Daily Articles

It Didn’t Start with Elián

by Michael A. Ledeen June 1, 2000

MOST AMERICANS probably believe that it is wrong for the U.S. to return a refugee to an evil tyranny from which he has escaped even if they question whether this principle applies to a small child like Elián Gonzalez. Most Americans probably also believe that our government has generally acted in accordance with this principle. Not so. Our history of ...

God and the Economy: Is Capitalism Moral? Part 2

by Doug Bandow June 1, 2000

Part 1 | Part 2 Economic Freedom is important because it helps disperse power, allowing the development of private institutions — for instance, associations, corporations, think tanks, labor unions, and universities — that can counterbalance state power. Moreover, private property is necessary for the exercise of many political rights. If you can’t buy a printing ...

Book Review: 15 Great Austrian Economists

by Richard M. Ebeling June 1, 2000

15 Great Austrian Economists edited by Randall G. Holcombe (Auburn, Ala.: Ludwig von Mises Institute, 1999); 258 pages; $15.95. TWENTY-SIX YEARS AGO, in June 1974, I was fortunate enough to be invited by the Institute for Humane Studies to be one of 40 people who attended a week-long conference on Austrian economics in South Royalton, Vermont. After a decades long hiatus, ...

The Vietnam War Was Immoral

by Sheldon Richman May 2, 2000

The 25th anniversary of the end of the war in Vietnam has evoked some curious responses. Two in particular are worth noting. Some aging baby-boomers are writhing in guilt because they managed to avoid military duty during the war. Chris Matthews, host of Hardball, is one who has emoted to that effect more than once. Why should anyone ...

The “Voluntary” Nature of the Income Tax

by Jacob G. Hornberger May 1, 2000

To the Op-Ed Editor 728 words Contact: Andy Falkof Please send tear sheet. The "Voluntary" Nature of the Income Tax by Jacob G. Hornberger April, of course, is income-tax month, the month in which millions of Americans file their income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service and pay whatever income taxes they still owe the U.S. government for last ...

CAPSULE COMMENTARY: “100 Years of Government Expansion”

by Richard M. Ebeling May 1, 2000

"How different life was for the average American 100 years ago! When the 20th century began, there was no federal income tax, and all levels of government took in taxes equivalent to about 6.5 percent of GDP, with more than 60 percent of those taxes collected by state and local governments. ...

CAPSULE COMMENTARY: “Bush Subsidizes Gun Owners”

by Jacob G. Hornberger May 1, 2000

"Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush has provided us a hint as to what he means by "compassionate conservatism." A few days before the Million Mom March for gun control, Bush announced a brand new welfare program he would institute if he's elected president. Bush promises to spend $65 million in ...

CAPSULE COMMENTARY: “Census 2000 Propoganda”

by Jacob G. Hornberger May 1, 2000

"Last weekend, I rode in a organized bicycle ride on Virginia's Eastern Shore in which more than 1,000 cyclists participated. Guess which government agency provided free promotional gifts to all the cyclists at the end of the ride. If you guessed "The U.S. Postal Service" because it sponsors the American Tour de ...

CAPSULE COMMENTARY: “Drug War Costs Lives”

by Jacob G. Hornberger May 1, 2000

"Before year's end, Congress will likely provide more than $1 billion dollars to Colombia to ensure the continuation of the U.S. drug war in the Latin American theatre. One Republican aide states, "Colombia is in crisis, and every day that aid is delayed costs lives down there and up here." Certainly a ...

CAPSULE COMMENTARY: “Gun Control Exposes Citizenry to the State”

by Jacob G. Hornberger May 1, 2000

"After the Clinton-Reno-INS raid on the home of the Miami relatives of Elian Gonzalez, Fidel Castro proudly boasted that his agents would not have been armed under similar circumstances. The reason? Since no one is permitted to own guns in Cuba, police forces need not fear violent resistance to their orders ...

CAPSULE COMMENTARY: “HUD Hurts the Poor”

by Jacob G. Hornberger May 1, 2000

"The Washington Post reports that $2.8 million that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) spent to help D.C. public-housing residents start new businesses has resulted in only 'marginal evidence of benefits for the poor.' Most of the money ended up in the pockets of 'consultants,' many of whom didn't perform ...

CAPSULE COMMENTARY: “Million Mom Marchers Hurt Themselves”

by Andy Falkof May 1, 2000

"Washington, D.C., is a magnet for protesters and demonstrators of all political stripes and ideologies, and this weekend is no exception. The Million Mom March expects to attract 150,000 gun-control advocates in the name of protecting families from gun-related violence. Participants can expect the usual array of statistics, personal testimonials, and ...