Monthly Archives: March 2011

Obama’s magic math – can I use that at home?

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Jeff

Today President Obama announced a new plan “for America’s energy security, including increased responsible domestic production and winning the future through a clean energy economy.” I find it puzzling that Obama can claim to be fighting high oil prices by … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Logic, Politics | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Rights, Wants, Needs, Take Your Pick

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Jeff

We are in a hurry to advance social causes. We can now get 3 square meals a day and have a roof over our heads, it is high time for us as a country to [take your pick] end poverty, … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Watch What You Wish For

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Jeff

Hayek wrote in The Road to Serfdom that we need to think long-term about the policies and ideas we propose for when you combine all the ideas adopted together over time in a nation and follow their natural consequences out … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics, Unintended Consequences | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Happy Birthday Wealth of Nations!

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Jeff

Today is the 325th birthday of the publishing of Adam Smith’s An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations! Join the celebration by listening to Russ Roberts on Cato or reading Mark Skousen on the centrality … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Economics | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Effect of Unions on Employment and Wages

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Jeff

We are seeing a lot of heated rhetoric here in Wisconsin about the governor and unions. The clearest treatment I have read of the effect of unions is Chapter 20 in Henry Hazlitt’s book Economics In One Lesson. Jeffrey Miron, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics, Unintended Consequences | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Fun with Numbers or “Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics”

Posted on March 5, 2011 by Jeff

In my work we use statistics to support or disprove a point. We mine data to look for patterns, answer questions, and search for evidence of impacts. We try very hard to be objective and accurate in our use of … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Do Teacher Unions Advance Education?

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Jeff

Wisconsin is undergoing quite a bit of strife as the Governor tries to curb the power of unions, including the teachers’ union. Opponents predict disaster and falling education quality if the union’s power is reduced. Blogger IowaHawk looks at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics | Tagged , , | 1 Comment