Book Review: Business Ethics by Richard M. Ebeling March 1, 2000 Business Ethics by Norman Barry (West Lafayette, Ind.: Purdue University Press, 2000); 191 pages; $14.95. It is rarely appreciated how much the market economy has contributed to the growth of civilization and rules of good behavior among the members of society. For example, Adam Smith pointed out more than 200 hundred years ago: "When commerce is introduced into any country, probity and ...
Ask Not by Sheldon Richman February 2, 2000 John McCain tells people he is the one presidential hopeful "who can inspire young people to commit themselves to causes greater than their own self-interest." I will resist wondering whether the cause McCain has in mind is, well, McCain. No doubt this standard line of McCain's is regarded as mere boilerplate, a trademark slogan no ...
Lessons from Austria … and Germany by Jacob G. Hornberger February 2, 2000 Austrian Joerg Haider and his Freedom Party are causing waves of anxiety throughout the European Union as well as the U.S. State Department. Government officials on both sides of the Atlantic are expressing dismay at Haider's political and economic views. The controversy provides valuable lessons for the American people. Officials are upset over Haider's position on ...
Terrorism, War, and Crises by Jacob G. Hornberger February 1, 2000 The American people survived the threat of terrorist attacks during the millennial celebrations. But fear was definitely in the air. Seattle canceled its celebration after a man was arrested at the Canadian border with bomb-making materials. New York City sealed its manhole covers in Times Square and flooded the streets with cops. Throughout December, the television talk shows featured ...
Monetary Central Planning and the State, Part 38: Free Banking and the Coordination of Savings and Investment by Richard M. Ebeling February 1, 2000 Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 ...
ATM Tyranny by Sheldon Richman February 1, 2000 Some years ago, when gas stations began replacing free air pumps with coin operated models, some motorists objected. "But air is free," one protested. To which a gas station owner replied, "Fine; blow the tire up yourself." I'm reminded of that story by the current flap over fees for ATMs. Here's a controversy tailored-made for demagogic political leaders looking for ...
Crack Down in the War on Drugs … or End It? by Jacob G. Hornberger February 1, 2000 In a proposal termed SABRE (Substance Abuse Resistance Effort), Virginia Republican governor James Gilmore III is asking the Virginia legislature to get tough in the state's war on drugs. The governor's proposals include harsher penalties for drug users and drug sellers. No one, including Governor Gilmore, would argue that the decades-long ...
CAPSULE COMMENTARY: “Voluntary Taxes?” by Jacob G. Hornberger February 1, 2000 "Wanting to crack down even more on American taxpayers, the IRS is asking for a budget increase. Last Sunday's New York Times reported that President Clinton is proposing a 9% increase (which would be the agency's largest budget increase in 13 years) and that Congressional Republicans like the idea. After all, ...
CAPSULE COMMENTARY: “Political Bribery” by Jacob G. Hornberger February 1, 2000 "Bribery is considered a crime, but not during presidential elections. Every four years, we are treated to the spectacle of political bribery by Republican and Democratic presidential candidates. The Republican candidates always offer people income-tax reductions in return for their votes. Yet, everyone knows it'll never happen; after all, ...
CAPSULE COMMENTARY: “Pitfalls of Public Education” by Andy Falkof February 1, 2000 "Every year, new studies depict the latest problems and victims in public schooling. 'Boys shout out the answers and misbehave, requiring most of the teacher's attention! Therefore, girls needs are shortchanged in a school setting.' 'Ninety percent of elementary school teachers are women. Moreover, learning by doing is often ...
CAPSULE COMMENTARY: “Internet Autonomy” by Andy Falkof February 1, 2000 "As part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission has launched a campaign to protect bidders in online auctions. The FTC issued a report highlighting 35 instances of fraud and has arranged a program in which customers on eBay, the largest Internet auction site, may report fraud ...
CAPSULE COMMENTARY: “Federally Mandated Religion” by Jacob G. Hornberger February 1, 2000 "Colorado state senator John Andrews is proposing a law requiring public schools to have a moment of silence and to post the Ten Commandments. As the very model of a governmental, socialistic program, public schooling, with its compulsory-attendance laws and school taxes, is contrary to our heritage of liberty. It's ...