It's a Start

Reason.tv explores outsourcing local services. But, while Sandy Springs, GA has an improved model, it doesn't quite get to my property tax-free model (stay tuned for details).

Moorhead Monday: City Council Loves Liberty!

Well, maybe not quite yet. Here's my statement regarding an ordinance to repeal a part of the city code relating to tattoos, body art and body piercing.

I have to admit I got really excited when I saw this item on the agenda. Of course, I was quickly disappointed once I realized that even in repealing this ordinance, freedom was not advanced. We were simply relinquishing control to the State of Minnesota. Unfortunately, since we don't have the qualified staff to administer an amended ordinance that meets the state standard, I will grudgingly support this. My hope is that in repealing our ordinance, the state will do the same one day soon allowing these customers and merchants to freely conduct transactions without government interference.

Trade Deficit = Bad, I Thought

I have always been lead to believe that a US trade deficit is bad. Economist Don Boudreaux says, "No way!". While I'm not yet convinced, he makes a compelling case.

Job Beats Jobs

Economist Don Boudreaux poses a fascinating question... all else being equal, is it better to produce a higher standard of living with little human effort? Or with much human effort?

Salvation is a non-scarce good

Jeffrey Tucker at the Mises Institute is becoming one of my favorite writers. Although I would have picked a different title for his latest book, "Bourbon For Breakfast", this is an interesting article that touches on the intersection of faith and economics. And since salvation is a non-scarce good, there is no need to economize - it is an eternal wealth that you can spread around without taking it from another.

Moorhead Monday: Coercion or Charity

My statement at tonight's Moorhead City Council meeting regarding the contract with the Fargo Park District for Metro Senior Ride.

While the increase in the contracted cost from $6/ride in early 2010 to $9/ride as proposed tonight is enough to oppose this action, my objection has more to do with a matter of principles. First, by subsidizing 70% of the cost of this service, a virtual government forced monopoly is supported. Second, as only a portion of our citizens can use this service, I find it troubling that the majority of the cost is paid by those prohibited from using it. Knowing many seniors, I can't imagine that they are the kind of people that would insist that someone else pay for their transportation - I think our seniors are self-reliant and reject entitlement mentality. Third, many of the people that are forced to subsidize this service are living on fixed incomes, unemployed or teetering on foreclosure.

I do not doubt the benefit of this service to some, and I agree with the goal of this program. But I subscribe to a belief in voluntary charity. Government programs are delivered through funds appropriated via coercion and force and in this case from many who are less able to absorb those costs. On one hand we claim to care about people facing homelessness and on the other hand we implement policies such as this which directly oppose that claim. Additionally, when government uses force to enact charitable programs, it pushes out voluntarily funded religious and fraternal organizations. I reject this method of coercive "charity", regardless of the stated goals.

Finally, if I am aware of true need, have the means to help, and fail to do so; that is MY sin. But when elected bodies support government forcing people further into need, that is THEIR sin.

Can I Get a Refund?

Economics professor Art Carden provides this provocative property tax refund request in his Forbes column.