Jonathan Spalink

Posts by Jonathan Spalink

November 16, 2005

Why not fair-trade beer and cakes?

Economist John Larrivee looks at the logic underlying the fair trade coffee movement and applies it to beer and baked goods. It doesn’t quite make sense. Larrivee points out that “the question is not the difference between what different parties to the production get paid, but rather who adds value, how much, and where.” Continue Reading...
November 09, 2005

The moral legacy of Rosa Parks

Black Americans have enjoyed only a mixed record of progress in the fifty years since Rosa Parks took her seat on that Montgomery bus. Anthony Bradley examines her legacy and the nature of liberty in today’s America. Continue Reading...
October 27, 2005

Gracious competition

So often we are bombarded with news of businesses accusing others of unfair trade practices, intentional competition smashing, monopolization, etc. Every once in a while, its good to hear about the good business that goes on, the appreciation that one company has for another, and a customer oriented view of production. Continue Reading...
October 26, 2005

2005 Annual Dinner highlights

I compiled a short list of quotations taken from the remarks made by Rev. Robert Sirico and former president of El Salvador, Francisco Flores. Both speeches are available online Francisco Flores – Speech highlights: “Responsibility and freedom are two sides of the same coin.” Continue Reading...
October 25, 2005

iBelieve in iPod

Apparently, the religion of iPod is the fastest growing religion in the world. And now, you can even buy the “divine iBelieve” cap for your iPod shuffle, to let others know of your commitments to your religion and music. Continue Reading...
October 21, 2005

2005 Samaritan award winner announced

The 2005 Samaritan Award Grand Prize winner was announced today! If you are unfamiliar with the Samaritan Award, or the Samaritan Guide, information can be found here. The winner of the $10,000 award was the Lives Under Construction Boy’s Ranch Residential Treatment Program. Continue Reading...
October 19, 2005

Sin is not cost effective

Dr. Jennifer Morse, a senior fellow in economics for the Acton Institute, argues in this week’s Acton commentary that the key road-block to successful economic development in impoverished nations is the lack of good “moral qualities, like the even-handed enforcement of law, and the transparency of government.” Continue Reading...
October 14, 2005

Cuisinarts of the air

An article appeared in Wired News today on the unintended consequences of wind farms. One of these consequences — among many others, I’m sure — is “an astronomical level of bird kills.” Continue Reading...
October 12, 2005

Natural justice, eminent domain, and corporate welfare

A man’s home is his castle, unless of course government officials need his property for a new strip mall or a hotel. Since June, when the U.S. Supreme Court dramatically expanded government’s eminent domain powers, some three dozen states have formulated measures to protect property owners from the Kelo v. Continue Reading...