070414312012-08-11T07:40:00.000-05:002012-08-11T07:40:00.326-05:00Economic FreedomThis whole blog is about promoting Economic Freedom so that everyone can make the best of their self in the way that suits them the best. No one can make those decisions for you in an office miles away based on demographic groupings.<br />
<br />
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This video exemplifies why economic freedom is EMPOWERMENT. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yNHywGefNnQ" width="560"></iframe>/</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Definitely the best video we've seen all week! </b></div>
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Thank you to all the folks at <a href="http://www.thelibreinitiative.com/" target="_blank">http://www.thelibreinitiative.com</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-18629567292176415462012-08-08T11:25:00.000-05:002012-08-08T11:25:00.104-05:00Municipal Economic ProblemsThere have been a few large cities go bankrupt in recent history. In Alabama the city of <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-07-27/jefferson-county-bondholders-prepare-for-new-court-fight" target="_blank">Birmingham</a> spent on non-essential projects while needed utility maintenance was set aside. Eventually the city found itself hundreds of millions of dollars in the hole and unable or unwilling to raise revenue to meet obligations.<br />
<br />
Stockton California recently made the <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/stockton-could-become-biggest-city-bankrupt-024108696.html" target="_blank">news</a> as the largest city to file bankruptcy but it is not the only large <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=arJRg6BLyYl8&refer=home" target="_blank">city</a> in California to have leaders put it into financial straights.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Will cities be better off in the long run if they are forced by bankruptcy to only focus on the most basic needs such as police, fire protection, streets?</li>
<li>Should your city borrow money for some things while other <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Unable-to-pay-bill-Mich-city-apf-2920161472.html?x=0" target="_blank">services are in need</a>?</li>
<li>Do <a href="http://blog.al.com/jkennedy/2012/07/joey_kennedy_if_the_county_is.html" target="_blank">civic leaders</a> in your area equate the cost of interest rates on bonds to taxes that must be collected?</li>
</ul>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dUv77v4qyrw" width="560"></iframe></div>
<br />
Of all the things that many people consider that ONLY a city can do, at least one town has <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-11-14/police-private-security-foley/51194090/1" target="_blank">outsourced</a> it's police work! Could some services be done by contract and would this allow competition so cities have choice in the services they use?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0Stockton, CA, USA37.9577016 -121.290779637.8575436 -121.44870809999999 38.0578596 -121.1328511tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-42048731750251242632012-07-30T06:44:00.000-05:002012-07-31T12:31:02.526-05:00Friedman Day<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tomorrow, July 31st, would be Milton Friedman's 100th birthday. Many policy groups today are working toward better schools in conjunction with <span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-left;">The</span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-left;"> <a href="http://www.edchoice.org/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice</a>.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span; font-family:="" inherit;"=""><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-left;">Click </span><a href="http://www.edchoice.org/FriedmanDay.aspx" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-left;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-left;"> to find an event in your area!</span></span;></div>
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Here's a clip of Mr. Friedman in action, we hope you enjoy it, Happy Birthday!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7O7V4il0AEA" width="480"></iframe></div>
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And a great series of Friedman stitched together by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/LibertyOnTheRocks?feature=watch" target="_blank">Amanda</a>!<br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-69423212567372822212012-07-28T11:01:00.000-05:002012-07-28T11:01:00.673-05:00EvangelineA little different sort of video this week in observation of the "<a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=great+upheaval+of+1755" target="_blank">Great Upheaval</a>". This video coming from the <a href="http://econvids.blogspot.com/p/learn-liberty.html" target="_blank">Learn Liberty</a> series. It tells a story of peaceful people in economic harmony caught between their links to indigenous neighbors and warring interlopers from Europe.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscree="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KbjrUAl3yBs" width="640"></iframe><br />
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<br /></div>
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July 28th is a day of remembrance for those where cast off by <i>their</i> government; government which always claims its purpose is to protect people. </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Longfellow wrote about the Acadian expulsion in his poem <a href="http://www.gov.ns.ca/legislature/library/digitalcollection/Evangeline.pdf" target="_blank">Evangeline</a>:</div>
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</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
"Once in an ancient city, whose name I no longer remember, </blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
Raised aloft on a column, a brazen statue of Justice </blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
Stood in the public square, upholding the scales in its left hand, </blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
And in its right a sword, as an emblem that justice presided </blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
Over the laws of the land, and the hearts and homes of the people. </blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
Even the birds had built their nests in the scales of the balance, </blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
Having no fear of the sword that flashed in the sunshine above them. </blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
But in the course of time the laws of the land were corrupted; </blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
Might took the place of right, and the weak were oppressed, and the mighty </blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
Ruled with an iron rod."</blockquote>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Thanks to <a href="http://www.theihs.org/" target="_blank">The Institute for Humane Studies</a>. </div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0Nova Scotia, Canada44.6819866 -63.74431141.7926506 -68.798022 47.5713226 -58.6906tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030241445428299946.post-37646850417624527482012-06-17T01:00:00.004-05:002012-06-17T01:00:01.898-05:00June 17th - Happy Birthday Harry Browne!Today we salute Harry Edson Browne, a great author and speaker who inspired many with his positive outlook and message of freedom for many aspects of our lives.<br />
<div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>June 17, 1933 - March 1, 2006</i><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mkVGTx92Ka0" width="560"></iframe></div><div><div><br />
It is eerie to hear his warnings from 40 years ago, things we have seen take place in the last few years. Sustained inflation, blaming the "free market" for the failures in what is really a heavily regulated market, the government solutions being a factor in prolonging depression and causing small business investment to lull. <br />
<br />
</div><div>If you like the video you can find books and audio at <a href="http://www.harrybrowne.org/">http://www.harrybrowne.org/</a><br />
<br />
One fine example of Mr. Brownes attitude can be seen in his popular New Years Resolution.<br />
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<br />
<ol><li>I resolve to sell liberty by appealing to the self-interest of each prospect, rather than preaching to people and expecting them to suddenly adopt my ideas of right and wrong.</li>
<li>I resolve to keep from being drawn into arguments or debates. My purpose is to inspire people to want liberty — not to prove that they’re wrong.</li>
<li>I resolve to listen when people tell me of their wants and needs, so I can help them see how a free society will satisfy those needs.</li>
<li>I resolve to identify myself, when appropriate, with the social goals someone may seek — a cleaner environment, more help for the poor, a less divisive society — and try to show him that those goals can never be achieved by government, but will be well served in a free society.</li>
<li>I resolve to be compassionate and respectful of the beliefs and needs that lead people to seek government help. I don’t have to approve of their subsidies or policies — but if I don’t acknowledge their needs, I have no hope of helping them find a better way to solve their problems.</li>
<li>No matter what the issue, I resolve to keep returning to the central point: how much better off the individual will be in a free society.</li>
<li>I resolve to acknowledge my good fortune in having been born an American. Any plan for improvement must begin with a recognition of the good things we have. To speak only of America’s defects will make me a tiresome crank.</li>
<li>I resolve to focus on the ways America could be so much better with a very small government — not to dwell on all the wrongs that exist today. </li>
<li>I resolve to cleanse myself of hate, resentment, and bitterness. Such things steal time and attention from the work that must be done.</li>
<li>I resolve to speak, dress, and act in a respectable manner. I may be the first Libertarian someone has encountered, and it’s important that he get a good first impression. No one will hear the message if the messenger is unattractive.</li>
<li>I resolve to remind myself that someone’s “stupid” opinion may be an opinion I once held. If I can grow, why can’t I help him grow?</li>
<li>I resolve not to raise my voice in any discussion. In a shouting match, no one wins, no one changes his mind, and no one will be inspired to join our quest for a free society.</li>
<li>I resolve not to adopt the tactics of Republicans and Democrats. They use character assassination, evasions, and intimidation because they have no real benefits to offer Americans. We, on the other hand, are offering to set people free — and so we can win simply by focusing on the better life our proposals will bring.</li>
<li>I resolve to be civil to my opponents, and treat them with respect. However anyone chooses to treat me, it’s important that I be a better person than my enemies.</li>
</ol><br />
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</div><div><ol style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fafafa; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></ol></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135749509198928126noreply@blogger.com0