Whew. I have a backlog of great articles to mention. Some new, some a bit older. I'm going to take a triple chomp out of the backlog this morning. Here we go . . .
Ross
I'm repeatedly enthused about young Ross Douthat. The Catholic convert and Chesterton fan has written a book about how bad religion is destroying America. Am I tempted to buy it? Sure. It looks good, but I'm going to stick to my guns and hew to a dozen writers and a handful of topics.
Wal-Mart? No, That's the Government
Wal-Mart leads to hate crime? That's the theory: "because big-box stores drive away small businesses, they also contribute to the erosion of community values, civil engagement and social bonds, allowing for hate group activity to rise." Sorry, folks, I seriously doubt that's the case, though you are onto something. When folks need each other less, they turn on each other more. But that's why big government is evil. Something like it might occur in a community with a big box store, but the effects of a Wal-Mart are de minimis when compared to the effects of our current State.
This from WaPo?
The Washington Post allowed a great piece of satire to run in its pages recently: Fix income inequality with $10 million loans for everyone! The approach is good enough for Wall Street, why not Main Street? Excerpt: "my proposal won't cost taxpayers anything because the Fed is just going to print the money. All we need is about $1,200 trillion, or $10 million for 120 million households. We will all cross our hearts and promise to pay the money back in full after 10 years so the Fed won't lose any dough."
