I was loaned Thomas Sowell’s book by a friend who warned me that it is brilliant but very complex.  Many books are “page turners.”  This book was also a page turner, but I was turning back to the previous page in an attempt to reconnect and comprehend.  I would recommend anyone interested in what drives social and economic policies based on divergent political philosophies should read this book regardless of “political leaning.”   I’ve found I can review a complicated book by giving a brief overview of the my  impressions followed by some snippets I found interesting, and that’s the formula I’ll use for this book.

My interpretation is that the “Constrained Vision” is constrained by practical reality, and is driven by the policies found in property rights, free enterprise, and strict adherence to the Constitution.    The “Unconstrained Vision” is that “Social Justice” can be achieved based on what is “fair, right, and good,” and urges activism by judges and “social responsibility” by businessmen.  The constrained vision is that judges should never create the confusion that results when the rules are changed and that the moral duty of the businessman is to the stockholders who have invested their savings in his business.   Adam Smith, the patron saint of laissez-faire capitalism (people should not be directed how to invest their capital), believed that moral and socially beneficial behavior can only be achieved by incentives that promote self interest.   William Godwin, advocating for the unconstrained vision, believed that the willingness to selflessly create social benefit for others is the essence of virtue.  Continue reading →

This book was a wonderful Christmas present and contains a collection of the brilliant writings of Charles Krauthammer.  Dr. Krauthammer’s personal story is, in my judgment, even more fascinating than his book. He was “playing hooky” from classes as a medical student when he suffered a broken neck diving into a private swimming pool. The university was convinced to provide him classes at his hospital bed, and he finished his doctorate in psychiatry. He did not learn to handwrite for three years and he remains confined in a wheelchair. He was named by the Financial Times “…the most influential commentator in the nation.” Liberals, Conservatives, and Libertarians can all learn from this book, although I expect Conservatives and Libertarians will be more comfortable with what they read.

Chapter 1 titled “Marcel, My Brother’ is touching. Marcel is described as a brilliant doctor and professor of medicine. He was four years older than Charles, and was a magnificent athlete. When Marcel’s friends were organizing pick-up games they all understood the rule:  “Charlie Plays. The corollary was understood” If Charlie doesn’t play, Marcel doesn’t play.” The chapter was written ten days after Marcel died. It is a powerful chapter.  The words convey the love and respect Charlie felt for Marcel and a sense of the depth of emotion from the loss. I can’t imagine a more powerful first chapter. Continue reading →

The subtitle of this book by Jason Brennan is “What Everyone Needs to Know.” For those unfamiliar with this web site, I refer to myself as a “part-time Libertarian,” and I was interested in comparing my views to those that are presented as the Libertarian by the author. I often, but not always, agreed with what was presented as the Libertarian position. The first sentence of the Introduction is a good place to start. “Libertarians believe so long as we do not violate others’ rights, we should each be free to live as we choose.” What isn’t included in that sentence is that an ever-expanding government is the greatest risk to our freedom to live as we chose. Continue reading →