TGIF: The Trumpian ICE Age: The Frigidity of Collectivism

TGIF: The Trumpian ICE Age: The Frigidity of Collectivism

by | Jan 16, 2026 | , , , ,

Welcome to the Trumpian ICE Age, a vivid lesson in the frigidity of collectivism. Take note, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Compared to Trump, you're a piker. We've got a problem, and it's not just Houston's. It's the lawless, authoritarian, liberty-flouting Trump, who on all fronts grasps at maximum power—constitutional and statutory limits be damned. The fronts, so far, include immigration, drug prohibition, trade, corporate ownership, and everyday matters like oil prices, credit-card interest, pharmaceutical prices, and home sales. Trump is also eyeing medical insurance. Heaven help...

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TGIF: “We’re” All Neocons Now

TGIF: “We’re” All Neocons Now

by | Jan 9, 2026 | , ,

Apart from a few details, I never saw much difference between Trump's America First shtick and MAGA's chief foe, the neconservatives. It appeared to be merely a squabble over details, such as whether democracy or strongman rule abroad best served the so-called national interest. No one believes in America Second, Third, or Nth. Trump's action in Venezuela confirms my impression. Beneath the surface, the contrast between Trumpian America First and neoconservatism disappears. At his news conference after the Venezuela invasion and decapitation, Trump was asked, "Mr. President, why is running a...

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TGIF: Warm Individualism or Cold Collectivism?

TGIF: Warm Individualism or Cold Collectivism?

by | Jan 2, 2026 | , , , , ,

Newly inaugurated New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani promises to "replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism." Funny that he chose those words. In Europe, where collectivist anti-fossil-fuels "green" policies have been enacted in the name of combating a conjured-up climate emergency, many people get dangerously cold in the winter. So far, this hasn't happened on a large scale in America, where the climate collectivists have not been as adept in imposing their lethal program as their European counterparts. Freer markets keep people warmer in winter. Zero-sum...

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TGIF: “Due Process” under Anarcho-Capitalism

TGIF: “Due Process” under Anarcho-Capitalism

by | Dec 26, 2025 | , , , ,

Libertarian advocates of minimal government, such as the late Robert Nozick (Anarchy, State, and Utopia, 1974), have feared that individuals in a stateless libertarian society would face corrupt or careless protection firms that used "risky" rights-enforcement procedures to determine guilt or liability. Innocent people might be held responsible for offenses they did not commit, while guilty individuals avoid paying restitution to their victims. Obviously, that would be undesirable. Without a minimal monopoly state to prohibit such abuse and protect "procedural rights," how could innocent...

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TGIF: Notes on Anarcho-Capitalism

TGIF: Notes on Anarcho-Capitalism

by | Dec 19, 2025 | , , , , ,

I'm pretty sure I won't be around long enough to see anarcho-capitalism—or what I call market-ordered anarchism—prevail in the United States. I'm just as sure that I won't see government strictly limited to protecting individual rights and never violating them (if that's coherent). So that's a wash. But it doesn't follow that discussing individualist, pro-property, free-market alternatives to the current, virtually out-of-control political system in America is time wasted. Far from it! If we want to progress toward liberty, we'd better get a move on. The only proper way to proceed is through...

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