The Atlantic has a very good piece by Cullen Murphy up titled “Feudalism Is Our Future” (archive link). The title overstates things a bit. It’s not that they’re saying that the future as described is inevitable. The article is arguing…
Not Illegal Here: On Extradition And Investigative Support
The U.S. has always been kind of a patchwork of legal systems, and of course the countries of the world are an even more diverse collection. And that’s fine; good, even. Since we have a wide variety of people, and…
Algorithmic Taxes: An Automated Tax System
If you’re a flat-tax advocate, then you may want to stop reading this one now; it won’t be good for your blood pressure to continue. ‘Cause progressive-rate systems are fairer. OK, now that they’re gone: progressive-rate income taxes are more…
Fragile Empires: Falling Slowly At First, Then All At Once
Everything happens faster in the modern world than it used to. This is natural. It’s basically a side-effect of more advanced technology. Communications are faster; transport of people and goods is faster. Change, even, in infrastructure and society is faster.…
Attack Of The Drones: This Is Gonna Change A Lot Of Things
Ukraine had already demonstrated that cheap, almost consumer-class, drones can be a major factor in modern warfare. But this weekend, they took it to a whole new level. In case you haven’t seen the news yet, over the weekend Ukraine…
All Mixed Up: U.S. Law Needs A Procedural Re-Think
I don’t want to think about the ongoing coup this morning, so here’s something that’s been bouncing around in my head for a while. We need to change how the U.S. legal process works. Currently, the actual process of making…
Tariff Limits: A Long Time Coming, A Longer Time Going
It took almost 2 months, but a court has finally ruled that Trump’s Libation Day tariffs are illegal and unconstitutional. And now … the inevitable appeals. So, ya know, don’t start celebrating yet. The illegal part is simple: the law…
Unitary Executive: Proving The Anti-Federalists Were Right
OK, it took over 200 years to get to this point, but with the Supreme Court’s turn to the bogus “Unitary Executive” concept it looks like the Anti-Federalist position is being proved correct. So, yay? Predicting that a strong central…
Generative AI And Government Reform: Two Bad Tastes That Taste Horrible Together
I have no idea whether the idiots responsible for all the “AI in Government” initiatives actually believe that AI is real or not, but it doesn’t really matter. Dupes or frauds, they’ll wreck this country either way. But to be…
Tax Everyone: No More Religious Exemptions
It’s time to stop pretending that churches are special. They are, in essence, social clubs for people who share some common belief. Like the Elks or the Masons, but with a side of actually believing that the rituals do stuff…