Crony Capitalism

Crony Capitalism

While I often disagree to one degree or another with various articles over at Slate Star Codex, they at least are in search of the truth, and the latest, in a response to an article over at vox.com, is a very good explanation [http://slatestarcodex.com/2016/08/29/reverse-voxsplaining-drugs-vs-chairs/] of both why “crony” capitalism is bad, and why calls to further regulate, say, pharmaceuticals, are disingenuous. > Let me ask Vox a question: when was the last time that America’s chair industry…

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An Aside on Failure Scopes...

An Aside on Failure Scopes...

In my post on failure scopes [https://thelastredoubt.com/2016/09/failure-scopes-continuation.html] I said the following: > Yes, there’s some handwaving about private entities – which in practice become de-facto small – scale governments of limited power and scope.  But if the US suddenly became a libertarian paradise, something would still have to act as a de-facto state to deal with the threat of invasion from places that were not. And immigration on a large scale, by people who are not willin…

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Subverting the Constitution

Subverting the Constitution

Yup, it’s Labor Day, and aside from taking the day off from office time – something I rarely got to do in the Military – it’s a holiday I’m truly ambivalent about (at least it’s not on May 1). So I’m posting. Not a lot (see enjoying the day off), but posting. Of note today is Tom Kratman’s latest [http://www.everyjoe.com/2016/09/05/politics/on-hillary-clinton-treaty-power-citizens-united/#1] . Tom Kratman is the author of the highly recommended “State of Disobedience,” available for free, and…

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A Parable for the Dragon Awards (and Congratulations)

A Parable for the Dragon Awards (and Congratulations)

In his inimitable style, Dave Freer gives us a parable for the inaugural Dragon awards [https://madgeniusclub.com/2016/09/05/dragon-on-the-carpet/]. > A little parable for you: Once upon a time, some Bavarian beer fanciers set up a beer-fest in field outside their small town. Now, because nothing goes quite so well with good beer as good smoked and cured pork, soon there were people providing the same, and happy buxom lasses serving beer, eisbein, various pork sausages and ham. Then there was a…

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