David Gratzer on Healthcare on National Review Online

David Gratzer on Healthcare on National Review OnlineImproving healthcare. Are we getting closer to an answer?

Charles Krauthammer: Goodbye Christmas?

Charles Krauthammer: Goodbye Christmas?God bless Charles' insight once again.

Power Line: Iraqis Eagerly Await Election

Power Line: Iraqis Eagerly Await ElectionWhat do the Iraqis think about upcoming elections. Here is a clue: bring it on!

Natan Sharanky?s The Case for Democracy on National Review Online

Natan Sharanky?s The Case for Democracy on National Review OnlineReading Shransky in English is a far more pleasant experience than reading a wooden translation of Machiavelli's Discourses on Livy. Yet Machiavelli said many similar things centuries ago. Today we only remember Machiavelli for describing despotism in the Prince. Machiavelli's point in the Prince was how fragile despotism was because it required absolute control and fear. If that control and fear failed one iota, the system would collapse. This is much the theme of the armed guard dropping his gun because his arms were too tired.

The Becker-Posner Blog: Introduction to the Becker-Posner Blog

The Becker-Posner Blog: Introduction to the Becker-Posner BlogOne of my favorite judicial and professorial authors is Richard Posner. He has joined up with a Nobel Laureate, with whom I am not familiar, to write a blog. This is worth reading every Monday. I know I will.

Luck proves no lady after Powerball win - The Washington Times: Metropolitan - December 04, 2004

Luck proves no lady after Powerball win - The Washington Times: Metropolitan - December 04, 2004Lotteries and lucky lives. Not always as simple as it seems at first blush.

Tenderizing highway pork - The Washington Times: Commentary - December 01, 2004

Tenderizing highway pork - The Washington Times: Commentary - December 01, 2004Reforming the highway system would be wonderful -- especially in Indianapolis for all those parked on I-69 every morning and afternoon.

I would like to propose one change being in long-term highway maintenance. Quit using cheap asphalt products. Quit using cheap highway beds designed to last 20 years. Move to more expensive designs like those in Europe designed to last 40 years. The cost savings over time will allow greater expansion of the system and less maintenance.

I would like to also put some limits on weight per axle. My limited understanding of the subject suggests that the biggest wear and tear on roads is heavy trucks. The problem is that the number of axles on a truck greatly influences fuel costs. Each axle supposedly doubles fuel costs (a geometric progression). The problem is that every axle exponentially reduces damage to the roads to the tune of 8 times reduction in damage.

The trucking industry does not want to pay higher fuel costs because its customers -- who already screaming about the rising costs of transportation due to fuel costs -- would scream more. Ironically, current trends may suggest that this is an ideal time to put this type of change in place. The fuel costs already very high. Some see the trend as going cheaper quickly. If this is true, all consumers have already adapted to the extent they can to higher fuel costs of transportation. As the real costs of fuel per gallon fall, we are better able to absorb a structural change in fuel costs of transportation.

The consumer would bear no increase in his budget but would actually have more disposable income as prices fall. Producers and retailers would not be able to increase their profits on such a price fall from fuel costs, but with greater consumer disposable income, they would have a chance at greater profits.

This is a unique window to restructure our system of highway management and maintenance for greater success in the future.

Unlaureled Arab universities - The Washington Times: Commentary - December 01, 2004

Unlaureled Arab universities - The Washington Times: Commentary - December 01, 2004This type of self-critique from Arabs on their lack of quality universities would be a Godsend if it held true over time and caused systemic changes in the Arab world.

End corporate income tax - The Washington Times: Commentary - December 01, 2004

End corporate income tax - The Washington Times: Commentary - December 01, 2004Income tax changes are starting to draw press attention. Hold on for an interesting debate on such tried and true taxes such as the corporate income tax, the individual income tax, and the payroll tax (i.e., FICA tax).

TCS: Tech Central Station - Economics in One ($90 Million) Lesson

TCS: Tech Central Station - Economics in One ($90 Million) LessonGreat expose of government waste and inefficiency -- from the UK.