There is a principle in economics that says, other things being equal, one cannot improve people’s economic well-being by adding constraints to their choices. For example, tariffs add constraints by directly or indirectly increasing the prices that buyers must pay to acquire the goods that, absent the tariffs, they prefer to buy from foreign suppliers.
Tag: crime
Marc Victor: What I Learned About the Criminal Justice System From Neanderthals and Liars (57m)
This episode features a lecture by criminal defense attorney Marc Victor telling the horrific story of physical violence, bureaucratic malice and criminal perjury he endured while he was “presumed innocent”. A riveting tale of how his devotion to protecting the rights of persons accused of crimes by the State was energized to a whole new level through the harrowing experience he suffered.
Homeschoolers: Guilty Until Proven Innocent?
What struck me most about revisiting the Salem Witch Trials with my children was the fact that these English Puritans who had recently settled in Massachusetts Bay Colony had no presumption of innocence. Those accused of a crime at the time, both in the New World and elsewhere, were guilty until proven innocent. The presumption of innocence in trials, with court defenders and impartial juries, would take centuries to catch on.
Generations, Vices or Crimes, American Letter Mail Company (29m) – Episode 277
Episode 277 has Skyler giving his commentary on the following topics: generational whining about the symptoms of multi-generational statist beliefs; Lysander Spooner’s essay “Vices are Not Crimes” as written about in a November 2009 essay; Lysander Spooner’s battle with the US Federal government over first-class letter delivery; and more.
The FDA’s Assault on Tobacco Consumers, Part 2
DeLauro’s bill betrays a fundamental puritanism, which underlies all prohibitionism: since nicotine is a substance that provides pleasure and some people therefore use it habitually, it must be stamped out and its consumers, producers, and merchants demonized.
Addicts Can’t Think Outside Their Box
No part of statism is a given. Any of it can be eliminated; all of it can be eliminated. That one part of it excuses another part doesn’t mean you have to keep either part. Ditch them both. It’s the sensible thing to do.
Syria: In the History of Bad Excuses, This One’s Top-Tier
Despite the complete absence of any compelling military or political reason for invading and occupying Syria, and despite the complete illegality of that invasion and occupation, these Senators believe that Trump should reverse his decision and keep US troops at risk in a land whether they’re neither needed nor welcome.
Now More Than Ever, It’s Clear the FBI Must Go
I’m far from the first writer to point out that this latest news reflects nothing new. Yes, it’s over the top, but it pretty much sums up what the FBI does, and what it has done for the entirety of its 111 years of existence. It attempts to protect “America” — which it defines as the existing establishment in general and itself in particular — not from crime as such, but from inconvenient disruption.
Politics Doesn’t Improve Your Life
Life is needlessly complicated when you believe you need to control other people, since they’ll believe they should control you, too. You’ll probably both take the shortcut of electing someone to do the controlling for you, but the results are the same, if not worse.
Wilson vs The Forest Circus
I first met “Wilson” soon after he moved to the area. He told me he moved because he had lost his business. Personally, I think his business was stolen from him by the mafia Wilson always referred to as the “Forest Circus”. These were the clowns who controlled (and rationed) the license which “allowed” Wilson to conduct his business.