February 9, 2012

snow plows
The Calling

The Snow Plowers’ Petition

Looking for the unseen effects of economic policy is the beginning of wisdom.

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In brief

Capitol Assets: Some Legislators Send Millions To Groups Connected To Their Relatives

“Members of Congress have more leeway than executive branch officials or individuals in publicly held companies, who operate under stricter conflict-of-interest rules that generally prevent them from taking actions that might benefit businesses or institutions where their relatives work. The legislators set and enforce their own rules, giving themselves broad latitude to take steps that can end up directly benefiting their immediate family.” (Washington Post

 In other news, sources report an early-morning increase in daylight along eastern portion of horizon.

FEE Timely Classic

Corruption in Government? Shocking!” by Sheldon Richman

 

Student Debt Pushing More People Toward Bankruptcy, Lawyers Say

“Nearly one-quarter of attorneys say the number of potential student loan clients has risen 50% to 100%, while 39% of attorneys report increases of 25% to 50%.”

Student debt is rising for obvious reasons: steadily spiraling college costs, financial aid cutbacks at public universities and a stubbornly weak economy that’s making it difficult for graduates to find jobs.” (Los Angeles Times)

People bought the line that owning a house was the key to prosperity, too.

FEE Timely Classic

Why on Earth Do We Have a Student Loan Crisis?” by George C. Leef

Congressional Earmarks Sometimes Personally Lucrative for Members

“Thirty-three members of Congress have directed more than $300 million in earmarks and other spending provisions to dozens of public projects that are next to or within about two miles of the lawmakers’ own property, according to a Washington Post investigation.” (Washington Post)

Some are more equal than others.

FEE Timely Classic
“An Aristocracy of Pull?” by Thomas M. Wilson

The Official Blog of The Freeman

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Recently many popular websites went black to fight the proposed SOPA and PIPA bills. Fighting censorship,... Read More

The Naughty Mr. Hazlitt

In digging through the archives at the Foundation for Economic Education, one comes across a variety... Read More

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