Do we want more lawyers?

Obama recently suggested that law schools rearrange their academic construct from a three year course of study down to two.  Such a move would, presumably, lower the cost of attending law school.  In the short run, this would encourage more students to pursue a law degree, but would that be a good thing? 

It’s my contention that the world would be better off with fewer lawyers not more.

Return to Blogging

With this blog post, Prof J announces his return to the blogosphere. Not that anyone except my co-blogger missed me! Prof J had numerous challenges this past year, the most important of which was losing his mother. She was a model citizen who contributed greatly to her community by raising a wonderful family, working as a nurse and public health official, and volunteer with the Catholic church and schools. She is sorely missed.

But Prof J's mom was not someone to wallow in self-pity, or to let others do so. She was a doer, a woman of action. She'd say "feel your feelings, but get on with the job." She also said "follow your dreams." It's her passion for education and growth that led to Prof J's path to the Ph.D.

Unfortunately, losing his mom has led Prof J down a dark path of alcohol abuse, self-pity, poor eating and sleeping habits, and generally a regression of goodness. However, after a visit home last week, Prof J is newly committed to living a virtuous life. Living a life Prof J's mom would be proud of. My model for this life? Ben Franklin of course! Having just read his autobiography (spurred on by Art of Manliness' book club selection for August), I have found in Franklin a model of productivity, prudence, community spirit, and manliness. Moreover, he was a friend of liberty (if not the staunchest libertarian).

Franklin followed a list of 13 virtues. He attributes his successes to a strict adherence to the virtues early in life, until they became ingrained in his character. The first virtue on his list? Temperance. Franklin didn't drink alcohol until much later in life, and he ate sparingly, consuming a mostly vegetarian diet. He found his eating & drinking habits to be very helpful in maintaining a good work ethic (never drunk or hungover is good for productivity!) and it was easy on his pocket-book. He saved money at the end of the payday, rather than owing money to the tavern. All to the good in my view!

Franklin had 12 more virtues, but he focused on one of the virtues until he'd mastered it, and then moved on to the next. Of course, he kept an eye on not violating the other virtues, so it wasn't one to the exclusion of the others. As I progress through the year, I'll be cycling through the virtues a la Franklin.

At any rate, as my new focus is personal betterment, I will mostly be blogging about how liberty contributes to moral development in individuals, and state constraints work against said moral development. This will hopeful interest more people than just me, but if it doesn't, tough 'taters.

Eureka!

Eureka, which is the state motto for California, means simply “I have found it”.  And after reading a recent article on a new tax code hiccup about to hit certain California businesses, I believe many of them will have their own “Eureka” moment. 

If ever a tax scheme could be concocted to frighten away any level headed entrepreneur, this new tax code twist in California would be at the top of the list.

According to the Wall St Journal, certain companies could lower their capital gains taxes by investing in “qualified state businesses” whatever that means.  However, a court recently ruled this practice unconstitutional.  Ok, no problem.  But the fix, if adopted by the state Franchise Tax Board, is hugely unfair and outright insane. 

From the article - “Instead of simply ending the tax incentive going forward, the state Franchise Tax Board has ordered investors who used the tax break to pay five years of back taxes. As a special insult, these taxpayers may have to pay interest and penalties on the "unpaid taxes" they were never required to pay in the first place.”

Imagine being assessed penalties and interest on taxes you weren’t required to pay!  If there were any doubt that any semblance of equity, fairness, and justice had long departed Sacramento this is solid proof.   

California might as well erect signs at its border telling would-be entrepreneurs to FLEE!

A letter to Consumer’s Report:

Dear Mr. Guest,

In your latest column, “From Our President” (Consumer Reports, August 2013), you rightly advocate the rights and concerns of consumers everywhere.  There is little doubt that CR work tirelessly on behalf of consumers, offering unbiased advice on millions of products each year.  However, the consumer protections and provisions you regularly seek from government leave us worse off, leading to fewer choices and higher prices.

Any cries you make for increased consumer choice are drowned out by the trumpet you blare for more government intervention. Your magazine routinely calls for more haughty oversight from the likes of the Consumer Products Safety Commission, the Federal Drug Administration, and a plethora of other federal rule-making agencies.  By nature, the approach of these high-minded agencies is a one-size-fits-all solution.  And while your intentions may be above reproach, additional rule-making from unaccountable aristocrats will nary benefit the average consumer.

The “consumers” you allude to, far from a homogeneous glob of mitochondria, are actually comprised of individuals – individuals with unique tastes, preferences, and wants.  And satisfying the desires of this needy bunch requires firms to compete.  This requisite competition among firms all but guarantees most of the “safety provisions and protections” you solicit from government but individually fashioned to meet the demands of millions of inimitable preferences.  What competition necessarily accomplishes through an inherent process, the external regulator could never do.

Many a firm, particularly of the rent-seeking ilk, and, abhorring having to fight for its customers, would gladly join you in “advocating” for the consumer manifested through government diktats, not unlike similar ones you advocate for.  These protections come in many flavors – tariffs and quotas, minimum standards and requirements, maximum amounts of this ingredient, restrictions for this group of people, licenses to perform this trade, etc., etc., etc.

On behalf of all consumers, I ask that you step back from your relentless calls for more government and allow the free market to do what no government can do: satisfy the needs of millions of consumers on a continual basis.

F-150 Korean Style

Despite South Korea’s reputation as a technologically advanced people, it’s not uncommon to catch a glimpse of the past.  

 

 

This is the American version of the handyman’s pickup truck.  Space carries a premium in Seoul, and this go-go gadget Motruck is outfitted with all the essentials in a tiny but easy-to-navigate and park vehicle.  I doubt this half truck/half motorcycle would be street legal in any American state – but it should be. 

Consumers would benefit if transportation departments allowed such Sanford & Son contraptions on the roads.  The savings owners reaped from procuring and operating small, cheap, and easy-to-park vehicles would be passed on to consumers in the form of lower prices.  It also affords would-be repairmen a relatively cheap entry into the business.

However, don’t look for one of these anytime soon.  A slew of federal safety regulations all but prohibit such a conveyance.  The lack of a seat belt, functional windshield wipers, and airbag are enough to keep the Motruck sidelined in the USA.  Nevertheless, its popularity and legality in Seoul is a win for anyone who needs a quick and affordable repair.

Summer’s over. Back to school…and blogging.

We’ve had a nice, long summer here in Seoul.  We took a short vacation to Hong Kong in July and loved it.  If you’ve never been, I highly recommend it.  We stayed at the Renaissance and our hotel overlooked Victoria Bay towards Kowloon, and the views of the harbor and city skyline were simply amazing.

At The Peak

Also at The Peak

Night view of Kowloon

Hong Kong

The kiddos begin school shortly, and it’s time for me (and Prof J, hopefully) to start posting again.  My goal is to post one quality blog per week.  And since we try to write about matters that pertain to liberty, or lack thereof, we’ll have no shortage of topics, (which is also unfortunate.)

So, put away the sunscreen and hang up your beach towel.  There’s still a little liberty left to defend!