Charles Wheelan, Ph.D. The Naked Economist

Grounded: Why the Airlines Need an Overhaul

2007-10-15 23:00:41

Between polarized fares, long security lines, and rude customer 'service,' established airlines are a real train wreck. ...Read full article

Maternity 'Leave' Doesn't Mean Forever

2007-10-02 08:09:33

Maternity benefits are rightfully sacred, but in all fairness they should reward the women who return to work for good. ...Read full article

When One Plus One Equals Three

2007-09-05 00:00:38

When it comes to improving schools, the options seem to be spend more money or offer more choice. Why not try both? ...Read full article

Want Good Schools? First, Define 'Good'

2007-08-01 00:00:38

Test scores and location tell us virtually nothing about a school's quality. It's about time we found a new yardstick. ...Read full article

You Get What (and Who) You Vote For

2007-07-04 00:00:14

Why do politicians seem incapable of doing the right thing? Maybe because we don't expect anything better from them. ...Read full article

Mining an Alternative Fuel Disaster

2007-06-06 00:00:35

If Congress has its way, taxpayers will underwrite liquid coal as the alternative fuel of choice. It's a terrible idea. ...Read full article

Privatize the Postal Service (for Starters)

2007-05-02 00:00:21

Federal control of national mail delivery, like other government monopolies, is an engine for waste and inefficiency. ...Read full article

Health Care and the R Word

2007-04-04 00:00:28

When people talk about controlling health care costs and expanding coverage, they're really talking about rationing. ...Read full article

An Economics Laundry List

2007-03-14 00:00:40

From Milton Friedman to seignorage to supply-side charlatanism, the author illuminates a few of his favorite things. ...Read full article

Markets Make Sense, Except When They Don't

2007-02-14 00:00:26

Consider yourself a free-marketer? Take a quiz to find out how much you truly advocate 'just letting the market work.' ...Read full article

Why Income Inequality Matters

2007-01-10 00:00:00

Income disparity in the United States is a given, but few agree on what -- if anything -- should be done about it. ...Read full article

If They Only Had a Brain

2006-12-13 00:00:25

The Democrats won big in the midterm elections, but they’ve got a long way to go to arrive at a coherent economic philosophy. Here’s a roadmap even a donkey could read. ...Read full article

The Fat of the Land

2006-11-01 00:00:06

High insurance costs and lost time at work make America’s obesity epidemic everybody’s problem. Short of a miracle diet, find out what can be done. ...Read full article

Why Quick Fixes Never Last

2006-10-04 00:00:00

When politicians look for easy solutions to tough problems, the Law of Unintended Consequences ensures expensive policies that accomplish little -- or worse. ...Read full article

For True Policy Change, Look Backward

2006-09-06 00:00:00

Washington is mired in partisan politics, and virtually nothing gets done that isn’t at taxpayer expense. What if there was a not-quite-new sheriff -- or sheriffs -- in town? ...Read full article

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