LaFaive Cited in Bloomberg Businessweek
Corporate welfare stretches back decades. … more
Citizens, Investors and Legislative Circus Poodles
We all pay a price when government treats investors, entrepreneurs and households as circus poodles made to jump through hoops in order to collect selective tax-break or subsidy "biscuits" handed out at the whim and discretion of bureaucrats and legislators. … more
Blown Away by Former Detroit Mayor James Cavanagh's Ghost
As Detroit and the rest of Michigan look forward to 2010 and beyond, it might be wise to look back at what economics lessons the experience of the past half-century may provide to guide our future choices. … more
Kalamazoo's Taxpayer Arena
Kalamazoo County wants taxpayers to help buy a new sports arena. … more
"Slashing" Economic Development Staff? Please Sir, Can We Have Some More?
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation — the lead agency in a statewide "economic development" empire — is arguably the most ineffective, least necessary department in state government. Shrinkage of the agency's staff is good news; staff levels reaching zero would be excellent news! Alas, declines reported by a recent Detroit News article aren't quite what they appear to be. … more
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation: A Review and Analysis
Video by Kathy Hoesktra, Mackinac Center communications specialist … more
A Grand (Hotel) Lesson in Free Enterprise
The International Monetary Fund 's efforts to bail out failing foreign economies with American tax dollars harm not only thoseeconomies but also Michigan workers whose jobs depend on exported goods. … more
Using Sugar to Wash Down the Pork: The Joe Fordney Story
One hundred years ago, Saginaw Representative Joe Fordney was first elected to the U. S. House of Representatives. His 24-year career shows how protectionist tariffs hurt everyone-even the people they're supposed to help. … more
Dow Didnt Sue Powerful Competitors; He Outsmarted Them
Government interventionists argue that antitrust laws are needed to protect the public from Microsoft, but a lesson from Michigan history shows that brainpower and some old-fashioned free-market competition can break even the most powerful cartels. … more
Michigan and the Fantastic Federal Fur Failure
In 1822 the nation's first experiment with a federally subsidized industry-the Michigan fur trade-showed how entrepreneurs can succeed where government fails. … more
Corn Flakes and Greatness
From "dim-witted" dropout to one of the century's wealthiest Americans, Will Kellogg reminds us that personal and economic freedom encourage great achievement from even the most unlikely individuals. … more
Herbert Dow, the Monopoly Breaker
A spirited Michigan entrepreneur finds himself in an international trade war. He fights back with his own resources instead of asking for government help. … more
An Economic Lesson From Michigan's Early History
Michigan's early state-run railroads and canals were such colossal failures that the citizens demanded a constitutional prohibition of state-run firms. This set the stage for Michigan's world-class lumber, carriage, and automobile industries. … more
Ford Did Indeed Have a Better Idea
Henry Ford's automobile helped Michigan change the world. Without government assistance or mandates, he doubled workers' wages and reduced their hours. The result was lower cost and better quality for Ford and consumers. … more




