-
The Shine Is Off Corn Ethanol
Read more: The Shine Is Off Corn EthanolOur economy is so intertwined and interdependent that it is impossible for the government to guide it in any direction without setting off a long chain of consequences. This is another example of the folly of centralized economic planning.
-
Economic fallacy supports arts in Wichita
Read more: Economic fallacy supports arts in WichitaRecently two editorials appeared in The Wichita Eagle promoting government spending on the arts because it does wonderful things for the local economy. The writers are Rhonda Holman and Joan Cole, who is chairwoman of the Arts Council. I read the study that these local writers relied on. The single greatest defect in this study…
-
I, Pencil: A Most Important Story
Read more: I, Pencil: A Most Important StoryI, Pencil is one of the most important and influential writings that explain the necessity for limited government. A simple object that we may not give much throught to, the story of the pencil illustrates the importance of markets, and the impossibility of centralized economic planning.
-
Why Subsidy is Bad Policy
Read more: Why Subsidy is Bad PolicyFrom an article by Kenneth P. Green on energy policy. It explains why subsidy in any form is bad policy. First, subsidies breed corruption. They don’t create incentives for honest people that already have a market-worthy product — such people can already sell their goods into the market easily. Rather, subsidies create a fertile garden…
-
Urban Renewal: A Flawed Idea That Failed 50 Years Ago
Read more: Urban Renewal: A Flawed Idea That Failed 50 Years AgoUrban renewal failed across the United States in the 20th century. The urban renewal efforts from the 20th century that are the foundation for the newly proposed redevelopment agency in Wichita rely upon these old Kansas laws that require an increase in local government’s powers. There are no clearly defined steps that will avoid repeating…
-
Bureaucratic Incentives Create Deadly Consequences
Read more: Bureaucratic Incentives Create Deadly ConsequencesWalter Williams summarizes why the Food and Drug Administration is likely to delay the approval of drugs that benefit people. Simply stated, they adopt a risk-averse strategy to avoid being criticized for allowing a dangerous drug on the market, even though almost all drugs can be dangerous.
-
Wasteful Kansas statehousesSpending
Read more: Wasteful Kansas statehousesSpendingWasteful spending at the Kansas statehouse is nothing new. What is new is the wasteful spending on the Kansas statehouse. This building still has the ugly look of a construction site with a soaring price tag. In 2007 a bipartisan group of legislative moderates are intent on continuing this unlimited statehouse spending spree.
-
Testimony supporting an arena re-vote
Read more: Testimony supporting an arena re-voteWe need to correct the flawed downtown arena proposal’s mistakes. Since the legislature authorized the county sales tax for the downtown arena it has become abundantly clear that the case against proceeding with the flawed arena project has been made. Enclosed with this testimony is a copy of the 2004 flyer used in that election…
-
Floods and whirlwind (of spending in Kansas)
Read more: Floods and whirlwind (of spending in Kansas)Kansans are focused upon the floods as well as the results of the tornados that tore up this state in early May. The wrath of Mother Nature is upon us just as the Kansas legislature has left its own flood of spending and whirlwind of legislative changes on this state. The legislature’s fiscal wrath might…
-
Recycling in Wichita: Be Careful What You Wish For
Read more: Recycling in Wichita: Be Careful What You Wish ForThe Wichita Eagle editorial board, particularly Randy Scholfield, has been pressing for mandatory recycling. Here’s an example of the type of legislation we might see if reason fails us.
-
The miracle and morality of the market
Read more: The miracle and morality of the marketIn this short article we learn the simple mechanism that makes our economy work so well. Interfering with that mechanism is not only harmful, it is immoral.
-
Recycle, if you wish
Read more: Recycle, if you wishShould we in Wichita or Sedgwick County be forced to recycle? Prices for commodities and goods represent the best available information about the worth of them — that is, unless the government is manipulating prices. The prices people are willing to pay for recycled goods, therefore, tell us everything we need to know about their…