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It strikes me that a free society is a necessary yet not sufficient condition for a just and humane society. Yet, there are things that are antecedent to a free society. There are certain core, foundational values that are needed before one can erect a free polity. Chief among these core foundational values are tolerance …
As there are signs that some of the most severe reactions to the Covid-19 pandemic are beginning to be lightened, it is necessary to begin to contemplate the costs of the authoritarian government response. Unlike those I have criticized for claiming certainty where there is none, I will start out by stating plainly that I …
Yes, the pandemic could have been very different, and it should have been very different. I don’t mean what could have happened if we had not allowed our healthcare market to become completely distorted over the last 75-100 years. So many problems would have been avoided if we had never subsidized demand via government programs …
I hope that it is becoming apparent to those who remain rational that the main problem in our current panic state is the government. “Panic” buying of toilet paper and other shelf stable products to stock up the pantries of America is actually a rational response to a government that threatens and, in some cases, …
A greater contagion than Covid-19 is fear. I dearly detest quoting FDR, but he was correct in stating that the only thing to fear is fear itself. If it’s one thing that Jesus consistently said was, not to be afraid. God is in control of all of His creation and He will consummate it in …
This week’s Scripture readings are some of what I would call classics of “political texts”. They all deal with power and humanity’s relationship to God via our use of power. The Old Testament reading is from Genesis and is the story of Original Sin. It is notable that Original Sin is not simply disobedience. In …
This week’s Gospel lesson is Matt 17:1-9, which is the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountaintop. There are many lessons to be gleaned from this passage but what has always struck me was Peter’s response. In verse 4 Peter says “‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three …
A Brief History of the Vast Majority of Humanity Read More »
Time preference is a wonkish yet critical concept in economics. In short, it is the innate desire of humans to consume sooner, rather than later. Other things being equal, everyone on the planet would rather consume sooner rather than later. Obviously, things are not always equal. If given enough of a reason, people will defer consumption until later. What would …
No God didn’t create trade on the eight day but it is something He gave us after He rightly kicked our ass out of Eden. We lost Paradise but God in His mercy allowed us to build a world of unimaginable beauty and comfort for an unimaginably wide number of people by providing in and …
Original sin is not much talked about anymore but we have institutionalized it in the form of government. Let me explain. If we look at the story of the Fall it is not about simple disobedience. Genesis 3:5 has the serpent stating about the forbidden fruit “for God knows that when you eat of it …