The recent financial crisis has spurred a multitude of reactionary editorials in the press, mostly calling for increased regulation of the financial sector and a bailout for the auto industry. This reflects economic illiteracy and a misunderstanding of the root causes of our current financial crisis. I think this ignorance is due partly to a reliance on our political leaders as ‘experts,’ when in fact most know little more than the basics when it comes to securities markets, the effects of deflation, or how fractional reserve banking impacts the economy.

Here are some censored Ron Paul moments from the primaries.

If there is anything I am a sucker for, it is lists of “suggested reading”, “required reading”, etc. A frequently reader of this site or similar sites will most likely see the same recommendations for books to read - “Human Action” by Mises, “Man, Economy, and State” by Rothbard, “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand, etc. While these are stupendous and highly recommended books, I feel there are various books (and other things) that I feel are underrated and recommended reading by me. I am not going to limit myself to books but also include other media I recommend.

Dan Mitchell of the Cato Institute discusses Keynesian economics in this short video.

For those who may not be aware, America has had an embargo policy against Cuba since 1963. The idea is that we need to “starve out” the Cubans so they’re forced to accept democratic principles and the free market.

The EPA is proposing an annual $175 tax on every cow to curb greenhouse gas. This is utterly ridiculous and the government needs to stop inventing environmental hazards in order to raise capital.

Here’s a great article from mises.org that injects some reality into the whole discussion about the exploitation of the third-world. While I’m the first to point out a lot of the ugliness that the US and other developed nations are responsible for, this article highlights an important piece that’s being left out of the debate: low productivity.

With Clinton nominated to be Secretary of State it will be up to Governor Paterson to fill her Senate seat, but who should replace her?

What has happened to my country?

When jobs are relocated over seas because not enough talent is here…

What has happened to my country?

When bureaucrats can write laws and dictate security measures…

It is bad enough that the federal government is nationalizing the entire financial industry, banking industry, and auto industry. Now they are nationalizing the civilian patrol industry.