Free Markets

It isn’t crazy to suspect that the FDA does as much harm as good. And if you begin to suspect that, you are on your way to admitting that you might be more libertarian than Republican or Democrat

My original attraction to libertarian ideals started in political theory and theology rather than in politics. This is not surprising because I did both part of my undergraduate work and three years of my postgraduate work in philosophy and biblical studies.

Q: I have put my investments in bonds until this global economic crisis settles down and the economic woes of the European Union subside. Do you have any suggestions for indicators that I should look for to get back in?

Our daily articles this month at MarottaOnMoney.com are focusing on the ideas of libertarian politics. Last week I listed the first three reasons why I lean libertarian. Here are four more reasons I lean libertarian.

David John Marotta was featured on radio 1070 WINA’s Rob Schilling show on November 8, 2011. The topic was why David leans libertarian, an appropriate topic for Election Day 2011.

This is what makes the stock market in some countries better than others. Make sure that you understand freedom investing for your portfolio.

My youthful utopian idealism gave way slowly to my present midlife perspective. My life’s philosophical and experiential odyssey overturned many of my presuppositions. I learned over time that many of society’s assumptions are provably false. But it took courage to integrate this radical reevaluation of life.

“If free-market advocates could resurrect a U.S. president to deal with today’s problems, many would choose Grover Cleveland.”

November 2011 is Libertarian politics month. Libertarians are as diverse as the Democrat or Republican Party.

Starting October 1, price controls were set by law on debit card swipe fees. Such populist well-intentioned legislation reduces economic freedom and slows economic growth.

Growing investor despair that somehow we have entered into a new era in which individual investors can no longer make money in the markets is an overreaction to the headlines.

This summer many things that should do better over a long-term investment strategy did not. This situation is not unusual for one quarter’s worth of time. Such a result only makes reversion to the mean much more likely in the coming quarters.

Most Americans want to know that everyone is paying their fair share. Achieving this goal gets more challenging with each dot and tiddle added to the voluminous internal tax code.

Robinson’s entire arguement seems to be focused on the idea that the current max capital gains tax rate is 15% but the income tax is progressive and passes 15% at middle class incomes.

Libertarians and economists both recognize that countries with more economic freedom experience higher gross domestic product (GDP) growth. That growth translates into higher stock returns for investors savvy enough to look for governmental fiscal restraint rather than government stimulus.

If you look at Social Security as a system of taxation and redistribution, it takes from a single minority male worker and gives to married white women who never contributed. And if you look at Social Security as a forced retirement savings program, it produces such a terrible return we might as well invest in gold. Neither perspective is worth continuing. Social Security as we know it needs to be abolished.

Social Security has been called the third rail of politics. Good thing I’m not a politician. Someone has to make the tough decisions.

Those productive small business owners with higher earnings are a different group from the ultra-wealthy with higher net worths.

If the GAO were giving you investment advice they would suggest that you not participate in your 401(k) and convert at least half of your retirement savings into an annuity laden with fees and expenses.

Ronald Regan’s speeches, including “A Time for Choosing” (1964) are worth watching.

Calling this a “Tea Party downgrade” might be true in one sense. There weren’t enough members of the Tea Party to overcome the stubbornness of those refusing to make real spending cuts.

The legendary PBS TV series “Free to Choose” (1980) by Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman is now available on Google Video for free (by courtesy of the Palmer R. Chitester Fund).

Our country’s debt and deficit is difficult to understand in the abstract. Translating it to the numbers on each taxpayer’s credit card can help us see how our country’s spendthrift ways have debilitated economic productivity.

Federal revenue has been relatively constant while federal spending has grown out of control.

International bonds now make up more than 35% of the world’s investable assets, and yet many domestic investors have little or no exposure to these securities.

On Tuesday, July 12, 2011 from noon-1pm, David John Marotta was interviewed on radio 1070 WINA’s Rob Schilling Show. The topic was the battle between Amazon.com and the state of California over taxation.

Americans seem to be divided on the importance of raising the U.S. debt ceiling. Regardless of your personal politics, avoid investing in countries that cavalierly allow their debt and deficit to balloon.

Understanding how Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) works uncovers some of the complex cause and effect between Social Security adjustments and the real cost of living with higher gasoline prices.

Some first-time workers are not worth minimum wage. But without being hired, they can’t learn job-related skills.

Finding countries where you can plant your investments in fertile soil may be one of the most important asset allocation decisions you make for the next several years.

Free markets are under assault in America. We have seen much hyperbole and slander in these past two years of political polarization. But the idea of capitalism and free markets has received more negative campaigning and vicious attack than both candidates combined.

In the US we allow companies to go bankrupt when they cannot succeed in business.