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We can’t wait,” says President Obama. Among other things, he insists, the federal government must expand the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) to federally guarantee low interest rates for more “underwater” homeowners who seek to refinance their mortgages. But the program should not be expanded, it should be scrapped. The…

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From tea partyers to conservatives to “liberals” to flea partyers—everyone has an opinion about what people and governments have a right to. “People have a right to keep what they earn”—“The government has a right to spread the wealth around”—“Women have a right to abortion”—“No they don’t”—“People have a right…

The New York Objectivist Society is seeking contributions to fund worthy students to attend its conference in NYC on Nov 4-6. Speakers include Dr. Andrew Bernstein, Dr. Yaron Brook, and Dr. Eric Daniels. The cost for a student to attend is $300, but contributions of any amount are welcome. For…

Many “Occupy Wall Street” protesters oppose the bailouts of failed banks and financial institutions. They are right to do so: such bailouts violate rights by forcibly transferring wealth from some people to others via taxes, deficit spending (future taxes), and monetary expansion (hidden taxes). At the same time, however, many…

From a recipient: “A friend gave me a subscription to The Objective Standard, saying he thought I’d appreciate the articles. He underestimated! I find the articles in TOS fascinating, clarifying, and often inspiring. I love this journal.”  —Brad C. Might your friends or family appreciateTOS? If so, the Fall 2011 issue—with a feature…

As part of the left’s ongoing assault on productive Americans, Sen. Harry Reid is leading the senate Democrats in an effort to impose a new 5.6 percent surtax on people making a million dollars or more. This is economically stupid and morally wrong. Generally speaking, people who make a million…

The winners of the second annual TOS essay contest are: First Place, winning $2,000 and publication of his essay in TOS: Antonio Puglielli, “‘Dog Benefits Dog’: The Harmony of Rational Men’s Interests” Second Place, winning $750: Caleb Nelson, “The Rational Man” Third Place, winning $300: Deborah B. Sloan, “Atlas Shrugged…

I would merrily accept a simple national sales tax as a replacement for the income tax—only if it followed the repeal of the Sixteenth Amendment. John Keel seems to misunderstand the purpose of my initial article about the so-called “Fair Tax.” I did not endorse the income tax over a…

[We received the following letter from John Keel regarding a recent post by Ari Armstrong, and we’re posting it here with Mr. Keels' permission. Mr. Armstrong will reply shortly. –Ed.] In his post “Fair Tax Looks Ugly in the Details,” Ari Armstrong makes several claims that I regard as false.…

While the “Occupy Wall Street” movement offers little in the way of a coherent message, it tends to demonize corporations (while using myriad corporate products to organize the protests), demand more political handouts and economic controls, and attack capitalism. Once in a while, though, the “occupiers” offer a tidbit that,…

Steve Jobs’ philosophy of life was the fundamental cause of his remarkable productivity, success, and happiness. Embrace it!

Zero to 28? Yes, on a good day. Henry Ford’s first two-cylinder, eight-horsepower Model A car of 1903 cost around $18,000 in today’s dollars. Since then, manufacturers have aggressively pushed forward automotive technology, producing vehicles that are faster, safer, more comfortable, and more economical to purchase and operate. Unfortunately, the…

Could you benefit from consuming The Objective Standard while commuting, exercising, or between tasks? Here are four ways to do so: 1. Our Audio subscription provides mp3 versions of TOS articles that can be downloaded and played on your favorite audio device. No time to read? No problem. 2. Our E-book subscription provides reflowable,…

A number of very wealthy French citizens have called for their government to raise taxes on the rich, the “justification” being that this will help curb the government’s deficit. The French government concurred and has imposed a new 3 percent additional tax on everyone making more than 500,000 euros annually.…