Monthly Archives: August 2015

Cakes, flags and our American identity

We know of the cake maker who refused to make a cake for a same-sex wedding. There is a similar case where a cake maker refused to make a cake with an anti-gay message. And we have a recent case where a cake maker refused to make a cake with a Confederate flag on it.

Americans generally agree that laws ought not exist regarding the free exchange of goods, like cakes. While we’re increasingly fuzzy about the freedom of association, generally Americans agree that, when buying a cake, we have the liberty to make that economic exchange, regardless of what that cake looks like or tastes like. read more

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail
Posted in Radio Commentaries | Comments Off on Cakes, flags and our American identity

Uber versus New York City

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has a problem with Uber. His problem is that Uber is putting the taxicab industry out of business and the cab unions, city contracts and partisan political arrangements are being tested.

If you don’t know what Uber is, it’s a free market alternative to traditional taxicabs. Here’s how it works: Uber is run from an app on your smart phone. You download the app, provide some basic information and a method of payment (either a credit card or a PayPal account). When you need a ride, you open the app on your phone. Through its own GPS navigation system, it knows where you are. You type in your destination and request a car. An Uber driver accepts your request and comes to pick you up. The driver takes you to your destination and you hop out – just like a taxicab. read more

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail
Posted in Radio Commentaries | Comments Off on Uber versus New York City