I grew up in Texas. I went to Pine Tree Elementary School, Forney Middle School, and graduated high school in Arlington. I remember being taught we are a nation of minorities in school, but conversations today seem to imply an incredible shift from this idea. I understand why, but I would like to dig into this shift while keeping the question “Are we a nation of minorities?” in mind. Separated by “race”, the census reports the current US demographics as such. ...
Planned Obsolescence
The first time anyone published the phrase ‘planned obsolescence’ was in the context of ending the Great Depression through government-enforced consumerism. In this paper, the author describes a system of legislative policies and law enforcement that would encourage enough spending by the public to get the American economy back on track. https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/72003
Song of the Service
SONG OF THE SERVICE I sing of the Service fast going to pot, And it seems no one cares a tittle or jot, Now, any jackass, when not eating grass, Can bray regulations and have them to pass. It looks much as if we were surely between A reformatory school and a place not so cool; And we look like fat little boys of fifteen ...
Abortion as Self-Defense vs Abortion as Healthcare
Current Texas law forces doctors to choose the rights of an undocumented non-citizen fetus over the right to life and self-defense of citizen mothers. Roe v Wade fell 5 years ago and it’s not coming back. The abortion as healthcare argument has failed and is actively getting women hurt and killed today. Instead, we should look for other rights that abortion falls under that have actual court precedents. The healthcare argument will not gain any traction over the next 4 years. ...
Border Crossing, Illegal Immigration, and Right to Life
In January, Greg Abbott mentioned they would shoot migrants crossing the border but the Biden administration would charge them with murder. https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/11/texas-border-migrants-greg-abbott-interview-shoot/ There is a subtle nuance here that boils down to Abbott not believing the Federal Government has an obligation to protect the right to life of non-US citizens. I believe with Trump in office, Greg Abbott will have no problem or repercussions at all shooting migrants crossing the border, effectively giving the death penalty to illegal immigration. ...
The Democratic Party, Stereotyping, and Identity Politics
Donald Trump won the 2024 election. In fact, he won both the popular and electoral votes. Republicans did well up and down ballot. Democrats have been missing a trick since Donald Trump was elected in 2016. Stereotyping Over the summer, I got to go to a young niece’s birthday party in San Antonio, Texas. I’m a white male, no college education. My wife is Hispanic along with her side of the family, and brother-in-law is several races. My nieces, for instance, are Hawaiian, Hispanic, Chinese if that gives you an idea of their parents. My wife and I were the only Harris voters at the party. I was the only “white non-college educated” person at the party and I (a registered Republican) was voting for Harris along with my wife (registered Dem). Every single person the Democrat party would deem a minority or person of color was voting for Trump. We were outnumbered 4:1 at least. ...
Self: A Poem by Lizzie Magie (1892)
I noticed this poem in a book of poetry by Lizzie Magie, published in 1892. It captures the beauty in selfishness when your happiness is derived from helping others. All, all are selfish. There is not one who does not live himself to please. Life holds for each no other aim or object Than to gratify and satisfy his own ambitions and desires. We call those generous who deny themselves To give to others, But by those same denials They are taking greater pleasures than they give, For no one does or can give to another More happiness than he himself receives. Those are just who claim for others The rights they for themselves exact. Those are generous who would make for others The opportunities they wish themselves. The happiest are those who are to others kindest, And who cause most happiness to all. The great are those who make the world The better by their deeds. ...
A Conversation with F. A. Hayek
In this excellent discussion between Axel Leijonhufvud from UCLA and Friedrich Von Hayek from 1978, we learn about Hayek’s experience at university, moving to America, his social circles, economics and perspectives through his life.
Walter Williams on Donahue
It’s common knowledge that Milton Friedman was able to be interviewed by Phil Donahue, not once, but twice! It’s lesser well-known that Walter Williams was also interviewed by Donahue. Here is the full Donahue episode with Walter Williams from the mid 80s.
Women and Wages - A Brief History
Women’s wages continue to be a hot topic. The other day, I heard Desi Lydic mention the over 30% pay gap between men and women. There is a lot of interesting history behind women’s wages, and not all of it follows the narrative of discrimination and exploitation. Let’s talk about how women achieved equal pay with men in the past. This content will be broken up into two parts; pre- and post-World War 2. ...