Author Archives: Josh Smith
Intellectual Property Vs. Clever Parody
[This post was originally written for my employer’s blog, Show-Me Daily.] The Post-Dispatch has a story about a college freshman from Ladue and the very small clothing line he came up with two years ago as a parody of “The North Face.” Apparently, the legal department at The North Face is taking issue with his … Continue reading
Taxinomics: How Not to Run an Industry
[This post was originally written for my employer’s blog, Show-Me Daily.] There’s an article in the Chicago Sun-Times about the state of the taxi industry in the Windy City, and how cab drivers are presently working to change it. Rates are capped there by the city, and any rate hike requires prior approval by the … Continue reading
Missouri’s Ticking Pension Time Bomb
[This post was originally written for my employer’s blog, Show-Me Daily.] The front page article in today’s Post-Dispatch is about the underfunding of Missouri’s public employee pension programs. This is a serious issue that deserves more attention, and the Show-Me Institute is happy to oblige. Check out our full policy study on the matter, as … Continue reading
Our World-Famous Health Care Study
[This post was originally written for my employer’s blog, Show-Me Daily.] The latest Show-Me Institute Policy Study — “The Prognosis for National Health Insurance: A Missouri Perspective” — is shaping up to be a slam dunk. Produced by Arduin, Laffer & Moore Econometrics, the study gives some historical perspective on the growth of the public … Continue reading
Economics of Our Health
[This post was originally written for my employer’s blog, Show-Me Daily.] There’s been a lot of talk lately about health care, especially at the suddenly very popular town hall–style meetings, which have seen both violence and passionate debate. As both David Stokes and I have argued, we are better off remaining civil. And, because health … Continue reading
Despite Admirable Goal, Autism Bill Ill-Conceived
[This post was originally written for my employer’s blog, Show-Me Daily.] The Post-Dispatch has the latest about Gov. Jay Nixon’s struggle to ensure medical coverage for all Missouri children who have autism. I have selected a truly arcane method of judging his argument; in it, I’ll praise his intentions and convictions, while drawing critical attention … Continue reading
Show-Me Health Care Outing: A Newt Experience
[This post was originally written for my employer’s blog, Show-Me Daily.] This morning, six employees of the Show-Me Institute and one of our regular book club attendees found ourselves among 200 other guests at the futureFOCUS 2009 seminar, which featured a presentation from former speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. He made some excellent points … Continue reading
David Stokes on the News
[This post was originally written for my employer’s blog, Show-Me Daily.] I didn’t catch David Stokes on Fox 2 last night in St Louis, but fortunately the clip is online. Dave was interviewed regarding the Internet furor about plans by the city of St. Louis to apply its 1-percent earnings tax to players in the … Continue reading
MOSERS Bonuses Revisited
[This post was originally written for my employer’s blog, Show-Me Daily.] Jim Winkelmann — who was mentioned recently on this blog for his pithy letter to the Post-Dispatch arguing against the Clayton smoking ban — has had another letter to the editor printed in that paper. This one addresses the contentious topic of bonuses for … Continue reading
A Taxing Dilemma
[This post was originally written for my employer’s blog, Show-Me Daily.] Caitlin Hartsell’s recent blog entry discusses another recent news piece, this one in the Springfield News-Leader, about that lawyer who is suing small Missouri towns that he holds to be charging illegally high sales taxes. I already talked about this in terms of theory, … Continue reading