Bob Murphy

Author Archive

Free-Market Economists for Massive Tax Hikes

You know how it’s impossible to buy an airplane ticket, unless your company pays for it? The reason is that businesses can deduct air travel as an expense. You know how it’s impossible to go out to dinner, unless your company pays for it? The reason is that businesses can deduct meals as an expense. […]

Opting Out of Social Security

My new EconLib article. An excerpt: My suggestion is that the government, before making any major changes to the Social Security formulas, first allow Americans to opt out of the system, thereby avoiding any future payroll taxes but also forfeiting any accrued benefits. However, if the person represents a net asset to the Social Security […]

Contra Krugman Ep. 76: With Special Guest Oren Cass

This is a special episode in two ways. First, we cover not one, but two, Krugman columns. But wait, there’s more. We also have special guest Oren Cass, of the Manhattan Institute, join in the fun. A breakdown of the highlights: 2:15 I shower Oren with love. 6:05 I start with my petty pushbacks against […]

God’s Defining Attribute

…is His goodness. In Exodus 33, Moses famously asks God to show him His glory. Notice how God responds: 17And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” 18Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” 19And […]

Potpourri

==> I am not a fan of using political courts to punish liars, but it’s pretty amazing what Greenpeace was forced to admit in court as a result of a lawsuit. ==> My latest IER post highlights a new Fraser Institute study (not by me) that shows the British Columbia carbon tax hasn’t been revenue […]

Follow-Up On Free Trade and Household Analogy

I think Don Boudreaux would be fine with me quoting his comment from my previous post here in the big lights. So I’ll break his comment up and respond piecemeal. Bob: Thanks. Your example is valid, but I believe that it doesn’t cast any suspicion on the household analogy (which, of course, was used also […]

Free Traders Might Want to Be More Careful With the Household Analogy

I am friends with Don Boudreaux and I love that he is hammering away on free trade. (Check out this cool post showing how much more knowledgeable Reagan was compared to Trump.) But I also get bored and like to make nitpicky remarks. So take this post in that light. Don favorably links to a […]

A Proposal for Local Government Reform — Guest Post by Barry Klein

[I’m giving a talk to Barry’s group in Houston, and he asked if he could get his message out through my blog. — Bob] BY BARRY KLEIN To reclaim liberty, embrace what’s working ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rolling back BigGov at the municipal level with single issue politics … using the Texas model The Left and Right have […]