Politics

If Liberty Mattered — Once More, a Presidential Candidate’s Press Conference, Part 7

by Richard M. Ebeling September 1, 1996

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 The Wall Street Journal: Mr. Candidate, in your last answer, you said that you opposed Robert Dole's proposal for housing vouchers as a substitute for government-provided public housing. Yet, isn't ...

If Liberty Mattered — Once More, a Presidential Candidate’s Press Conference, Part 6

by Richard M. Ebeling August 1, 1996

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 Fortune: Mr. Candidate, your call for the repeal and abolition of all of the core programs of the welfare state is not one shared by a majority in either major ...

For Starters, What Is Government?

by Stu Pritchard August 1, 1996

Soon! Soon! Welcome contemplation of the voting booth will silence political shouting. Most of us will have had a bellyful of charge and countercharge, of shrill bombast, of candidates almost questioning each other's parentage. How refreshing it would be to hear one reply as did the Virginian in the novel of that name: "When ...

If Liberty Mattered — Once More, a Presidential Candidate’s Press Conference, Part 5

by Richard M. Ebeling July 1, 1996

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 The Candidate: Ladies and gentlemen of the press, now that it has become clear who my two leading opponents will be in this presidential race, I feel that my decision ...

Minimum-Wage Law as Political Racketeering

by James Bovard July 1, 1996

President Clinton and many congressmen are hankering to raise the federal minimum wage from $4.25 to $5.15 an hour. The minimum wage epitomizes government pseudo-paternalism, and Clinton's proposal should receive harsh condemnations from anyone who has looked at the history of minimum-wage policies. Early in the century, after a ...

What’s So Great about Democracy?

by Sheldon Richman July 1, 1996

In this election season, it might be good to ask, What's so great about democracy? There is almost a religious fervor in some people when they talk about the democratic process. I don't get it. I do see an advantage in voting over violence in the selection of officeholders. When succession is determined violently, innocent people get caught in the crossfire. ...

Good Intentions are Not Enough

by Sheldon Richman June 1, 1996

In his new book The Choice , Bob Woodward reports on a meeting among President Clinton, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, and several self-help gurus. During the meeting, Clinton was asked to list his best qualities. "I have a good heart," replied the president. "I really do." We don't know whether Hillary Rodham ...

Fending Off Government

by Sheldon Richman June 1, 1996

President Clinton's State of the Union address had two basic messages: 1) the era of big government is over, and 2) we can't go back to the time when "people fended for themselves." He doesn't really mean the era of big government is over. He's up for reelection. His wife (I assume this is not merely guilt by conjugal association) ...

If Liberty Mattered — Once More, a Presidential Candidate’s Press Conference, Part 4

by Richard M. Ebeling May 1, 1996

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 Mother Jones: Mr. Candidate, in your opening statement, you made what surely must be one of the most irresponsible proposals ever heard from a candidate in this or any other ...

If Liberty Mattered — Once More, a Presidential Candidate’s Press Conference, Part 3

by Richard M. Ebeling April 1, 1996

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 Business Week: Mr. Candidate, with such outlandish ideas as abolishing the Federal Reserve System, can you really expect any support from members of the business community? Every country in the ...

If Liberty Mattered — Once More, a Presidential Candidate’s Press Conference, Part 2

by Richard M. Ebeling March 1, 1996

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 The Nation: Mr. Candidate, if you intend, if elected, to abolish all of the progressive social legislation of the last seven decades, surely you are condemning millions of Americans to ...

If Liberty Mattered — Once More, a Presidential Candidate’s Press Conference, Part 1

by Richard M. Ebeling February 1, 1996

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 Once again, the race for the White House has begun, and once more, the candidates are offering themselves to the American public. Once again, the public and the press are ...