“You know, it occurs to me that the best way to hurt rich people is by turning them into poor people.” – Billy Ray Valentine Blockchain technology has upended traditional finance. To outsiders, take your pick of cryptocurrency and it appears you are doing nothing more than pulling the handle on a slot machine. The […]
National Issues
The New Tolerance
The 2021 NCAA Men’s Tournament has brought about a discussion of the “new” tolerance. This one isn’t about how the Women’s Tournament should be given as much attention and advertising as the Men’s. Its about how Oral Roberts University shouldn’t be allowed to play. Not due to any actions or statements from its players but […]
Why Does ERCOT’s Mess in Texas Mean That New York is Next?
Everyone is aware of the massive blackout and rolling outages in Texas due to the massive polar vortex that happened over President’s Day weekend. What isn’t being discussed is how vulnerable New York and New England are to having the same exact thing happen to them. I will begin with a simple discussion of why […]
How to Decrease Poverty in America
The minimum wage was initiated to challenge poverty. Yet, even at $15 per hour, is it more than just a temporary fix? I sat with Larry Sharpe to learn more about his method for decreasing poverty in America: ownership. Small Business Ownership Larry said that there is a systemic lack of ownership that’s noticeable in […]
It’s Always Time to Defend Our Rights
It’s Always Time to Defend Our Rights The Second Amendment protects the First Amendment. It’s always a good time to point that out. By Dan Smith I personally don’t like guns. I’ve had a few run-ins with angry people who’ve used a gun to make a point and criminals who’ve used one to coerce others […]
Civil Asset Forfeiture
Civil Asset Forfeiture Injustice Your property can be taken by the police for no reason—and it’s guilty until you prove it innocent. By: Dan Smith Civil asset forfeiture is an area of law which permits local, state or federal law enforcement to seize your money or other property (car, home, etc.) if they suspect you […]
The War On Drugs
Declare a Victory by Ending the War on Drugs And Send the Prisoners of That Awful War Home By Dan Smith The 47-year-old War on Drugs is an attempt by New York state and the federal government to protect you from yourself. Their rules will put you away if you take or sell certain drugs. […]
Cryptocurrency and the Blockchain
New York Has Tried to Kill off Cryptocurrencies—We Shouldn’t Let Them Embracing the Future of Transactions By Dan Smith Most people don’t know much about cryptocurrencies. They know even less about blockchain. But a lot of people have heard about Bitcoin—it’s that computer money that made some geeks multimillionaires in 2017, but then its price […]
Certificates of Need
When the Government Fails, Don’t Blame the Market By: Aaron Segal In the United States, the land of the free, the champion of capitalism, and the pinnacle of innovation, you have to ask your competitors for permission to start a business. Specifically, a business that provides medical treatment to people. If you want to start […]
The New York Health Care Monstrosity
Healthcare: Less System Means Better, Cheaper Healthcare By: Dan Smith Our healthcare system is a mess. Anyone with eyes can see it. Everyone agrees the system is too expensive, too complex and access to care is, at best, uneven. While many have proposed tweaks to fix parts or providing yet more public money, few have […]