An IPS Commentary By Michael R. Winther, President of the Institute for Principle Studies Negative Interest Rates and the Impoverishing of America If you have seen bank advertisements for CD rates, or if you have called your local bank or broker lately, you know that interest rates are abysmal. As I write this, Ally Bank is touting their 2-year certificate of deposit at a rate of 1.78%—I guess that is supposed to be a good deal these days. The Real Interest Rate More important than interest rates on deposits, however, is something called the “real interest rate.” This is … Read More
Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
An IPS Commentary By Michael R. Winther, President of the Institute for Principle Studies Little Things Can Make A Big Difference Almost every bill that comes into my mailbox contains content designed to promote a political agenda. My city water bill, my electricity bill, my natural gas bill, and even my home and auto insurance bills contain regular content designed to alter the political landscape. No, they are not asking me to support a particular political candidate or a political party—these messages are more subtle than that—but they are no less powerful. Subtle & Persuasive These politically persuasive messages usually … Read More
Reflections on Reading
An IPS Commentary By Jenna R. Hermle Reflections on Reading “The man who will not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.” Attributed to Mark Twain, this quotation illustrates an important principle regarding reading: the technical ability to read does a person no good if he does not execute the ability. The capacity to read is an incredible gift, but it does not provide any benefit if it is not practiced. Good Intentions Now readers, if you are anything like me, you probably have continual good intentions of reading, but how many of us actually turn the … Read More
A Household Understanding of the Economic Crisis
An IPS Commentary By Michael R. Winther, President of the Institute for Principle Studies A Household Understanding of the Economic Crisis Despite the “gloom and doom” pronouncement that many commentators are making regarding our current economic situation, the formula for solving our nation’s economic woes is actually very simple. In fact, most average Americans already know the formula—in both a general sense and in detail. The problem is that the majority of Americans who know the solution don’t know that they know the solution. A Grand Deception One of the grandest deceptions in government and economics is the lie that … Read More
Natural Rights: A Matter of Origins
An IPS Commentary By Michael R. Winther, President of the Institute for Principle Studies Natural Rights: A Matter of Origins Within the general category of “natural rights”, there are two underlying schools of thought. Both believe that human beings posses certain rights and that these rights cannot be infringed, even by legitimate government action. (This is not to say that these rights are never violated. In fact, these rights are often infringed by governments acting outside of their proper and legitimate role.) Between these two camps, there is only minor disagreement about what these “natural rights” are, and both camps … Read More
Render Unto Caesar
An IPS Commentary By Michael R. Winther, President of the Institute for Principle Studies Render Unto Caesar: An Exposition of Matthew 22:15-22 As an advocate of limited government and an advocate of government by biblical standards, I am frequently asked about Jesus’ words when He tells us to “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.” Many Christians have difficulty reconciling this admonition of Jesus with the concept of limited taxation, supposing that Jesus is instructing Christians to always render unconditional submission to the state in both action and finance. Let’s look at Matthew’s account of this teaching. Matthew 22:15-22 (ESV) Then … Read More
Symbols, Symbolism, and Flag Burning
An IPS Commentary By Michael R. Winther, President of the Institute for Principle Studies Symbols, Symbolism and Flag Burning I just watched a video clip of baseball player, Rick Monday, saving the American flag from the match of a protestor at a major league baseball game in 1976. As I watched, it occurred to me that there are millions of patriotic Americans who have great respect for the American flag. These Americans would join us in applauding this video and Rick Monday’s actions. Most, if not all, of these good, old-fashioned Americans would do exactly as Rick Monday did. This … Read More
The Central Question of Political Science
An IPS Commentary By Michael R. Winther, President of the Institute for Principle Studies The Central Question of Political Science The central question in the study of government and politics is this: “What is the proper role of government?” What should government do about the poor? Should government ban abortion, or should government protect the practice? What should government do about health care? What should be done with the environment? How should this or that parcel of land be zoned? Should we have a military draft? The answer to each of these questions depends on our view of … Read More
The Importance of Principles
An IPS Commentary By Katie Herche The Importance of Principles During my first year at Las Positas Junior College I decided to take an economics course. The class was microeconomics, and my professor was a well-educated woman who earned her Ph.D. at Berkeley. Because I had debated in high school, I already knew that economists had differing views and that many theories were widely debated. Understanding this, I approached my professor. My question was simple: I wanted to know which school of thought she subscribed to and would be teaching from. Her answer surprised me. “This is an introductory … Read More
Government and Ethics: Less is More
An IPS Commentary By Michael R. Winther, President of the Institute for Principle Studies Government and Ethics: Less is More In an effort to curb truly unethical behavior, we have created a mountain of laws and regulations that make previously ethical and acceptable actions illegal. Income reporting requirements and limitations on honoraria are just a few examples of regulations designed to prevent or reveal unethical behavior. Violations of these prophylactic regulations now make criminals out of even greater numbers of government officials. In an effort to curb truly unethical behavior, we have taken ethical behavior and made it criminal. This … Read More