Note to Self

Note to Self:

If I ever

1) Become a United State Senator,

2) Become a homosexual,

then,

don't, I repeat, DON'T attempt to engage in
anonymous sexual activity in the bathroom at the airport.

For that would be just stupid.

That is all.

The Sometime Chairman is Brilliant

Hear the Sometime Chairman, Mr. Phelan, on this recent broadcast of the Taxpayers League Live show (accessible here). The gentleman expounds on the life, legaccy and import of Milton Friedman.

While some of the Sometime Chairman's other credits were detailed during the interview, with regret, neither his leadership of the Society (nor the greatest honor it can bestow) was discussed.

Re-route 35W over the Cedar Street Bridge

Janet at http://scsuscholars.com/ suggests that we should upgrade the "Practice Freeway,"
Interstate Highway 35E through St. Paul, to handle some of the traffic that tragically can use 35W.

I suggest that we explore using the Cedar Avenue Bridge to handle perhaps two lanes of traffic each way from 35W. Close the bridge to local traffic and re-route a reduced volume of traffic onto the Cedar Avenue Bridge. I don't know the ability of this bridge to handle traffic. Prior to yesterday's tragedy, it had two lanes of traffic each way. Perhaps its use would require additional weight limits. I guess that it might take no longer than a month to construct roads on the north and south sides of the Mississippi River to divert some I-35W traffic onto this bridge.

On the Benefits of Free Trade (and Tenure)

1,028 economists have signed onto the following petition which was printed as an ad in today's Wall Street Journal. The entire list of economists signing the petition is available here.
Looking at the Minnesota signatories, it appears they all have tenure, including two who just received tenure this year. So do tenured and non-tenured economists have different views of protectionism, or is academic freedom so weak that economic professors without tenure are afraid to sign on?

PETITION
Concerning Protectionist Policies Against China

We, the undersigned, have serious concerns about the recent protectionist sentiments coming from Congress, especially with regards to China.

By the end of this year, China will most likely be the United States' second largest trading partner. Over the past six years, total trade between the two countries has soared, growing from $116 billion in 2000 to almost $343 billion in 2006. That's an average growth rate of almost 20% a year.

This marvelous growth has led to more affordable goods, higher productivity, strong job growth, and a higher standard of living for both countries. These economic benefits were made possible in large part because both China and the United States embraced freer trade.

As economists, we understand the vital and beneficial role that free trade plays in the world economy. Conversely, we believe that barriers to free trade destroy wealth and benefit no one in the long run. Because of these fundamental economic principles, we sign this letter to advise Congress against imposing retaliatory trade measures against China.

There is no foundation in economics that supports punitive tariffs. China currently supplies American consumers with inexpensive goods and low-interest rate loans. Retaliatory tariffs on China are tantamount to taxing ourselves as a punishment. Worse, such a move will likely encourage China to impose its own tariffs, increasing the possibility of a futile and harmful trade war. American consumers and businesses would pay the price for this senseless war through higher prices, worse jobs, and reduced economic growth.

We urge Congress to discard any plans for increased protectionism, and instead urge lawmakers to work towards fostering stronger global economic ties through free trade.

Here are Kudlow and Mankiw commenting on the petition.