Environmentalists like to talk about thinking globally but act locally. The point is to think about the big picture but act within one’s community to make a difference, and this has been an effective strategy. The flip side of this coin is to think locally and act without principles. This strategy focuses on the moment…
Sadly, contemporary comedic movies usually offer us a boring combination of juvenile antics and crude language. Fortunately, when we want light-hearted entertainment, we are not limited to the offerings of modern film makers. Technology allows us to enjoy some the cinematic gems of the past. And Ninotchka is one of those gems. Greta Garbo is…
In the 2017 legislative session, Texas lawmakers sought to restrict the ability of local governments to violate property rights. Not surprisingly, local governments and the supporters of regulations pertaining to plastic bags, trees, short-term rentals, and more were upset. They argued that local governments should be allowed to enact the laws that their citizens want….
On Christmas Eve 2017, a property owner in Victoria had two large oak trees removed. Victorians immediately protested and sought to stop the tree removal. One Victorian, Doris Santiago, said, “These oak trees are an integral part of our history. And for them to do this the morning before Christmas, it’s morally wrong.” Such moral…
Pursuing one’s values is always a challenge, and it is even more difficult when those values are in conflict with the community in which one lives. In Chocolat, Vianne Rocher opens a chocolate shop in a small French village on the eve of Lent. She immediately finds herself in conflict with the town’s mayor, who…
We hear lots of talk from politicians and various organizations about improving the quality of life. But the quality of life advocates never define what they mean by the term. They assume that we all know, and agree to, its meaning. More than 25 million people live in Texas. Some prefer the ballet over baseball….
Cronyism is the practice of dispensing political favors to some at the expense of others. Those with the proper political connections are the beneficiaries. Those who provide electoral support through donations or votes are rewarded with favorable legislation. Fascism is a form of collectivism, as are socialism and communism. In each of these systems, the…
No matter which party or politician backs a particular piece of legislation, its advocates nearly always proclaim that it serves the public interest. And opponents are just as quick to claim that the legislation is harmful to the public interest. The Keystone XL pipeline serves as an example. For years, the pipeline was a controversial…
At the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain, many textile workers rebelled against the labor-saving machines being introduced. The Luddites—as they were called—believed that this new technology would mean the end of life as they knew it. They burned mills and destroyed machinery in a futile effort to stop innovation and progress. Today,…
My second book, The Innovator Versus the Collective, is now available in paperback and Kindle. The Introduction to the book is posted below. At the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain, many textile workers rebelled against the labor-saving machines being introduced. The Luddites—as they were called—believed that this new technology would mean the…
In 1989, nations in Eastern Europe rebelled against the communist dictatorships that controlled their lives. In Self Defense, an organization that promoted individual rights, sent my article, “New Democracies Need Ideas More Than Money,” in response to calls for American financial aid to the budding democracies. Click here to read the article.