Category Archives: regulation

Vaccine Passports

Posted on April 1, 2021 by wcoats

Discussions of the pros and cons of mandated lock downs to stop (or slow) the spread of Covid-19 often miss the most important point. The key factor in restraining the spread of a contagious disease (beyond vaccines, basic public health … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare, regulation | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

The unnecessary fight over Covid-19

Posted on March 6, 2021 by wcoats

We American’s expect to be able to make our own choices about what risks we are willing to take. The limits on our behavior generally concern when it threatens to harm others. When state after state issued stay at home … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare, regulation | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Australia and Facebook

Posted on February 27, 2021 by wcoats

As reported in Bloomberg: “Australia’s parliament passed a world-first law to force digital giants such as Facebook Inc. and Google pay local publishers for news content…. The legislation was passed Thursday and will ensure “news media businesses are fairly remunerated … Continue reading →

Posted in News and politics, regulation | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Access to COVID-19 vaccines

Posted on January 2, 2021 by wcoats

In less than one year from learning of this virus, we now have two approved safe and effective covid-19 vaccines with at least one more on the way. Millions of doses have already been produced. This is a near miracle. … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare, regulation | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Conflicts of interest in government

Posted on December 10, 2020 by wcoats

I want my government to be run as efficiently as possible for the benefit of all of us. Appointing people to run it with experience in what they oversee contributes to that objective. Conflicts of interest–serving the interests of friends … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, regulation | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Unions vs the Gig Economy

Posted on November 14, 2020 by wcoats

Americans largely support and benefit from a political/legal environment conducive to individual freedom and active entrepreneurship.  However, within that broad consensus, views vary over how large and prescriptive the role of government and mandatory bodies should be.  Should only doctors, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, regulation | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Are Venture Capitalists racists?

Posted on July 25, 2020 by wcoats

Shifting sovereignty from Kings to the people, was the beginning of human flourishing. In the United States, in its constitution the people returned only those powers to their government necessary to protect their wellbeing. The right to and protection of … Continue reading →

Posted in Discrimination, Economics, immigration, racism, regulation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The order to reopen–who gives it?

Posted on April 17, 2020 by wcoats

Like all of us, President Trump is eager to reopen the economy. Does he have the authority to do so or do state governors? Fortunately, neither can force us to start eating out again, or return to our offices. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare, Money, regulation, taxes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Econ 101: covid-19 resource priorities

Posted on April 5, 2020 by wcoats

U.S. cases of covid-19 (those testing positive for the virus that causes it) continue their exponential growth exceeding 333,000 on April 5 with over 9,500 associated deaths. In a few days some hospitals will run out of the protective equipment … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Government, Healthcare, regulation, trade | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Beating covid-19: Compulsion or Persuasion and Guidance

Posted on March 31, 2020 by wcoats

March 31, 2020 The number of deaths in the U.S. from covid-19 have doubled every three days over the last 22 days amounting to 3,141 by the end of March 30. At that point there were 163,788 confirmed cases (those … Continue reading →

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