Many journalists claim that the U.S. economy since the late 1970s has been very free, with little regulation; that this absence of regulation has caused markets to fail; that there was a consensus in favor of little regulation; and that, now, this consensus is fading. On all these counts, the reports are false. Specifically, the U.S. economy has not been free since before the New Deal of the 1930s.
Year: 2008
A Bad Climate Trade-off
Leaders in Poznan are talking loudly of the need to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions, but until they put their trade policies where their mouths are, it will be just a lot of hot air.
Chalk or Cheese?
Unlike the obvious difference between those two items, Canadian municipalities often mix up two very different accounting categories—operating and capital expenditures. The result is that an educated reader is left to guess about municipal financial statements.
From Rhetoric to Reality on Public Transport
People tend to adopt those products and practices that make their lives better. For those few (in the national context) who work in the largest downtown areas, transit makes their lives better. For those working elsewhere, cars do.
Featured News
How to Turn Free Citizens Into Compliant Serfs
Free citizens have minds of their own and want to pursue their lives as they see fit. This is inconvenient for the elites, who wish to be in charge of everyone’s lives so that they can show their superiority and gain benefit for themselves and their friends. So the...
Demographia International Housing Affordability – 2023 Edition Released
Demographia International Housing Affordability rates middle-income housing affordability in 94 major housing markets in eight nations: Australia, Canada, China, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. This edition covers the third...
Calgary Taxpayers Bear Heavier Burden
Calgary's total tax burden per capita last year was almost a third higher than the average Prairie city, according to a new report released by a right-leaning think-tank. The report by the Frontier Centre for Public Policy drew swift criticism from aldermen on both...
Media Release – New report compares municipal government’s financial performance
New study released compares the financial health and financial reporting standards of Canada’s 79 most populous municipalities.
Who Could Object To Wind Power?
The biggest problem with wind is that it doesn’t always blow. There are lots of days when Toronto’s monument to civic virtue couldn’t even power my toaster. Inconveniently, these times of low production tend to coincide with times of high demand. So no matter how many turbines you put up, you always need backup power.
2nd/3rd Annual Local Government Performance Index
Comparing the financial health and financial reporting standards of Canada’s largest municipalities.
Another Election isn’t Much More Costly than Continued Party Subsidies
Some argue that one option to the current political crisis in Ottawa, an election, should be forsworn because of the $300 million cost. But if all political party subsidies were done away with, the savings over five years would be $260-million.
The Unexamined Beast of Local Government
Paying local government the attention it deserves.
CJOB Radio – Voter Subsidy Discussion – With Mark Milke
Listen to Mark Milke discuss voter subsidies with Goeff Currier on CJOB. (17 minutes)
For Aboriginals, Life Is Better In The City
The 2006 census data confirms what many people suspect, that life is often better for Aboriginals in the cities than on reserves.
Media Release – 50 European Civil Society Groups Urge Governments to Reject Siren Song on Climate Change
A new report released by a coalition of over 50 European civil society groups warns that a cap on emissions of carbon would do little to protect humanity against the threat of climate change. Instead, it would drastically increase the threat of global economic catastrophe.