Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Thursday, November 03, 2011
Conformity in the name of diversity
I find George Will to be one of the more insightful contrarians on the opinions page. Here's a good article from him again.
For those not interested in clicking, here's an excerpt:
For those not interested in clicking, here's an excerpt:
Although Vanderbilt is a private institution, its policy is congruent with “progressive” public policy, under which society shall be made to progress up from a multiplicity of viewpoints to a government-supervised harmony. Vanderbilt’s policy, formulated in the name of enlarging rights, is another skirmish in the progressives’ struggle to deny more and more social entities the right to deviate from government-promoted homogeneity of belief. Such compulsory conformity is, of course, enforced in the name of diversity.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
A deficit is not a deficit
The word deficit is used in two political context as those it had the same meaning in each. It isn't.
When we talk about the federal budget deficit we are talking about the government spending more than it raises in taxes in a given year. Over time, government can't spend more than it taxes. To do so this year, it has to borrow, which means today's spending gets paid for later, by us or our children.
When we talk about the trade deficit, we are talking about net imports. The US runs a trade deficit with China because they ship us more than we ship them in goods. My family runs a trade deficit with A Fresh Market - they sell me more than I sell them. My family runs a trade surplus with my supplier - I sell them more than they sell me. Resolving a trade imbalance is non-sensical. There's no reason any two entities should be equal in trade. That doesn't mean the ledger doesn't balance. It does. If China gives us a bunch of stuff for little green pieces of paper, they can either buy our stuff with it or invest in our country. Either way, the dollars come back. Whether you area country or a company, it is not a bad thing for people to want to invest in you.
Budget deficit and trade deficit sound like related concepts. They aren't.
When we talk about the federal budget deficit we are talking about the government spending more than it raises in taxes in a given year. Over time, government can't spend more than it taxes. To do so this year, it has to borrow, which means today's spending gets paid for later, by us or our children.
When we talk about the trade deficit, we are talking about net imports. The US runs a trade deficit with China because they ship us more than we ship them in goods. My family runs a trade deficit with A Fresh Market - they sell me more than I sell them. My family runs a trade surplus with my supplier - I sell them more than they sell me. Resolving a trade imbalance is non-sensical. There's no reason any two entities should be equal in trade. That doesn't mean the ledger doesn't balance. It does. If China gives us a bunch of stuff for little green pieces of paper, they can either buy our stuff with it or invest in our country. Either way, the dollars come back. Whether you area country or a company, it is not a bad thing for people to want to invest in you.
Budget deficit and trade deficit sound like related concepts. They aren't.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Saturday, October 08, 2011
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Monday, October 03, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Friday, September 09, 2011
Monday, September 05, 2011
18th Anniversary Dinner at Home
Tomato and Basil Towers (forgot to shoot it before it was half eaten)
Butternut Squash Soup with Shiitake Mushrooms
Beet Ravioli
Salmon in Cardamon Broth
Blueberry Pie with Lemon Yogurt Sorbet
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Butternut Squash Soup with Shiitake Mushrooms
Beet Ravioli
Salmon in Cardamon Broth
Blueberry Pie with Lemon Yogurt Sorbet
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:The Spruces
Saturday, September 03, 2011
My new favorite business
I wish this was me, riding around delivering jam. I think we'd have to live in a tent in the park...
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Happy Birthday, Katie
Today's a huge day for my sweet Kate. She turns 40. In 40 years Katie has accomplished more than most people accomplish in a lifetime. She graduated from college (first woman in her family, I believe?), has six kids, and has made friends in many places, including the three continents where she has lived and one more where she we to get a baby. I feel lucky to be with her and have been with her. Except today.
Today I don't get to be with her. I wish she had her backpack and hiking shoes on and was sleeping on the ground with me in Sweden. What a horrible birthday to miss.
I miss you Katie and hope you have a wonderful day. It will be wonderful if, even for a moment, you realize how amazing, and how loved, you are.
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