There is no group of individuals in America more denounced, despised, and misrepresented than businessmen. In movies, books, and articles they are routinely portrayed as greedy swindlers willing to do anything to make money. Yet, these are the individuals who produce the values that we need and desire. We should celebrate these individuals, for they…
Last week, a Texas appellate court ruled that certain provisions of Austin’s short-term rental (STR) regulations were unconstitutional. Those regulations, which were passed in 2015, intended to outlaw full-time STRs by 2022. In its ruling, the court correctly noted that existing nuisance laws are sufficient to deal with the few problems caused by STRs. The…
Across the nation, more than 30 percent of the workforce requires the government’s permission to work in certain professions. From law to hair braiding, from medicine to plumbing, individuals aren’t free to create values and trade them with willing consumers. Instead, they must undergo useless and expensive training in order to get the state’s permission…
In many, if not most, discussions over policy issues, the discussion revolves around a proposed solution. Proponents attempt to defend and justify their proposal, while opponents attack it. This is not a recipe for a healthy and constructive conversation. Indeed, it often leads to anger and hostility. Take proposals to ban or severely regulate short-term…
A major source of political animosity and controversy today is the belief that the rights of individuals occasionally conflict. The issue then becomes whose “rights” will be protected and whose rights will be thrown under the bus. As an example, last week the Corpus Christi Caller-Times published an editorial supporting restrictions and bans on vaping…
In cities across Texas (and the country) local politicians are imposing severe restrictions and outright bans on short-term rentals (STRs). When neighbors of STRs complain about noise, traffic, and other nuisances, city officials respond with controls and regulations rather than enforcement of existing laws. In most locales, there are laws that address loud noise, trash…
As of September 1, in the state of Texas anyone can offer plumbing services. As of that date, the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, which regulated and licensed plumbers, will be flushed down the toilet. Individuals will no longer have to travel to Austin to take the licensing exam or wait eight months to…
I recently stumbled across an article by a doctor who declared: I am a capitalist and physician who believes competition within a market can drive up quality and drive down cost. That’s why I believe single-payer Medicare for All is an improved market solution and the best road forward for American health care. The essence…
Last Friday, the Commander in Chief of the United States sent forth several tweets in response to China’s announcement that it would impose $75 billion in tariffs on American products. In one of those tweets, the Commander stated: Our great American companies are hereby ordered to immediately start looking for an alternative to China, including…
When I make a statement that some government program or agency should be abolished, I am often asked how certain values will be provided by the private sector. Recently, one of the most common topics of such conversations is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). How, I am asked, would we ensure that our food…