Bob Murphy

Author Archive

Abbandonato’s Murphy Smackdown

I can’t remember if I already posted this? But the writer put so much work into it, I want to make sure I don’t neglect it. In response to my IER post on the Clean Air Act, Aisling Abbandonato wrote a very lengthy critique. And here are the references to the article. Unfortunately I’m swamped with “day […]

Contra Krugman Ep. 75: Economic Growth

I don’t have time right now to outline this episode, so let me just post the link. One thing I’ll say: The episode revolves around Krugman saying that the Trump team’s forecast of 3 percent real GDP growth is absurd. I bring up the fact that Krugman confidently defended the Obama Administration’s economic growth forecasts […]

If Trump Is Half As Bad As His Critics Say…

…then how has he been cutting business deals for decades? A progressive opponent of Trump, like Bernie Sanders, is being consistent. He thinks the market economy is a vulnerable thing that needs all sorts of government oversight to achieve even a basic level of functionality. Also, fans of the market who strongly disagree with Trump’s […]

Two Oopsies in Scott Adams’ Posts

I still enjoy checking in on Scott Adams (the Dilbert creator) to see his rival narrative concerning Trump. (Here’s a good example.) However, I often find Adams carelessly pontificating on things when I suspect he isn’t nearly committed to the principle as his writing suggests. The best recent example is his post, “How to Evaluate […]

“If Ignorance Is Strength, How Strong Is Krugman?”

I picked the title this time for Contra Krugman (ep. 74), and I feel like Ralphie re-reading his essay on the Red Rider bb gun. In this episode we have some fun, remembering all the diplomatic gaffes and serious policy blunders (such as the rollout of ObamaCare) under the previous Administration. The point isn’t to […]

Documentary on Biblical Literalism

I am relaying a comment from my last Sunday post: Bob – I sent you an email about this, but it didn’t occur to me until now to mention it on your site. There is a special showing tomorrow only (Thursday, 23rd) of Is Genesis History? at theaters around the country. It’s a documentary arguing […]

Understanding the Economic Commentary on the Border Tax/Subsidy

I was so happy with Scott Sumner’s post that tried to explain the border tax/subsidy issue, that I spent 45 minutes on an episode of the Lara-Murphy Show walking through its logic. Scott’s post made it click for me, and I did my best to convey that extra comprehension to all of you folks too. […]

Moses Talks God Out of His Plan?

Of course that’s not what happened. But it’s interesting the way the Bible is written: Exodus 32: 11-14: Then Moses pleaded with the LORD his God, and said: “LORD, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty […]