Race in Brazil
I was in Cuiaba Brazil this last week and wanted to write a bit on how my first impression of Brazil based on my visit to Manaus in 2013 was less than accurate. In Manaus, I felt like I stood out like a sore thumb and people were constantly watching me as I was walking […]
Facade of a suit and tie with the insurance companies
The perception of insurance companies as a “sham industry” often stems from public frustration with specific business practices. Executives wearing suits and ties project professionalism and trustworthiness, which is crucial for industries that rely on consumer confidence. However, critics argue that this polished appearance can mask issues within the industry, such as:
Prodigal Accumulators of Wealth and Under Accumulators of Wealth from Millionaire Next Door
In The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko, PAWs (Prodigious Accumulators of Wealth) and UAWs (Under Accumulators of Wealth) are two categories the authors use to describe people’s wealth-building habits and financial behaviors. Key Concepts: Formula to Identify PAWs and UAWs: The authors provide a simple formula to calculate expected […]
Democracy in Chains – Public Choice Theory
Nancy MacLean’s Democracy in Chains argues that Public Choice Theory, as developed by James Buchanan and utilized by figures like the Koch brothers, has been strategically employed to mislead the public about its true goals. This “tricking” involves presenting libertarian policies as rational and necessary for freedom while obscuring their long-term aim to restrict democratic […]
Critique of Descartes in Ten Books that screwed up the world
I’m currently reading Ten Books That Screwed Up the World and I have been reflecting on some of the key ideas from the book. The author is critical of Descartes and I want to dive into that critique. In Ten Books That Screwed Up the World by Benjamin Wiker, the author critiques René Descartes for […]
Democracy in Chains (section on social security)
In Democracy in Chains by Nancy MacLean, the author discusses how economist James M. Buchanan, a key figure in the development of public choice theory, advocated a “divide and conquer” approach to undermining Social Security. Buchanan, deeply skeptical of government programs like Social Security, viewed them as threats to economic freedom because they involved redistributing […]
Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton: The Life and Legacy of a Founding Father Alexander Hamilton was one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers. Born on January 11, 1757, in the West Indies, he overcame a challenging childhood, marked by poverty and the death of his parents, to become a key figure in shaping the United States. His intellect […]
3/5 Compromise
The 3/5 Compromise was an agreement made in 1787 when leaders were writing the U.S. Constitution. It decided how enslaved people would be counted for things like taxes and representation in Congress. Southern states wanted to count enslaved people in their population because it would give them more power in Congress. Northern states disagreed because […]
Leadership of FDR
Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), the 32nd President of the United States, is widely regarded as one of the most effective and inspirational leaders in American history. His leadership traits were instrumental in guiding the nation through two of its greatest crises: the Great Depression and World War II. Here’s an analysis of FDR’s key leadership […]
Examples of battles over Federalism
The struggle between federal and centralized authority has been a central theme in political history, particularly in nations with federal systems. Here are key historical examples of battles over federalism, outlining disputes between state/regional authority and national/central authority: United States 1. The Articles of Confederation vs. U.S. Constitution (1781–1789) 2. Nullification Crisis (1832–1833) 3. The […]