Evangeline

A little different sort of video this week in observation of the "Great Upheaval".  This video coming from the Learn Liberty series.  It tells a story of peaceful people in economic harmony caught between their links to indigenous neighbors and warring interlopers from Europe.

July 28th is a day of remembrance for those where cast off by their government; government which always claims its purpose is to protect people. 

Longfellow wrote about the Acadian expulsion in his poem Evangeline:

"Once in an ancient city, whose name I no longer remember,  

Raised aloft on a column, a brazen statue of Justice  

Stood in the public square, upholding the scales in its left hand,  

And in its right a sword, as an emblem that justice presided  

Over the laws of the land, and the hearts and homes of the people.  

Even the birds had built their nests in the scales of the balance,  

Having no fear of the sword that flashed in the sunshine above them.  

But in the course of time the laws of the land were corrupted; 

Might took the place of right, and the weak were oppressed, and the mighty  

Ruled with an iron rod."

Thanks to The Institute for Humane Studies.  

June 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.

June 17, 1933 - March 1, 2006

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.

If you like the video you can find books and audio at http://www.harrybrowne.org/

One fine example of Mr. Brownes attitude can be seen in his popular New Years Resolution.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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. 
9. I resolve to cleanse myself of hate, resentment, and bitterness. Such things steal time and attention from the work that must be done.
10. 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.
11. 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?
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.

The Economics of Destruction

One year ago, on May 22nd the city of Joplin Missouri suffered a devastating blow from an EF5 tornado.

The city of 50,000 people completely lost over 8,000 homes.  Its hospital and many businesses were also trashed.  In all Joplin suffered well over $2 Billion worth of damage in the wake of a 20 mile tornado path.

But the high dollar figure isn't why we're featuring this on a blog about economics, we're putting this video up because it shows how monetary value is a big factor in determining the best use of resources.  Even though some some costs briefly sky rocketed we can also see great waste as goods that weren't needed used up money, time and effort which could have been better allocated.  Here is a story about economic recovery that doesn't fall prey to the age old delusion about Broken Windows being a positive thing. 

Economic Power

When it comes to economic power, who really holds the most weight and who do we hear most often about in the media, on campuses, and in conversations?  Is it the "rich"?

The State can not spend without taking from someone.  Centuries of taxation has shown that people focus more intently on their self interests when they have more at stake.  That brings us to Facebook in the news again, this time a founder is leaving behind his tax burden.  He is far from alone, it seems that Galt's Gulch is not confined to an actual geographic setting.  Which ties into the concept from the video above.

Thanks to Economic Freedom

A Dangerous Combination

This shows the potential for problems or even purposeful abuse when you mix the power of the economy with the power of those who know politics but have very little understand of what they are trying to control.

This combination is fraught with problems, this is only one example.

Here is a video of a politician trying to implement regulation on the economy.