Categories
Uncategorized

The Guaranteed Basic Income is a terrible idea

Originally posted May 7, 2017. It seems that a large portion of our country has an almost religious, cult-like following of entrepreneur Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla. So when he mentioned in an interview that the guaranteed basic income will one day be necessary, many took it as fact. “Elon Musk has spoken, it shall come to […]

Categories
Uncategorized

Random Employment Numbers Around the World

Originally posted April 30, 2017. 24.6%: Greece unemployment rate* 3.4% Switzerland unemployment rate* 11,374,200: number of Americans in manufacturing, as of 2014** 22,235,700: number of Americans working in federal, state, or local government, as of 2014** 114,000,000: number of manufacturing workers in China 22%: China’s share of manufacturing activity throughout the world 17.4% United States share of manufacturing activity throughout the […]

Categories
Uncategorized

Yes, Social Security and Medicare are entitlements

Originally posted April 29, 2017.  We often hear the same mantra from constituents across the country: “Don’t touch our Social Security or Medicare! Those are not entitlements! I paid into them and deserve every dollar back!” Even some people who call themselves fiscally conservatives honestly believe this.For those who believe Social Security and Medicare are […]

Categories
Uncategorized

New York politicians don’t understand the labor market

Originally posted April 21, 2017 Economist Thomas Sowell once said: “The first lesson of economics is scarcity: there is never enough of anything to fully satisfy all those who want it. The first lesson of politics is to disregard the first lesson of economics.” Politicians will always try to make something “free” or “affordable” in […]

Categories
Uncategorized

Lowering the corporate tax will save jobs

Originally posted April 15, 2017. Let’s talk briefly about boring ol’ economic theory, and then let’s relate it to real life. Economists often discuss the Laffer curve, which shows the relationship between tax rates and how much government brings in the coffers. The higher the tax rate, the more likely that the object or person […]