The New Ideas Blog

Many years ago when I lived in Michigan, the state started a campaign to convince residents to “Buy Michigan,” meaning, of course, to buy products made in the state. Of course, if we residents were to take this to its extreme, we would have had a pretty limited diet, since most foods are grown in other states (Michigan is the second largest producer of cherries, so we could have eaten a lot of those). We also would have had to give up television and the many other products that are not made in the state.

Of course, nobody takes it to this extreme, but doing so mentally is a useful way to show the flaw in the reasoning which claims we are better off when we buy only local products or when we (more…)

I don’t even want to vote. I get a choice between the most socialist president we will have ever had, and an erratic warrior who likes to gamble and fight. You can figure out which is which.

But I do have to say this about the idea of “big spending” liberals: It isn’t as bad as it sounds. First of all, it is not really that clear that Obama can get half of what he wants, so he may not be the big government candidate McCain makes him out to be. Secondly, McCain has spending plans of his own. (more…)