Over at Rasmussen Reports, there’s a poll asking about a matchup in 2012 between President Obama and libertarian-oriented Ron Paul. The results aren’t surprising – there’s a considerable support for a libertarian-leaning candidate, even if people don’t always refer to support for free markets, individual liberty, and limited government by using the term libertarian. In…
Laws/Regulations
Laws/Regulations, University
On Binge Drinking and UW-Stout’s Failing Prohibition
by JOHN ADAMS •
I’ve written before about regulation of drink specials in Whitewater, and there’s a video from Reason.tv that considers UW-Stout’s efforts to regulate excessive drinking. The University of Wisconsin-Stout’s Chancellor, Charles Sorenson, has made regulating drinking a top priority, and he’s won acclaim for his efforts. A closer look shows that regulation has simply driven the…
City, Law, Laws/Regulations
On Whitewater’s Spring Election
by JOHN ADAMS •
Wisconsin’s spring election was yesterday, and there were few surprises in the races that involved the City of Whitewater. Common Council. In Whitewater’s municipal election, both of the unopposed incumbents on the ballot were returned to office. The total votes for the at-large seat (Stewart) were in between the numbers for the winning and defeated…
Free Markets, Laws/Regulations
Wisconsin Dairies and Immigrant Labor
by JOHN ADAMS •
Wisconsin’s automobile license plates proudly proclaim our state as America’s Dairyland. We are — ask people from all over the world about Wisconsin, and they’ll correctly tell you that we’re a powerhouse of dairy production. Rural Whitewater, Wisconsin has plenty of cows nearby (if not downtown, as some out-of-state readers sometimes ask). Some nearby dairy…
Laws/Regulations, Liberty
On the Medical Marijuana Debate at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
by JOHN ADAMS •
Last Wednesday, on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus, there was a debate on a medical marijuana bill before the Wisconsin legislature. See, Assembly Bill 554. (There’s also a Senate companion bill.) The bill would make medical use of marijuana legal under specified and limited circumstances. I attended the debate, along with – by my imperfect…
Laws/Regulations
GazetteXtra.com: Wis. committee approves raw milk bill
by JOHN ADAMS •
There’s an AP story today about the progress of a bill allowing raw milk sales in Wisconsin; Raw milk sales should never have been banned in America’s Dairyland, or anywhere else. Adults should be able to decide for themselves if they wish to drink raw milk. The bill still has significant restrictions, but at least…
Free Markets, Laws/Regulations, Libertarians
Reason.tv: Reason Saves Cleveland with Drew Carey (Take Care of Business), Episode 4
by JOHN ADAMS •
Here’s a discussion of how hard it can be to use one’s own money profitably to establish a business. In the video below, many business owners are even unwilling to discuss their frustrations on camera, from concern that spiteful bureaucrats will retaliate against them. Unfortunately, that’s a problem in many cities, including ones far smaller…
Free Markets, Government Spending, Laws/Regulations, Libertarians, Planning
Reason.tv – Reason Saves Cleveland with Drew Carey: Privatize It (Episode 3)
by JOHN ADAMS •
Here’s episode three of the Reason.tv series on saving Cleveland, and by implication lots of other cities, too. In this episode, viewers see how government doesn’t manage produce markets or golf courses very well. Should cities be in the business of running businesses ranging from convention centers to farmers markets? Selling off golf courses, contracting…
Laws/Regulations, Libertarians, School District
Reason.tv: Reason Saves Cleveland With Drew Carey, Ep. 2 (Fix the Schools)
by JOHN ADAMS •
I’ve posted before on the Reason.tv series from Drew Carey, entitled, “Reason Saves Cleveland with Drew Carey.” Today, I’m posting Episode Two from that series, about the Cleveland public schools. I’ve not posted recently on our schools, and for that lack of attention, I’m surely culpable. (There are no column-inch limitations in cyberspace — there…
Free Markets, Laws/Regulations, Libertarians, Planning, Poverty
Reason.tv: Reason Saves Cleveland with Drew Carey — The Decline of a Once-Great City
by JOHN ADAMS •
Reason.tv: Reason Saves Cleveland with Drew Carey — The Decline of a Once-Great City Here’s the first full episode of Drew Carey’s series on Cleveland, and ways to revitalize the city. Sixty years ago, Cleveland was a booming city full of promise, opportunity, and people. Today, the city’s population is less half of what it…
Free Markets, Government Spending, Laws/Regulations, Libertarians, Poverty
Reason.tv: Reason Saves Cleveland with Drew Carey — Introduction
by JOHN ADAMS •
Drew Carey has a series at Reason.tv about his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland’s a big place, but Carey’s proposals for revitalizing his town would apply to other places in the Midwest, including far smaller ones. Here’s an introduction to his series: Click …to watch Drew introduce the series that just might save his hometown.…
Laws/Regulations
Eugene Volokh on Gun Rights, Free Expression, and the Nanny State
by JOHN ADAMS •
Eugene Volokh publishes a group blog, of several contributors, called the Volokh Conspiracy. Most of the contributors are law professors, and all are by turns serious and intentionally humorous. Volokh is sharp, and the arguments he presents inspiring to those committed to individual liberty. Here’s a description of a video interview with Volokh from Reason.com:…
Laws/Regulations
Reason Staffers on the Tube: Nick Gillespie on Stossel Talking Food Police, Fat Taxes, & More
by JOHN ADAMS •
Reason has a video online from John Stossel’s new program. Here’s the description: “On January 29, 2010, Reason.tv’s Nick Gillespie appeared on Fox Business Channel’s Stossel to talk about the “food police,” childhood obesity, and the ever-growing nanny state. Featuring a legendary battle between Gillespie and junk-food prohibitionist MeMe Roth.” Link: Nick Gillespie on Stossel
City, Laws/Regulations
The New Prohibition – Drink Specials (Part 2, Advice)
by JOHN ADAMS • • Comments
On a ship, the officer of the deck looks out, and sees storms directly ahead. He makes no mention of it to the captain, or anyone else among the crew. The ship sails directly into the storm, and is tossed about, being badly damaged from high waves and fierce winds. Afterward, the captain confronts the…