Capitalism is more than an ‘intellectual argument’

Is the president crazy or simply ill-informed?

I pose the question in light of Barack Obama’s remarks to Argentina youth:

“So often in the past there has been a division between left and right, between capitalists and communists or socialists, and especially in the Americas, that’s been a big debate. Those are interesting intellectual arguments, but I think for your generation, you should be practical and just choose from what works. You don’t have to worry about whether it really fits into socialist theory or capitalist theory. You should just decide what works.”

Read More

The death of data

Voters aren’t dumb. That was always Ronald Reagan’s belief.

Specifically, he believed that you knew how to spend your next ten bucks better than the government did.

In this election cycle, though, one can’t help but notice a lack of curiosity on the subjects of facts and data…

Read More

In praise of Uber

Millennium Park was a mob scene.

My two sons and I were at the Chicago Jazz Festival soaking up some great music over the weekend. This is the second year in a row we made the trek to Chicago.

The Festival takes place at gorgeous Millennium Park in the breathtaking Jay Pritzker Pavilion. As Friday night’s music wrapped, we decided we needed more jazz and decided to go the Jazz Showcase.

Normally, this would necessitate a cab, as we had our car parked way back at our hotel.

My son told me not to worry.

“Watch this,” he said. He pulled out his iPhone.

Tap, tap, tap went his fingers.

He said, “our ride will be here in a minute.”

Read More

Saturday morning economics lesson

By Tom Quiner [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h8O7V-WxWQ&feature=player_embedded] Should government be bigger or smaller? These two approaches to governance are on the line this election cycle more than ever. President Obama has already expanded government beyond anyone’s imaginings, and has barely gotten started should he win reelection. Republicans think government is too big and would like to slow its…

Read More