Why are most internationally traded commodities, like oil, corn and aluminum, priced in U.S. dollars (USD), and why is most foreign trade invoiced in dollars? The USD is a better store of value, unit of account, and medium of exchange (that is, money) than any other major country's currency. Published January 27, 2020
Worldwide debt levels, including public, business and household debt, have reached record levels, not only in absolute terms but also as a percentage of global GDP (well over 300 percent), which is worrisome. Published January 20, 2020
The governor and the Democratic legislators in Virginia are proposing restrictive gun laws, which would make it much more difficult for law-abiding Virginians to defend themselves, as well as taking away some of their basic liberty. Published January 13, 2020
Starting with Bernie Sanders, many who believe in bigger government have, without embarrassment, started calling themselves "socialists." Published January 6, 2020
2019 was a very good year, despite a dysfunctional Congress. A few weeks ago, a friend said she had noticed that clothing was getting less and less expensive and, in fact, many items seemed to be getting less expensive. Published December 30, 2019
How long should House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hold onto the articles of impleachment before sending them to the Senate? Published December 23, 2019
In the United States, the left has been working to undermine the necessary civil institutions for a successful society -- including the courts, schools, churches and the free press. Published December 16, 2019
There are few things that will have more impact on economic well-being and liberties than the votes and actions of those who serve in elected office. If collectively the citizens make the wrong decision at the ballot box, it can mean disaster. Published December 9, 2019
Listening to the debates among the Democrats running for president, there is much hand wringing about the alleged increase in income and wealth inequality. But is it true? Published December 2, 2019
Many in the political and media classes, showing their ignorance, try to ignore the laws of physics and economics, particularly when it comes to climate change. Published November 25, 2019
Elizabeth Warren and some of the other candidates want to put in a "wealth tax" to pay for their multi-trillion-dollar spending schemes. Published November 18, 2019
Many believe that the abuse of government control over banks could not happen in the United States. But, in fact, it already happened under the Obama administration. Published November 11, 2019
If you could choose to live in any year of the last 2,000, which year would you pick? For every person, some years are better than others; but looking across all of humankind, this year has probably been the best. Published November 4, 2019
Many of those running for president are producing a never-ending stream of proposals to diminish protections for person and property and destroy liberty. Published October 28, 2019
If your favorite sports league had no rules to govern the game and the actions of the teams in the league, how long could it last? Published October 21, 2019
Last week, the Chinese restricted the National Basketball Association (NBA) because a team official praised the Hong Kong fight for liberty, and then they censored an episode of "South Park" because it spoofed the Chinese communist government. Published October 14, 2019
Is the world going into a recession? And if so, can the United States avoid being dragged in? Even though there are many who speak with great certainty as if they did know, the short and correct answer to both questions is no one knows. Published October 7, 2019
The International Monetary Fund staff just concluded their mission to Ukraine. Upon reading the report, a colleague, who is a very good economist and student of IMF programs, immediately quipped, "Haven't they suffered enough?" -- with the added statement, "The IMF should steer clear." Published September 30, 2019
Every few years, some self-proclaimed prophet comes along with the announcement that the world is going to end on some specific date (usually because of mankind's sins). These religious doomsayer prophets receive less publicity than in times past, only to be replaced by environmental doomsayers. Published September 23, 2019
Socialism has always been a failure, and each year the world receives more information about the failures and brutality of socialism, but a number of people who appear to be intelligent and sane continue to embrace it. Published September 16, 2019
