Richard Epstein Says We're Doomed
Yesterday I shared Richard Epstein and John Yoo with Troy, shooting an episode of Uncommon Knowledge with our two favorite constitutional scholars before handing them over to Troy, who (as he explains in his post below) then sat them down to shoot an installment of "Law Talk." (John Yoo's comment on spending the whole afternoon arguing law with Richard Epstein: "I felt like the guy who's assigned to cover Michael Jordan. All you can do is keep him in front of you and hope for the best.")
After the shoot, Richard and I got to talking about--well, about just how bad things are. No matter who wins the election, Richard argued, taxation and regulation will still prove extensive, depressing American productivity and forcing people around the world to reevaluate this country's long-term prospects.
"You see it in immigration," Richard said (I'm quoting him from memory). "On net, immigration to the United States has turned negative. Mexicans, Asians--people are going home. And it's not just a temporary problem that will end when the economy recovers. When people make immigration decisions, they make them based on long-term prospects. Canada is now attracting immigrants at a higher rate than the United States. Canada!"
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Dec '10
Re: Richard Epstein Says We're Doomed
If it of any comfort, the change in Canada started in 1983 with the British Columbia provincial government implementing a Restraint program. It was the first of more provincial governments changing assumptions, or rather adjusting to the reality. Eventually the Federal government followed suit, and the rest is history.
So consider New Jersey and Wisconsin as the first of many. By 2030 or so the US will start attracting entrepreneurial immigrants.
May '10
Re: Richard Epstein Says We're Doomed
That doesn't worry me a whole lot. I do agreements with ROK research institutes, and they still come to us to learn the critical stuff and cutting edge. If we got rid of the flat-earthers who are obsessed with phony 19th century-class "green jobs" and the hatred of capital entrepreneurship voiced by Newt in South Carolina, they would be back here before the planes could turn around.
Re: Richard Epstein Says We're Doomed
Duane Oyen: I'm still waiting for Steve Hayward on Uncommon Knowledge.
· 5 hours ago
Steve has appeared on UK several times, Duane. Here's one.
May '10
Re: Richard Epstein Says We're Doomed
I don't think we need to solve ALL our problems to start feeling good again. The key is to start addressing the problems in a serious way. If we start paying off our debt and re-generate a belief in our world class innovation capability I think it will rally very close to 300 million Americans behind the agenda. It does not matter if it will take 10, 20,.. years. The rewards are in the journey. Passing on steady improvement from year by year; generation by generation is what motivates.
May '10
Re: Richard Epstein Says We're Doomed
Peter Robinson
Duane Oyen: I'm still waiting for Steve Hayward on Uncommon Knowledge.
· 5 hours ago
Steve has appeared on UK several times, Duane. Here's one. · 3 hours ago
Sorry, Sir Peter, I was too cryptic. I was referring to my suggestion that his Breakthrough Institute article, "Modernizing Conservatism" be discussed. We had a bit of a debate here (where Dr. Hayward and I are the RINOs), and the larger discussion continues, including William Voegeli, Jonathan Adler, etc. here.
Mar '11
Re: Richard Epstein Says We're Doomed
Duane Oyen: Sorry, Sir Peter, I was too cryptic. I was referring to my suggestion that his Breakthrough Institute article, "Modernizing Conservatism" be discussed. We had a bit of a debate here (where Dr. Hayward and I are the RINOs), and the larger discussion continues, including William Voegeli, Jonathan Adler, etc. here.
I'm sorry I missed that debate, I was away from my keyboard for an extended period that month.
Much worthy of remark in Hayward's piece, e.g.:
Re: Richard Epstein Says We're Doomed
Don't you know he's generally a cheerful man?
Dec '10
Re: Richard Epstein Says We're Doomed
Peter,
Tell Dr. Epstein what my father used to tell his Graduate Students. "Hit a single to right field and take two asprin and call me in the morning." What it means is when that huge fast ball pitcher is striking everybody out, go with the pitch just making contact. You'll pop it over the second baseman's head and get on first. Now for the strategy, move the man around the bases to score. The pressure will get to the fast ball guy and he'll either start giving away walks or serve up a home run ball.
Rick Perry wasn't the candidate but he is the cure. Read his "Fed Up" again. Look hard at 20%/20% personal/corprate tax rate. Rick has the cure he just wasn't the candidate.
Dr. Epstein let me tell you something. My father was the Graduate Dean of a University. You got a really negative attitude and are giving people a really hard time. The Dean would call you into his office and beat you senseless (sarcasm can be a terrible thing).
I'm no Dean but RICHARD LIGHTEN UP!!!!!!!!