Thoughts on the Devastating Chinese Earthquake

China was recently struck by a very devastating earthquake.  Nearly everyone knows this.  Tens of thousands died.  Schools were hit particularly hard.  Why schools?
This article discusses that the central economic policies directly lead to poor school construction: compromising materials to get the job done.  It’s another question of incentives and responsibility: who is responsible, and [...]

Ron Paul: The Revolution Continues

This article, an interview with the man himself, and this article, a thorough review of The Revolution: A Manifesto, are highly recommended.  The book is still a hot seller.
The word “manifesto” is an interesting word choice.  It really makes us think of the unabomber or Karl Marx.  But what is a manifesto?  It is a statement [...]

Scott McClellan’s Memoirs: Former Press Secretary Speaks Out

Scott McClellan, a former Bush press secretary, recently released his memoirs, What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington’s Culture of Deception.  There are some things cited in this article that impressed me.  One of them was how Mr. McClellan admires and respects the president as an individual, but had a hard time with the manner some [...]

Questions the Oil Executives Should Have Been Asked

What would happen if gas prices were forced down? Thankfully, they were asked this, at least with respect to Katrina. Yes, as supply and demand would indicate, lowering price sends an artificial signal that supply is greater than it actually is. This always results in a shortage.
What can the government do to decrease the cost [...]

China Coal Shortage: Real Problem with Price Fixing

I ran across this article which highlights a real problem with price fixing.  Let me quote from the article itself:
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese power plants are running out of coal, with less than a three-day supply in some areas, the government said Tuesday, adding to China’s logistical headaches following a devastating earthquake.
It is the second [...]