free market

The greatest food in human history?

"What is 'the cheapest, most nutritious and bountiful food that has ever existed in human history'? Hint: It has 390 calories. It contains 23g, or half a daily serving, of protein, plus 7% of daily fiber, 20% of daily calcium and so on. Also, you can get it in 14,000 locations in the US and it usually costs $1. Presenting one of the unsung wonders of modern life, the McDonald’s McDouble cheeseburger. The argument above was made by a commenter on the Freakonomics blog run by economics writer Stephen Dubner and professor Steven Leavitt, who co-wrote the million-selling books on the hidden side of everything." Continue reading →

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After 237 Years, America is Finally “Free”

"A couple weeks ago, the SEC issued its ruling on Title II of the JOBS Act – the first of two provisions needed before crowdfunding can go mainstream. Simply put, the SEC eliminated the ban on 'general solicitation.' For decades, this mandate forced startups, hedge funds and venture capitalists (VCs) to rely on word of mouth and other forms of private communication to raise funds. Starting this September, though, companies will be free to tell everyone about their businesses and solicit funding for them. Companies will still be limited to taking money from accredited investors and these investors will have to take extra steps to verify their accredited status." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAfter 237 Years, America is Finally “Free”

Declare Detroit a Free City

"Do not expect overnight success, but who knows? A free market always surprises us with new innovations. At first one can expect lots of mom and pop startups, sidewalk vendors, unlicensed and untaxed services such as simple property repair, home schools, private taxis, etc. But if Nike and other American businesses are enticed by lower costs and fewer regulatory burdens to outsource their manufacturing operations overseas, why would they not take a good look at a Free Detroit? Expect to be amazed. Allow Detroit to become a safe, cooperative city that represents the best that America can be. Economic freedom will ensure the rebirth of Detroit." Continue reading →

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Guess Where There Is a Restaurant Boom?

"New residents flock to Midland in search of jobs in the area’s booming economy. In the past year, almost 20 new restaurants have opened or are planned to open in Midland and Odessa, with several national restaurant chains even venturing to call West Texas home. [..] About a year ago, talk began circulating in this West Texas town about a huge oil-producing formation called the Cline Shale, east of the traditional drilling areas around Midland. Then the oilmen and their rigs arrived. Now homes and hotels are sprouting, 'help wanted' signs have multiplied, and a major drilling company has cleared land to build an office and equipment yard." Continue reading →

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Paul Rosenberg: The Beauty and Dignity of the Productive Class

"If you are a member of the productive class, you should re-arrange your mind and stop responding to the demands of hierarchy and status. Instead, pay attention to things that really improve human life in the world. Creating things, improving things, or making it possible for other people to create… these are noble, beautiful, and important things. We should gain a deep and enduring satisfaction from doing them. And, indeed, when we put our minds and efforts to it, that’s exactly what we will gain." Continue reading →

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A New Batch of One-Liners Provides more Evidence of Jay Leno’s Inner Libertarianism

"I’ve already speculated that Jay Leno is a closet libertarian. If nothing else, the latest batch of jokes, courtesy of News-max, shows that he’s willing to go after Obama. Which is more than can be said for some of his competitors. As you can imagine, the joke about Obamacare and the deficit resonated with me. And the joke about taxing marijuana reminds me of what I wrote about the downside to legalization." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingA New Batch of One-Liners Provides more Evidence of Jay Leno’s Inner Libertarianism

Paul Kemp-Robertson: Bitcoin. Sweat. Tide. Meet the future of branded currency.

"Currency -- the bills and coins you carry in your wallet and in your bank account -- is founded on marketing, on the belief that banks and governments are trustworthy. Now, Paul Kemp-Robertson walks us through a new generation of currency, supported by that same marketing … but on behalf of a private brand. From Nike Sweat Points to bottles of Tide (which are finding an unexpected use in illegal markets), meet the non-bank future of currencies." Continue reading →

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History of the Internet (Wikipedia)

"Since the mid-1990s, the Internet has had a revolutionary impact on culture and commerce, including the rise of near-instant communication by electronic mail, instant messaging, VoIP 'phone calls', two-way interactive video calls, and the World Wide Web with its discussion forums, blogs, social networking, and online shopping sites. The Internet's takeover over the global communication landscape was almost instant in historical terms: it only communicated 1% of the information flowing through two-way telecommunications networks in the year 1993, already 51% by 2000, and more than 97% of the telecommunicated information by 2007." Continue reading →

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Tax Haven: Russia

"Russia has set up regional zones as tax havens. Factories are taxed at low rates. How low? This low. What if Detroit were allowed by the U.S. government and Michigan’s government to offer this? What if Detroit had been allowed to offer it in 1960? If it works in one region temporarily, why not all regions permanently? Most Russian [companies] pay 20% in income taxes. What do you pay in the USA? Add Social Security and Medicare. Add state income taxes. Pity the Russians. They live under tyranny. Right?" Continue reading →

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Tax Haven: Russia

"Russia has set up regional zones as tax havens. Factories are taxed at low rates. How low? This low. What if Detroit were allowed by the U.S. government and Michigan’s government to offer this? What if Detroit had been allowed to offer it in 1960? If it works in one region temporarily, why not all regions permanently? Most Russian [companies] pay 20% in income taxes. What do you pay in the USA? Add Social Security and Medicare. Add state income taxes. Pity the Russians. They live under tyranny. Right?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTax Haven: Russia