Light
“Sunlight is said to be the best disinfectant; electric light the most efficient policeman.” Associate Justice Louis Brandeis The clouds are pink in the south a rare occurrence from our balcony.
Politics
The Law
“If we desire respect for the law, we must first make the law respectable.” Associate Justice Louis Brandeis Another beautiful sunset from the balcony.
Laboratories of Democracy
“The States may serve as the laboratories of democracy.” Justice Louis Brandeis March is sunset month most of then taken from the balcony of our building.
Obligations
“If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so.” Thomas Jefferson Our immigration laws are unjust, confusing and detrimental to the long term success of our country. So to follow Jefferson’s dictum one should: hire the undocumented, aid those fighting for justice in the immigration mess we call a system and support those who actually want to simplify and rationalize our immigration system.
Social Justice
“Social Justice” is a dangerous platitude. It implies that the normal justice system isn’t adequate for the current circumstances and that there is justice that is more fair. One of the dangers of “social justice” is that it is not actionable. It is not possible to get to equality of outcome so there will always be a need for more “social justice.” I understand the need and the danger in giving those who are behind at the start of the race a helping hand but… Read More »Social Justice
Buy American
“Buy American” as a national policy is a really bad idea. It was a bad idea when President Trump used it to start trade wars and it was a bad idea when President Biden wrote it into his infrastructure bill and then touted it in his State of the Union Address. Why is it a bad idea? Because it means that some producers rather than trying to compete based on measurable and controllable criteria like price quality and reliability can’t enter this market.. It sends… Read More »Buy American
Empires
“Empires have no interest in operating within an international system; they aspire to be the international system.” Henry Kissinger This applies to Russia, China and probably the USA. Another Inukshuk from the Merced River in Yosemite.
Bad Policy
“Rent control appears to be the most efficient technique presently known to destroy a city – except for bombing.” Assar Lindbeck Swedish Ecomomist A beautiful Inukshuk with a quartz head. Why ask why?
Hypocrisy
“If hypocrisy were a crime, there’d be no one left to run Washington.” An unusual second Saturday post. To test the new subscriber system we are installing so that the photos will be included with the emails. Any feedback is welcome. Photo is of very well lit Inukshuk made from stones found in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve and returned to their native habitat.
Industrial Policy 101
“On balance, the record of government trying to improve the functioning of the private sector is poor.” New York Times This quote is from the NYT. It is surprising because the NYT only last year supported the Inflation Reduction Act a giant boondoggle for the private sector. I can’t remember when the NYT has opposed any federal government spending. Another five stone Inukshuk built in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve.