![](http://www.igeg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/AdobeStock_97518295.jpg)
News
Recent posts and articles from IGEG fellows, advisers, experts and scholars.
Government Ownership of Airlines a Really Bad Idea Advocates of equity ownership misunderstand roles of government and business
In times of crisis, people often come up with really good ideas for dealing with problems and some really bad ideas. Many times, some of the really bad ideas are adopted, and at times, it takes many years to correct the mess that resulted. One of the bad ideas that is...
Rather than Complaining about Toilet Paper, Americans should Marvel at the Business Supply Chain
How many rolls of toilet paper do you have in your home? Enough for a week? A month? A year? Who makes that decision and why? These very basic, simple questions have led to an improbable toilet paper “shortage” resulting from panic over the coronavirus, and serve as a...
How Much Money Should Be Spent to Save Each Life from the Coronavirus? Some will assert that all lives are worth the same, but in the real world we know that is not true
Some government officials, politicians and commentators keep saying words to the effect, “we need to spend whatever it takes to stop the coronavirus deaths.” They, of course, do not literally mean the government should spend an infinite amount of money to save a life...
Ginsburg’s “A More or Less Perfect Union” Explains the Importance of U.S. Constitution Learning about the structure of the American government and the reasons for it
The expression “never let a crisis go to waste” is often quoted when cynical politicians use crises to enhance their power. It is also true that many of the crises that have affected mankind have also served as the catalyst for great innovations and constructive...
Fears of Negative Impact on U.S. GDP Due to Coronavirus Overstated
Some have argued that the trade disruption caused by the coronavirus puts the U.S. economy in grave danger. These fears are overstated. Exports are about 11.7 percent of U.S. GDP, and imports are equal to about 14.5 percent of GDP, and much of this trade (goods and...
China’s Economic Virus Is More Dangerous than the Coronavirus Protecting the United States from a Chinese recession
China’s economic virus is likely to be much more dangerous to the world than the COVID-19 virus. We know from history that the consequences of recessions tend to cost many more lives than disease epidemics. Yes, there will be a tragedy of many thousands dying...
Meddling Bullies Stifle Free Trade among U.S. States and Countries Busybody organizations have no right to dictate tax and securities laws
Assume you wish to buy a new toaster oven. You have narrowed your selection to one made in California and one made in Texas. It is unlikely that you care about which state the toaster oven was made in. Most likely you will base your decision on which one you believe...
Virginia Postpones Restrictive Gun Legislation so the Battle Rages on State's anti-gun restriction rebellion is a fight for liberty
For many decades, Virginia had a well-deserved reputation as a highly civil place where people of different viewpoints accommodated each other and got along, and as a state with a relatively honest and competent government. It is the last place that people expected to...
Why the Federal Reserve Needs Trump Nominee Judy Shelton The distinguished economist, who supports a monetary anchor like gold, was called a 'radical' by Elizabeth Warren
President Trump has nominated distinguished economist, Judy Shelton, to be a member of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) seven-person board of governors. Mrs. Shelton is under attack for her alleged “unorthodox views.” Elizabeth Warren — who advocates adding trillions of...
The Economic Consequences of the Coronavirus Why the United States must be concerned about coronavirus' negative impact on the world economy
The stock market (Dow 30) dropped by more than 600 points this past Friday — allegedly because of greater concerns about the coronavirus outbreak which is centered in China. How big of an economic impact is it likely to have in the United States? A few are arguing,...
U.S. Dollar could be Dethroned Internationally by Digital Currency Private cryptocurrencies with commodity backing are the wave of the future
Why are most internationally traded commodities, like oil, corn and aluminum, priced in U.S. dollars (USD), and why is most foreign trade invoiced in dollars? Why is the USD used as the primary reserve currency by most countries — including non-allies such as China...
How Much U.S. Debt Is Too Much? United States must restrain entitlement spending
Worldwide debt levels, including public, business and household debt, have reached record levels, not only in absolute terms but also as a percentage of global GDP (well over 300 percent), which is worrisome. If a person’s debt load causes the cost of servicing the...
Northam and His Virginia Anti-Gun Mafia Infringe on Second Amendment Governor and democratic legislators proposing restrictive gun laws
George Washington died on Dec. 14, 1799, at his Virginia home, after feeling ill and going to bed. He was a robust 67-year-old man who appeared to be in good health the day before he died. His doctors, as was the practice at the time, bled him, taking an estimated 40...
Bernie Sanders’ Socialism vs the Founding Fathers’ Libertarianism Voters must ultimately interpret latest political labels
From the beginning of the American Republic, there has been an ongoing struggle between those who believe in a bigger, stronger government and those who believe in a smaller and less interventionist government. Starting with Bernie Sanders, many who believe in bigger...
U.S. Economy Better than Ever In the United States, there are more jobs than workers
2019 was a very good year, despite a dysfunctional Congress. A few weeks ago, a friend said she had noticed that clothing was getting less and less expensive and, in fact, many items seemed to be getting less expensive. Economists call a general decline in prices,...
Pelosi vs McConnell: The Ultimate Political War Game A Trump defeat or Trump’s re-election
How long should House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hold onto the articles of impeachment before sending them to the Senate? People have played games since the beginning of recorded history. Many games involve strategy whereby each team tries to figure out what moves the other...
Economic Freedom vs the Negative Effects of Socialism When brilliance and ignorance collide
Are you amazed about what your fellow humans conceive and create when it comes to technology — the iPhone, 5G, the Tesla, rockets that land upright after being fired, artificial hearts, etc., etc.? Are you also amazed by the willful ignorance of history and economics...
Should Citizens Pass an American History Test to Vote? Literate voters should know the basics of our government
There are few things that will have more impact on your economic well-being and liberties than the votes and actions of those who serve in elected office. If collectively the citizens make the wrong decision at the ballot box, it can mean disaster. How many...