Audio Mises Wire

Did the Declaration of Independence carry a hidden message of abolition of slavery? Justice Clarence Thomas and historian Harry Jaffa believe that, but legal scholar Wanjiru Njoya holds that such an interpretation pushes the envelope too far. Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/justice-clarence-thomas-harry-jaffa-and-declaration-independence

The Appalachian region, while always relatively poor, had strong families and institutions that held things together. In the aftermath of the expansion of the welfare state and the shrinking of the iron, steel, and coal industries, we have seen social breakdowns and increasing drug addiction. Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/sedation-appalachia

The recent primary defeat of Thomas Massie will deprive this country of a free-market and anti-war voice. How should libertarians respond? Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/defeat-thomas-massie-where-go-here See also "Post-Massie America" (Power & Market Podcast) and "Massie Defeated in Kentucky Primary" by Ryan McMaken.

Viewing the Declaration of Independence as the act that created one consolidated American nation is a common historical anachronism, which projects a later nationalist understanding backward onto the founding era. Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/creating-nation-declaration-independence-and-nation-anachronism

In contemplating the life and career of Ludwig von Mises, one is struck by the nobility and grandeur, the high courage, of his lonely and lifelong struggle on behalf of truth and laissez-faire. But what led Mises to pursue his lonely and seemingly doomed struggle until the very end? Original article: https://mises.org/articles-interest/mises-and-role-economist-public-policy

The Federal Reserve continues to destroy the economy’s savings base through a combination of artificially low interest rates and inflation. This war on savings will not end anytime soon. Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/there-no-reprieve-feds-war-savings

What inspires us about the life of Mises, writes Lew Rockwell, is not his victimhood but his triumph over evil. Original article: https://mises.org/mises-daily/heart-fighter

In attacking progressivism in a recent speech, Clarence Thomas has been pilloried in the media and by politicians and academics. However, Thomas was correct: progressivism has brought one disaster after another, all the while empowering the worst of state actors. Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/justice-clarence-thomas-right-about-progressivism

For too long, people have thought of the airwaves and waterways as “public” property that is best controlled by government. However, Murray Rothbard and others held that one could apply the institution of private property to both. Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/who-owns-airwaves-and-sea

As I see it now, there are really two economies—two distinct systems of producing and exchanging wealth. Or rather, two systems that purport to do these things, though only one of them really produces anything, and the other is organized by a peculiar form of exchange. The first is what is called the trade economy—the one summed up in the phrase "the free market." The other mig...

Public goods theory often assumes what it seeks to establish, namely, that the state is the indispensable precondition of production, even though the state itself depends upon prior production for every resource it possesses. Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/public-goods-circular-argument

The White House leaks that a deal is almost done. Markets surge. Insiders profit. The deal collapses. Repeat. Now the markets barely move. Nobody believes it anymore. A government that cries wolf this many times eventually finds itself alone. Original article: https://mises.org/power-market/when-our-word-no-longer-good

The popular pastime of modern democracies of punishing the diligent and thrifty, while rewarding the lazy, improvident, and unthrifty, is cultivated via the State, fulfilling a demo-egalitarian program based on a demo-totalitarian ideology. Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/democracys-road-tyranny

Mamdani’s election is not the cause of economic decline. Instead, New York City’s slide into chaos has been ongoing for many years, and Mamdani promises to make things even worse. Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/big-apples-woes-are-not-just-result-one-election

Remembering Murray Rothbard on our imperialistic wars: "The true principle of isolationism is that the government should be isolated and people who trade, interchange, and engage in voluntary travel, migration, and so forth should be allowed to peacefully do so." Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/murray-rothbard-war-and-isolationism

Historically, many sovereign states have granted separatist cultural and ideological groups political autonomy as a means of avoiding full secession. The US legal system prevents this. Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/us-constitution-now-suicide-pact

Zohran Mamdani’s proposal reflects a growing belief that economic problems can be solved through public ownership and political management. But a grocery store is still a business governed by costs, and economic reality regardless of who owns it. Original article: https://mises.org/power-market/economic-problem-behind-zohran-mamdanis-government-grocery-plan

Social contract theory was used to critique a form of the state, but was also used to legitimize the modern nation-state. Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/great-reversal-how-social-contract-theory-became-state-apologetics

Buc-ee’s—the roadside travel phenomenon—seems to cater to the extremes in our society. Either customers love shopping at the place or it is yet another symbol of capitalist oppression. Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/buc-ees-free-market-triumph-or-simply-capitalist-oppression

While upholding the radical ideal, Rothbard combined idealism with realism, scholarship with accessibility, and boundless curiosity with commitment to truth. Original article: https://mises.org/articles-interest/murray-n-rothbard-legacy-liberty

Economics is far more than what people see as “the economy.” It is the central organizing factor for civilized society. Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/economics-sociological-foundation-civilization

Washington is pursuing industrial policy again, this time being an attempt to form a minerals consortium with other countries to secure minerals vital to US manufacturing. No doubt, this initiative will end up on the ash heap of bad policy. Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/minerals-consortium-will-result-malinvestment

The US fiat monetary regime not only has given us inflation and boom-and-bust cycles, but it also is the main contributor to the out-of-control government spending and debt accumulation. Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/causes-uncontrollable-us-public-spending-and-debt

The standard line among most economists is that deflation is as bad or even worse than inflation. In reality, the economy needs deflation now more than ever. Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/deflation-bad-economy

Last week’s CPI report, and this week’s PPI report both showed price inflation surging to multi-year highs, and not just on oil prices. Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/price-inflation-accelerates-wars-and-deficits-expand