By Steve Gillman In theory we have a progressive tax system in the United States. In reality, due to many tax loopholes for the rich and poorly-designed legislation, there are millions of poor and middle class individuals who pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes than many wealthy individuals pay. Overall, we are [...]
Yes, cars are almost certainly bad for the environment when looked at from most perspectives. But we should look at these things in context and with meaningful questions that get at the deeper issues. For an example, let’s ask this, “Bad for whose environment?” In other words, are we really entirely sure which environment is [...]
By Steve Gillman The limited thinking in politics is all about the lure of ideology. We like our ideas to be easy and not require constant rethinking, so we have principles that we pretend are inviolable. But this just leads to hypocrisy and the inability to work with others politically. Take, for example, the typical [...]
It is a question that many people probably answer in the affirmative. It is often assumed that because character qualities like self-esteem, confidence and assertiveness are associated with narcissism, and these qualities are necessary to leadership, that leaders must be somewhat narcissistic. Recent research confirms that people do generally rate narcissists as good leaders, but [...]
I once said here that to cut the cost of medical care in half we need only make health and medical insurance illegal. I wasn’t suggesting that we actually do that, but only that the result would be much cheaper medical care, and that this suggests something about the mixed blessings of the whole concept [...]
You may have noticed that the advertising you see online is more and more targeted to your location and your interests. More than that though, even the search results you get from Google and other search engines are tailored to fit what their programs determine is right for you. This filtering of what we see [...]
One March 18, 2011, Bernard von NotHaus, 67, was convicted by a federal jury of making, possessing, and selling his own coins. He had created medallions that he called Liberty Dollars. The specific charges were “making coins resembling and similar to United States coins; of issuing, passing, selling, and possessing Liberty Dollar coins; of issuing [...]
I had to do a page for our real estate site on cheap homes. The result is here: Cheapest Houses for Sale in the U.S. I have to say I was shocked when I came to the Detroit listings. I knew Michigan was struggling economically, but there were more than 100 homes listed for under [...]
We hate to see the pictures of sea otters covered in oil from a spill, or videos of birds flopping around with oil-soaked wings. We are happy to see the work done to save these animals. But is it worth it? Not all scientists, nor even all environmentalists think so. The problem is the cost, [...]
As reported in Reason magazine (July 2010) federal government employees generally make much more than their private-sector counterparts. Broadcast technicians working for the government make an average of $90,310 annually, while those working for private companies make an average of $49,265 per year. Government dry cleaners make $33,100 while those hired by private companies make [...]
