Libertarianism

Excellence in Government?

This entry was posted in Anarchism Federal Government Government Libertarianism on by

Here is one conference that has clearly failed in its mission:

Excellence in Government 2006 is the premier management conference for those who run our federal government. Each summer the largest assembly of federal officials comes together to develop and discuss best management practices and achieve success through innovative solutions.

Of course, success is relative to the definition of the goal.
Just think: your tax dollars probably pay the expenses for the attendees.

Update: I should have realized when I wrote the title that it was an oxymoron!

Overgrazing the Canadian Commons

This entry was posted in Anarchism Economics Health Care Libertarianism on by

In Canada, and needing surgery? You might be better off to be a dog:

Accepting money from patients for operations they would otherwise receive free of charge in a public hospital is technically prohibited in this country, even in cases where patients would wait months or even years before receiving treatment.
But no one is about to arrest Dr. Brian Day, who is president and medical director of the center, or any of the 120 doctors who work there. Public hospitals are sending him growing numbers of patients they are too busy to treat, and his center is advertising that patients do not have to wait to replace their aching knees.
The country’s publicly financed health insurance system — frequently described as the third rail of its political system and a core value of its national identity — is gradually breaking down. Private clinics are opening around the country by an estimated one a week, and private insurance companies are about to find a gold mine.
Dr. Day, for instance, is planning to open more private hospitals, first in Toronto and Ottawa, then in Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton. Ontario provincial officials are already threatening stiff fines. Dr. Day says he is eager to see them in court.
“We’ve taken the position that the law is illegal,” Dr. Day, 59, says. “This is a country in which dogs can get a hip replacement in under a week and in which humans can wait two to three years.”

This is not an unexpected result when the commons is overgrazed and free riders multiply. Heck, this is the expected result of any government program.
Via Hit & Run.

Good Riddance!

This entry was posted in Anarchism Government Law Law Enforcement Libertarianism on by

At least part of this is happening correctly (Reg):

A Florida sheriff ordered the closing of a boot camp for young offenders Wednesday as the investigation into the death of a 14-year-old detainee widened and critics demanded all such facilities in the state be shut down.
In early January, Martin Lee Anderson died after an altercation with guards at the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Boot Camp in Panama City, in the Panhandle. A surveillance camera videotape, made public last week, shows the guards dragging the limp boy around the grounds, kneeing and striking him several times.
Camp officials said Anderson, who had just arrived, was uncooperative when ordered to do push-ups, sit-ups and other exercises. He died the next day in a Pensacola hospital.

But more is needed. As I previously argued that sheriff and everyone else up hill from this thuggery need to be fired and have heavy restitution to pay.

Catallarchy Writer Supports government Expansion….

This entry was posted in Anarchism bush Economics Libertarianism Socialism US Foreign Policy on by

…the nation and blog readers die of shock.
A writer at the noted libertarian oriented site Catallarchy posts this headline and statement:

Bush Supports Free Trade; Nation Dies of Shock

Regardless of any backroom deals and ulterior motives that may have led to it, Bush’s support of Dubai’s bid for P&O is good news.

Perhaps Sean has posted this somewhat tongue in cheek but the post doesn’t read that way.
So, please explain how the expansion of a government owned business in any way qualifies as free trade.

Update: Sean was good enough to reply in comments. Below the fold is his reply and my responses. We still disagree on some aspects of this.

(more…)

Just Imagine

This entry was posted in Anarchism Economics Government Libertarianism on by

Brad DeLong once again reprints what he calls the best weblog post ever, by Belle Waring in which Belle notes:

Now, everyone close your eyes and try to imagine a private, profit-making rights-enforcement organization which does not resemble the mafia, a street gang, those pesky fire-fighters/arsonists/looters who used to provide such “services” in old New York and Tokyo, medieval tax-farmers, or a Lendu militia.

Yep, just like your federal, state and local governments.
NB: DeLong also points out the dangers of Linkrot.