Giving Away Money Costs More Than You Think

When people compete for grants, subsidies, and other government handouts, economists see a phenomenon called rent seeking. The “rent” is the money being offered. When government gives money away, the people who compete for it incur costs—sometimes more money will be spent in total trying to compete for a grant than the amount of money being given away. These costs are rarely considered in policymaking, but perhaps they should be. [...]

February 4th, 2013 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Category: All | Leave a comment

Study Finds Flu Vaccine Is Often Ineffective, as Reported

from The Daily Bell:

Efficacy and effectiveness of influenza vaccines: a systematic review and meta-analysis by Prof Michael T. Osterholm PhD et al … Background: No published meta-analyses have assessed efficacy and effectiveness of licensed influenza vaccines in the USA with sensitive and highly specific diagnostic tests to confirm influenza. – The Lancet

Dominant Social Theme: Vaccines are great. Use them for everything.

Free-Market Analysis: We missed this study in The Lancet when it came out more than a [...]

January 22nd, 2013 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Category: All | Leave a comment

Michael Hudson: Why Government is More Afraid of Debt than Depression

Deficit Hawks One Two Punch

By Michael Hudson

December 16, 2010
Why Government is More Afraid of Debt than Depression
Michael Hudson: Deficit Hawks Want a One Two Punch Against the Economy

Transcript
PAUL JAY, SENIOR EDITOR, TRNN: Welcome to The Real News Network. I’m Paul Jay, coming to you today from New York City. Now joining us is Michael Hudson. He’s a distinguished research professor at University of Missouri – Kansas City. [...]

December 17th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Category: All | Leave a comment