It’s natural to assume that life needs to be planned – that without planning, we would have chaos. But there’s a difference between the plans individuals make for our own lives and central planning by government.  In my column this week, I steal an idea from economist Dan Klein, and use the example of a skating rink:

You are our Ruler... continue reading »

It’s a relief President Obama, in an Op-Ed in today's Wall Street Journal, acknowledges that the free market is “the greatest force for prosperity the world has ever known.” It certainly is. The President now says there are some rules “that are just plain dumb” and he’s... continue reading »

For my next FBN show, Thursday, we’ll debate whether the new Republican congress critters will really cut the size of government.  The “old” Republicans clearly don’t have a good track record when it comes to spending. Holman Jenkin’s recent column reminds me that establishment Republicans are dangerous on many fronts... continue reading »

Next time your credit card company raises interest rates, or imposes an annual fee, or cuts back on your rewards program, or suddenly charges you for your “free” debit card and checking account ... blame Rep. Barney Frank and Sen. Chris Dodd. They were the key sponsors of laws passed this year that promised to “protect” you from unfair penalties, fees and interest rate hikes. That's Promise #5 in my new special “Politicians’ Top 10 Promises Gone Wrong”... continue reading »

The Internet: one of the few unregulated industries left. Well, probably not for long. The FCC may pass a net neutrality law as soon as this Christmas.  Why would the government want to regulate the internet?... continue reading »

Last week I complained that Connecticut Republican Linda McMahon backed off from taking a stand against the minimum wage. Readers criticized me for being impractical, for wanting a “perfect” candidate who would defend good economics. Peter Schiff had left the race, and to was too much to ask a Republican to repudiate the minimum wage.  Such a stance would kill them in November, readers wrote. But wait!... continue reading »

This week my show picks up on FBN’s new slogan, “The Power to Prosper."  In the past, America has prospered even when most of the world didn’t. We’ll explore why. The bad news is that today our prosperity is threatened by well-intended regulation... continue reading »

I really wanted to like Linda McMahon. I wanted to like the Connecticut Senate Candidate even though I once sued her (I guess I actually sued the sleazy business she and her husband run)  because one of her wrestlers beat me up... continue reading »

That’s my topic for this week’s FBN show. I'll give the politicians the benefit of the doubt.  Most don't intend to attack entrepreneurs.  They just want to make sure businesses obey a few rules.   But those rules kill opportunity. I’ll talk to customers of “Dollar Van” drivers in Queens who are happy to commute by van rather than bus.  Most don’t know that the Dollar Vans may soon be strangled by regulations.    The vans are resented by transit unions that claim the vans steal “their” customers.  I’ll confront the head of the union. Also: In Washington State, a bagel store owner w... continue reading »

Back from vacation, catching up on reading, I’m struck by a few odd things: Monday’s NY Times actually got some things right. First, the front page carried A STORY that said it might be good to let the free market prevail in housing!

There is a growing sense of exhaustion with government intervention... continue reading »