Comments on: A Negative Railway

By: Gilbert W. Chapman

Gilbert W. Chapman — Thu, 19 May 2011 10:59:39 +0000

It is sad there appears to be no one today who can say so much, with so few words as Bastiat.

I would love to read just one singular paragraph written by him on such contemporary issues as (1) where the Boeing Plant should be located, (2) whether or not McDonald’s should be allowed to sell “Happy Meals”, (3) whether or not GM and Chrysler should have been bailed out, (4) the idea of subsidies to the ethanol industry, . . . . And the list goes on . . . And on . . . And on . . . Not to mention how the AMA, the ABA, the NEA, the AFL-CIO, the ADA (none of which existed in his time), and the concept of tenured professors, all hurt consumers.

By: J Cuttance

J Cuttance — Thu, 19 May 2011 07:55:56 +0000

“the sacrifice of the end to the means”
only a particular clarity in thought produces wee gems like this

By: C.J.

C.J. — Wed, 18 May 2011 18:48:09 +0000

The best thing about Bastiat is that he provides such excellent examples that are easily explained to non-Austrians. I’ll file this one away next to the Broken Window for use with the next hopeless Keynesian.

By: Fephisto

Fephisto — Wed, 18 May 2011 18:12:04 +0000

Classic.

By: Tony Fernandez

Tony Fernandez — Wed, 18 May 2011 16:21:31 +0000

I love Bastiat’s quote that is very related to this excerpt: it went something like protectionism is making us poorer in the name of making us richer.