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Questioning Tariffs: What are the Motives Behind Trade Taxes

Tariffs aren’t supposed to be part of modern trade policy. For decades, both parties embraced free trade and warned that tariffs hurt consumers. So when Donald Trump pushes them and says other countries are “ripping us off,” it sounds like a throwback, or a threat. But the real issue isn’t that he supports tariffs. It’s that he is unclear as to why, and his administration has offered numerous conflicting justifications. His critics aren’t much better; they quote Smith and Ricardo but skip over the most important question: What are the tariffs supposed to accomplish? Tariffs are taxes, with all the good or bad that entails. To judge them, you need to know the goal and whether the costs are worth the expected benefits.

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Why America’s Economy Is Stuck—And Tariffs Won’t Fix It

In a healthy system, failure isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of something new. That’s the beauty of creative destruction: the old makes way for the new. The problem comes when the new can’t break through. That’s where we are now. The U.S. hasn’t lost its ability to destroy. We’ve lost our ability to create. We’ve boxed ourselves in.

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Jim Croce’s Last Gift to Us

In the early 1970s, Jim Croce was on the cusp of musical stardom. From humble beginnings in eastern Pennsylvania to the stage of Northwestern State University, his journey was marked by determination and raw talent. Paired with Maury Muehleisen’s distinctive guitar style, Croce’s storytelling songs struck a chord with listeners, propelling him to chart-topping success. Tragically, on a fateful September night, a promising chapter came to an abrupt end. Despite this heartrending loss, Croce’s legacy endures, echoing through the annals of music history. Join us on a journey through time, as we revisit Jim Croce’s final, unforgettable performance, captured on a humble handheld recorder by two devoted fans.

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Happy Birthday to Harry Browne

When I lost the urge to control others, I also lost all need to hate or fear anyone. The world is no longer divided between the good guys and the bad guys. Now I can see that each person is seeking his own happiness, each in his own way Harry Browne Happy 90th heavenly birthday to Harry Browne. He is best known for his concept of the Permanent Portfolio. His book How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World was an eye-opening approach to living life on your own terms.

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The Christmas Truce

The Christmas Truce of 1914 is a powerful and inspiring story of hope and goodwill in the face of conflict. During World War I, on Christmas Eve 1914, an unofficial ceasefire took place along the Western Front. The ceasefire was initiated by German troops, who began decorating the trees around their trenches and singing Christmas carols. British troops, who were positioned nearby, also joined in the singing, and eventually, the two sides met in No Man’s Land to exchange gifts and play football. This spontaneous and unofficial ceasefire became known as the “Christmas Truce.” It inspires people to strive for a more peaceful and compassionate world and to work towards finding solutions to conflicts that are based on understanding and cooperation, rather than violence and hatred. The Christmas Truce reminds us that peace is possible and that it is worth working towards.

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Goodbye, Sweet Girl

At 4:45 Wednesday morning, I opened my eyes and listened for the sound of tiny claws clicking on the wooden floor. Much to my disappointment, they never came. For the last thirteen years, I started my day with the sound of tiny paws on the floor followed by a wet nose sniffing at me from the side of the bed. My beagle Beatrice began each day with a gentile wake-up nudge and an excited tail wag. Her reward was a kiss on the head before an early walk. I can’t believe that she will never do that again.

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