Economics

“As a lifetime conservative Reaganite and free marketeer, I would suggest that many on the right are erring on one side of the horse, only to get up and fall off on the other side.” - World

“What AI at its BEST will do to the economy. The rural, small town resistance to AI. And the next election campaigns will be rife with AI.” - Veith

Also: AI Watch, Part 1

“There were intoxicating promises of a grand new world devoid of antagonisms and social pathologies. We had a master plan to transform chaos into ease. As an embattled community, we sheltered ourselves under the mantle of the dream, and I was committed to becoming a faithful drop in the great wave of revolution” - IFWE

“Even if a business doesn’t pass on any portion of the price increase to its customers, the higher cost of purchasing the item for the business will directly—and often immediately—come off its bottom line. The business won’t be able to afford to do as much—including, perhaps—pay its employees at the same rate or at all.” - Wealth & Poverty Review

“The national debt of the United States government is rapidly closing in on $37 trillion. Given that the nominal U.S. GDP is only $29.35 trillion, we owe significantly more than our economy produces. The interest payment alone on the debt is now the third-highest line-item expense, just after Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security.” - Breakpoint

“Perceptions of socialism remain steady at 39% positive.” - Gallup

“In the logic of the story, Amanda should have died just after her coma. Rivermind’s power rests in extending life, but in so doing they offered her a product she could never cease using. And herein lies the possibility of modern technology.

“Although politicians may squabble about particular tariffs, the leading figures of both parties have rejected free trade for neo-mercantilist policies…. If protectionism causes such disaster, why does it remain so popular?” - L&L

“Business harnesses human creativity and energy to benefit mankind in unique and powerful ways. Far from being immoral, business and markets help people develop virtue as they create value and wealth for themselves and others.” - L&L

“A tariff is a tax that is levied on goods exported by one country and imported by another. This tax is charged to the importer in the destination country and paid to that country’s government. Hence, when President Trump instituted tariffs on all goods crossing from Canada to the United States, it is American businesses that now have to pay a 25% tax and remit it to the U.S.