I have heard the term 'Moral Hazard' bandied about reading and listenting to various pieces, mostly commonly in reference to the financial bailouts. Why would an organization try to become efficient, if it knows it will receive a bailout if it doesn't? Simple, it won't.
Why would someone pay for health insurance if they know they can go to an ER and get service free of charge or get government (read: someone else) to pay for it? Ah, govenrment intervention and those pesky unintended consequences.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Corporatism
I have long believed that Socialism is freedoms biggest enemy. I now beleive that Corporatism or Mercantilsom is a much bigger threat. Like the devil, Corporatism guises itself from what it really is. When big business cuddles up to big goverment, people lose.
Look at the bailouts and who received the money. Small business, ordinary people? No, of course not. Sadly the Republicans are just as bad here as the Democrats.
One of my favorite authors is Tom DiLorenzo who has written some fascinating books like Hamilton's Curse and How Capitalism Saved America. What we now have is a system of Mercantilsm or 'Crony Capitalism' that is often referred to as the free market. Another recent book I am reading is Obamanomics which chronicles some of President Obama's big business relationships.
In Hamilton's curse, DiLorenzo explores how Alexander Hamilton's influence eventually won out in America. This has setup a system where the Federal Government robs the citizens through all kinds of taxes (and borrows heavily) and then redistributes to favored and well connected patrons.
Look at the bailouts and who received the money. Small business, ordinary people? No, of course not. Sadly the Republicans are just as bad here as the Democrats.
One of my favorite authors is Tom DiLorenzo who has written some fascinating books like Hamilton's Curse and How Capitalism Saved America. What we now have is a system of Mercantilsm or 'Crony Capitalism' that is often referred to as the free market. Another recent book I am reading is Obamanomics which chronicles some of President Obama's big business relationships.
In Hamilton's curse, DiLorenzo explores how Alexander Hamilton's influence eventually won out in America. This has setup a system where the Federal Government robs the citizens through all kinds of taxes (and borrows heavily) and then redistributes to favored and well connected patrons.
Taxes
Thurston County just had a vote for a levy for schools. I voted no, and had a long discussion about taxes with my wife. I want to affirm that I will never vote for taxes in any form.
This also brought up some practical discussions about how things like police, fire, schools and other services should be operated. I intend to learn more about these issues
This also brought up some practical discussions about how things like police, fire, schools and other services should be operated. I intend to learn more about these issues
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Isabella's 1st Birthday
Isabella recently had her first birthday party and she got to eat cake for the first time.
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