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History the Schools Left Out

By on August 23, 2010 in Economics 0

Discussions of the economy, especially during times of crisis, are often framed in terms of lessons we supposedly learned during the Depression of the 1930s. If we are not to endure terrible times like those again, we are told, we must support whatever form of state intervention is currently being peddled. The Depression is supposed to be Exhibit A of the alleged instability of the free market left to its own devices, while the New Deal represents the indispensable corrective power of the state.

Starting September 6 — that is, two weeks from today — I’ll be teaching an online course called “The New Deal: History, Economics, and Law” for the Mises Academy. Americans need to know this stuff cold.

Here Jeff Tucker and I discuss the course. (You’ll hear Jeff sing the theme music to The Jetsons.)  Hope to see you in September!

cross-posted from the LewRockwell.com blog

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The Income Tax: Root of all Evil

By on April 15, 2010 in Big Government, Taxation 1

In 1954, Frank Chodorov wrote the classic book of freedom, “The Income Tax: Root of all Evil.” Here’s an excerpt:

THE SUBTITLE of this book is “Root of All Evil.”

If there is an “evil” there must be a “good”-for the one is the opposite of the other. Hence, we must define “good” in order to establish the fact that an “evil” exists or threatens. It is not necessary to prove that the “good” is really good for all peoples at all times and under all circumstances-in short, that it is made in Heaven. Something can be said for that thesis, but this book-which deals with the income tax and its effects on our social, economic, and political life-is not concerned with it. For the purpose of this book, it is only necessary that we agree on a definition of “good” so that we can recognize its opposite.

You can read the entire book online for free at the Mises Institute – click here

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