2015 has been a banner year for The Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College. We celebrated an all-time high in website traffic, an exponential growth in social media (approaching 25,000 Facebook fans), and a record number of … Continue reading
Economics & Political Systems
Congress Uses “Sleight of Hand” to Pay for Highway Bill
After much debate and considerable delay, the House of Representatives has finally passed a highway funding bill. A big question that delayed the bill’s passage was whether the federal fuel tax would be increased to fully cover planned spending from … Continue reading
Bernie Sanders’ America
The raucous welcomes and thundering applause that have greeted America’s newest (and oldest) political rock star, the septuagenarian Bernie Sanders, have launched a cottage industry of puzzled pundits trying to figure out the source of his appeal. Of course it’s … Continue reading
Remembering Yogi Berra, Baseball Player Extraordinaire … and Economic Philosopher
Major League Baseball in the 1950s and early 1960s. On a personality-rich team that included fellow Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford, Berra was the most colorful and arguably the most accomplished, having won three American League Most … Continue reading Continue reading
Your Life Expectancy and Your Social Security
According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, life expectancy in the United States is the longest ever, approaching 79 years. This was highlighted in the recent Time cover story, “This Baby Could Live to … Continue reading
The Federal Reserve Parking Lot
Recent commentary by David Stockman, former Reagan Administration budget chief, is timely for investors because it focuses on the Federal Reserve’s internal debate about “policy normalization” in advance of Wednesday’s important Federal Open Market Committee meeting. Stockman argues that the … Continue reading
Hillary Clinton’s “New College Compact” Raises An Important Question: Did She Ever Take Econ 101?
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at Forbes.com. Today’s version of “a chicken in every pot” is Hillary Clinton’s proposed plan to “make college affordable and available to every American.” This is political catnip, pure and simple. And it is … Continue reading
The “Not Enough Jobs” Scenario: An Economic Fallacy (But Possibly an Accurate Forecast)
Gallery
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at Forbes.com. Once again, a scholar with impressive credentials is broadcasting the gloomy notion that Americans face a job-poor future. The insufficient-jobs scenario appeared in George Mason University economist Tyler Cowen’s book “Average Is Over” a … Continue reading
Is Obama to Blame for Weak Economic Growth?
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at Forbes.com. A political science colleague sent me an article documenting President Obama’s dismal economic record, and he asked me for added details and perspective. Here goes: True, economic growth under Obama has been … Continue reading
“The Righteous Mind” – Understanding Conservatives and Liberals
Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt has cracked the code on why it’s so hard for liberals and conservatives to find common ground. That’s a big deal. But an even more important benefit of his book, “The Righteous Mind: Why Good People … Continue reading
Our Dismal Economic Stagnation … Diagnosing the Slowest Recovery Since the Great Depression
The Bureau of Economic Analysis has reported that in the first quarter of this year the U.S. economy declined at a 0.7 percent annual rate. Although growth may be higher for the rest of the year, this is another reminder … Continue reading
Cheers to the Magna Carta
It’s the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, causing thoughtful Americans who care deeply about scutage, darrein presentment, or the standard width of haberject, to raise their voices in loud acclamation. The rest of us, however, are left wondering: What … Continue reading
The “Takedown” of Family and Marriage Part Two: V&V Q&A with Dr. Paul Kengor
V&V: Dr. Kengor, picking up from our previous interview on your new book, Takedown: From Communists to Progressives, How the Left Has Sabotaged Family and Marriage,” briefly recap your thesis for us. In case you missed it … Part One of the Q&A Kengor: Sure. Takedown details … Continue reading
The “Takedown” of Family and Marriage: V&V Q&A with Dr. Paul Kengor on his latest book
Editor’s note: The following is part one of a series of Q&As with Professor Paul Kengor about his new book, Takedown: From Communists to Progressives, How the Left Has Sabotaged Family and Marriage. If you would like to interview Dr. Kengor … Continue reading
STREAMING VIDEO – Charlie Hebdo: Lessons From France
On February 10, 2015, The Center for Vision & Values was pleased to welcome Dr. Guido Hulsmann to speak before more than 100 students and guests during the Freedom Readers Economic Dessert Series. Hulsmann, a professor of law, economics, and … Continue reading
Joe McCarthy: Despicable or Prophetic?
A recent column I wrote on communism in Hollywood in the 1940s elicited strong reaction toward the person of Joe McCarthy. This was somewhat perplexing, given that McCarthy was not the front-and-center figure investigating Hollywood communism. Yet, it wasn’t surprising, … Continue reading
The Triumph of Supply-Side Politics: Where the Supply-Siders Totally Blew It
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at RealClearMarkets.com. If you’re hoping for an unremitting anti-supply-side diatribe, you will be disappointed. There is, indeed, a major flaw in the supply-side approach and I’ll get to that presently, but first, let’s give … Continue reading
Overcoming Stagnant Wages: Stronger Unions and Higher Minimum Wages are Not the Answer
Recently, many economists and politicians have expressed concern about stagnant wages and rising income and wealth inequality. Such concerns prompted 20 states and the District of Columbia to raise the minimum wage this year. Some economists, such as former treasury … Continue reading
Negative Interest Rates: A Brilliant Concept!
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at Forbes.com. I have to admit that initially I was uninterested, even close-minded, about the negative yield being offered on a growing share of European sovereign debt. “It must be a short-term aberration,” I … Continue reading
What Did My Parents Ever Do to the Federal Reserve?
In September 1993, President Bill Clinton reassured his radio audience that “if you work hard and play by the rules, you’ll be rewarded with a good life for yourself and a better chance for your children.” Picking up that theme over 18 … Continue reading