Author Archive

Conservative or Liberal?

As election time is near, I thought it might be interesting to think about some of the theoretical differences between conservative and liberal thought, actual differences between modern conservatism and liberalism, and the effect of each on the economy.... Read more

Why Am I Afraid?

I am afraid for my country and for my daughter, and for my grand daughter, and for my two great grandsons. The future does not look too bright. A WSJ/NBC poll found that 76% of Americans do not believe... Read more

IS GLOBAL WARMING REAL?

IS GLOBAL WARMING REAL? Or is it a big myth? Is it science or is it politics? The answer to all these questions is yes, or maybe, or sometimes. According to the World Almanac and Book of Facts, the... Read more

The Effects of Global Warming (And Cooling)

Climate Change is now back on the front page as Washington tries to move IRS, VA, DOJ, Obamacare, and Benghazi to the back pages. This newsletter addresses the expected effects of global warming, the actual effects of past global... Read more

What is Capitalism?

Capitalism is a social and economic system based on individual rights, freedom, and responsibilities. Ayn Rand describes it as the best way to achieve the “common good,” and the “only system consonant with man’s rational nature.” Capitalism is a... Read more

The State of the Union According to the Common Sense Economist

The State of the Union is not good. Freedom, the well-being, and prosperity of the American people are in danger. The greatest threat to the economy of the nation is the amount Americans owe. The national debt of the... Read more

IF ONLY OUR LEADERS WERE BOY SCOUTS

Several years ago I was asked to talk to a group of Boy Scouts about basic economics as a requirement for a merit badge. I don’t remember which one. I really didn’t want to give up my Saturday because... Read more

WHAT’S THE FED UP TO NOW?

The Federal Reserve System uses monetary policy to control cycles in the economy, to eliminate or lessen the severity of recessions or inflations. During recessions the Fed will increase the money supply, assuming that consumers and businesses will spend... Read more

EVERYTHING ELSE HAS FAILED, WHAT NOW?

The National Debt is now $17 trillion and is growing at decreasing, but unacceptable, rates. The last time the federal budget was “balanced” was 2001, the last year of the Clinton presidency. I say “balanced” because even though the... Read more

WHAT ECONOMIC RECOVERY?

The administration keeps talking about the “phony scandals” diverting the attention of Americans from the real problems of jobs and the economy. Mortimer Zuckerman, in a July 16 Wall Street Journal op-ed, “A Jobless Recovery is a Phony Recovery,”... Read more