Category Archives: Business

Business, Economics, Political Commentary

The Albany/Trenton/Sacramento Disease

June 27, 2009 Rand Simberg 54 Comments

As go the “progressive” states, so will go the nation, if this keeps up:

President Obama has bet the economy on his program to grow the government and finance it with a more progressive tax system. It’s hard to miss the irony that he’s pitching this change in Washington even as the same governance model is imploding in three of the largest American states where it has been dominant for years — California, New Jersey and New York.

A decade ago all three states were among America’s most prosperous. California was the unrivaled technology center of the globe. New York was its financial capital. New Jersey is the third wealthiest state in the nation after Connecticut and Massachusetts. All three are now suffering from devastating budget deficits as the bills for years of tax-and-spend governance come due.

These states have been models of “progressive” policies that are supposed to create wealth: high tax rates on the rich, lots of government “investments,” heavy unionization and a large government role in health care…

…Mr. Obama believes union power is a ticket to the middle class. The middle class is getting creamed in all three of these “progressive” states, where organized labor is king. The unionized share of the workforce is 20% in California, 19% in New Jersey and 27% in New York compared to 13% across the country. All three are non-right-to-work states, have super-minimum wage requirements and provide among the nation’s most generous public-employee pensions.

Workers in these paradises are indeed uniting — by leaving. New York ranks first, California second and New Jersey third in moving vans leaving the state. A study by the National Institute for Labor Relations Research found that over the past decade these and other high-union states (mostly in the Northeast) had one-third the job growth of states with low union penetration.

This is why we have federalism, folks. And you know the state that’s doing well? Texas. Why doesn’t Washington try emulating that? Including a part-time legislature (though as fast as these vandals rush bills through, they can do a lot of damage even if they only meet for a month).

Business, Economics, Media Criticism, Political Commentary

Congratulations, Mickey

June 27, 2009 Rand Simberg 5 Comments

A look back at ten years of blogging. And yes, Matthew Yglesias does owe him an apology. But Matt being Matt, he won’t get one.

Also, the UAW’s revenge:

The U.A.W., now a major GM shareholder, has delivered its final punishment to those auto workers who dared move to Spring Hill, Tennessee and show up the rest of the union by building reliable car without Wagner-style work rules. GM’s new small car will be made in Michigan, and the Spring Hill plant will close. …. P.S.: Nikke Finke has a better chance of making money producing this car than GM does.

That’s what happens when you elect a fascist. And gee, I can’t wait to see the rest of the country go down the tubes like Michigan once they pass card check (probably in the middle of the night, without reading the bill).

Business, Economics, Mathematics, Media Criticism, Political Commentary, Science And Society, Technology and Society

Is Our Reporters Learning?

June 26, 2009 Rand Simberg 4 Comments

Fun with numbers.

Business, Technology and Society

Windows Seven

June 26, 2009 Rand Simberg 9 Comments

…is available for pre-order. At half price, until July 11th.

Business, Popular Culture

No Fireworks For The Fourth

June 25, 2009 Rand Simberg

In Flint, Michigan.

We used to go to Kearsley Park when I was a kid — I don’t remember them having them downtown. It must be a new thing.

Business, Economics, Media Criticism, Political Commentary, Science And Society

More Waxman-Markey Thoughts

June 25, 2009 Rand Simberg 21 Comments

On progressive “realism”:

It’s funny how so many liberals have become “realists” of late, insisting that we can’t expect to cajole sovereign nations into doing what we think is right if it’s not in their interests, but the same liberals insist that if we hobble ourselves with the dull-rusty axe of cap-and-tax, our example will inspire other nations to do likewise. Yes, yes, liberals will likely say that fighting global warming is in these nations’ interest, but they just don’t realize it. Well, maybe. But who are we to tell these countries what their interests are? Isn’t that the sort of imperial hubris these folks usually denounce? Regardless, there’s zero evidence and sub-zero reason to believe that countries such as China and India will ever be inspired by our action on global warming.

As he says, W-M may not accomplish much, but at least it’s expensive.

Business, Economics, Media Criticism, Political Commentary

Intended Unintended Consequences

June 25, 2009 Rand Simberg 18 Comments

Gee, ya think? Senators Worry That Health Overhaul Could Erode Employer Insurance Plans.

Hey, guys. That’s the whole idea.

And Blanche Lincoln doesn’t get it:

Senator Blanche Lincoln, Democrat of Arkansas, said preserving employer-sponsored insurance “needs to be a huge objective.”

No, senator. The “huge objective” should be to get people out of plans that are tied to their employers, and into their own private plans that are portable, by leveling the tax-deduction playing field.

The United States Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business, which represents small employers, said the proposed requirement amounted to a new tax and would frustrate the creation of jobs.

Only an economic ignoramus (i.e., much of the Congress) would think otherwise. So a company has a choice of hiring someone who doesn’t need or want insurance (because she’s young and healthy, or has it through her husband’s plan) but the cost of hiring her is buying a redundant policy for her to government specs. Guess what? Others will work overtime instead. That’s assuming that the business case closes for the business to get started at all, of course.

Business, Space