Point Of View

Trade and Domestic Jobs, Sensible Advice

Russ Robert, at Cafe Hayek, consistently posts great insight into the working of our economy.  Today's Gem:

"...if you don't go to college, or worse, if you drop out of high school, it's hard to make a good living. But we don't want to fix that by creating jobs for people (or artificially high salaries) for people who have little education. We want to fix the education system and encourage more people to stay in school so they can have a good living.

That sounds about right!

I Weep For The (Economic) Future

I'm a little late to the game on this but judging by this article we shouldn't expect European attitudes toward free markets and capitalism to change anytime soon.  For example, French students are being taught:

“Economic growth imposes a hectic form of life, producing overwork, stress, nervous depression, cardiovascular disease and, according to some, even the development of cancer,”

High growth here we come!  But wait, there's more:

The past 20 years have “doubled wealth, doubled unemployment, poverty, and exclusion, whose ill effects constitute the background for a profound social malaise,” the text continues. Because the 21st century begins with “an awareness of the limits to growth and the risks posed to humanity [by economic growth],” any future prosperity “depends on the regulation of capitalism on a planetary scale.” Capitalism itself is described at various points in the text as “brutal,” “savage,” “neoliberal,” and “American.” This agitprop was published in 2005, not in 1972.

The Germans don't fair much better, which is no surprise.  The ramifications for the European economy, as well as the world economy, are disturbing.  As they say, read it all here.

Wishing Doesn't Make It So...the Hillary Chronicles

Samuel Clemens once opined that the rumors of his death had been greatly exaggerated.  I'm afraid the same problem may be affecting the media as well as blogosphere regarding the Clinton campaign.

For all her troubles in Iowa and the current impending doom in New Hampshire what has Hillary really lost?  Momentum, for sure, but in the bigger picture Iowa and New Hampshire account for just 11 electoral votes.  The media (mainstream) is likely trying to play up Lord and Saviour Obama with whom they've been in love with since his speech in Boston.  The right, at least the right of the blogosphere, is likely trying to wish an early exit on a long-despised foe.  But wishing doesn't make it so.

I understand why the media-left want to wish Obama into the White House but it is the bleatings of the right that have me perplexed.  Despite what seems like years of campaigning to get to this point it is still much too early to write Hillary Clinton off.  A lesser candidate, sure, but does anyone on the right really believe this is the end of Clinton?  The facts remain that Hillary is far too accomplished a politician and much too tough a competitor to be written off so early for what, when all is said and done, are the decisions of such a small piece of the country.

Discriminatory Hiring at The University of Iowa

As an alumni of the University of Iowa I follow status, triumph and tribulations of the University fairly closely.  Although I was not as politically aware as I am now, it was fairly clear to me that the University as a whole was more liberal than I was during my stay (1991-1995).  I always understood this as part of the University experience, was never bothered by it and never felt as it harmed me.  Since graduating and forming more concrete political positions of my own I've always felt a sense of pride that Iowa has evaded the kind of academic non-sense that has embarrassed (in my opinion) other, loftier, institutions.  Harvard's firing of Larry Summers and Columbia's invitation to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to speak are but two recent examples of liberal ideology trumping academic common sense.

Now it appears that the University of Iowa may have simply been flying under the radar as Mark Moyer at NRO has documented the history department's discriminating hiring practices.  Here's the gist:

It’s not the score of a Hawkeye football game. It’s the number of Democrats versus the number of Republicans in the University of Iowa history department, and it has Iowans in an uproar. So, too, do charges published by Mark Bauerlein that left-wing bias has influenced the department’s hiring process. In response to the revelations, department chair Colin Gordon announced that the department had committed no wrongdoing, and neither he nor the university has expressed any concern about the total absence of intellectual diversity. Rarely have the hypocrisy and mendacity of academia been so thoroughly exposed as in the history department’s damage-control campaign.

Mr. Moyer urges alumni, parents and students to enforce the University's own diversity practices.  I'll be writing a letter in the morning.

Go Cubs?

I've refrained from posting on the Cubs since the playoffs began so as not to curse the already accursed team.  However, the Cubs are playing like you might expect the Cubs to play so certainly one little post can't hurt, can it?

Anyway, this really isn't about the play on the field or the team as much as it is about the fans.  Cubs fans have been called lots of things: the most loyal in sports, fair weather, long suffering, bandwagon or simply drunks.  Much of this is true, but what many fail to realize (especially our "good friends" on the south side) is there really is a massive amount of the fanbase that are die hard true blue fans.  Aside from drinking too much or spending too much rarely do Cub fans cross from fan to something more worrisome: FANATIC.  This morning, someone crossed that boundary by hanging a skinned goat on the Harry Caray statue outside Wrigley.  I'm beginning to worry about our collective mental health in the (99 year) absence of a World Series Championship.  Something has to give.  For someone it has:

 

Bad Medicine - September 21, 2007 - The New York Sun

John Stossel on healthcare, key graft:

That's how it works in health care. Patients don't ask how much a test or treatment will cost. They ask if their insurance covers it. They don't compare prices from different doctors and hospitals. (Prices do vary.) Why should they? They're not paying. (Although they do in hidden, indirect ways.)

In the end, we all pay more because no one seems to pay anything.

Pretty astute.  Read the rest here: Bad Medicine - September 21, 2007 - The New York Sun.

Chavez: President For Life

Well, if you didn't see this one coming...

President Hugo Chavez was presenting his blueprint Wednesday for sweeping constitutional changes expected to allow him to be re-elected indefinitely, a move his critics call a threat to democracy.

This must be what he and Mr. Penn were discussing this past week.

More: Chavez to propose constitutional reforms - Yahoo! News.

Ride (Your Motorcycle) to Work

Rats, I missed this.

National Ride-to-Work Day was July 18 and if I hadn't been in the midst of a massive flight delay from Atlanta to New Orleans I would not have been able to participate anyway as I work from home.

THIS IS ENTIRELY BESIDE THE POINT

Why?  Because, I've ridden to work for much of the past four years (when I worked downtown) and can attest to the fun and focusing aspects of the morning ride.  As it happens, so can Congressman Tim Walberg from Michigan who had this to say upon stepping off his Road King in front of the Capital:

Today is National Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Day, and just a few minutes I ago, I proudly road a Harley-Davidson Road King to the steps of the Capitol Building.

Motorcycle riding has been a passion of mine since my 20th birthday, and as a proud member of the American Motorcyclist Association and the Harley Owners Group, I can attest that responsible riding has many unique recreational benefits for millions of Americans.

During this session of Congress, we are looking for ways to break our dependence on foreign oil, develop alternative fuels and increase domestic conservation.

Motorcycles are an excellent alternative to current forms of transportation because they offer both fuel efficiency and greater enjoyment for the commuter.

I encourage all Americans to learn more about the recreational and environmental benefits of responsible motorcycle riding by visiting the American Motorcyclist Association's website and availing themselves of the motorcycle rider-safety training program.

I couldn't agree more and in these days of green this and eco that I can't believe that more is not made of the high mileage motorcycles achieve.

A bit more here at the source: AMA (American Motorcycle Association)

Ride (Your Motorcycle) to Work

Rats, I missed this.

National Ride-to-Work Day was July 18 and if I hadn't been in the midst of a massive flight delay from Atlanta to New Orleans I would not have been able to participate anyway as I work from home.

THIS IS ENTIRELY BESIDE THE POINT

Why?  Because, I've ridden to work for much of the past four years (when I worked downtown) and can attest to the fun and focusing aspects of the morning ride.  As it happens, so can Congressman Tim Walberg from Michigan who had this to say upon stepping off his Road King in front of the Capital:

Today is National Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Day, and just a few minutes I ago, I proudly road a Harley-Davidson Road King to the steps of the Capitol Building.

Motorcycle riding has been a passion of mine since my 20th birthday, and as a proud member of the American Motorcyclist Association and the Harley Owners Group, I can attest that responsible riding has many unique recreational benefits for millions of Americans.

During this session of Congress, we are looking for ways to break our dependence on foreign oil, develop alternative fuels and increase domestic conservation.

Motorcycles are an excellent alternative to current forms of transportation because they offer both fuel efficiency and greater enjoyment for the commuter.

I encourage all Americans to learn more about the recreational and environmental benefits of responsible motorcycle riding by visiting the American Motorcyclist Association's website and availing themselves of the motorcycle rider-safety training program.

I couldn't agree more and in these days of green this and eco that I can't believe that more is not made of the high mileage motorcycles achieve.

 

Meet The New Poodle, Same As The Old Poodle

Another disappointing Prime Minister...

Britain's new prime minister, Gordon Brown, has disappointed American and British critics of the war in Iraq by declaring that he believes the West is involved in a "generation-long battle" against radical Islamic terrorism, that he believes the American mission in Iraq is worthwhile, and that he will stand by President Bush in his efforts to promote democracy in Iraq and in the rest of the Middle East.

More lefty disappointment here: Brown Disappoints Critics of Iraq War - July 31, 2007 - The New York Sun.

New airline announcement

Hmmmm....

Sitting on my AirTran flight getting ready to leave Chicago and the Captain's notice requested that passengers not congregate near the front or back of the airplane. I fly all the time, but not Airtran - regardless I hadn't heard this specifically before.

Arctic Monkeys Don't Follow The Crowd

This is refreshing:

PARIS (AFP) - Rock group Arctic Monkeys have become the latest music industry stars to question whether the performers taking part in Live Earth on Saturday are suitable climate change activists.

"It's a bit patronising for us 21 year olds to try to start to change the world," said Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders, explaining why the group is not on the bill at any of Al Gore's charity concerts.

"Especially when we're using enough power for 10 houses just for (stage) lighting. It'd be a bit hypocritical," he told AFP in an interview before a concert in Paris.

Bass player Nick O'Malley chimes in: "And we're always jetting off on aeroplanes!"

Well yes, this seems about right.  More clear thinking here:

Large parts of the band's hometown of Sheffield were flooded at the end of last month after a deluge of mid-summer rain that some blamed on global warming. Two people were killed.

But the band wonder why anyone would be interested in the opinion of rock stars on a complex scientific issue like climate change.

"Someone asked us to give a quote about what was happening in Sheffield and it's like 'who cares what we think about what's happening'?" added Helders.

"There's more important people who can have an opinion. Why does it make us have an opinion because we're in a band?"

Spot on!  I love it when rock stars get all anti-authoritarian.

More here: Arctic Monkeys shiver at Live Earth 'hypocrisy' - Yahoo! News.

On Alan Johnston

From the Beeb, regarding reporter Alan Johnston and his time in captivity:

He said he had few conversations with his captors, but that in one, a leader of the Islamist group "described me as a prisoner in the war between Muslims and non-Muslims, a phrase which saddened me really".

"I guess I'm a non-Muslim but I'm really not at war with anybody."

This is, of course, the problem in a nutshell.  I would bet that the majority of Muslims throughout the world do not feel they are at war with the west - nor do they want to be.  Similarly, the vast majority of the west does not feel as they are at war with Muslims.  However, we are and we don't have a choice about it thanks to Muslim minorities such as those that kidnapped Mr. Johnston.   Someday we'll admit as much.

Link: BBC NEWS | Middle East | BBC's Johnston describes relief.

Good Times in Gaza

How do Gazans welcome their new Hamas Overlords?

Men are growing beards to show devotion to Islam, women are lowering hemlines, coffee shop debates on politics have fallen silent — Gazans are adjusting to Hamas rule.

Get down, get down, get down tonight: More beards, less political talk in Gaza - Yahoo! News.

Chicago Is A Cost of Living Bargain!

The always well-publisized cost and quality of living reports are out and Chicago does pretty well.  We're not in the top 50 most expensive cities but we are in the top 50 quality of living list.  As to the latter, we've dropped 3 spots from last year.  Why?  I don't know but the Cubs seem a sensible scapegoat.

What a bargain.  Don't everybody move all at once.