“One of the many ironies of politics is that those politicians who do the most to reduce supply often express the greatest outrage about high prices. “
Truest statement I have seen in a while. How many libs are running around screaming about high prices, who opposed drilling in the ANWR, building new refineries or reactors, drilling off-shore, or even building wind farms off-shore because it would hurt Ted Kennedy’s view? They are legion.
How come Dr. Sowell isn’t running for President? We need a rational and logical thinker such as him
Thomas Sowell - Walter Williams ‘08. Or Walter Williams - Thomas Sowell ‘08, for that matter. Either way would be fine by me. In any case my dream ticket. Blacks to the Future! Quite possibly the two most intelligent Americans alive.
very nice piece.
1/ Gosh golly wow; Tom Sowell is a really cool guy and smart, too! [If I read one more post that says that I’m gonna scream!]
2/ Is there anyone out there that can actually make a comment on the subject matter without drooling? For example:
>> Is it really too “complex” to figure out that taking vast amounts of land off the market will make the price of the remaining land far more expensive? <<
Comment: Florida has made a business of massive land grabs; the latest to fall is an 8-1/2 square mile area west of Miami that’s a boondoggle for strip miners. Both the mega-farmers (selling krappy land at inflated values to the State and Federal Gumm’nt) and the land developers (less supply makes their land worth more) are in hog heaven.
Anybody? Anybody?
Make a list of those politicians who most loudly lament the lack of "affordable housing." Then make a list of those politicians who have most consistently promoted restrictions on the building of housing, under the banner of "open space" laws, "farmland protection" policies, preventing "urban sprawl," and other politically soothing phrases.
Again, do not be surprised at seeing the same folks on both lists.
Yes, the same names will appear on both lists. And, the very people who vote these yokels into office will make those lists, see the same names on the list, and say "so what!"
This, of Mr. Sowell's thoughts: So long as voters prefer heroes and villains to supply and demand, this game will continue to be played. It is not because supply and demand is too "complex" to understand, but because it is not emotionally satisfying.
I had originally thought to argue with Mr. Sowell's use of the word "satisfying" and originally inserted "gratifying". But again, he is correct - the word indeed must be "satifying". Why, say I? Because the voters who voted these "same list" yokels into office are seldom if ever gratified after the campaign "promises". All they get is the satisfaction in the fact they voted in their Punch and Judy "politician".
I’m wondering if as Dr. Sowell talked about land being taken off the market, Dr. Sowell was composing a soliloquy for the Senate Majority Leader, that scumbag Harry Reid.
Reid and his 4 kids (all lawyers/lobbyists) buy and sell land and other largesse from/to Indian tribes out in Nevada with huge amounts of wampum going into the Reid protectorate pocket.
Ain't it the truth. BTT.
>> It is not because supply and demand is too “complex” to understand, but because it is not emotionally satisfying.
What is there to say about those who are emotionally satisfied when forced to adopt a particular behavior?
Excellent.