On Sunday, July 31st, we marked the 110th birthday of Milton Friedman. As we see inflation climb above 9% and feel the pain at the gas pump, at the grocery store, and everywhere else we buy goods and services, Milton Friedman’s words ring just as true today as the day he spoke them. As we
Motivated by semiconductor chip shortages, brought about by COVID lockdowns and too-lean inventories, politicians of both parties want to help foster more chip manufacturing here at home. During President Reagan’s first inaugural address he taught us “government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem.” This, at a time when our country
I love our holidays. My favorites are Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and these winter holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s have a lot in common: feelings of gratitude, grace, good will, forgiveness, kindness, generosity, and LOVE. All shared with family, friends, neighbors, communities. I love how we experience them. Traveling, cooking (and dining!), singing, worshipping,
After many months of Washingtonians voicing their concern with the new long-term care tax in the state, it seems the message has finally been heard. Read on for an update from Dr. Schweitzer. “With only a week left before the Long Term Care Act de-facto income tax goes into effect on most employees working in
We’re feeling the effects of inflation now, in energy (price at the pump), groceries, and virtually everything. Our heating bills are likely to be way up this winter, especially for gas and fuel oil users. How did inflation “happen” to us? Milton Friedman said repeatedly and emphatically that inflation is always and only a monetary
A letter from Dr. Ed Schweitzer, President and Founder of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories August 18, 2021 I established www.fairfreeflatopen.com this morning to fulfill a particular need to defend our freedom to choose insurance options regarding long-term care. In 2019, Washington state voters voted 63 to 37 percent to repeal the Long-Term Care Act. This was
Cities across the country, Spokane included, want to forbid us from using natural gas in our homes, schools, and businesses. Washington State legislators and regulators are pushing statewide bans, in parallel tracks. Mark Twain said the past does not repeat itself, but it rhymes. Inventors and investors sought and created ways of providing illumination. Beef
Yesterday, September 9, President Biden said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was drafting a rule mandating that all businesses with 100 or more workers require their employees to either get vaccinated against the coronavirus or face mandatory weekly testing. That move would affect some 80 million workers. I am a long-time supporter of
Dear all: We’re grateful for the scientific breakthroughs, the logistic miracles of production and distribution, and the dedication of our medical professionals. All teamed up to get many folks the immunity they need to better fight and survive the nearly continuous stream of – and likely continued evolution of – COVID variations. Around 70% of
Dear all: As the twentieth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center approaches, I’m really struggling, thinking, and processing. We seem to have made things worse for ourselves over the past 20 years. At home, we’re having arguments over masks and shots, defunding the police, canceling people. And, we’re debasing our own currency,