Every day, millions of Americans dispense advice to friends, relatives, and complete strangers through blogs, websites, and a variety of online publications. And each time they do so, many of these Americans could be risking substantial fines and perhaps even...
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Cronyism—From Wall Street to Main Street
Individuals from across the political spectrum denounce cronyism. Politicians as diverse as Sarah Palin and Barack Obama have decried businessmen who use government favors for economic gain. Groups with diametrically opposing views, such as the Tea Parties and Occupy...
Zoning Versus the Internet
The stated purpose of zoning is to control land use within a community to prevent “incompatible” land uses and to promote planning. Most Americans accept zoning as a “necessary evil” that prevents pawn shops and factories from operating in residential neighborhoods....
The Birth of a Campaign Against Rights
I am not a prophet, seer, or tarot card reader. I do not possess any kind of psychic ability. But I can predict the future, for I possess the power of principles. Principles allow us to project the consequences of our actions, and predict the actions of others. About...
Protect Individual Rights, Not the “Right to Work”
In February, Indiana became the twenty-third state, and the first in the “Rust Belt,” to enact a “right to work” law. The Indiana law states: A person may not require an individual to: (1) become or remain a member of a labor organization; (2) pay dues, fees,...
The Protection Racket of Occupational Licensing
If licensing is not protecting consumers, why do many professions require a license?
Today’s Software Patents Look a Lot Like Early Pharma Patents
The recent New York Times article on the high-tech industry argues that software patents and the current “smart phone war” are a disaster for innovation, and it backs this with quotes and cites from a horde of academics and judges, like Judge Richard Posner, that...
Some Historical Perspective on Today’s High-Tech Patent Wars
The New York Times set hearts aflutter in the IP world yesterday with its hit piece on patents in the high-tech industry.
The “Patent Litigation Explosion” Canard
The historical patent litigation rates are significant because they also include the same “patent wars” that we are experiencing with the “smart phone war.”
Today’s Software Patents Look a Lot Like Early Pharma Patents
It’s time to bring objectivity and a historical-based perspective to public policy discussions about software patents and the role of property rights in innovation.
Building Safely without Government Building Codes
Most people accept building codes as a necessary government intervention. One Website states: Codes provide minimum standards for building construction in order to safeguard the public’s safety, health, and welfare. Another Website states: If we searched we could find...
Gun Control on the Government’s Guns
Any meaningful program of gun control must above all focus on strictly controlling and regulating the activities of the government.
From Licensing to Censorship
Every day, millions of Americans dispense advice to friends, relatives, and complete strangers through blogs, websites, and a variety of online publications. And each time they do so, many of these Americans could be risking substantial fines and perhaps even...
Chief Justice Roberts: The Nonjudgmental Chief Justice
“It is not our job to protect the people from the consequences of their political choices.” -- Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts. WRONG. This is precisely what the Supreme Court's job is. The founders of the American republic created three branches of...
The “Selfishness” of Bernie Madoff
Madoff was completely selfless.
Free Speech No Excuse For Muslim Ideology of Violence
Even in today's crazy world, there's still some justice to be found in the United States. A convert to Islam who helped promote death threats against the producers of the animated television show "South Park" after it featured a character representing the prophet...
“Fast and Furious” is Big Government Out of Control
The “fast and furious” scandal involving Obama and his attorney general is an example of Big Government gone bad. The scandal centers on a federal policy of “gunwalking” that began in 2006, first during the George W. Bush administration and later dramatically...
The Danger of “States’ Rights”
Defenders of freedom must reject the entire notion of “states’ rights” and instead embrace the principle of individual rights.
According to the FDA: Americans are Idiots
As an adult, have you ever been forced to eat or drink anything against your will? Have you ever been coerced into eating a bacon cheeseburger and a mountain of fries? Have you ever been compelled to drink one more beer than you should? What you put into your mouth...
Freedom versus Regulation
If a survey were taken, what would receive the lowest scores for quality, price, and value: The post office The state of our roads The quality of public education The price of gasoline Energy bills Wall Street Congress Chances are good that all of these would receive...
Who Says Obama Will Obey the Supreme Court?
President Obama is reportedly shifting millions of dollars to the IRS to begin enforcement of ObamaCare. This raises the obvious question: What if the Supreme Court strikes down ObamaCare, with a decision expected no later than early June? Anyone who witnessed the...
Regulations Punish the Virtuous
We are often told that government regulations are necessary to protect consumers from unscrupulous businesses: The only thing worse than regulations is the absence of them. Without government regulation, how can you know if food, water, medicine, everything you use in...
Former President Jimmy Carter: Wrong on Abortion
Jimmy Carter wants his Christian ideology to be imposed on everyone, across the board. I oppose the religious right. But how is the religious left any better, or any different? Both support tyranny.
Lessons from Singapore on Patents
While the United States continues to weaken its patent laws, Singapore is taking a different path. Singapore has just announced that it is developing a plan to be an Intellectual Property Hub, according to Channelnewsasia.com. They believe that intellectual property...
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