tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255Sun, 16 Feb 2020 09:22:27 +0000individual libertyeconomic libertymonetary policypolitical libertyeconomicsfiscal policykeynesianismEthicsdollarhealth carelibertywhat is moneyjusticeRon Paulfree market moneyintellectual propertyCatholicismSubsidiarityforeign policyinterventionnatural lawself-reliancemarginal revolutionmethodologyproperty rightsThoughts on Economics, Politics, and Ethicshttp://www.libertyforlaymen.com/noreply@blogger.com (Andy Katherman)Blogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-1568590597614407993Wed, 16 Sep 2015 05:12:00 +00002015-09-16T00:15:46.353-05:00intellectual propertyI meant to share this a long time ago and just never got around to posting it. Stephan Kinsella has an important blog post about Copyright on his research site, C4SIF (Center for the Study of Innovative Freedom). Personally, I was confused for a long time on the ethical justification for copyright law (as well as other forms of intellectual property).  I have since rejected any type of legal http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2015/09/copyright-kills-men-at-work-flautist.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Andy Katherman)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-7301551487660124592Sun, 26 Jan 2014 14:00:00 +00002014-01-27T10:42:55.628-06:00economicsinterventionjusticeTom Woods wrote a great post back in 2012 for the Future of Freedom Foundation on the Misplaced Fear of “Monopoly”. Monopoly is a confusing term which has various meanings and definitions.  It is an important concept within economics as well as political philosophy (especially in the libertarian realm). What is one to think of monopoly?  Woods explains. Those of us who get drawn, often http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2014/01/tom-woods-on-misplaced-fear-of-monopoly_26.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Andy Katherman)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-4970343975655329465Wed, 08 Jan 2014 12:05:00 +00002014-01-24T09:19:07.655-06:00intellectual propertyRobert Wenzel blogs at EconomicPolicyJournal.com and has blogged numerous times in the past about “Intellectual Property” or “IP” as it is known shorthand.  Earlier this year, I blogged about the debate between Wenzel and Stephan Kinsella.  While I generally agree with Wenzel on many things, we do differ on the ethical basis of whether intellectual property is justified and can exist in some typehttp://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2014/01/thoughts-on-intellectual-property.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Andy Katherman)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-8787413633474999227Sat, 04 Jan 2014 18:05:00 +00002014-01-04T12:05:19.372-06:00individual libertyjusticeAn informative and helpful legal guide to knowing one's rights. Source: Online-Paralegal-Programs.comhttp://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2014/01/the-right-to-remain-out-of-prison.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Andy Katherman)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-8029759529133674752Mon, 16 Sep 2013 04:59:00 +00002013-12-03T10:18:07.193-06:00economicsmethodologyI want to thank Luke Westman from The Analytical Economist blog for devoting the time to have this friendly, serious, & meaningful discussion on the subject of how best to study economics from a methodological perspective. I will be presenting the case for the Austrian methodology while Luke will be presenting the methodology used by the Chicago School and others in the Neoclassical tradition. http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2013/09/austrian-school-methodology.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Andy Katherman)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-3766856693440356584Sun, 11 Aug 2013 03:28:00 +00002013-08-10T23:23:28.761-05:00dollareconomicsmonetary policywhat is money I stumbled upon a terrific in depth history on the debate about money, banking, and monetary policy written by Richard Ebeling and produced by FEE called Monetary Central Planning and the State.  It is a 40 part series with an A to Z look at the differing schools of thought on all things money and specific quotes from the various economists. Amazing stuff, especially if one is a nerd (like me)http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2013/08/richard-ebeling-money-central-planning.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Andy Katherman)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-8801292984124819685Fri, 09 Aug 2013 13:00:00 +00002013-08-09T11:49:52.260-05:00dollarfree market moneymonetary policywhat is moneyJacob Westman, who blogs at the Analytic Economist, has replied to my initial blog post on the topic of deflation, money, monetary history, etc.  It’s an important topic and I’m happy to elaborate on my positions on this subject. Here is one of the questions posed by Jacob: Like I said before and explained in my previous post they disfavor cuts in the money supply.  One argument the http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2013/07/deflation-inflation-money-ii-reply-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Andy Katherman)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-7097443254278847218Wed, 24 Jul 2013 06:29:00 +00002013-07-26T11:24:51.039-05:00dollareconomicsmonetary policywhat is moneyJacob Westman who blogs at The Analytic Economist wrote a critique of the exchange between Jeff Herbener and Tom Woods regarding deflation (shown below). I have a lot to say on the subject of Deflation & Inflation as do other Austrian economists.  In actuality, it is one of my favorite subjects and something I’ve spent the better part of the last 4 years trying to better understand.  So, I http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2013/07/deflation-inflation-money-reply-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Andy Katherman)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-1895771968541613787Mon, 10 Jun 2013 17:36:00 +00002013-06-10T12:38:57.750-05:00Ethicsforeign policyjusticepolitical libertyMy article on DefineLiberty.com Glenn Greenwald from the Guardian conducted an exclusive interview with Edward Snowden — the now admitted leaker and source of the highly controversial NSA surveillance programs disclosure.  The 29 year-old NSA Computer Technician contractor decided to come out to the world and had acknowledged he provided details to the Guardian and the Washington Post about http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2013/06/edward-snowden-hero-or-heretic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Andy Katherman)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-1029722131031553519Thu, 28 Mar 2013 19:48:00 +00002013-03-28T14:52:50.608-05:00intellectual propertyjusticeproperty rights The Robert Wenzel vs. Stephan Kinsella debate is set to air on Monday, April 1st (2013) on both gentlemen's podcasts (found here and here)..  This is sure to be an interesting April Fools Day.  But, who will be made out to be the fool: Wenzel or Kinsella? To this question, my money is, sadly, on Robert Wenzel (whom I do follow and regard as a great liberty advocate).  Kinsella has reason, http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2013/03/wenzel-vs-kinsella-debate-on-ip.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Andy Katherman)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-3257796646052671825Wed, 09 Jan 2013 07:07:00 +00002013-01-09T01:11:20.452-06:00political libertyGiven all of the discussion and debate on the subject of gun control, the 2nd Amendment, and the amount of violence that exists in the United States recently, I thought I'd post some compelling videos which make valid arguments why the 2nd Amendment imbues the essence of self-defense and self-preservation.  http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2013/01/thoughts-on-guns.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Andy Katherman)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-687422095078375588Fri, 30 Nov 2012 05:07:00 +00002012-12-01T16:11:39.071-06:00economicsfiscal policymonetary policy Right Click This Link To Download Your browser does not support the audio element. var audioTag = document.createElement('audio'); if (!(!!(audioTag.canPlayType) && ("no" != audioTag.canPlayType("audio/mpeg")) && ("" != audioTag.canPlayType("audio/mpeg")))) { document.getElementById('auidoplayerhtml5podbean163c17444c30f943009d6cf6453b919e').parentNode.removeChild(http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2012/11/liberty-for-laymen-podcast-mmt-with.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Andy Katherman)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-5489090166482324199Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:09:00 +00002012-11-05T22:01:15.304-06:00Republished from Define-Liberty.com – please click here to read the full article. I was compelled to write this after family and friends prodded me about the upcoming Presidential elections.  Also, Chance Stoodt had a great post a few weeks at “Define-Liberty” (an online magazine dedicated to spreading the ideas of liberty).  I hope to expound on his theme. Who will I be voting for in November?http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2012/10/voting-exercise-in-futility_29.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Andy Katherman)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-1202297492482315606Thu, 06 Sep 2012 04:45:00 +00002012-09-05T23:45:45.863-05:00economicsThese people actually vote.  Are folks like these that much in the minority? God help us. http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2012/09/rethinking-democracy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Andy Katherman)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-1861100602312543638Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:01:00 +00002012-08-24T09:31:24.419-05:00economicsfiscal policykeynesianismmonetary policy Here is the breakdown of the latest counterpoints my friend submitted to me.  The debate continues as follows: I 100% agree that there are major problems within our current government structure on spending policies, taxation policies, and regulation policies. I am for capitalism and less government embedded in the bedrock of our economy. I am for major reform in all of these areas. I do also http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2012/08/government-spending-is-always-net-good_22.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Andy Katherman)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-1757415461017965267Thu, 23 Aug 2012 02:05:00 +00002012-08-24T09:31:02.564-05:00economicsfiscal policykeynesianismmonetary policyI recently got into a debate with a friend on facebook about fiscal policy. He posits the following: "Economics 101: Fiscal Policy levers are taxation and government spending to regulate the economy. In a recovering economy we need to keep taxes low and keep government spending. I find it very interesting that of our two future leaders claim to want to help the economy, one wants to increase http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2012/08/government-spending-is-always-net-good.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Andy Katherman)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-2190149840841498005Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:41:00 +00002012-08-22T17:05:21.216-05:00Ethics The other day I was poking around on the internet (Facebook to be specific) and saw an opinion piece from Slate.com with the headline: “Let's Nationalize Facebook” Clearly, the title is provocative to say the least and my initial reaction was to laugh. I immediately figured this piece was written by a comedian, satirist, or some journalist trying to be cute. To say the least, I was sorely http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2012/08/against-facebook-nationalization_21.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Andy Katherman)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-6844328282485377036Sat, 19 May 2012 04:26:00 +00002012-05-18T23:28:08.353-05:00libertyThis week, the Facebook IPO was all over the news.  What a phenomenal story of how a few Harvard kids turned an idea into a global entity worth upwards of $100 Billion dollars.  Entrepreneurs created Facebook, not the State. Now comes the side story of one of the founders, Eduardo Saverin, who is a native-born Brazilian.  In 1998, he became a U.S. citizen after his family fled Brazil.  Saverin http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2012/05/does-state-own-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-5010013957321628937Thu, 17 May 2012 04:29:00 +00002012-05-16T23:29:37.440-05:00libertyLeonard E. Reed (famous for his great work, I, Pencil) founded the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) and is one of the best champions of liberty. Here is a lecture of Reed back in the late 1970s.  How fortunate and privileged are we to have access to his insights and ideas!?  Simply amazing. Now, the lecture does move a bit slow and groggy at times, but nuggets of gold are sprinkled http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2012/05/how-to-advance-liberty-by-leonard-e.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-7441016108802201492Tue, 15 May 2012 04:27:00 +00002012-05-15T00:16:16.217-05:00EthicslibertyProfessor C. Bradley Thompson recently gave an excellent seminar on Marxism that deserves anyone and everyone’s attention.  I’ve always wondered what the alluring “siren song” or stream of thought about Marxism that people were attracted I believe Bradley Thompson does an excellent job of examining that stream of thought of most true believers. Here is a short abstract of Prof. Thompson’s http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2012/05/why-marxism-c-bradley-thompson.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-6167694917530373944Fri, 11 May 2012 04:54:00 +00002012-05-10T23:54:22.338-05:00As a software developer, strong opinions exist on the "open source" versus "proprietary" software debate with regards to "intellectual property".  Are patents or copyrights legally justified?  Does open-source software hinder or hurt innovation? These are the sorts of questions that have been in the news lately as wireless and mobile phone carriers strive to limit competition and corner the http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2012/05/intellectual-property-and-ideas-oracle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-3345990243307213263Fri, 11 May 2012 04:10:00 +00002012-12-06T13:28:16.711-06:00Ethicsliberty Your browser does not support the audio element. var audioTag = document.createElement('audio'); if (!(!!(audioTag.canPlayType) && ("no" != audioTag.canPlayType("audio/mpeg")) && ("" != audioTag.canPlayType("audio/mpeg")))) { document.getElementById('auidoplayerhtml5podbean163c17444c30f943009d6cf6453b919e').parentNode.removeChild(document.getElementById('http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2012/05/coercion-vs-cooperation-against-state.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-3988983523136416902Sat, 21 Apr 2012 03:49:00 +00002018-01-17T11:22:05.498-06:00what is moneyThe problems which exist in our nation are too great to adequately quantify.  Having studied these problems for the greater part of two years, one of the best places to start is with the things we interact with every day - money. Money is what we as humans use as a means of indirect exchange with others in society. Knowing everything you can get your hands on about MONEY will take you very far http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2012/04/situational-awareness-money-and-its.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-2858248614631213517Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:36:00 +00002012-02-01T00:56:19.333-06:00libertyRon PaulFrom Snoop Dogg to Barry Manilow, the message of liberty presented by Ron Paul's presidential campaign is beyond profound. The United States is full of so many folks stuck in their red versus.blue tribal corners, yet the message of freedom cuts across divisions and unites people. While other candidates take pot shots at each other for what they did or said on this and that policy, no one http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2012/01/ron-paul-freedom-brings-people-together.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5062506838143767255.post-3993266189972260441Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:46:00 +00002012-01-24T08:38:27.229-06:00CatholicismRon PaulSubsidiarityYesterday, I blogged about Tom Woods' persuasive case for Ron Paul over Rick Santorum from a Catholic perspective.  If you are unfamiliar with Tom Woods’ Catholic bona fides, please check out his website and his books (four of which are exclusively about the Catholic Church). Now, as a faithful and devout Catholic, I have a foundation of moral principles which guides me on what is just – right http://www.libertyforlaymen.com/2012/01/catholic-case-for-ron-paul-subsidiarity.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1