If you can make it to Duke University late Thursday afternoon, there’s a fascinating speech about libertarian views and politics. Details here. It’s free and open to the public.
with our special guests
Matt Welch and Nick Gillespie
- Editors of Reason Magazine
From Rasmussen comes a lot of interesting data about likely voters’ views of government subsidies for so-called “green” energy alternatives. Voters believe in the free market. Roughly two out of three — 64% — understand that if a firm can’t attract private investors, government subsidy is likely to be wasted.
Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Likely U.S. Voters think free market competition is more likely than government subsidies and regulation to help the United States develop alternative sources of energy. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% believe government subsidies and regulations are the better way to go. Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
But then 71% of voters say private sector companies and investors are better than government officials when it comes to determining the long-term benefits and potential of new technologies. Sixty-four percent (64%) think it’s likely that if a private company which cannot find investors gets funding from the government, that money will be wasted.
For more on the debacle that is the “green” economy, go here.
Read full article » No Comments »Urban Ministries of Durham is getting some national pub for its video game SPENT, which is designed ostensibly to show the player what it’s like to live on a $9/hour wage. As you play it, however, you realize the deck has been stacked to make you fail and to engender shame in the player that makes more than $9/hour.
False assumptions and false choices abound. Just look at this one:
With the governor and Durham’s mayor out campaigning to get more people on the free-lunch dole, does anyone think that getting a free lunch in a school in Durham makes one an object of ridicule. It’s actually the opposite.
My wife, a teacher, went through the lunch line at her school a while back and, when she got to the cashier, actually took out money and paid. The child behind her in line asked, “Why are you paying for your lunch? It’s free.”
Like the imagined ostracism of kids taking free lunches, much of SPENT is imaginary. It also seems designed to discourage anyone who actually thinks they can work hard and get ahead. Way to go, Urban Ministries.
Read full article » 2 Comments »From WCHL comes the story of what’s deemed an important use of local resources in Chapel Hill:
Read full article » No Comments »Starting Monday, September 26, the Town of Chapel Hill will begin cracking down on residents who do not clear their trash containers or roll-carts from the road.
Violators who do not clear the bins from the curb by 7 p.m. on the same day as trash pickupcould be fined $25 per day.
The mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, has accepted UNC’s invitation to give the 2012 commencement speech.
Read full article » No Comments »The November ballot in Durham includes two tax hikes. First is the quarter-cent sales tax hike that would be added to the education coffers. Second is the half-cent tax to fund transit — buses and rail. The Triangle Business Journal reports the local push to get voters to pass the transit tax is underway.
The committee, Durham Transit Tax Referendum Committee, plans to advocate the measure through social media, direct mail, posters in local businesses, and radio advertisements. Committee representatives have already begun meeting with community organizations such as Kiwanis Clubs and neighborhood groups.
You’ll find data on costs and benefits of transit options here.
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