Richard W. Rahn
Articles by Richard W. Rahn
Stop the COVID-19 shutdown madness
How do you like being under house arrest? A bit of an overstatement -- perhaps -- but not by much. How much longer are you willing to endure it? The COVID-19 crisis has caused government -- federal, state and local -- to strip away many basic liberties. Published April 13, 2020
Government ownership of airlines a really bad idea
One of the bad ideas that is now being floated is for the federal government to take an equity stake in the airlines and some other businesses in exchange for aid, to offset the losses from the COVID-19 virus. Published April 6, 2020
Rather than complaining about toilet paper, Americans should marvel at the business supply chain
The beauty of the free-market system is, if there is demand for most anything, it will be supplied in a fraction of the time that it would take for a government to try to do it. Published March 30, 2020
How much money should be spent to save each life from the coronavirus?
Someone in a nursing home with major health problems has a relatively high probability of dying from the coronavirus -- it may be sad, but the unfortunate fact is they already have a short additional life expectancy. Published March 23, 2020
Judge Douglas Ginsburg’s “A More or Less Perfect Union” explains the importance of U.S. Constitution
In an attempt to help more Americans understand the importance of the U.S. Constitution in making America the exceptional nation that it is, Judge Douglas Ginsburg has created a three-part series, titled "A More or Less Perfect Union," Published March 16, 2020
Fears of negative impact on U.S. GDP due to coronavirus overstated
Some have argued that the trade disruption caused by the coronavirus puts the U.S. economy in grave danger. These fears are overstated. Exports are about 11.7 percent of U.S. GDP, and imports are equal to about 14.5 percent of GDP, and much of this trade (goods and services) is likely to be little affected by the virus. Published March 9, 2020
China’s economic virus is more dangerous than the coronavirus
China's economic virus is likely to be much more dangerous to the world than the COVID-19 virus. We know from history that the consequences of recessions tend to cost many more lives than disease epidemics. Published March 2, 2020
Meddling bullies stifle free trade among U.S. states and countries
The Framers of the Constitution understood that free trade among the states, based on mutual recognition of differences in policies and natural conditions, would maximize consumer satisfaction and the wealth of the people. Published February 24, 2020
Virginia postpones restrictive gun legislation so the battle rages on
A political civil war was ignited by the Democratic governor and the new state Democratic legislature declaring war on gun owners. Virginia had been a state with few gun restrictions and wide gun ownership -- and with a low crime and murder rate. Published February 17, 2020
Why the Federal Reserve needs Trump nominee Judy Shelton
President Trump has nominated distinguished economist, Judy Shelton, to be a member of the Federal Reserve's (Fed) seven-person board of governors. Mrs. Shelton is under attack for her alleged "unorthodox views." Elizabeth Warren -- who advocates adding trillions of dollars in new federal spending, huge tax increases and massive new regulations -- had the gall to call Mrs. Shelton radical. Published February 10, 2020
The economic consequences of the coronavirus
The stock market (Dow 30) dropped by more than 600 points this past Friday -- allegedly because of greater concerns about the coronavirus outbreak which is centered in China. How big of an economic impact is it likely to have in the United States? Published February 3, 2020
U.S. dollar could be dethroned internationally by digital currency
Why are most internationally traded commodities, like oil, corn and aluminum, priced in U.S. dollars (USD), and why is most foreign trade invoiced in dollars? The USD is a better store of value, unit of account, and medium of exchange (that is, money) than any other major country's currency. Published January 27, 2020
Modest changes to Social Security and Medicare could help the U.S. economy avoid tanking
Worldwide debt levels, including public, business and household debt, have reached record levels, not only in absolute terms but also as a percentage of global GDP (well over 300 percent), which is worrisome. Published January 20, 2020
Ralph Northam and his Virginia anti-gun mafia infringe on Second Amendment
The governor and the Democratic legislators in Virginia are proposing restrictive gun laws, which would make it much more difficult for law-abiding Virginians to defend themselves, as well as taking away some of their basic liberty. Published January 13, 2020
Bernie Sanders’ socialism versus the Founding Fathers’ libertarianism
Starting with Bernie Sanders, many who believe in bigger government have, without embarrassment, started calling themselves "socialists." Published January 6, 2020
U.S. economy better than ever
2019 was a very good year, despite a dysfunctional Congress. A few weeks ago, a friend said she had noticed that clothing was getting less and less expensive and, in fact, many items seemed to be getting less expensive. Published December 30, 2019
Nancy Pelosi versus Mitch McConnell: The ultimate political war game
How long should House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hold onto the articles of impleachment before sending them to the Senate? Published December 23, 2019
Economic freedom versus the negative effects of Democratic socialism
In the United States, the left has been working to undermine the necessary civil institutions for a successful society -- including the courts, schools, churches and the free press. Published December 16, 2019
Should citizens pass an American history test to vote?
There are few things that will have more impact on economic well-being and liberties than the votes and actions of those who serve in elected office. If collectively the citizens make the wrong decision at the ballot box, it can mean disaster. Published December 9, 2019
Declining consumption inequality
Listening to the debates among the Democrats running for president, there is much hand wringing about the alleged increase in income and wealth inequality. But is it true? Published December 2, 2019
