Role of government Archives - Page 11 of 11 Voice For Liberty

Apr

The Rise of Government and the Decline of Morality

At the time when we have voted on a major issue that was framed in terms of morality, when we have prominent preachers attempting to impose their version of morality on us through the power of government, when we have a mayor who opposes certain businesses for moral reasons, and we have government at all levels spending more and more, we should remember that government is not the basis of morality. In fact, the growth of government has displaced morality. James A. Dorn of The Cato Institute explains why in this article: The Rise of Government and the Decline of…

Apr

By Bob Weeks

AirTran Subsidy Remarks

Following are remarks I am delivering to several groups, including the Wichita City Council, in April 2005. AirTran Subsidy is Moving in Wrong Direction We were persuaded to accept the AirTran subsidy in 2002 as a temporary measure, to allow AirTran to build a presence here, and that the subsidy would no longer be needed at some time. But now we see that the situation is moving in the opposite direction, as AirTran asks for even a larger subsidy. Economic Impact Overstated The argument that many Fair Fares supporters make is flawed. They are grossly -- I would say even…

Mar

By Bob Weeks

Why government spending is (mostly) bad

Government spending replaces the judgment of the market with the judgment of politicians. The judgment of the market refers to the billions of decisions that we collectively make each day, decisions that we freely make, that we believe will advance our self-interest. That is to say, the market is characterized by mutual agreement and voluntary consent. What about the judgment of politicians? In a free market, in order to effect a transaction with someone, each side has to please the other. But politicians have the tax system, which allows them to take money from us by force. Then, when they…

Feb

By Bob Weeks

The Law by Frederic Bastiat

About a year ago I became acquainted with the writings of the economist Walter E. Williams. After reading his foreword to this book, I understand -- as Williams says himself -- how important Bastiat's writings are. As Williams says: Reading Bastiat made me keenly aware of all the time wasted, along with the frustrations of going down one blind alley after another, organizing my philosophy of life. The Law did not produce a philosophical conversion for me as much as it created order in my thinking about liberty and just human conduct. And then this: ...Bastiat's greatest contribution is that…

Jan

By Bob Weeks

End Corporate Welfare, Starting with Industrial Revenue Bonds

"While corporate welfare has attracted critics from both the left and the right, there is no uniform definition. By TIME's definition, it is this: any action by local, state or federal government that gives a corporation or an entire industry a benefit not offered to others. It can be an outright subsidy, a grant, real estate, a low-interest loan or a government service. It can also be a tax break -- a credit, exemption, deferral or deduction, or a tax rate lower than the one others pay." (Time Magazine, Nov. 9, 1998) States and localities aggressively compete with each other…

Dec

By Bob Weeks

Vioxx and personal liberty

A recent column by Thomas Sowell titled Free lunch 'safety': Part II (a link to part one is here) started with this paragraph: "The government will allow you to risk your life for the sake of recreation by sky-diving, mountain climbing or any number of other dangerous activities. But it will not allow you to risk your life for the sake of avoiding arthritis pain by taking Vioxx." I was quite astonished to see the issue of Vioxx framed this way, but it is perfectly valid to do so. It appears that taking large doses of Vioxx increased the risk…