From Ozimek: Finally, incentivizing work is consistent with neo-classical, non-paternalistic framework when you remember that the government on net disincentivizes work and employment. Due to the progressive tax and transfer system, and the variety of implicit marginal tax rates people face, the status quo is that many people are probably working an inefficiently low amount.… Continue reading Government on net incentivizes work and employment
Author: Matt Bruenig
Labor’s paycheck fetishism
Via Mike Elk, I came upon this article in Labor Notes about Piketty. It is written in that affected homespun style that a lot of Labor writing is, and, also like a lot of Labor writing, flippantly dismisses as inferior anti-inequality strategies that don’t involve organizing to cram more money through people’s paychecks: When workers… Continue reading Labor’s paycheck fetishism
Judicial decision punditry and free association
Reading through today’s Harris v. Quinn decision was fun. It reminded me why I think the theater of judicial decisions is such a hilarious spectacle. Almost nobody actually forms their opinions on substantive political matters by using substance-neutral procedural considerations, but judges have to pretend to be doing that. That’s hilarious spectacle number one. Then,… Continue reading Judicial decision punditry and free association
Free college narratives
Supposing college was free, what would the social narrative about the recipients of it be? I have seen two basic approaches: 1. It is a right. I owe nothing. Under this narrative, recipients of free college are due free college as a matter of right. To deprive them of it is to oppress them. When… Continue reading Free college narratives
Poor whites and the Left
Peter Frase wrote this piece about class and the Left. I put out a short response to it when it came out. There are lots of parts to it, and I hesitate to summarize it for that reason. But, basically, he objects to those who say class is different than race and gender, those who… Continue reading Poor whites and the Left