Learn Liberty VIDEO of the Week: "Gold vs. The Full Faith & Credit of the U.S. Government"

This #LearnLibertyClassic takes a look what it means for money be backed by gold instead of the more abstract "full faith and credit of the U.S. government."
Posted by Learn Liberty on Friday, January 15, 2016

Learn Liberty VIDEO of the Week: "Recessions, Individuals and The Government"

In the face of a recession, is it better for individuals to act in accordance with their needs or for governments to make decisions for all? #LearnLibertyClassic
Posted by Learn Liberty on Sunday, December 13, 2015

Lean Liberty VIDEO of the Week: "Do free market advocates have a sound defense for rejecting government regulations?"

Do free market advocates have a sound defense for rejecting government regulations? In this #LearnLibertyClassic,...
Posted by Learn Liberty on Sunday, September 13, 2015

As Government Shuts Down, So Does Consumer Confidence

Cartoon of The Day: How Our Tax System Works...

Dependence On Government Has Never Been Higher

Why Government Spending Suppresses Growth, It DOESN'T Stimulate Growth...

Cartoon of The Day: Which One Is The Better Investment?

Percentage of Americans Receiving Government Benefit Soars in Unsustainable Uptrend...

Government Spending Still Way Out of Control...

Cartoon of The Day: Government Innovation...

 

Why The Welfare State Is Unsustainable...

Global Debt Levels Threaten Economic Growth...

The Lower The Capital Gains Tax, The Higher The Tax Revenue...

The capital gains tax is NOT a tax on buying assets. It is a tax on selling assets. If you don't sell, there is no tax. And when the capital gains tax is high, very few people are willing to sell.

In 1977, when the capital gains tax was 39.9%, realized gains amounted to less than 1.57% of GDP. From 1987 to 1996, when the capital gains tax was 28%, realized gains rose to 2.3% of GDP. Since 28% of 2.3 is larger than 39.9% of 1.57, the lower tax rate clearly raised more tax revenue.

From 2004 to 2007, when the capital gains tax was 15%, realized gains amounted to 5.2% of GDP. Since 15% of 5.2 is larger than 28% of 2.3, the lower tax rate again raised more tax revenue.

The government cannot afford to raise this tax, particularly on those most likely to pay it.

The Misery Index: The Worst in 28 Years...

To put the current Misery Index (unemployment plus inflation = 12.9) in some historical context:

(1) it's higher than any time in the past 28 years

 (2) it's +36% higher than the post-World War II average of 9.5 


(3) there have been only 9 years in the past 63 when the annual Misery Index topped 12.9 — all in the inflationary 1970s.

The 1970s was the last time stagflation reared its ugly head.

Rampant government spending, regulatory hyperactivity and endless federal meddling in the economy were the root causes.


Sound familiar?

In Government We Mistrust?...

Total Government Debt Now Greater Than GDP...

• The 15-year average debt level is 65% of GDP.
  
  
• Economic growth begins to slow at debt levels of about 90% of GDP.
  
  
• Currently, total government debt is at 110% of GDP.
  
  
• This does not bode well for the future of America.
  
  
  

Quote of The Day: A Nation of Makers or A Nation of Takers?

"More Americans work for the government than work in construction, farming, fishing, forestry, manufacturing, mining and utilities combined. We have moved decisively from a nation of makers to a nation of takers. Nearly half of the $2.2 trillion cost of state and local governments is the $1 trillion-a-year tab for pay and benefits of state and local employees."


- Stephen Moore, Wall Street Journal

Why The Washington D.C. Metro Area Has The Highest Per Capita Income In The Country...

Since the recession started private employment has declined by nearly -7% , a total of nearly -8 million jobs lost.

State and Local government employment, however, is essentially unchanged.

But Federal government employment has increased roughly +10%!

So that's where all that stimulus money went! To stimulate government, not the private sector?

Is that the reason why the Washington D.C. metro area (including suburban Maryland and Virginia) has the highest per capita income and lowest unemployment rate in the entire nation?

Working for the Government

1 out of every 6 American workers (17%) is employed by the government, either at the federal, state or local level .


Source: Department of Labor