“Don’t Buy Government Bonds”

As another farcical “debt-ceiling raising” saga unfolds, conducted by the two indistinguishable political parties hell-bent on driving America into economic ruin, it would be instructive to look at how some earlier conservative/libertarian thinkers viewed public debt.  Unlike the present generation – with the notable exception of Ron Paul – these intellectuals asked fundamental questions about … Continue reading “Don’t Buy Government Bonds”

“We’re All Socialists Now!”

Despite being probably robbed of the Democratic Party’s nomination by the Clinton political machine, the success of the Bernie Sanders’ 2016 campaign with his advocacy of “democratic socialism” was an ominous sign of things to come and, in some sense, more telling of the political climate than Donald Trump’s improbable victory in November, 2016.  The … Continue reading “We’re All Socialists Now!”

Charles A. Beard, “American Foreign Policy in the Making, 1932-1940″*

Review: Charles A. Beard, American Foreign Policy in the Making, 1932-1940: A Study in Responsibilities.  New Haven: Yale University Press, 1946.      Introduction Last year, 2016, marked the 70th anniversary of the publication of Charles Beard's masterful study of United States foreign policy prior to the nation's disastrous entrance into the Second World War, American … Continue reading Charles A. Beard, “American Foreign Policy in the Making, 1932-1940″*

“A Date Which Will Live in Infamy:” President Nixon’s Decision to Abandon the Gold Standard

Franklin Delano Roosevelt called the Japanese “surprise” attack on the U.S. occupied territory of Hawaii and its naval base Pearl Harbor, “A Date Which Will Live in Infamy.”  Similar words should be used for President Nixon’s draconian decision 45 years ago this month that removed America from the last vestiges of the gold standard. On … Continue reading “A Date Which Will Live in Infamy:” President Nixon’s Decision to Abandon the Gold Standard