Below is my column in the Hill on the expected reaffirmation of birthright citizenship by the Supreme Court after the…
The 28th Amendment: Is it Time for a New Amendment on the Meaning of Citizenship?
The 28th Amendment: Is it Time for a New Amendment on the Meaning of Citizenship?
06 Apr 2026 Leave a comment
in politics - USA Tags: constitutional law, economics of immigration
The CA Minimum Wage Increase: Summing Up
06 Apr 2026 1 Comment
in applied price theory, econometerics, economics of regulation, income redistribution, labour economics, labour supply, politics - USA, Public Choice, unemployment
Two recent joint-papers Did California’s Fast Food Minimum Wage Reduce Employment? by Clemens, Edwards and Meer and The Effects of California’s $20 Fast Food Minimum Wage on Prices by Clemens, Edwards, Meer and Nguyen give what I think is a plausible and consistent account of California’s $20 fast food minimum wage. California’s $20 fast food…
The CA Minimum Wage Increase: Summing Up
Help Wanted: Trump Offers Cabinet Position With Perks, Power, and Zero Job Security
05 Apr 2026 Leave a comment
Below is my column on Fox.com on the removal of Attorney General Pam Bondi and the start of one of…
Help Wanted: Trump Offers Cabinet Position With Perks, Power, and Zero Job Security
An interesting Al Jazeera column
04 Apr 2026 Leave a comment
in defence economics, politics - USA, war and peace Tags: Iran
I did not expect to see a column in Al Jazeera saying that the US and Israel war against Iran is succeeding, but there is. The author, Muhammad Sellom, is an Assistant Professor of International Politics and Security at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. He writes: When you look at what has actually happened…
An interesting Al Jazeera column
Abolish the BSA
04 Apr 2026 Leave a comment
in economics of media and culture, economics of regulation, industrial organisation, politics - New Zealand
The Broadcasting Standards Authority announced: The Broadcasting Standards Authority has confirmed it has jurisdiction to consider a complaint about content transmitted by an online broadcaster. In a decision published today, the Authority determined it can accept, and is required to consider under the Broadcasting Act, complaints about The Platform’s Live Talkback programme, because the programme meets…
Abolish the BSA
Diversity has its limits: Georgina Beyer made it as a Mayor and MP but the Greens bar Bianca Beebe
03 Apr 2026 Leave a comment
in labour economics, labour supply, occupational choice, occupational regulation, politics - New Zealand Tags: nanny state
Bob Edlin writes – The Green Party has brought its promotion of diversity into question by deciding not to select a former sex worker as a candidate. It denies the decision has nothing to do with her background but has not explained why she did not pass muster with the party big-wigs who make these […]
Diversity has its limits: Georgina Beyer made it as a Mayor and MP but the Greens bar Bianca Beebe
Keep history on bank notes
03 Apr 2026 Leave a comment
in macroeconomics, monetary economics, politics - New Zealand
The Bank of England has announced that they plan to replace famous historical figures from their banknotes, and replace them with cute animals. No I’m not joking. They cite a poll and the fact animals are harder to counterfeit. Their current notes are: All great choices – their most famous PM, author, painter and mathematician.…
Keep history on bank notes
Not sweeping, but good
02 Apr 2026 Leave a comment
in economics of regulation, health economics, politics - New Zealand Tags: nanny state
Stuf reported: Government proposes sweeping changes to alcohol laws The changes are far from sweeping. They are good, and tidy up some stupid stuff, but it is not a major change. As I said, all pretty minor but useful changes. It is good that someone living in Auckland can’t object anymore to an application in…
Not sweeping, but good
Ohio Court Rejects View that Rejecting a Child’s Gender Change is Evidence of Parental Unfitness
02 Apr 2026 Leave a comment
in discrimination, gender, law and economics, liberalism, Marxist economics, politics - USA, property rights Tags: free speech, gender gap, political correctness, regressive left, sex discrimination
There was an interesting decision from the Ohio Court of Appeals last week on parental rights and transgender identity. In…
Ohio Court Rejects View that Rejecting a Child’s Gender Change is Evidence of Parental Unfitness
THE CORE LEGAL TRUTH: IWI HAVE NO REGULATORY AUTHORITY OVER PRIVATE LAND
01 Apr 2026 Leave a comment
in law and economics, politics - New Zealand, property rights
Guest Post By Ivan Barnett To all readers, I have put this document together in the hope that it may be useful to others who are facing similar issues in their own districts. I have researched the material carefully and done my best to present it clearly and accurately. I am a retired dry‑land farmer, […]
THE CORE LEGAL TRUTH: IWI HAVE NO REGULATORY AUTHORITY OVER PRIVATE LAND
Govt can be quick to pass new laws but putting English ahead of te reo on names of public agencies is a challenge
31 Mar 2026 Leave a comment
Bob Edlin writes – My email in-tray today included a newsletter from the source pictured above which – when opened – was found to be Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), That’s the government agency which manages land titles, surveying, crown property, and topographic/hydrographic information.
Govt can be quick to pass new laws but putting English ahead of te reo on names of public agencies is a challenge
New York retreating on its Climate Act
30 Mar 2026 Leave a comment
in economics of climate change, economics of regulation, energy economics, environmental economics, environmentalism, global warming, politics - USA Tags: climate alarmism
How this works out now remains to be seen. If the budget bill tactic works, it could happen pretty quickly. Hochul has taken the political high ground of “affordability,” and a lot of Democrat legislators are massing on that rhetorical hill as well. It just might work.
New York retreating on its Climate Act
The biggest enemies of renewable energy are … environmentalists
30 Mar 2026 Leave a comment
in energy economics, environmental economics, environmentalism, politics - New Zealand Tags: renewable energy
Radio NZ reports: A plan to fast-track a controversial West Coast hydro scheme has been given an initial go-ahead. The West Coast lines company, Westpower, has applied to fast-track its controversial plans to build a run-of-river hydro scheme on the Waitaha River, and in its draft decision the fast-track expert panel has given it approval.…
The biggest enemies of renewable energy are … environmentalists
Believe women – except Jewish ones
29 Mar 2026 Leave a comment
in defence economics, discrimination, economics of crime, gender, law and economics, laws of war, politics - Australia, war and peace Tags: Gaza Strip, Israel, Middle-East politics, regressive left, war against terror
Grace Tame was the 2021 Australian of the Year for her work as an advocate of survivors of sexual abuse. Sadly, but not surprisingly, she is only an advocate for rape and sexual abuse victims if they are not Jewish. News.com.au reports: Child safety campaigner Grace Tame has come under fire for suggesting rapes and…
Believe women – except Jewish ones
Hipkins under-performing and underwhelming
29 Mar 2026 1 Comment
Opposition leader Chris Hipkins does a regular slot with host Nick Mills on the Wellington NewstalkZB morning show.On Wednesday, much of the half hour was consumed by the host trying to extract from Hipkins what Labour would be doing about the fuel ‘crisis’ if in government. This was fastidiously avoided with various excuses, one being that,…
Hipkins under-performing and underwhelming
Utopia, you are standing in it! 
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