Opponents of Occupy Wall Street are quick to lob the time-tested jeer “why don’t you just get a job?” at protesters. Of course, this jeer is not based on any kind of economic sophistication. It is just the cliche used when someone has nothing intelligent to say. This taunt continues to flood still-confused media reports… Continue reading Why don’t you just get a job?
Remember that production has doubled in the last 40 years
In the discussions of why things are so bad, why incomes have not risen, why poverty keeps climbing, and why inequality is so severe, people should keep in mind one basic statistic: the US GDP per capita has doubled since 1970. Or to put it in more simple terms, the United States economy is producing… Continue reading Remember that production has doubled in the last 40 years
The weird machismo of exploited conservatives
In response to the “we are the 99%” slogan of Occupy Wall Street, some conservatives have launched a “we are the 53%” web presence. The 53% is an allusion to the number of people whose tax deductions and tax credits do not eliminate their income tax liability. The figure of course leaves out payroll taxes,… Continue reading The weird machismo of exploited conservatives
Arguing about property
There are many different philosophical ways to arrive at an economically leftist political position. One of those philosophical approaches — which I think has been somewhat neglected — is centered on the issue of property ownership. Unfortunately, many — even on the left — will concede that property rights exist, and that the institution of… Continue reading Arguing about property
The Goals of Occupy Wall Street
I have become increasingly annoyed by the rhetorical line that the goals of Occupy Wall Street are unclear. Mainstream media outlets have been pushing this line from the beginning and many regular people have picked it up as their position. What these media outlets really mean is that protesters at occupations have not written up… Continue reading The Goals of Occupy Wall Street