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The Debasing of Moral Concepts
Gresham’s Law is an economic principle that states, “Bad money drives out good money.” Wikipedia explains the principle as it applies to money: For example, if there are two forms of commodity money in circulation, which are accepted by law as having similar face value, the more valuable commodity will gradually disappear from circulation As…
Values vs. Fear
Despite the claims of critics of Big Tech, the attacks on Facebook, Twitter, Google, and other technology companies are not about competition, innovation, or free speech. They are about power. The critics of Big Tech think that certain companies have too much power. But these critics are doing more than equating economic power with political…
Killing Innovation in Electric Retailing
ByjbpThis was originally posted on Live Oaks on April 6, 2010. Comments have not been migrated. In his Sunday column, Loren Steffy does something I have yet to see an elected official do: He admits that the “deregulated” electric market in Texas is heavily regulated. And, though unintentionally, he demonstrates how regulations directly harm producers,…
Conceding Moral Premises
An Oakland couple was recently forced to pay $6,582 in order to reoccupy their own home. The military couple had been renting the house while stationed in Washington, D.C. An Oakland ordinance, passed in January of this year, requires landlords to pay tenants a “relocation” fee if the landlord wants to end a lease for…
By What Standard?
During the lockdown, businesses that were declared “non-essential” were prohibited from opening. In Texas, liquor stores were considered essential, but hair salons weren’t. By what standard was a business considered essential? Like many aspects of the lockdown, government officials weren’t very transparent regarding their criteria and standards. Instead, they issued dictates and expected the masses…
Calling the Kettle Black
A recent story in the Texas Tribune details the difficulties that the holders of Section 8 vouchers have in locating landlords who will accept the federal housing subsidies. (The federal government pays a portion of the monthly rent for those with a Section 8 voucher.) Under Texas law, landlords are not required to accept the…