Category: Economics | Page 10

546 – At war with trade / The bad Samaritan

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Mar 082018

No good deed goes unpunished, especially if that good deed results in a win-win situation. That’s the lesson being enforced by the City of London’s crackdown on one driver who offered inexpensive rides to cancer patients.

It all began when a story broke that the city had carried out a ‘sting’ operation and fined a volunteer driver for offering a personalized two-way transportation service to these patients – because she charged a nominal fee ($12) to cover her own expenses.

Though strongly supportive of the driver, the community’s collective outrage unfortunately became misdirected against bylaw enforcement officers who were merely acting in accordance with bylaws established by an elected municipal council. That rage should have been directed at the city’s controlled and regulated taxi industry, which is the source of the trade prohibition being forced upon each side – both the driver and the driver’s passengers.

Called a ‘good Samaritan’ by many, the anonymous driver (referred to as ‘Nancy’ in some media coverage) was praised for her selfless service to others. It was widely expressed that without people like ‘Nancy’ available for those in need, the needy would have no other affordable transportation options. The outpouring of support from Londoners was expressed through open-line calls, letters to the editor, complaints to city hall, and thousands of dollars raised through public funding drives. Continue reading »

535 – Left right out—A valid “political spectrum” analysis

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Dec 142017

Not all who see themselves on the Left side of the “political spectrum” actually are. Nor are many who see themselves on the Right side of that “spectrum” actually on the Right.

The true nature of the fundamental forces and ideas represented by Left and Right have been long misunderstood – both by those on the Left and Right – and this has caused a host of political misalignments that today are becoming harder and harder to ignore.

Just listen to Lindsay Shepherd and Brendan O’Neill, two voices of the Left who have come to publicly doubt their own Leftist alignments.

Lindsay Shepherd, of course, has been made famous by going public with her recent encounter with the Left at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. Brendan O’Neill, on the other hand, is a journalist who describes himself as a Marxist-Libertarian of the Left, yet expresses certain values that appear more in line with classic liberalism. Continue reading »

The Danielle Metz Show – 004 – The solution to revolution

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Nov 262017

THE SOLUTION TO REVOLUTION: In most discussions of the day’s social ills, solutions remain elusive. Often those solutions are obvious, but for some reason are rarely or never pursued. Especially when it comes to capitalist solutions.

In his criticisms of the post-modernist and Marxist resentment that fuels anti-capitalist revolutionary protest, Professor Jordan Peterson recently remarked: “There are reasons to criticize capitalism, obviously…” though he never elaborated on what those reasons might be.

However, his comment begs the question. What’s ‘obvious’ to criticize about capitalism?

For answers to that question and to hear the unrest of the story, be sure to listen in to Danielle and Robert’s ‘obvious’ solution to that unrest which, as always, is not right wing… but Just Right.

531 – Capitalism: The best thing… including sliced bread

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Nov 162017

Disturbing poll results (conducted by YouGov) released by Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation have revealed that, as a group, more millennials prefer to live in a socialist country rather than in a capitalist one.

The declining rate of support for capitalism becomes glaringly visible along age demographics (matures: 78%; baby boomers: 66%; gen xers: 57%; millennials: 42%).

The surprising exception to the trend was found among the youngest demographic, “generation Z” whose preference to live in a capitalist society polled at 67%. While that bodes well in terms of changing future attitudes, the simple desire to live under capitalism will not make it so. The world is replete with citizens who desperately wish to live under conditions of freedom, yet that reality eludes them.

Blinded to what philosopher-novelist Ayn Rand boldly proclaimed as “the unknown ideal,” the failure to comprehend the true nature of Capitalism – as a moral system – has been the primary cause of capitalism’s decline in public acceptance. Continue reading »

513 – Repulsion—Left meets Right

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Jul 132017

To fully comprehend that the political Left and Right are polar opposites is also to understand that the two completely opposite ideologies cannot co-exist.

This represents a great frustration to supporters of both the “liberal left” and of the “conservative right.”

Those on the “left” find themselves forced to compromise with the idea that at least “some capitalism” (on the Right) is necessary, for without it, there is little to no wealth for socialists to “re-distribute.” Those on the “right” find themselves forced to compromise with the notion that at least “some socialism” (on the Left) is necessary, for without it, the elderly, sick, and poor would be unable to survive.

Both camps share a common error. To the extent that each is sincere in its desire to address its concerns as stated (which is another matter entirely), the road to both ends (prosperity, security) has been clearly demonstrated to be Right: the environment of freedom and capitalism. Continue reading »

505 – Life on the fringe of art and politics | John Palmer & Paul Merrifield

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May 182017

Does art imitate life or does life imitate art?

It’s called “Noam Chomsky vs Rush Limbaugh” and is one of London Ontario’s “Fringe Festival” entries to be featured at the Palace Theatre in June.

As the only play in the fringe line-up to feature a “political” theme, it asks a question that is often entertained on Just Right: “Is there more to this political bird than just the left and the right wings?”

To help us entertain that question, we are joined by Western University economics professor John Palmer, who plays the role of Noam Chomsky, and by playwright Paul Merrifield, whose humourous script provided the inspiration for the very unlikely meeting of two highly polarized political figures.

Says AM980 radio’s Andrew Lawton: “An amusing romp that squarely takes aim at political correctness in a way that I wish more art would.” Adds London City Councillor Michael Van Holst “These are dialogues you wish would happen!” Continue reading »

502 – Gods of the machinations

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Apr 272017

ECONOMICS – In One Uneasy Lesson: It is often difficult to reconcile the stark contrast between reports that the economy is improving and/or performing well, and those suggesting that the growing condition of poverty is reaching a crisis stage.

Some explain the contrast using the “one per cent” theory. They argue that the economy is doing well for the one percent, but not for the rest. There’s a grain of truth to that statistic, but not in the sense intended. Once understood, it is simply not a cause for concern.

For many attempting to keep from becoming part of the poverty statistics, it is the intricacies and challenges of finding a job, establishing a career, or embarking upon a new financial venture that is the real concern. These concerns simply cannot be reflected in economic/political statistics or theories – no matter how accurate or valid.

The theoretically accurate principles of economics can be taught in one simple lesson, as Henry Hazlitt demonstrated in his 1946 economic masterpiece, Economics in One Lesson, a lesson that was easily expressed in two to three pages. Continue reading »