Our house is worth much more than it was five years ago, according to an article in Sunday’s Pioneer Press. Yippee! My wife and I are richer than before. Your house probably is worth more, too. Nor are we alone.…
Gas tax good, automobile tax not so good
Minnesota state Sen. Dick Day’s proposal for an additional 5 cents per gallon gas tax is a good idea. As an economist, I wish the Owatonna Republican had stopped there and not gone on to propose $125 and $75 taxes…
Writing off debt of poorest nations a good idea
Britain’s proposal for essentially writing off all of the debts of some very poor countries is a good one. Debt-relief advocates should restrain their enthusiasm, however. Discharging debts of many countries might help improve conditions for their growing out of…
Some work just can’t be outsourced
Sometimes, even the comics contain economics lessons. Last week, an angry Sgt. Snorkel upbraided Beetle Bailey for not digging his foxhole as ordered. Beetle, lolling against a tree, replies, “I’m outsourcing. You have to go to India to see it.”…