Happy birthday, Uncle Milty! Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman turns 90 at the end of the month. Since he¹s done so much for me, I¹m proposing a special birthday present for him: canonization as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church. Here¹s a great opportunity. The Catholic Church is in a huge crisis for its […]
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Social movements, like ecosystems, evolve. Although many challenges remain, there is little doubt that Americans have changed the way they think about the environment. In some cases, the results are dramatic. For example, in the 1960s the U.S. Navy occasionally used whales for target practice. A quarter century later, the Navy spent over a million […]
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When I was in college, average income in Montana ranked in the top 10 of American states. Now we’re in the bottom 10, along with Mississippi and Arkansas. The reasons are clear. Our once prosperous basic industries–ag, forestry, and mining–are, and have been, in hard times. This is most unlikely to change. That’s the reality. […]
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PBS recently aired a fascinating documentary, “The Commanding Heights: The Battle for the World Economy.” Part of the series focused on the sorry economic performance of countries in the developing world. Instead of blaming the usual suspects, e.g., colonialism and insufficient foreign aid, the series explored more fundamental and subtle barriers to progress. Economic progress […]
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Earth Day’s slogan, “Think globally, act locally,” has two implications, one physical, one mental. The easy physical stuff may ease guilt and give a sense of superiority, e.g., planting a tree, riding a bike to work or buying organic food. These are largely symbolic acts that make little difference unless they presage massive behavioral shifts. […]
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I have a friend whose job is to attract high-tech businesses to Montana. He knows that folks with integrity, intelligence, and a strong work ethic-people with high human capital-are the key to success. He’s trying to develop the financial and physical resources to lure these scientists and entrepreneurs. He’s got a big stake in the […]
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I’m a life-long conservationist. On the first Earth Day I was in the fourth grade. With the help of my mom I crafted a letter to President Nixon urging increased protection for our nation’s air and water. In college I studied geology. In the years before graduate school, I worked as a teacher and later […]
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A man works in a Gary, Indiana steel factory. His high school son contemplates his future. The factory may close due to competition from cheaper imports. If so, jobs will be lost and people hurt. Should we let the factory go under or protect it with tariffs or quotas? The answer doesn’t come from tallying […]
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Dear Mr. Gibson: Welcome back to Montana and to your new position as the state’s Chief Business Officer. I offer congratulations – and condolences. The congratulations have strong foundations. You were selected from hundreds of candidates and have a wonderful opportunity to realize your personal goals while helping others achieve theirs. While U.S. Army Ranger […]
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I just got a pair of running shoes. They’re great-lightweight and reasonably priced. A buddy commented, “Bet they’re made in some third world sweatshop. You shouldn’t have bought them”. I’m concerned about people making products under conditions I deplore. But will boycotting the company help anyone? I believe not. Here’s why: Reacting to millions of […]
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