I only have disdain for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He raised taxes and has increased regulations. What else is new? He’s a bully who wants to micro-manage people’s lives by mandate, not persuasion. – Mark Skousen
For those of us in the financial world, Black Friday has a strong negative connotation, referring to a stock market catastrophe. – Mark Skousen
The U.S. Constitution was meant to be universal, not just something that only America would observe. The principle of defending liberty for all people ideally should apply everywhere in the world. – Mark Skousen
We shall never change our political leaders until we change the people who elect them. – Mark Skousen
I have on my bookshelf a series of books with opposite titles: ‘The Alpha Strategy’ and the ‘Omega Strategy’; ‘Asia Rising’ and ‘Asia Falling’; ‘Free to Choose’ and ‘Free to Lose’; ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’ and ‘How to Lose Friends and Alienate People.’ Visitors love the collection. – Mark Skousen
Millions of Americans were duped by the federal government and the Federal Reserve into buying homes they could not afford and failed to count the cost. When the financial crisis of 2008 hit, they could not keep up the monthly mortgage payments and defaulted. – Mark Skousen
Balance in life is the key, as Aristotle taught us. Nobody likes a naive Pollyanna, but neither do we like to be around people who are constantly complaining and finding fault. – Mark Skousen
The true principle of taxation is the benefit principle – those who benefit from a government service should pay for it. It’s also known as the ‘user pay’ principle. Every effort should be made to link the payment of taxes or fees to the cost associated with the government service. – Mark Skousen
Bitcoin is not an actual physical coin, and if computers are shut down, you can’t buy or sell them. That’s why nothing will ever replace gold and silver coins themselves, and all investors should have them at home or in a safe deposit box. – Mark Skousen
Contrary to what President Obama said in his inaugural address, going on Medicare and food stamps does not strengthen us. Just ask people who are fourth-generation welfare recipients. – Mark Skousen
I find it ironic how New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg is so focused on such small issues as drink sizes, while ignoring the massive infrastructure challenges in New York – lousy roads, third-world airports, traffic jams, etc. – Mark Skousen
I’ve felt for some time that economics needs to be taught differently by economists who actually have had experience making a payroll or investing on Wall Street. When economics is taught by pure academics, watch out. – Mark Skousen
Lawmakers who interfere with commerce and the normal creation of jobs in an economy run the risk of doing harm rather than good. Unintended consequences from regulating or legislating to achieve a goal can occur and cause havoc in the markets or an economy. – Mark Skousen
We should not forget the principles of Christian mercy and justice: to welcome back those who are repentant and need our assistance, while encouraging the faithful to endure to the end. – Mark Skousen
Fraud is common when you give away billions. Fraud related to Hurricane Katrina spending is estimated to top $2 billion. In addition, debit cards provided to hurricane victims were used to pay for Caribbean vacations, NFL tickets, Dom Perignon champagne, ‘Girls Gone Wild’ videos, and at least one sex change operation. – Mark Skousen
Our society does not give nearly enough credit to business leaders who create jobs, behave ethically and provide products and services that enhance our lives. – Mark Skousen
YouTube offers the best solution by running an ad before showing the video, but also offering a ‘skip ad’ button that you can click after five seconds to go directly to the video if you are not interested in the ad. Now, that’s what I call consumer sovereignty! – Mark Skousen
If you subscribe to any online service, whether it be AOL, Google, Yahoo, or the Huffington Post, have you noticed that you are forced to watch a seemingly endless ad before the video story appears about a news item that caught your eye? AOL and the Huffington Post are especially annoying. – Mark Skousen
Since the 1970s, I’ve been a big fan of attending conferences as a great way to learn, network, socialize and enjoy a new environment. It’s always refreshing to get out and see a whole new world. – Mark Skousen
Taxation is the price we pay for failing to build a civilized society. The higher the tax level, the greater the failure. A centrally planned totalitarian state represents a complete defeat for the civilized world, while a totally voluntary society represents its ultimate success. – Mark Skousen
The reality is that business and investment spending are the true leading indicators of the economy and the stock market. If you want to know where the stock market is headed, forget about consumer spending and retail sales figures. Look to business spending, price inflation, interest rates, and productivity gains. – Mark Skousen