Pollygot

Chris Bertram has an excellent Piece at Crooked Timber. I side with Chris in thinking that domestic relativities can be the only real focus on such an argument. Global relativities would and will only matter if a solid, integrated Global economy can be achieved; remember, the Global economy flourishes because of nonsectarian delegation of economic activities. Sectarian sectors means a specific economic group has capitalized and specialized to the point of defining an industry, with all of the barriers to entrance naturally entailed. The richness of the Global economy derives from the inability to establish the above barriers to entrance, all Competitors incapable of excluding other Competitors because of their self-generation of capital and expertise. Domestic relativities, on the other hand, devolve directly from barriers to entrance raised by some segments of the economic society against other segments of that society; these erections forestalling alternative opportunity for All.

Tim Haab cannot understand the economic models establishing the fact that Jobs will not be lost, if Minimum Wage increases are held below a certain level. His belief coincides with all views which cannot register Cost-of-Living increases, and is as misinformed. Minimum Wage increases held within proper range will promote overall economic growth with a greater empowerment of a certain segment as Consumers, while its universality assures that labor will be required for the service of that greater empowerment. Such people complain about Inflation everywhere, except in the personal Case of their own Take-Home Pay. Inflation will attack their restaurant charges anyway, with or without a Minimum Wage increase. I could still get a $4 Breakfast most everywhere when the last Minimum Wage increase occurred. Restaurant Customers will see $6.60 Breakfasts anyway, and mine are already $7+, so like I care.

Bryan Caplan asks a sensible question, but one which raises a particular question in itself: Why should Income and Property taxes be exempted by the federal government? Any answer must confront the advantage given to Wealth, at the disadvantage of the Poor; they being penalized for lack of property and Income.

Mark Thoma came in with an excellent article on the Military Production Function. It discusses several good points first outlined by Ralph Rotte and Christoph Schmidt, whose Thoughts have provoked much discussion about military theory. They fail to present a most elemental point: the necessary quality required in Junior Officers. This reaches realization in two parts: junior officers must be highly trained, skilled, and motivated; and they must also enjoy a certain latitude in interpretation of Orders. The junior officers must motivate the troops, and provide on-site direction of the battle, and Command must avoid micro-management in this process. Command interference can demoralize both junior officers and troops through misunderstood Movement and unnecessary labors. lgl