Richard W. Rahn
Articles by Richard W. Rahn
RAHN: Preserving their monopoly on monopoly money
"The need to slough off the outworn old to make possible the productive new is universal. Published May 28, 2013
RAHN: Why the IRS cannot be reformed
Every few years, at least from the time of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, there is a scandal involving abuse of power at the Internal Revenue Service. Published May 21, 2013
RAHN: Putting out the welcome mat for prosperity
How many new immigrants should the United States allow each year? How many guest workers? These are not easy questions, which is why there is as much fierce debate within the two parties as between them. Published May 14, 2013
RAHN: Misplaced interests
There is considerable evidence that drinking one glass of red wine per day for most middle-aged men has more health benefits than costs. There is also considerable evidence that drinking three or more glasses of wine per day causes more health problems than benefits. Published May 7, 2013
RAHN: Privatize almost everything
As a mental challenge, try to think of all of the governmental activities - federal, state and local - that could be privatized. Now, go a step further. Suppose you were required to develop a plan to privatize, or make self-supporting through user fees, nearly every activity of government. Published April 30, 2013
RAHN: When is too much security too much?
Should Americans be spending more on public security, or less? After a week of two horrific events, the Boston Marathon attack and the Texas fertilizer-plant explosion, most would probably answer the above question by saying, "We're not spending enough." Such an emotional response is not surprising particularly after seeing the highly competent and courageous response of the police, firefighters and medical first responders. Published April 23, 2013
RAHN: From stagnation to prosperity to stagnation
The great tragedy of our time is that so few know economic history; thus we have been doomed to repeat the mistakes of a generation ago, and millions suffer. Published April 16, 2013
RAHN: Collecting taxes, dispensing fear
Do you think you receive fair value for the money you spend on taxes? The fact is you don't, because there is excessive corruption in both the way your tax money is collected and in the way it is spent. Many countries are notorious for the tax collectors being "on the take." Published April 9, 2013
RAHN: Global warming’s ‘fatal conceit’
Much of Northern Europe, including Britain, is suffering under the coldest winter and spring of the last 30 to 100 years. The Northeastern part of the United States has had a record cold March. The record cold in Europe has killed thousands and cost billions. It was not supposed to be this way. Published April 2, 2013
RAHN: How government steals your savings
There has been global outrage about the proposal from the Cyprus government to have a significant one-time tax on those who have deposits in Cypriot banks. It has been correctly called a theft of private capital. What many fail to realize is that from the beginning, governments have been engaged in this type of theft, including the U.S. government. Published March 26, 2013
RAHN: Where will the next financial crisis begin?
Which country will serve as the trigger for the next financial crisis? Given the continuing rise in debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratios in many countries, it is apparent that a new financial crisis will occur. Most of the speculation has been about when, rather than where. Published March 19, 2013
RAHN: Sequestration myth
The head of the Obama White House National Economic Council, Gene Sperling, who is a lawyer, has been claiming that "all economists" agree that sequestration will cost 750,000 jobs. I am an economist with a doctorate from Columbia University, and I don't agree. Published March 12, 2013
RAHN: Locking in the homeowner
It is estimated that up to a quarter of all American households still owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth. Many of these people have been able to refinance their home loans with much lower interest rates, but that does not solve the problem because they have a balance sheet problem rather than a cash-flow problem. Published March 5, 2013
RAHN: Ending the corporate tax
Can you name the worst tax? In recent weeks, there have been a slew of articles in major publications about how many multinational corporations have found legal ways to reduce their tax burdens by running some of their operations through low-tax jurisdictions. Published February 26, 2013
RAHN: More government control equals poorer nations
LONDON Published February 19, 2013
RAHN: Attack on the free
Nassau, The Bahamas Published February 12, 2013
RAHN: Desperate Keynesians
What do you do if the facts don't support your beliefs? If you are honest, you will rethink what you previously believed. If you are a Keynesian economist, though, like New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, you make silly assertions. Published February 5, 2013
RAHN: Thankful for think tanks
Did you know that there are more than 6,000 think tanks globally, and about 2,000 in the United States? In the past two weeks, two major rankings of think tanks have been released. Published January 29, 2013
RAHN: Economic judgment day
The current debate about the debt vote is minor league compared to what will happen when the government literally cannot spend more than it is taking in. Published January 22, 2013
RAHN: Tale of two economic styles
Will 2013 be a better year? A number of economic commentators have been saying the worst is behind us. I think they are wrong, and here is why. In most major countries, including the United States, government is growing faster than the private sector. Published January 15, 2013
