I believe that part of the reason why suicide rates are increasing is because the subject of wanting to commit suicide has become so stigmatized. Individuals who experience such an impulse or desire aren’t able to discuss it without risking condemnation, involuntary commitment, the loss of their guns and children, and all manner of intrusion into their lives.
Tag: intervention
The Optimal Level of Government Intervention
Neoclassical economists have made many studies of various aspects of what they call “the optimal level of government intervention in the economy.” All of these studies are highly problematic.
Dying for the Empire Is Not Heroic
Predictably, the news media spent most of the week examining words Donald Trump may or may not have spoken to the widow of an American Green Beret killed in Niger, in northwest Africa, in early October. Not only was this coverage tedious, it was largely pointless. We know Trump is a clumsy boor, and we also know that lots of people are ready to pounce on him for any sort of gaffe, real or imagined. Who cares? It’s not news. But it was useful to those who wish to distract Americans from what really needs attention: the U.S. government’s perpetual war.
“Me Too” is a Branch Issue, and a Distraction
My first reaction to this campaign was a bit of umbrage on the part of lumping the many degrees of sexual harassment in with the many degrees of sexual assault. They aren’t the same. I shared that first reaction on Facebook in a couple of places and got some interesting discussion going. But as I thought about it some more, I realized what was going on here.
No Such Thing As Free School
It should come as no surprise that, when the government teaches, it happens to teach that government is a positive good, and that without government, there’d be no roads, and we’d all be at the mercy of war lords and other horrible creatures. So shut up, submit, pay your taxes and follow the rules.
Overcoming Confirmation Bias on Guns
A one-time gun-control advocate came to believe gun violence is not likely to be reduced by “sweeping bans focused on the guns themselves.” If more people would do what Libresco did, we might be able to have an intelligent conversation about guns.
Voluntary Law and Order
People are not all the same, and they make different choices because they have different values, circumstances, and levels of understanding. Sometimes those choices are peaceful and wise; sometimes they are not. So what are the best ways to promote good choices and cooperation while preventing and providing resolution for conflict?
Cooperation vs. Interventionism
Henry J. Gomez of buzzfeed recently wrote an article about libertarianism. To his credit, he mostly describes libertarian foreign politics as non-interventionist – except for one awful passage: “libertarians believe […] less-interventionist, more-isolationist themes.” No, no, a thousand times no.
Anders Chydenius
Years ago, when I first signed up for Facebook, as I recall, there was an opportunity to establish a nom de guerre. So I chose Anders Chydenius. Despite this boost in exposure, he has remained obscure to this day.
Baby Boom Bubble
A friend pointed out that everything the U. S. Government touches turns into a bubble. I was part of one this week when I had cataract surgery on my right eye. I’ll be back for the other in several weeks. I am part of a giant crop.