Primum Non Nocere: A Libertarian Stimulus Package

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/05/miron.libertarian.stimulus/index.html

Comments

[dan Hoban]

I love your ideas

[Rich]

Thank you !!!! Thanks for not only saying how the government is making matters worse but having some actual common sense solutions to back it up. Now how do we get the President to sit down with you and talk about this !!!!!

[Dr. Dan McDougall]

Excellent points! The problem with our current system, is we seem to rely on the politics of inertia (well, we have to do something, then keep doing something) rather than reason and responsibility (we don't like the current status of (fill in the blank) so let's create more - ultimately, the true elephant in the room is government itself - though it's difficult for politicians to see the forest for the trees, or all the pork in the midst of all the "hams" (since it's one in the same).

[Steve Nesich]

Jeffrey, no personal offense intended, but these "ideas" of yours are nothing new. The United States operated like this once upon a time: the 19th Century. The results stunk. That's why Americans made changes. That's why this little fantasy world of "less government means more wealth for everyone" is not going to return. Nor is the horse and buggy.

Essentially, you're offering two old and completely discredited ideas: 1) Cut taxes for very wealthy people and big corporations and 2) Let the "free market" determine all social and economic outcomes. Gee, how original.

Until you're serious, and offer some "grown up" ideas, I don't think people like you are going to play any sort of role in public policy, despite your obvious smarts and prestigious academic position.

Tell you what, Jeffrey, if these shopworn, hoary ideas are so great, go out and run for public office on your "Libertarian" economic platform. Last I checked, you didn't do too well in that "free marketplace of ideas." And I tend to think you won't be doing much better anytime soon.

When it comes to Iraq and issues of personal freedoms, such as drug policy, you "libertarians" are right on the mark. When it comes to economic reality, I trust you no more than the average seven year old. Wishful thinking doesn't cut it. Sorry.

[Ken Fichtner]

Well done and please ignore comments from people like Steve Nesich who only post vague refrences to times they don't understand instead of offering actual argument.

It amazes me that the people who could see through the fog of fear as far as the infringements on our civil rights under Bush cannot be bothered to attempt to peer through the fear of economic toubles.

[Nick]

Word. Good to see a Libertarian on CNN.

The focus upon today's political issues is forcing the strengths of what is probably the most fundamentally American way of thinking back where it should be, regardless of the circumstances.

If he fights Phelps may win the war on drugs, and if he listens Obama might be our next Libertarian president...

GO US!

[Fred Unger]

Jeff,

Please keep the good work coming. Your clear sensible voice is refreshing in these crazy times.

Thanks,

Fred Unger

[Pete Spadafino]

Finally a sane acedemic. Jeff you are a refreshing voice amid a sea of liberal government give-away acedemics. Thanks for being you. Keep up the good work and maybe, just maybe your voice will rise above the din.

[Pete Spadafino]

Finally a sane acedemic. Jeff you are a refreshing voice amid a sea of liberal government give-away acedemics. Thanks for being you. Keep up the good work and maybe, just maybe your voice will rise above the din.

[Pete Spadafino]

Finally a sane acedemic. Jeff you are a refreshing voice amid a sea of liberal government give-away acedemics. Thanks for being you. Keep up the good work and maybe, just maybe your voice will rise above the din.

[Robert Miller]

And I presume all of you who support the good Doctor’s comments only contribute money to the poor unless it’s tax deductable? The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.

[Rod Richardson]

Very good stuff. However, one quibble: there is absolutely nothing libertarian about a carbon tax. If you must do some Pigouvian tax adjustment, it would be more libertarian to lower taxes on clean renewable energy, and even more libertarian to do that on the supply-side (lowering corporate, capital gains and dividend taxes as well as sales taxes on green energy).

I debated Jerry Taylor of Cato on this point, and he seemed to run out of arguments that made sense. The debate is on my blog at greenenergytaxcuts.com

[Rod Richardson]

Besides, the empirical evidence from Scandinavian countries is that carbon taxes do not work. Norway has had carbon taxes since the 1990's and their per capita emissions are up over 40%. Denmark's experience shows that what really works is investment in renewable energy and efficiency.

So the question then becomes how to best support such investment: direct subsidy or supply-and-demand-side tax cuts? Unless you want to subsidize failure an create a culture of patronage and corporate dependency, the only real answer is tax cuts.

[David White]

That's funny, I used the same title for a blog I posted about gay marriage back in November. davidbwhite.blogspot.com

[Adrian W]

This was a good read.

[JC from Jersey]

Great stuff, Professor Miron. I'm applying to Harvard in the fall; it'd be an honor to be taught by you.

[dunk femme]

ok.trop cool et je reviendrai la prochaine fois.