Category: Uncategorized

Thomas Jefferson on Wealth Inequality

I am conscious that an equal division of property is impracticable, but the consequences of this enormous inequality producing so much misery to the bulk of mankind, legislators cannot invent too many devices for subdividing property, only taking care to let their subdivisions go hand in hand with the natural affections of the human mind.… Continue reading Thomas Jefferson on Wealth Inequality

On Nixon Tapes, Disparaging Remarks About Ethnic Groups

Richard M. Nixon made disparaging remarks about Jews, blacks, Italian-Americans and Irish-Americans in a series of extended conversations with top aides and his personal secretary, recorded in the Oval Office 16 months before he resigned as president. From On Nixon Tapes, Disparaging Remarks About Ethnic Groups – NYTimes.com That’s our Nixon.

China’s Dangerous Lower Middle Class

Back in the 1990s it was often fashionable to argue that increased prosperity would magically transform China into a more liberal political system. Today, that’s clearly not the case. What we’re seeing here, though, is the more likely mechanism for political change—dashed hopes. Peasant farmers often just feel beaten-down and resigned to their fate. But… Continue reading China’s Dangerous Lower Middle Class

China’s Dangerous Lower Middle Class

Back in the 1990s it was often fashionable to argue that increased prosperity would magically transform China into a more liberal political system. Today, that’s clearly not the case. What we’re seeing here, though, is the more likely mechanism for political change—dashed hopes. Peasant farmers often just feel beaten-down and resigned to their fate. But… Continue reading China’s Dangerous Lower Middle Class

Tyler Cowen on The Inequality That Matters

Does growing wealth and income inequality in the United States presage the downfall of the American republic? Will we evolve into a new Gilded Age plutocracy, irrevocably split between the competing interests of rich and poor? Or is growing inequality a mere bump in the road, a statistical blip along the path to greater wealth… Continue reading Tyler Cowen on The Inequality That Matters

Free Markets and Safety Nets

Guaranteeing people a decent retirement and decent health care does more than smooth out the rough edges of capitalism. Those guarantees give people the freedom to take risks. If you know that professional failure won’t leave you penniless and won’t prevent your child from receiving needed medical care, you can leave the comfort of a… Continue reading Free Markets and Safety Nets

Free Markets and Safety Nets

Guaranteeing people a decent retirement and decent health care does more than smooth out the rough edges of capitalism. Those guarantees give people the freedom to take risks. If you know that professional failure won’t leave you penniless and won’t prevent your child from receiving needed medical care, you can leave the comfort of a… Continue reading Free Markets and Safety Nets

Thomas Jefferson on Wealth Inequality

I am conscious that an equal division of property is impracticable, but the consequences of this enormous inequality producing so much misery to the bulk of mankind, legislators cannot invent too many devices for subdividing property, only taking care to let their subdivisions go hand in hand with the natural affections of the human mind.… Continue reading Thomas Jefferson on Wealth Inequality

The liberal backlash that isn’t

with the release of a new Washington Post/ABC News poll – conducted late last week and over the weekend, as the supposed liberal backlash against the deal was at its peak – that shows Obama’s approval rating with liberal Democrats sitting at 87 percent. That’s essentially where it’s been all year; it represents a statistically… Continue reading The liberal backlash that isn’t