There’s no excuse for lazy policies
I recently had the pleasure of travelling through the United States and Canada (although encountering the army of needlessly invasive US customs and TSA officials was far from pleasurable, and by no means made me feel secure).
Over a period of two weeks, I investigated the policy and institutional underpinnings separating the more economically robust sub‑national jurisdictions, such as Texas and Alberta, from the others, and the kinds of economic and fiscal reforms (if any) enacted by American states and Canadian provinces in recent decades.
I also spoke to think tanks and industry representatives in jurisdictions enjoying significant recent increases in shale oil and gas exploration and production. This included a short period of time in Bismarck, North Dakota.
While the experts I spoke to in North Dakota bullishly insisted that the shale oil boom will continue into the foreseeable future, and drive America’s future energy independence, it was clear that the boom had already generated rent-seeking processes whereby numerous interest groups contested for their share of growing royalty and other revenues flooding the state government’s coffers.
Given North Dakota’s middling ranking in North American economic freedom indexes, reflecting in part some aspects of higher taxation, paternalist regulations and government ownership across various sectors, it was also apparent that broad‑based policy reforms reducing the size and scope of government, that could benefit all sectors, were not being pursued while the political classes were busily drinking from the fountain of shale oil revenues.
Much of what I was hearing during my time in Bismarck, and to a lesser extent other places such as Colorado and British Columbia, reminded me of Australia, exemplified by its politically short‑sighted approaches to tax as much of the mining boom proceeds as practically possible, and then spend it on activities and ventures of questionable economic value.
In today’s edition of The Australian newspaper an opinion piece of mine (accessible online by subscription only) has been published serving as something of a reflection about some key findings from my time in the small, midwestern state with a population of fewer than 700,000 people. The concluding paragraph of my piece states:
As impressive as the resources boom here and abroad may presently appear, tax-and-waste fiscal responses and reform complacency both fail to position economies for broad-based improvements in international competitiveness and economic prosperity in the long run.
2013-01-02 01:17:55
Source: http://catallaxyfiles.com/2013/01/02/theres-no-excuse-for-lazy-policies/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.