Blogging economist Arnold Kling has this interesting outlook on the purpose of free elections:
I continue to view elections as an opportunity for voters to provide a check against politicians. Instead, if you view it as an opportunity to elect a great leader, you are falling into the trap of what Daniel Klein calls “the people’s [...]

Exactly a year ago I contributed to a micro-finance loan to Boris Puero Candela, owner of Puero y Asociados in Ecuador to help finance his computer business. The loan was paid back over 18 months, so I selected another business to help finance.

Since you most likely already know what I think about Ethanol, I won’t further belabor the point. You can read the article for yourself.

An Orlop hat tip to Michael Kruse for finding this article. The local hype about the ethanol plants that seem to be rising out of every cornfield proclaims a pot at the end of the rainbow for the local economy. It’s much more likely a momentary pop for our farmer friends (some of them) and the ag industry. Doesn’t anyone understand fundamental economics? I suspect this article pretty much has the right of it.

In 1956 it was the Cold War, and our national priority was defense, as it should be. Fast-forward a half-century or so and my, how our priorities have changed!

This article begs for a Christian outcry. The quote below should prime your pump, but read the entire article. The author, Arnold Kling, is an economist that I appreciate, but he’s missed the mark here.
TCS Daily – Appreciating Our Moral and Mental Development
But perhaps the focus on scientific ideas still misses a key component of [...]

I keep my eye open for unique businesses that thrive when most would say that they can’t. A few years ago, my love of classical music (which balances out my love for Country music) led me to The Classical Station in Wake Forest, NC. The General Manager is Deborah S. Proctor, and she often talks [...]

It’s hard to believe, but our children, the oldest ones at least, are Boomers, and some of their generation are starting to retire. For one viewpoint about what this means, see this article from The Economist.
The World In 2006 | Boomers reach 60
Time for the pushiest of generations to redefine old age, says Paul [...]

Here is one of the best essays I have seen on the economic principles of Christian stewardship. I have never been comfortable with the “simple living” approach often taught in the church.
Kruse Kronicle: Theology and Economics: Personal Stewardship and Spiritual Formation
One of my favorite Proverbs is Proverbs 30:8-9 (NRSV):
Remove far from [...]

I read a lot these days about how we Americans are passing the technological torch to the Chinese and their cohorts who rim the Pacific basin. Here’s at least one economist who thinks otherwise.
Economics focus | Venturesome consumption | Economist.com
In praise of America’s fearless consumers of new ideas and products
DISMAL scientists are finding more reasons [...]