December 29, 2003

Carnival of the Capitalists

This is the last Carnival of the Capitalists for 2003. What a toppsy-turvy year in the economics/business world it was. President Bush got more tax cuts passed and continued to allow the Congress to spend, spend, spend. Also, through much of the year, the economy looked to be a heavy weight on Bush's re-election chances. But in the second half of the year, things perked up. The economy grew at a rate not seen in 20 years. The stock market has rebounded, while everyone waits for jobs to be created. What will happen in 2004? Here's wishing all of you untold riches (both material and non-material) in the new year. I apologize in advance for any and all errors or misconceptions of posts. Next week's CotC will be hosted by Misty at A Special Kind of Stupid.

Let's get this party started.

Josh Cohen has given up on NASA and sees it as a waste of tax dollars.

Da Goddess has found the real reason behind an Australian kangaroo culling.

Dean Esmay found a union he wouldn't mind joining.

J. P. Carter gets the "Most Clever Post Title Award" for his "Collecting Dead Presidents from Dead Peasants." It looks at a practice where an employer gets life insurance benefits from dead employees.

Todd at A Penny For... can help you find some good business books to help pass the time during the post-holiday doldrums.

Karun Philip is about to start his Knowledge Capital Project. This innovative, grass roots idea has real promise.

Robert Prather points out something good in the recently passed Medicare bill: Health Saving Accounts "get the same tax treatment as a regular insurance policy -- meaning a company can expense it and the employee doesn't have to pay taxes on it."

For you students of technical economics, Steve Verdon got a new book for Christmas. Firms aren't the "profit maximizers" you thought they were. This is due to the incentives of employees.

Joe Kristan offers some end-of-the-year tax ideas. (As with all things legal and tax-related, check with you accountant or financial adviser.)

Professor Bainbridge looks at food regulation in light of the Mad Cow situation.

Barry Ritholtz sees 2004 as a test for supply-side economic theory.

Aunty Goob rips apart a news story on pollutants found in people.

Rob of BusinessPundit sees the business benefits of running.

Micha Ghertner at Catallarchy.net points out that capitalism's critics have to do more than use platitudes.

Mike Pechar, the Interested-Participant, posts on the rise of the gift card and its effect on after-Christmas sales.

Tony Gill writes about Canada's new Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and how it incorporates health emergencies (unlike the U.S. Department of Homeland Security).

Lesjones applies the Law of Demand to prescription drugs.

And last, but not least, Kevin points out that Howard Dean, M.D. is already calling for a federal bailout of the cattle industry in light of the Mad Cow situation.