Richard W. Rahn
Articles by Richard W. Rahn
America is showing signs of an early decay
The history of the world is in good part the history of the rise and fall of empires. The USA (American) empire is the latest and is already showing signs of decay, which may be fatal. Published January 3, 2023
Congress’ $1.7 trillion irresponsible Christmas gift to Americans
Congress just passed a $1.7 trillion (that is trillion with a T) budget that President Biden has signed. Published December 27, 2022
Despite incompetent leadership and woke doomsayers’ predictions, life will get better
This is the time of year for good cheer and optimism. Most everything will get better -- health, life spans, economic prosperity, etc. Published December 19, 2022
America’s workforce and the law of diminishing returns
There is an adage: In any organization, 20% of the people do 80% of the work, and 80% of the people do 20% of the work. Published December 12, 2022
The vicious journalists, scientists and politicians who blame others for their misdeeds
Part of being a child is partially living in fantasyland -- which makes the pain of growing up much easier. Published December 5, 2022
COP27’s green agenda will leave many out in the cold this winter
The U.N. annual climate conference (COP27) that just concluded in Egypt might have set the record for the greatest number of bad ideas ever presented at a major international conference. Published November 28, 2022
High cost of corruption around the world
Why are some countries rich and others very poor? At the top of this list, put corruption -- both policy and personal. Published November 21, 2022
How to stop inflation
Inflation makes you rich -- well, not exactly -- but it can make you appear rich. Published November 14, 2022
Teaching Biden about energy and climate change
Last week, President Biden attacked the coal industry. He said his administration was going "to be shutting down these plants all across America..." Published November 7, 2022
How much money should we spend to protect Congress, the Cabinet and Supreme Court?
The attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband, Paul, again presents the question of which public officials should receive protection and how far should it pertain to family members. Published October 31, 2022
Unrestrained government spending is resulting in a money meltdown
Those who study both the physical and behavioral sciences should have learned that there are consequences to every action -- some good and some not so good -- often referred to as stage II. Published October 24, 2022
The dangers of too much power in the hands of one person
Political instability is rising, and the citizens of the world are more fearful, with good reason. Published October 17, 2022
The never-ending state of rotten and excessive government
Norway would be almost the ideal country if it were not a bit cold for my tastes. Published October 10, 2022
Gore, Kerry go after World Bank President Malpass on global warming comments
The president of the World Bank, David Malpass made an unforgivable error this past week by admitting he did not precisely know how much of the current global warming is caused by man. Published October 3, 2022
The coming Chinese-Russian conflict
President Xi Jinping of China is probably looking at the Russian debacle in Ukraine and thinking, "Putin needs me, but I don't need him." Published September 26, 2022
Replacing the queen on currency serves no good purpose
With the passing of the queen, there has been much discussion about whether the monarchy and all the various paper currencies with a portrait of the Queen should be replaced. Published September 19, 2022
Good news about economic freedom for former communist countries
The annual Economic Report of the World was just published by the Fraser Institute and a number of other think tanks. Published September 12, 2022
Biden and Democrats’ buying votes through fiscal irresponsibility
Do you understand quantum physics? There are few physicists who claim to fully understand it, and there is still much disagreement among them about some core aspects of quantum physics. Published September 5, 2022
Larger government cannot make things better
Over the period from 1980 and 2018, "the world's population rose by 71.2 percent, yet the average working time to earn enough money to buy 50 kinds of energy, food, raw materials, and metals fell by 71.6 percent. Published August 29, 2022
Electrical energy future incorporates fusion, geothermal and hydro plants
The good news is that the world will be awash with clean and inexpensive energy; the bad news is that utopia may be up to a century off due to government drag. Published August 22, 2022
