Network Archives

Agorism and Nazism: A Study in Polar Opposites

"The reason why I want to mention System D is because it helps me starkly illustrate that in the final analysis what is being discussed here is simply human survival. This is a discussion that, without being hyperbolic, does touch upon life-and-death issues. To make this unexceptionable point crystal clear, Robert Neuwirth, in his book The Stealth of Nations, mentions how System D has helped people survive the financial crisis. Perhaps one of the most impressive examples of the counter-economics idea in action is that of what businesspeople did in order to evade the price control laws of Nazi Germany." Continue reading →

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Inside the Incredibly Repellent Mind of a Bureaucrat

"...Marthe Kent, OSHA's director of safety standards program and head of the ergonomics effort, couldn't be happier at her job. 'I like having a very direct and very powerful impact on worker safety and health,' she recently told The Synergist, a newsletter of the American Industrial Hygiene Association. 'If you put out a reg, it matters. I think that's really where the thrill comes from. And it is a thrill; it's a high.' Later in the article, she adds, 'I love it; I absolutely love it. I was born to regulate. I don't know why, but that's very true. So as long as I'm regulating, I'm happy.'" Continue reading →

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New York State Black Market in Cigarettes Booming

"More than 60 percent of cigarettes smoked in New York State, which has the highest tobacco taxes in the nation, are smuggled in from out of state and consumed tax free. New York raised its excise tax by 58% from $2.75 a pack to $4.35 in 2010, but it resulted in only a 20% increase in revenue. It's is really good to know this underground network is in action. In addition to smokers being provided tax free cigarettes, the black market that is developing in NYS is creating a network of trusted suppliers and customers that can be operational against further government interventions that may take place down the road." Continue reading →

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NY Rep. Israel targets 3-D printed gun magazines

"A New York lawmaker will introduce a bill designed to ban people from making gun magazines with 3-D printers, following a demonstration of a working model by a Texas firearms group. Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) will push to renew the Undetectable Firearms Act with an added stipulation banning the manufacturing, ownership, transport or purchase of 3-D printed firearms or high-capacity magazines. Israel said he decided to not just renew, but expand the legislation after his staff discovered footage released by the group, Defense Distributed, of a man firing 86 rounds through a semi-automatic rifle using 30-round magazines created by 3-D printers." Continue reading →

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Food prices may be catalyst for 2013 revolutions

"The easiest prediction to make for 2013 is that everything we eat will once again rise sharply in price. So where will the revolutions start this year? Keep an eye on Algeria and Greece — and if you want to feel very nervous, Russia and China. And if you are smart, keep your money out of those countries as well. The link between the cost of feeding your family and political turmoil is too well-established to be ignored. We saw it most recently with the Arab Spring of 2011. The uprisings that deposed the autocracies of the Middle East had their roots in food inflation." Continue reading →

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David Galland: Lessons from the Argentine

"In today's missive, I plan on sharing just a few of the lessons learned since moving to Cafayate in the Salta province in scenic northwest Argentina. It's my hope that my observations will be of use to you in getting through the challenging times still ahead for the major developed economies. That's because, as I probably don't need to tell you, the Argentines have almost unparalleled experience in surviving the regular financial crises their government has proven so adept at creating. In fact, since Juan Perón took office in 1946, not a single ten-year period has passed without being molested by a serious crisis, and often more than one." Continue reading →

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‘The world needs more capitalism’ – Greta interviews Whole Foods co-CEO John Mackey

"This is really a great interview and very refreshing to hear as Whole Foods co-CEO John Mackey not only defends capitalism and free markets but tells Greta that the problem with the world isn’t that there’s too much capitalism, but that there’s not enough of it." Continue reading →

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Trooper indicted for stealing marijuana

"A former Georgia State Patrol Trooper is indicted for stealing marijuana from the Post evidence locker, and giving it to teenage girls. Jaa Tucker was arrested by the Early County Sheriff's Office this morning. He posted bond and was released. He is charged with theft by government employee, distribution of marijuana, and violation of oath of office. The Thomasville GBI Post is handling the investigation. A GSP source says that Tucker was fired last year." Continue reading →

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