Politics & Rights
Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
What the “Affordable Health Care for America Act,” HR 3962, Actually Says
John David Lewis November 20, 2009
Asks ten crucial questions regarding the proposed law; examines what the proposed legislation actually says with respect to these questions; and evaluates the bill accordingly, showing that, if passed, it would massively expand government power over the health-care industry, virtually eliminate the remnants of freedom left in this market, and thus increase the U.S. government’s violations of individual rights by orders of magnitude.
Economics, Politics & Rights
Antitrust with a Vengeance: The Obama Administration’s Anti-Business Cudgel
Eric Daniels November 20, 2009
Zeros in on the arbitrary, rights-violating nature of antitrust law; surveys the Obama administration’s efforts to bolster antitrust enforcement; considers the unprincipled arguments put forth by today’s most vocal opponents of antitrust; and calls for Americans to take a principled, rights-based stand—not only against the administration’s reinvigorated antitrust assault, but against antitrust law as such.
Politics & Rights
Bob McDonnell on Liquor Stores: Right Direction, Wrong Reason
Michelle Minton November 17, 2009
According to a recent article in the Washington Post, newly elected governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell submitted a proposal to privatize state-run liquor stores. While we should applaud McDonnell’s push toward privatization, we should condemn his reason for the push as wrong. In Virginia the only place one can purchase…
Announcements, Politics & Rights
The Source and Nature of Rights, Part I
TOS Admin November 14, 2009
The video of part one of Craig Biddle’s six-hour seminar, The Source and Nature of Rights, has been posted to the website of Universidad Francisco Marroquín. In this first hour, Mr. Biddle surveys common theories of rights—from God-given rights to man-made rights to so-called "natural" rights—and explains why each…
Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
Lin Gilbert's Rationing Story
Paul Hsieh November 12, 2009
Canadian Lin Gilbert tells of the wait she endured for over two years for her MRI and spine surgery, and the toll it took on her life: http://www.youtube.com/embed/9Kyoxy1ufhg In Canada, health care is never truly a "right". She was repeatedly told that she hadn't suffered for long enough to receive…
History, Philosophy, Politics & Rights
The Berlin Wall and the Meaning of its Fall
Craig Biddle November 10, 2009
Here’s a superb 2-part discussion by Yaron Brook and Onkar Ghate about the history of the Berlin Wall and the significance of its fall. http://www.youtube.com/v/Q1bQg3kk0Yg http://www.youtube.com/v/DofVfn7Dg7U
History, Politics & Rights
The Day Communism Crumbled: Remembering the Fall of the Berlin Wall
Craig Biddle November 9, 2009
Here’s a great discussion with Yaron Brook and Terry Jones on PJTV about the fall of the Berlin Wall. (Free registration may be required.) http://www.pjtv.com/?cmd=video&video-id=2681
History, Politics & Rights
20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
Craig Biddle November 9, 2009
Here’s a nicely done video by the folks at CEI commemorating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall (HT Michelle Minton): https://www.youtube.com/v/6bw5pFiTeb0
Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
The Best Option For The Public
Paul Hsieh November 6, 2009
In the November 4, 2009 Boston Globe, Jeff Jacoby outlines the best option for the public. (Hint -- it's not the "public option".) From his article, "An option for public: less government, more choice": A government-run health insurer would radically tilt the health-insurance playing field. It would amount to a…
Philosophy, Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
Praying Won't Make It So
Stella Daily Zawistowski November 5, 2009
I'm a second-year student in the Objectivist Academic Center, and the class is currently working through the difference between the metaphysically given (such as the law of gravity) and the man-made (such as traffic laws). The man-made is the result of choice, and as such is subject to praise or…