Economics for One

Here’s a great Op Ed in the Wall Street Journal.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123544318435655825.html

They give a great argument for focusing the Stimulus on Entrepreneurs, rather than traditional, moribund behemoths.

A healthy, competitive economy is like an ecosystem.  Unsuccessful businesses die young.  Successful businesses are able to grow, accumulate resources, and age.  But eventually they too give way to younger, more competitive companies.

By propping up the older firms, we are basically preventing the new, more competitive and more effective firms from taking their place.  This stifles innovation and weakens the overall system.  On the other hand, by encouraging the creation of new businesses, we find those more effective replacements sooner, and create a stronger, healthier economy.

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John Williams has developed a great site that publishes unadulterated versions of many of the standard economic statistics.  You can find it at www.shadowstats.com.

From his web site:

Have you ever wondered why the CPI, GDP and employment numbers run counter to your personal and business experiences? The problem lies in biased and often-manipulated government reporting.

The government has a vested interest in misrepresenting key economic data, such as the unemployment rate and the rate of inflation.  Basic economics, and common sense, suggest that they will likely follow their self interest. Read more…

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